Learn More about some of the common questions about Physical Therapy from the experts at Red Canyon Physical Therapy

Pre-hab

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Prehabilitation or (pre-hab) is defined as “a process of improving the functional capability of a patient prior to a surgical procedure so the patient can withstand any postoperative inactivity and associated decline.” In terms of outcomes, studies have shown that patients who are to undergo knee and hip replacements and perform 6-weeks of land and water-based PT decreased their odds of needing in-patient rehab by up to 73%. This basically demonstrates the stronger and more flexible you go into the procedure, the better and quicker outcomes you’ll have afterwards. Some exercises that will be beneficial prior to a knee or hip replacement would be lower extremity stretching, glute and quad strengthening, as well as cycling for continuous non weight bearing motion. Ask your physical therapist for prescribed therapeutic exercises to create a mobility and strengthening program to perform prior  to your upcoming procedure.

Sources:

 www.arthritis.org

Arthritis Foundation | Symptoms Treatments | Prevention Tips | Pain Relief Advice

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www.arthritis.org

 

Can Physical Therapy Help My Headaches and Migraines?

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If you suffer from headaches or migraines, you may have tried many methods for relief. Common techniques that can often be successful include medications, caffeine, supplements or rest and sleep.

Some forms of migraines and headaches however can be very chronic in nature and not respond to some of these go to home approaches, or the headache can come back very quickly and repetitively if not addressing other contributing factors. Oftentimes we find ourselves discussing these conditions and symptoms with primary care physicians or neurologists, who can be very helpful in the diagnosis and treatment of headaches and migraines. Often overlooked when it comes to the clinical treatment of headaches is Physical Therapy. Read more

The Throwers Ten Exercise Program and the Overhead Athlete

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The Throwers Ten Exercise Program was originally designed with 10 exercises to target strengthening for injury prevention in baseball pitchers, however has evolved as a more robust program that is beneficial to other overhead athletes. The exercises included in this program were specifically chosen as they are able to be completed outside of a gym. There is minimal exercise equipment needed and therefore allows the athlete more freedom to complete this strengthening program at home or as part of a warm-up. This exercise program would be an excellent place to start strengthening muscle groups in the shoulder in order to prevent injuries when competing in overhead sports.

Goal: To improve the strength, power, and endurance of the shoulder complex needed for the throwing or overhead athlete Read more

How Sleep Helps with Pain Relief and Other Health Benefits

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Raise your hand if you feel like you can never get enough sleep. Sleep is one of the most important and overlooked aspects of our health. We need it to recharge to become productive throughout our work week, take care of our loved ones, and just feel good overall. Read more

To PT or Not to PT During a Pandemic

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We find ourselves in extraordinary times. Because we are Physical Therapists, healthcare is our business and helping people to overcome issues is what we do. An individual’s healthcare issue recovery plan during these days is in question when leaving your home can be deemed “risky”. There is not a playbook on each how individual should handle their unique case. We at Red Canyon Physical Therapy certainly cannot make the decision for you. What we can do is offer some facts regarding the pandemic to allow you to make your most informed healthcare decisions. According to the CDC. Read more

Trying to Understand Chronic Pain: An Introduction to Pain Neuroscience Education

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Written by Shannon Hall, DPT

Chronic pain is defined as pain lasting more than 3 months. In the United States alone, it is estimated that of the 255 million adults, nearly 126 million of them suffer from chronic pain. That means that almost half of the population suffers from some form of chronic pain. Put into a dollar amount, roughly $560 – $630 BILLION dollars are spent on chronic pain treatment in the United States EVERY YEAR.

So why is chronic pain such a hard problem to solve?

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Tips to Help with Sciatica Pain from Sitting

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If you are required to sit for most of your workday, you may have experienced sciatica pain. Sciatica is pain that affects the back, hip, and leg and is caused by compression of the sciatic nerve. Compression of the sciatic nerve can be caused by arthritis or spinal stenosis but can also occur as a result of sitting for extended periods of time, especially with poor posture. Taking these simple steps during your workday can help relieve this discomfort.

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Cold Laser Therapy FAQs

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The use of lasers in a therapeutic setting has been around for many years, starting with small studies conducted in the 1960s to test the use of lasers for pain relief.  Cold laser therapy has gained popularity recently in the therapy world since its first FDA approved trail began in 2002. This low-level laser has been shown to decrease swelling and inflammation in people with acute and chronic pain.  More recent studies involving Cold Laser therapy in combination with exercise have been shown to reduce pain levels in patients with Carpal tunnel syndrome and myofascial pain syndrome, among other common chronic pain conditions.

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US Department of Health & Human Services Publishes 2018 Updates to Physical Activity Guidelines

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Most people know that one of the best ways to stay healthy and prevent injury is to remain active, but did you know that there are specific guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Health and Human services regarding how much activity people should get in order to get the most benefit from exercise? For the first time since their initial publication in 2008, these guidelines
have been updated based on new research to help Americans use exercise to help prevent disease and injury, and improve overall quality of life. Physical therapy is a great way to begin incorporating exercise into people’s lives, and as PTs and PTAs we strive to
encourage regular physical activity and education about just how many benefits there are to maintaining an active lifestyle.

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The Importance of Hand Washing in Physical Therapy

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As the cooler months approach and the seasons change, cold & flu season begins to develop. Luckily, there are a variety of ways one can prevent sickness for one’s self in addition to preventing the spread of sickness to others. Simple suggestions include avoiding contact with individuals who are sick, staying home if sickness develops, avoiding touching the face, nose, and mouth, and covering nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing. One of the simplest ways to prevent sickness includes a task often overlooked: correct hand washing.

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