by stretchmobility | Oct 11, 2017 | Uncategorized
Joints do snap, crackle, and pop at times and this is normal. However, if your knees click or pop EVERY time you do a motion such as going up/down stairs, standing/sitting, or squatting that is something that you need to address before it becomes a problem.
The clicking that you hear is your knee caps pushing against your knee while in motion. This happens due to muscle imbalances in your body, either your hip is weak and your knees are caving in with bending or the arches in your ankles are weak and your knee is again caving in and causing this sound. If you don’t start addressing these muscle imbalances soon the bones wear down and arthritis could begin to form.
Here’s a quick test for you, stand in front of a mirror or have someone watch you, and perform a squat. Watch (or have your friend watch) to see if your knees are staying in line with your feet, or if your knees are moving in between your feet, also listen for any clicking sounds. If either of these are the case you may have ankle instability or hip weakness. You should see your Physical Therapist for an evaluation to make sure that this problem does not get worse.
by stretchmobility | Oct 10, 2017 | Uncategorized
People often think, “Do I have to keep doing all of these exercises for the rest of my life?” after coming to therapy and performing weeks of exercises, getting hands on care from your therapist, then getting back to your pain free life. This is a great question, and the answer is both yes and no.
Let me explain: If you are performing 10-20 minutes of exercises on a daily basis, there is no need to continue to perform this many exercises. However, I have a question for you: Do you brush your teeth every day? Why? To prevent you from having cavities, would it make sense to perform a few exercises every day to prevent you from having your pain again?
After you complete your therapy there are most likely 2-3 exercises that you should be performing to keep your strength up and prevent you from having your problem return. This should only take 5 minutes or so 2-3 days a week. You want to keep the muscles that have a tendency to be weak strong to keep your pain away.
Dr. Christopher Aeschliman, PT, DPT
by stretchmobility | Oct 2, 2017 | Uncategorized
Today, I had another client come in today with lower back pain. She told me she had sciatica symptoms. She felt pain in her back initially however the pain that shoots down her legs is the most debilitating. She feels like sometimes she can’t stand up all the way.
Unfortunately for her, she’s been dealing with this for over half a decade. The pain limits her from walking, standing long periods of time, and at this point she’s afraid to return to work as a nurse. Nursing is a very active highly demanding physical job. The fear is completely understandable and the fear is very rational.
Dealing with chronic pain can be life consuming, altering our lifestyles in ways that people without chronic pain do not realize. I personally have had a ACL reconstruction on my R knee. I went to months of prehab and even more months of rehab after surgery. It still aggravates me to this day. I realized that my knee hurt when I was walking for prolonged periods, or sitting for prolonged periods. I never thought I’d be able to play soccer again so I would skip workouts. I would avoid any activity that may cause pain. I “knew” it would cause pain.
Recently, I came across an article on chronic pain and it helped enlighten my knowledge on the subject. They found that the pain signal to the brain not only was coming from the source of pain BUT was also coming from memory.
Another article was showing how pain pathways from the source of pain may actually interfere with motor output. This means that the pain is actually discoordinating muscles, which is going to lead to more pain.
Given these two thoughts, it makes sense why a client would need more than just strengthening to solve their problem. The client needs solutions that address these other factors as well. This is a common problem that needs to be addressed appropriately.
Dr. Mark Geise, PT, DPT
by stretchmobility | Sep 9, 2017 | Uncategorized
Stop Spending Money on ineffective treatments and gadgets when managing pain.
Costs of Surgery 100-300K+ (Insurance will cover this if your deductible is Met)
Cost of Injections $150-400/injection ( Short lived and causes more damage)
Cost of Going to The Dr first for Pain (Time, waiting for medications to work, time off work, time back to Dr to say Pain medications are not working, Costly X-Rays, CAT scans and MRI’s that reveal no problem. Or your spine looks like the spine of a 90 year old.) Could be up to 2 months of your time. Pain still continues.
Dr refers you out to see a PAIN Specialist for injections. Cost $150-400/injection. (Typically the injections will last the longest the first time, then future injections cause damage but are still a bandaid and does not FIX the problem. )
Finally you get to see a P.T. in a hospital setting that gives you silly exercises that are temporary and in effective.
Then off to your Ortho Dr. You are a GREAT candidate for surgery. You see where this is going right?
From what my patients tell me, this process can take 6 months to a year. But barely any relief and you have missed so much work and have spent possibly your deductible. This is our current IN-Network system. So now that your deductible is met you want to only see providers that are any in network provider. I understand, you have spent a lot of Time and Money and want your insurance to now cover your treatment.
The problem with this model is that you will only reach the GOALs set forth by your insurance company. Typically if physical therapy is the option of treatment selected you can now be happy to reach a level of 3/10 pain by using your insurance card. Most people believe that PT does not work, because they chose a PT that was an in network provider that chose to get paid a discount from their insurance and because they are reimbursed so low they will need to see several people at one time to cover the expenses they have. This system does not work to effectively FIX your back pain or any other pain for that matter. You will see temporary results in this system. ( BTW, after this many will seek surgery because of the time) Ouch!
The choice that we recommend is much cheaper, saves time and will help you better understand your body and the pain you are experiencing.
Seeing a Therapist that specializes in Hands on Treatment first, followed by neuro re-ed, muscle energy techniques, Laser, Dry needling and cupping followed by some exercise. (Not hours of exercise) Will effectively FIX your pain and help you to return to doing the things you LOVE TO DO. The cost of this Model. Under $2000.00 to be fixed. In most cases it can be under $1000.00 for the total treatment. Better yet, you don’t need to see your Dr first, go in for X-Rays or expensive MRIs and will get relief the very 1st visit. Typically in 10-12 treatments you are done and better understand how to prevent the pain from coming back. Which treatment will you choose? Ready to FIX your pain? Reach out to me today [email protected] A Better You… One Stretch At A Time.
by stretchmobility | Aug 30, 2017 | Uncategorized
All too often people suffer from low back pain. The first step to treating the back pain is to find a pain relieving position. The pain relieving position is the foundation upon which we can build our exercise routine. No matter the type of back pain, the position as shown above tends to calm down the lower back pain. The position is to lay on your back with arms down by the side. The legs should have a moderate bend in both the hips and knees. Symptoms tend to subside upon getting into this position.
Why does this position tend to relieve lower back pain? Our biggest villain for joint pain is gravity. Gravity is relentlessly pushing down on our bodies all day, everyday. When we are sitting, standing or walking, gravity is putting pressure straight down our spine which takes its toll on our lower spine after a while. When we lie down, gravity is not pushing directly down the spine across the spine so it’s effects aren’t as great.
Now our posture also plays a part in this as well. Even if we had perfect posture, we wouldn’t be able to stand all day long due to gravity pushing on our lower spine all day. But very few people have great posture so our ability to stand or sit for prolonged periods is less than optimal. In this hooklying position, the position of the legs rotates the pelvis back and flattens the spine. The flattening of the spine helps muscles and ligaments relax and decompresses the forces gravity was exerting on the lower spine all day. This helps to get us into a better posture albeit laying down.
So do this next time your back pain acts up to see if you get relief. Just remember, movement is the real treatment to lower back pain so remember to do exercises as well.
Have a great day!
by stretchmobility | Mar 7, 2017 | Uncategorized
How to Prevent TMJ
If you don’t have any of these symptoms, let’s keep it that way! There are some simple things you can do at home or work to prevent TMD from occurring in your jaw joints:
Relax your face – remember the rule:
- “Lips together, teeth apart”
- Avoid grinding you teeth
- Avoid constant gum chewing
- Don’t cradle the phone receiver between your head and shoulder – either use a headset or hold the receiver to your ear
- Chew food evenly on both sides of your mouth
- Do not sit with your chin rested on your had
- Practice good posture – keep your head up, back straight, and shoulders square
