Physical therapy eases sciatica

According to analysis of a recent study, physical therapy sessions provide both immediate and long-term relief for patients with sciatica.

The research involved 165 patients with moderate or severe sciatic pain. They participated in physical therapy sessions for three months. Immediately after a PT session, 85 percent of patients reported reduced leg pain through centralization. Centralization happens when the radiating leg pain associated with sciatica retreats to the spine, where the pain originated, and is associated with a good prognosis in sciatica patients. In this study, researchers were investigating whether certain patients were more likely to experience centralization following a PT session.

The researchers concluded that because the majority of participants experienced centralization, physical therapy can reduce sciatic pain, regardless of the type of disc lesion causing pain. Following three months of physical therapy, all of the patients involved in the study reported a reduction in leg pain and improved ability to perform daily activities. Those who saw immediate centralization reported the most significant improvement, but even those who did not find immediate relief after one physical therapy session experienced long-term improvements in sciatica symptoms. All patients involved found that these benefits remained at a follow-up visit one year after the therapy sessions.

This study confirms that physical therapy reduces radiating leg pain for many patients, providing both short and long-term results.

Joint Rehab is a health clinic which focuses specifically on your needs for therapy and rehabilitation.Joint Rehab Providing services in massage therapy,  Physiotherapy in Markham, ON.

Height and Weight Affect Prevalence of Teen Back Pain

It seems that back pain has become a problem that begins far earlier in life than it used to, for far too many young people. Studies show that around 12% of teens have some degree of pain in their low backs.

Scientists have also conducted research linking patient body mass index (BMI) to low-back pain. They have found that obese patients do not recover as effectively from back pain as those who are not obese.

Among the adolescent population, evidence linking obesity to low-back pain has been lacking. To remedy this, researchers recently examined the prevalence of low-back pain in teens, and analyzed how BMI and height influenced the likelihood of adolescent back pain.

For the study, researchers used data from nearly 830,000 medical examinations conducted by the military for mandatory recruitment screenings over more than 20 years’ time. Among these, the severity of those with low-back pain was determined by attached disability clauses, the military’s official way of setting health-related limitations on new recruits. Among the records of those with low-back pain disability clauses, researchers categorized the young men and women as having low-back pain alone or low-back pain with other evidence that corroborated the claim of back pain.

For low-back pain alone, the study found that 5.2% of males and 2.7% of females complained about pain. For both genders, the prevalence dropped to 0.2% when looking for patients who had objective back-pain evidence.

Higher BMI was significantly associated with low-back pain in both genders. Being overweight or obese greatly increased the chance for low-back pain.

Height was also linked to low-back pain in both sexes. The tallest teens were at greater risk of suffering from back pain than the shortest teens.

Joint Rehab is a health clinic which focuses specifically on your needs for therapy and rehabilitation.Joint Rehab Providing services in massage therapy,  Physiotherapy in Markham, ON.

Most Common Kid Sports Injuries

While physical activity is beneficial for children’s health, it can lead to sports injuries in the growing bodies of young people. Research about sports injuries has been conducted in an effort to prevent injury and keep athletics as safe as possible for kids.

A recent study added to this body of research. Researchers surveyed over 1200 children aged 6-12 years old weekly over two and a half years. Because the survey questions were so frequent, this study utilized the technology of text messages, which were exchanged with participants’ parents every week. The purpose of the study was to report data about both traumatic and overuse sports injuries to the upper and lower extremities. The survey questions and responses sent via text message were used to identify the presence of musculoskeletal problems and to determine participation in physical activities and leisure-time sports. When injuries were reported, examinations were performed, with treatment assigned, if needed.

Injury incidence averaged at about 1.2% of participants each week. Overall, injuries to the lower extremities were nearly six times more common than injuries to the upper extremities. Overuse injuries were the most common in the legs and lower body; traumatic injuries were more prevalent than overuse in the upper body.

Overall, the injury rate was high. Among just 1259 children, a total of 1229 injuries was reported, with overuse injuries almost doubling traumatic injuries. Many children experienced multiple injuries over the 2.5 year study period.

On average, the children participated 1.5 times per week in a leisure-time sport. Those who participated in school sports were significantly more likely to suffer a traumatic lower-extremity injury. Leg injuries associated with overuse were also more likely the more the children participated in sports.

The only factor that increased the odds of sustaining an upper-extremity injury was age. Especially for overuse injuries, the older the participants were, the greater their chances of being hurt in the upper body.

Joint Rehab is a health clinic which focuses specifically on your needs for therapy and rehabilitation.Joint Rehab Providing services in massage therapy, sports therapy,  Physiotherapy in Markham, ON.

Massage May Prevent High Blood Pressure

A new study suggests that massage therapy can decrease blood pressure in women with per-hypertension. The study found that massage therapy significantly reduced both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and the benefits  lasted at least three days after one massage session.

Hypertension, commonly referred to as high blood pressure, affects approximately 50 million adults in the US. The term “per-hypertension” refers to people who have elevated blood pressure levels that haven’t yet reached the high-blood pressure threshold. People with per-hypertension are 3.5 times more likely to develop myocardial infraction and 1.7 times more likely to have coronary disease.

Researchers measured blood pressure immediately before and after the treatment, and took additional measurements three days after the massage session to assess the lasting effects. Massage therapy was found to immediately normalize blood pressure, and these reductions persisted at the 72-hour follow-up. Although the underlying mechanisms are still unclear, this study suggests that massage therapy can effectively lower blood pressure in patients with per-hypertension.

While per-hypertension can be treated with drugs, most clinicians recommend non-pharmacological options as the first line of treatment. This research suggests that massage therapy could be an effective adjunct for preventing high blood pressure, along with lifestyle changes, nutrition and exercise. Chiropractic spinal adjustments have also been found to significantly reduce blood pressure in earlier studies. Both chiropractic and massage therapy may offer patients an effective natural way to prevent the risks associated with hypertension.

Joint Rehab is a health clinic which focuses specifically on your needs for therapy and rehabilitation.Joint Rehab Providing services in massage therapy,  Physiotherapy in Markham, ON.

Preventing ACL Injuries in Athletes

Female athletes are two to nine times more likely to suffer from anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries than males. New research suggests that gender disparity is likely the result of body type and landing techniques.

ACL injuries are an extremely common sports injury, resulting in an estimated 80-100,000 ACL repairs in the US every year. Although most athletes are able to bounce back from these injuries, they can be a source of significant disability, lost playing time, and put you at an increased risk of arthritis later in life. Sports with jumping or quick starts and stops are tied to an increased risk of ACL injuries, such as basketball, soccer, volleyball, and lacrosse. Gender also plays a role in the risk of ACL injuries, but it was previously not understood why.

A new study from Oregon State University shows women are more likely to land in way associated with a higher risk of ACL injuries.

Using motion analysis software, researchers examined men and women’s body movements while performing various jumping exercises. Both men and women utilized their quad regions similarly, and they also landed stiffly, which has which has been tied to an elevated risk of ACL injuries. However, women were 3.6 times more likely to land in a “knock-kneed” position, with their thighs slightly inward. This inability to control frontal-plane knee loading may put the knee ligaments at risk.

Chiropractors often treat athletes recovering from torn ACLs and other lower-limb complaints.Exercise therapies have been shown to be effective for healing one of the most common types of knee injuries, meniscal tears. In one study, exercise therapies were as effective as surgery for alleviating symptoms in patients with knee arthritis and meniscal tears. Chiropractors frequently provide such therapies, often as a part of an integrated approach.

Joint Rehab is a health clinic which focuses specifically on your needs for therapy and rehabilitation.Joint Rehab Providing services in massage therapy,  Physiotherapy in Markham, ON.

 

 

What is Physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy or Physical therapy is defined as provision of services to people in order to restore or maintain physical and functional ability especially after time of disease process or injury, but most often it is performed to optimize physical capabilities.

WHEN TO PERFORM PHYSIOTHERAPY?

Physiotherapy is mostly believed by many people to be an exercise which maintains the working state of human body in an efficient way. Nevertheless, physio is far more than an exercise supervised by physiotherapists. Following are some of the conditions in which physiotherapy may be useful include Injuries, Post injury rehabilitation (post fracture, post-surgical), Muscular problems, Joint disorders (Osteo-arthritis), Neck pain and backaches, Spine problems (Sciatica, Spina bifida), Headaches (tension headaches), Neurological disorders (Stroke, Cerebral palsy, Multiple sclerosis), Urinary problems (stress incontinence), Gynecological problems (post labor, uterine and vaginal prolapse), Lung and heart diseases (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).

Above are some of the situations where physical therapy works as an assisting therapy along with the basic treatment modality, but the role of physiotherapists is far more than the above mentioned list.

WHO PERFORMS PHYSIOTHERAPY?

Physiotherapy is not just an exercise comprising of easy and repetitive steps. Optimal application is sometimes a challenge for even experienced physiotherapists. Use of appropriate physical therapy according to the patient’s age, sex, physical condition, disease severity and physical capabilities are some of the factors that influence the approach to for physio treatment. Therefore only a physio with vast knowledge, sufficient experience and expertise is mandatory for this purpose. Such a person is termed as a Physiotherapist.

Joint Rehab Providing services in Physiotherapy in Markham, ON. For more information visit http://www.jointrehab.ca

Advantages of Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy, more commonly known as physical therapy, is used for a number of symptoms and conditions, and to pinpoint all of its specific benefits would mean writing an almost endless list. It’s most basic definition and description includes support and the promotion of physical (and sometimes mental) function, flexibility, mobility, and strength. Physical therapy can be used as physical training to prevent and decrease damage to the body when accidents occur; however, it is mostly known for its therapeutic purposes used by those wanting to decrease and/or heal harmful physical conditions caused by accidents or disorders they’ve experienced.

When it comes to understanding the benefits of physical therapy more in-depth, it’s important to first know how to differentiate the varying types of physical therapy, and when they’re used.

• Pediatric 
Pediatric therapy is usually sought and used when early detection of harmful physical conditions has proven positive for an infant or child. Therapy sessions include the improvement and/or healing of physical strength, fine motor skills, and balance.

• Heat 
Heat therapy is used for relaxation and healing purposes of muscles, joints, and other soft tissues found within the body. It can increase blood circulation, causing a therapeutic effect on various areas of the body.

• Speech 
Speech therapy is, in fact, a type of physical therapy due to it’s strengthening effect on facial muscles.

• Neurological 
When patients are suffering from neurological disorders such as cerebral palsy, strokes, Alzheimer’s disease, neurological physical therapy can be used to improve physical functions damaged by the conditions.

• Orthopedic
Known as the most commonly used type of physical therapy, orthopedic physical therapy is used following serious surgery needed due to a disorder or severe accident in order to improve and/or heal physical malfunction and movement.

• Geriatric 
Geriatric therapy is used for older patients suffering from physical malfunction due to their body aging. It’s very common and normal for those of older ages.

One major benefit of therapy is its effective use of pain management. There are various therapeutic methods used by physical therapists to manage, diminish, or heal pain. These physical methods include stretching exercises, aerobic exercises, various uses of ice and heat packs, ultrasound, and exercises that actually cause pain relief. These methods are known as active and passive physical therapy. Active includes physical exercises, and passive includes the use of medical technology and supplies.

One example of a specific physical therapeutic benefit is carpal tunnel syndrome. A patient who suffers from carpal tunnel syndrome experiences pain, weakness, and numbness located in the median nerve of their hand and fingers. This condition can also cause pain to shoot up through out the arm and shoulder. Physical therapy can decrease pain, and possibly improve and/or heal symptoms of the condition.

To summarize, the benefits of therapy are plentiful, effective, and worth the medical care. They include pain management, body, mobility, flexibility, and mind strengthening. They can decrease, manage, or completely heal dysfunctional properties of the body due to disorders or accidents.

Joint Rehab Providing services in Physiotherapy in Markham, ON. For more information visit http://www.jointrehab.ca

Don’t believe the recent health headlines: physiotherapy DOES work for treating ‘tennis elbow’

Recent headlines in the health media this week suggest that physiotherapy provides no benefit for tennis elbow: “Tennis elbow: Cortisone shots and physical therapy provide no long-term relief, study finds”, and “Corticosteroid injection, physiotherapy do not provide significant improvement for ‘tennis elbow’”.  These articles refer to findings from a newly published clinical study examining corticosteroid injections and physiotherapy in treating chronic lateral epicondylalgia (‘tennis elbow’) (Coombes, B.K., Bisset L., et al. Effect of corticosteroid injection, physiotherapy, or both on clinical outcomes in patients with unilateral lateral epicondylalgia: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2013 Feb6;309(5):461-9).  While corticosteroid injections have historically been a more contentious treatment for tennis elbow, physiotherapy has long been the most widely accepted treatment for this condition.  Various studies alongside the anecdotal evidence of patients and therapists support its use.  Could current clinical practice be wrong?

The objective of this clinical study was to examine the efficacy of corticosteroid injections for treating tennis elbow in conjunction with physiotherapy.  Growing clinical evidence has suggested that such injections may not have long-term efficacy, and recurrence rates may be high.  In a previous study by the same investigators results showed that at 1 year follow-up, recurrence occurred for 72% of patients receiving the injection alone, compared with only 8% who received physiotherapy (Bisset L, Beller E, et al. Mobilisation with movement and exercise, corticosteroid injection, or wait and see for tennis elbow: randomised trial.  BMJ. 2006;333(7575):939).  Even though injections may not provide great long-term outcomes, they may provide significant short term pain relief (although placebo effects have not be adequately ruled out).  The authors therefore devised a clinical trial of 165 patients to shed further light on the utility of using corticosteroid injections, physiotherapy, or both, in clinical practice.

So what did this clinical trial show?  The authors conclude first and foremost that “there was a worse clinical outcome 1 year after corticosteroid injection compared with placebo, despite its short-term benefits”.  This is an interesting result that supports a growing suspicion in the medical community regarding the potential ineffectiveness of steroid injections for tennis elbow.  The authors then go on to say that when compared with no physiotherapy, “physiotherapy did not result in any significant 1-year differences.”  This later conclusion was startling.  How could this be the case?  The answer of course is in the details.

Upon closer examination of the study it becomes apparent that the authors’ conclusions can be easily misinterpreted.  Not surprisingly, one needs to read more than the study summary in order to understand what the authors are telling us.  The authors actually report that physiotherapy provided significant benefits across all outcome measures (pain, disability, and quality of life) at 4 weeks, earlier than patients who did not receive physiotherapy.  Patients who received physiotherapy also demonstrated the lowest recurrence rates at 1 year (4.9%), and these patients also achieved ’100% complete recovery or much improvement’ at 1 year.  So even though at the 1 year mark there was no statistically significant difference in pain, disability, and quality of life measures between patients who received physiotherapy and those who did not, those that did receive physiotherapy got better faster, had the lowest recurrence rate, and achieved ideal 1 year outcomes.  The story doesn’t end there.

In reality, the difference in outcomes between patients who received physiotherapy and those that did not is likely to be significantly greater than was demonstrated in this study.  The authors narrowly defined physiotherapy as consisting of only “elbow manual therapy and exercise”, and provided ALL patients with education regarding which activities to avoid, use of analgesic and anti-inflammatory medication, use of heat and cold treatments, as well as the use of support braces and other health information.  So BOTH the physiotherapy group AND the no-physiotherapy group received the education component of a normal physiotherapy treatment program.  In other words, it would be more accurate to say that the authors were comparing physiotherapy treatment with and without the use of manual therapy and exercise!

In direct opposition to the exciting headlines imagined by the various health writers that “reviewed” this study, this clinical trial actually provides further evidence in support of the use of physiotherapy as the gold standard treatment for tennis elbow.