National Physical Therapy Month

October is National Physical Therapy Month and our team at Advance Physical Therapy in Nassau County is recognizing why physical therapy is beneficial. Benefits may vary depending on the reason for treatment, but they’re still useful for those with medical conditions, illnesses, and injuries.

Personalized physical therapy sessions can help individuals restore the body’s function and movement while providing pain relief and promoting healing. PT can address injuries and issues such as, but not limited to:

• Cardiopulmonary conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
• Neurological conditions such as stroke and Parkinson’s disease.
• Musculoskeletal dysfunction.
• Women’s health and pelvic floor dysfunction such as urinary incontinence.
• Sports-related injuries such as tennis elbow.
• Pediatric conditions such as cerebral palsy.

Why is PT beneficial?

Physical therapy has proven itself useful for a variety of different areas including:

• Pain Reduction

A prime benefit typically associated with physical therapy is that it serves as an outstanding resource for the treatment and potential elimination of pain.

• Stroke recovery

The recuperation process post-stroke can be a strenuous task to undergo without any assistance. Thankfully, physical therapy in Nassau County can serve as a crutch for those who are looking for a method to speed up this process.

• Avoid surgery

Surgery may not be required if physical therapy helps eliminate pain or heal from an injury, but in the case it is, pre-surgery physical therapy can prove to be beneficial. The stronger you are going into surgery, the faster you will recover post-surgery. Not to mention, PT can help avoid the costs that come with surgery.

• Recover or prevent sports-related injuries

Each sport can come with unique injuries. Therefore, physical therapists typically can design customized recovery and prevention exercises personalized to your needs. This may potentially allow a safe return to your sport.

• Improved mobility

No matter your age, physical therapy in Nassau County may help individuals struggling to stand, walk, or move. This can be done through the incorporation of stretching and strengthening workouts. You may also be properly fit for canes, crutches, as well as any other assistive device if your situation requires it.

Through the practice of physical therapy in Nassau County, Advance PT will be able to provide you with a wide variety of resources that can be utilized in order to improve your overall health and wellness. Contact our staff this month and ask about what our team can do for you!

How Can Physical Therapy Help Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a real disorder that unfortunately targets millions of people across the world. The symptoms tend to be spots of tenderness, fatigue, and pain throughout the bones and muscles. Lamentably, testing for fibromyalgia is fruitless because there is no known cause. In fact, fibromyalgia can occasionally be one of the more difficult disorders to effectively diagnose. But that hasn’t stopped the good people at Advance physical therapy in Nassau County from assisting individuals suffering from the disease.    

Potential Causes of Fibromyalgia

Doctors are still unsure of what causes fibromyalgia however, they have pinpointed a few things that may lead to developing this condition:  

• Genetics – If a family member has fibromyalgia, then other members of the family may be more susceptible to potentially getting it or passing the gene on. Certain genetic mutations may also be a prime catalyst for fibromyalgia. However, the specific genes of the complication still elude scientists and doctors today.
• Infections – If a patient is attempting to fight off the common cold or even something potentially worse, that might make them a possible threat to contract fibromyalgia.
• Trauma/Stress – Physical and emotional trauma may lead to developing fibromyalgia. Undergoing a mortifying experience may have the consequence of acquiring the disorder.

Symptoms and Warning Signs of Fibromyalgia

As stated previously, the symptoms of fibromyalgia can make diagnosing the disease an onerous task. But if an individual is interested in learning more about potential catalysts, they should consider pursuing physical therapy in Nassau County and consult with their PT if they have the following symptoms:

• Pain – Discomfort throughout the body is typically an immediate warning sign of fibromyalgia. The pain may not be specifically sharp or piercing but more of a dull ache within a patient’s body. The areas that commonly are affected can include the joints, shoulders, and hips. Consistent pain for a prolonged period of time needs to be examined by a medical professional.
• Fatigue – Another symptom is fatigue, people with fibromyalgia report they sleep enough but it does not feel like it. Fibromyalgia may cause people to wake up throughout the night. Fibromyalgia may lead to other sleep-related diseases such as sleep apnea or restless leg syndrome.  
• “Fibro Fog”– People with fibromyalgia may develop cognitive problems which could affect their focus, memory, and attention span.       

Treatment of Fibromyalgia

When it comes to treatment for fibromyalgia it is more about managing the pain instead of healing the problem altogether. There is no known cure yet but here are some of the better options:

• Pain Relievers –  Ibuprofen (Advil) may help reduce the pain, as well as acetaminophen (Tylenol).  
• Anti-Seizure Drugs –  Sometimes medication that is designed with a specific purpose can also have other benefits. Gabapentin (Neurontin) has been proven to aid in easing the pain of fibromyalgia. Pregabalin (Lyrica) has also been recognized by the Food and Drug Administration to treat fibromyalgia.   

Fibromyalgia is a problematic disorder that needs to be taken seriously. While there may not be an explicit cure, that shouldn’t mean an indefinite lifetime of suffering is awaiting a patient. There are certainly a copious amount of techniques used for living with fibromyalgia. If an individual is suffering from this complication, they should consider physical therapy in Nassau County over at Advance PT and make an appointment today.

Symptoms Of Osteoarthritis

What Is Osteoarthritis?

Unfortunately, some of us tend to develop osteoarthritis as we periodically grow and age. This painful condition is commonly referred to as a degenerative joint disease that gradually establishes itself within your joints. Typically, these joints fall victim to ordinary wear and tear, creating a potential lifelong complication. The protective cushioning of the joints, also known as cartilage, moderately depreciates with age. Without the cartilage, the bones begin to uncomfortably rub together. This serves as a catalyst for inflammation, creating osteoarthritis within the joints. Advance Physical Therapy in Nassau County has trained physical therapists who are capable of analyzing your joints for potential warning signs of osteoarthritis.

Warning Signs/Symptoms Of Osteoarthritis

As previously mentioned, Osteoarthritis nestles itself within your joints, thus creating numerous complications. The condition typically develops within your knees, wrists, ankles, arms, fingers, and hips. If you’ve begun to notice that you’re experiencing discomfort in these areas, physical therapy in Nassau County is a viable option for potential treatment.

Symptoms that may arise from this condition can include the following:

• Pain & Stiffness– Commonly, chronic and frequent pain is considered one of the initial warnings sign for potentially developing arthritis. Uncomfortable stiffness is also a regularly reported issue.
• Swelling – Joints tend to swell up and become puffy when they’ve fallen victim to osteoarthritis. This symptom tends to be excruciatingly painful and will likely require immediate treatment.  
• Tenderness – Affected joints may also begin to formulate tenderness as a result of the chronic swelling. The joints will be susceptible to pain when pressed down or overused.
• Discomfort After Activity – If you’re noticing that your joints are in agony after doing an ordinary activity, this could mean that you’ve fallen victim to osteoarthritis. This can make mundane actions a strenuous task, especially for those who are athletes or are forced to work with their hands.

What Can You Do?

Each year, tons of people are diagnosed with this unbearable joint disease. Forcing yourself to tough out the pain should never be an avenue to pursue. Instead, use physical therapy in Nassau County over at Advanced PT to get yourself a personalized treatment plan. Contact their office and schedule an appointment today!

Joint Hyperextension

Despite our best efforts, most of us will likely experience an injury at some point in our lifetime. One of the more common cases of reported injury is the hyperextension. Hyperextension occurs when a specific joint is moved through the means of an extreme, forcible motion. If you’ve experienced this complication, the team at Advance Physical Therapy in Nassau County will be there to help you through the use of several different services.

Common Symptoms Of Joint Hyperextension

Athletes are the ones who are typically affected by hyperextension but it can also develop in ordinary people as well. If you feel that you’ve experienced this ailment, assess whether or not you have the following symptoms:

• Pain – There will likely be discomfort in the area you extended yourself in. The pain can vary depending upon the severity of the injury. Typically, it can range from a slight ache to excruciating pain. This depends upon the specific ligaments, tendons, or any other configurations that were injured as a result.
• Decreased Mobility – Depending on which joint you injure, movement restriction could be a potential possibility. This damage may take time to heal, but physical therapy in Nassau County could speed up the process.  
• Swelling & Bruising – Symptoms such as these two can be easily identified. Similar to the level of pain, they also will likely vary regarding severity. If left untreated, swelling and bruising will likely progressively get worse.

Potential Causes Of Joint Hyperextension

Hyperextension of any kind could be triggered by several different catalysts.  If you are looking to make an appointment to discuss the causes or anything else further, don’t hesitate to go to Advance Physical Therapy in Nassau County! For potential causes, refer to the below list:

• Intense Activities – If you are going to play rough, you are going to get hurt. Any exhilarating activity can leave a permanent mark or lasting effect if you are not careful. If you’re an athlete, don’t overexert yourself and listen to your body if you’re feeling discomfort.
• Age – Geriatric patients may be more susceptible to experiencing joint hyperextension, due to the ordinary wear and tear that comes with aging.
• Previous Injury – If you have injured yourself in the past, then you may have an increased risk of joint hyperextension.  

Potential Treatment Options:

• R.I.C.E – Commonly referred to as the universal treatment, RICE is able to incorporate the following:
  • Rest – This one is pretty self-explanatory, be sure to take it easy as soon as possible. If your injury was caused by physical activity, try to refrain from re-engaging in the act.
  • Ice – Icing can effectively treat your injury and potentially reduce the swelling. When icing your injury, make sure the ice or ice pack is wrapped in a paper towel.  
  • Compression – Wrapping the joint could potentially speed up the healing process.
  • Elevation – Raising your injured limb above heart level can help ease the swelling. One of the best ways of doing that is by laying down on the couch (or your bed) and propping your injured limb up with pillows. If possible, using a sling is also an effective technique.

Hyperextensions may be strenuous, but they’re certainly not the end of the world.  Several methods have been utilized in order to properly treat the condition, potentially even increasing strength and mobility. Remember, Advance Physical Therapy in Nassau County will be there to assist you with any potential complications.  

Fall Sports Injuries

Back to school season and fall sports season come hand-in-hand. Whether it’s football, cheerleading, or soccer, there are dozens of after-school sports in the fall. While this season can be fun, it comes with safety risks as well. Luckily there are ways that coaches and parents can help prevent injury for their children this fall. Everything from stretching before a workout to having an up-to-date physical can help. If you’re worried about fall sports injuries or have any questions, contact our team at Advance Physical Therapy in Nassau County.

Types Of Fall Sports Injuries and Prevention

When playing any sport, there are risks for different types of injuries. Some of the most common fall sports injuries include:

• Ankle Sprain
• Shoulder dislocation
• Lower back strain
• Knee Sprain
• Elbow injuries
• Hamstring strain

While these injuries may seem daunting, they are all preventable and treatable. Some rules to follow in order to prevent the injuries listed above include:

• Warm-up properly: Getting your body warmed up and ready to move can help you avoid sprains and strains.
• Make sure fields are in good condition: Uneven playing surfaces can result in ankle injuries, so it’s important to be aware of the surface you are playing on.
• Speak up: Speaking up about pain can be hard, but attempting to play through pain often worsens injuries that could be easily treated.
• Invest in quality equipment: Spending extra on a good pair of shoes or guards will help increase your safety. Playing a sport in incorrect or broken gear can lead to injuries like fractures or sprains.

If you have any other questions about avoiding fall sports injuries, call Advance Physical Therapy in Nassau County.

How We Can Help  

No matter how hard we try to avoid sports injuries, the chances of them occurring are unfortunately still there, even though it is less likely. Luckily when that happens, Advance Physical Therapy can help you or your child through a fast and effective recovery. Individuals suffering from sports injuries range in age and conditions. That’s why we believe in individualized treatment because every injury is different. When you visit us with a sports injury, we not only help your recovery, but we will work with you to strengthen the affected area and prevent future injury. If you or your child are suffering from a sports injury, contact Advance Physical Therapy in Nassau County to begin your treatment today.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is often described as tingling or weakness in the hand. This condition is caused by pressure on an individual’s median nerve. The median controls all finger movement except the pinky and runs from the top of the arm through the hand. Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome commonly get worse with time, so it is important to seek out medical treatment early on. If you are suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome, contact Advance Physical Therapy in Nassau County today!

Symptoms and Causes  

The symptoms of carpal tunnel start slowly at first and can gradually get worse over time. Some of the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome include:

• Discomfort in the wrist or palm of the hand
• Numbness through the fingers
• A shock that travels from the arm to the fingers.
• Weakness in the hand with a tendency to drop objects

The pain felt when an individual has carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by an increase in pressure in the wrist. In most cases, there is an underlying medical condition that causes this swelling. Some conditions that are associated with carpal tunnel syndrome include:

• Diabetes
• Thyroid dysfunction
• Fluid retention
• High blood pressure
• Autoimmune disorders
• Past trauma to the hand

If you have any questions about the symptoms and causes of carpal tunnel syndrome, call Advance Physical Therapy in Nassau County.

How We Can Help  

Carpal tunnel syndrome can make daily activities uncomfortable and painful. Thankfully, our team can help lessen the pain through the use of different therapies. We will utilize all resources to help you through a quick and painless recovery. When you become part of our hands-on program, we will guide you every step of the way to help bring you the comfort you deserve. If you believe you could benefit from physical therapy for your carpal tunnel, contact Advance Physical Therapy in Nassau County to schedule an appointment today.

Pain Management

An individual’s pain can be simple or complex depending on the severity of the injury. This is why no pain management treatments are the same and will vary based on the patient’s condition. Pain management is important because an individuals pain can have a profound effect on their day to day life. The goal of treating someone through pain management is to eliminate pain as quickly and easily as possible. This way the patient can go back to enjoying normal activities that may have been affected by their pain. If you are looking for pain management treatment through our physical therapy, contact Advance Physical Therapy in Nassau County today.

Types Of Pain

Pain symptoms are often split into the categories of acute and chronic pain. It’s important to know where your pain falls on this scale so you can communicate with us.

• Acute Pain: This type of pain is often sudden with a short duration. Usually caused by damage to tissue including bone, muscle, or organs.
• Chronic Pain: This pain typically lasts longer than acute pain and is often more resistant to different types of treatment. It’s typically experienced due to long-term illness, tissue damage, nerve damage, or certain conditions.

No matter what type of pain you’re in, there are always treatment options to help. Some options include:

• Physical therapy
• Heat and Cold therapy
• Massage therapy
• K-Laser Therapy
• The McKenzie Method

If you have any questions regarding the various treatment options we offer for your acute or chronic pain, contact Advance Physical Therapy in Nassau County today.

How We Can Help  

An individual’s pain can make doing normal daily activities almost impossible. At Advance Physical Therapy in Nassau County, we will work towards reducing your pain as quickly and effectively as possible. Our goal is to help them strengthen the affected area and concur the pain they are suffering from. Don’t let the pain control your life any longer. If you believe you could benefit from physical therapy for pain management, contact us today!

Post Surgical Rehab

After a surgical procedure, it’s easy to want to get right back into your normal routine. Although in reality, it’s not that easy; you’re going to need rehabilitation after your surgery to gain back strength. When visiting a physical therapist after surgery, we can help you take care of your body without causing any further damage. We will also work with to help strengthen the affected area so you can recover faster. If you have any questions about post-surgical rehabilitation, contact our physical therapy in Nassau County.

Benefits of Post Surgical Rehab

Physical therapy is important after any surgical procedure, especially ones that affect the hip, knee, shoulder, wrist, and foot. Post-surgical rehabilitation is essential after these procedures because your body cannot return to normal function on its own. A physical therapist will set goals to minimize the effects of surgery and help return your body to normal function. Post-surgical treatments will often also include:

• Strategies for pain reduction
• Flexibility routines
• Muscle-based exercises
• Posture and balance training
• Gait analysis
• Manual therapy
• Self-care
• Home exercises

If you have any questions or believe that you could benefit from this kind of post-surgical care, call our Advance Physical Therapy in Nassau County today!

What We Can Do For You

Post-surgical rehabilitation will help strengthen your muscles, reduce pain, and increase your range of motion. Recovering from any surgical procedure can be difficult and stressful, but with the help of experts like our team at Advance Physical Therapy, it doesn’t have to be. Our dedicated and experienced team will develop a personalized post-surgical rehabilitation regimen and be with you from start to finish. We believe in hands-on care that will lead you back to your normal routine faster. If you believe you could benefit from our post-surgical therapy, call our physical therapy in Nassau County to schedule an appointment.

Balance is usually not something people think about every day and is often taken for granted. Poor balance can make everyday activities harder to accomplish and could cause pain while doing it. If your balance is compromised, you may feel symptoms of unsteadiness, dizziness, blurred vision, or even faintness. If you are unsure if you are suffering from a balance disorder, seeking treatment from Advance Physical Therapy in Nassau County may be the right step for you.

Benefits of Balance Therapy

• Body Awareness. Body awareness is something that is not often practiced. Balance training enhances your body awareness and will help your body reach equilibrium and decrease the risk of injury.

• Increased Coordination. Through balance therapy, you will notice your body has greater control over its actions.

• Increase in Body Strength. Balance therapy strengthens the muscles in your nervous system. Strengthening your nervous system helps to strengthen your body, as you will notice that you will have the strength to take on more physically demanding activities.

• Better Agility. Agility is known as the ability to perform activities with swiftness. For athletes especially, it is essential to have good agility because most sports require quick movement. This is one reason why balance therapy for people without balance disorders is still important. The more agile you are, the more coordinated, efficient and quick you are. If you are an athlete looking to improve your agility, our physical therapy in Nassau County could be very beneficial to you.

• Better Joint Stability. Balance therapy helps the joints in your body become stronger. Promoting strength in your knees, hips, neck, ankles, and shoulders is important to help avoid injury.

Why Advance Physical Therapy?

At Advance Physical Therapy, our team is experienced and knowledgeable in balance therapy and what it takes to get your body where it needs to be. After doing an initial assessment, we will create a personalized plan of exercises to improve your overall balance. If you are looking for physical therapy in Nassau County we make booking an appointment easy. Request an appointment right from your phone or computer today to get started.

Muscle atrophy is the loss of muscle tissue in the body either as a result of an injury and no longer being able to move or use that muscle, or as a result of aging and not being as active. One way that you can combat muscle atrophy is through physical therapy. If you are looking for physical therapy in Nassau County, Advance Physical Therapy is here to help!

What is Muscle Atrophy?

• The most common reasons for muscle atrophy is a decrease in physical activity. When we neglect to use our muscles, over time, they can wear down and lose their strength.
• As we get older, muscle atrophy is more likely to develop. When people age they tend to be not as physically active as they once were. This can be another cause of muscle atrophy.
• Injuries can play a big role in muscle atrophy. If you have sustained a significant injury like a break or fracture and are unable to use that limb or muscle for an extended period of time, muscle atrophy can occur. Once you are fully healed, you will have to build up that muscle through activities like physical therapy. Advance Physical Therapy in Nassau County can help you combat the muscle atrophy you may be dealing with.
• Suffering from a severe medical condition like a stroke can also lead to muscle atrophy. Strokes may affect certain parts of your body and cause them to be difficult to use or unable to use. By not being able to use these muscles, it will most likely cause them to weaken over time.
• The symptoms of muscle atrophy can be easy to identify:

1. If one arm or leg is much smaller than the other due to the muscles being smaller.
2. Weakness in one arm or leg compared to the other one.
3. Lack of physical activity due to lack of muscle strength.

How Advance Physical Therapy in Nassau County Can Help:

For those who live with muscle atrophy or those who want to avoid living with it, physical therapy is the best choice. Our experienced physical therapists can work with you no matter what level of physical activity you are at, to help you regain your strength and build up your muscles. This can be done in a wide variety of ways whether through physical exercises or with stretches that are recommended by our physical therapists. By staying active with physical therapy and using your muscles on a weekly and daily basis, we can help you fight off the symptoms of muscle atrophy. If you are interested in making an appointment for physical therapy in Nassau County, contact us today.

Many people think of physical therapy as something you do to recover from an injury. However, there are other benefits to it as well, one of which is the relief it can bring to those suffering from migraines. Migraines can be extremely painful and make life seem unbearable, but there is a way to help. At Advance Physical Therapy in Nassau County, we can help you can combat your migraines.

What is a Migraine?

Migraines are different from tension or other types of headaches. A migraine will typically only affect one side of your head. As opposed to other headaches, the pain felt with migraines can be throbbing. They can also be divided into two categories, with or without an “aura”. The aura refers to sensations a person will feel before an actual migraine takes place. These sensations can include:

• Having trouble thinking or being less alert overall
• A tingling sensation or numbness in the face or hands
• Having a strange sense of smell, taste, or touch
• Seeing flashing lights or unusual lines

Whether you suffer from migraines with or without an aura, Advanced Physical Therapy offers physical therapy in Nassau County that can help.

Symptoms of Migraines

Aside from the throbbing pain and “aura” sensations you may feel, there are other symptoms of migraines that can include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Temporary loss of vision
• Pain in the temples

Physical Therapy

Many people suffer from migraines, it is estimated that 13% of the adult population in the United States suffer from them. If you are a part of that percentage, our team at Advance Physical Therapy in Nassau County will come up with a program that is best suited to deal with the migraines you are facing. This program could include a mix of stretches, exercises, and hands-on techniques that can help alleviate your pain and discomfort. Your migraines do not have to define what you can and cannot do. Choosing the right team is the first step towards optimum health.