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Looking-For-Relief-From-Hip-Knee-Pain
Looking For Relief From Hip & Knee Pain? Your Search Ends With PT

As the cartilage in one’s joints begins to break down with age, the risk of experiencing chronic hip or knee discomfort rises. Anyone can acquire hip or knee discomfort as a result of excessive overuse, unanticipated traumas, or underlying disorders.

While surgery may be required to repair specific disorders of the hip or knee, physical therapy has been shown to be effective in reducing discomfort and increasing function. In many circumstances, physical therapy can completely obviate the need for surgery.

Your hips and knees are essential joints that work hard all day to give you the best possible function. They are common sources of pain and discomfort due to their complexity and constant use.

If you are suffering from hip or knee pain and are looking for a solution, visit our office today to learn more about how our services may help you!

Common causes of hip and knee pain

When you schedule an appointment with a physical therapist, the first thing you can expect is a thorough evaluation. Your physical therapist will examine you to figure out where the painful area is, as well as where the pain is stemming from.

For example, discomfort in the hips can occasionally be felt in the lower back, buttocks, groin, or the front or side of the hips. Knee pain can also be felt on the front or rear of the knee joint. If there has been a trauma to the knee, it can also be felt on the inside of the knee, or on the outside of the knee if you have iliotibial band tension.

Hip pain is often described as a dull discomfort that doesn’t seem to go away. Knee pain, on the other hand, is a little different, and it’s usually classified as one of three different forms of pain:

  • Chronic – Chronic pain can be defined as any pain that lasts longer than two or three months. If you’ve been living with serious knee pain for that long, you should consult with your doctor. He or she will most likely suggest performing another full physical exam, in addition to x-rays.
  • Acute – Acute pain is the most intense type of knee pain. It typically occurs after an injury and will last for about a week. The treatment for acute pain is generally just to simply rest and isolate the affected area, as your body is working hard to heal it.
  • Subacute – Subacute pain is typically felt two to six weeks after an injury. The affected area will still be painful, but it will not be nearly as severe as the acute pain of the first week. The treatment for subacute knee pain generally consists of gentle motions meant to increase your range of motion and facilitate healing.

Let us help you find real pain relief once and for all

When you come in for your initial consultation, your physical therapy clinic will perform a thorough assessment to evaluate the extent of your problem and the best treatment options. This assessment will involve the following:

  • Range of motion tests. Your physical therapist will put your knee or hip to the test to see how far it can bend. This aids in identifying the degree of the trauma and provides your physical therapist with information on how to proceed with treatment.
  • Strength tests. Testing the strength of your knee and hip structures will give your physical therapist a better idea of whether your pain is due to an injury or a physical imbalance.
  • Palpation. Your physical therapist will gently palpate your knee or hip to figure out where the pain is coming from.
  • Gait analysis. Your physical therapist will assess how you walk to determine if anything is out of the ordinary with your gait.

Targeted stretches and exercises will be included in treatment regimens to relieve discomfort and improve function in the problematic hips or knees. As your physical therapist sees fit, other methods or modalities may be applied. Your progress will be continuously monitored to ensure that you meet your objectives as quickly as possible.

Your physical therapist may do balance tests to check if your equilibrium has been compromised, depending on your symptoms. Your physical therapist will pay special attention to any regions that are irritated.

Find the light at the end of the tunnel with physical therapy

We’ll get you the care you need at our clinic so you can get back on your feet! Contact our office today if you’re looking for a natural solution to ease your hip and knee pain.

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Ouch-Herniated-Discs-Could-Be-Causing-Your-Back-Pain
Ouch! Herniated Discs Could Be Causing Your Back Pain!

The spine is such a complex part of the body that it is not uncommon for pain to occur from time to time. The spine contains 24 bones. Of those bones, 5 of them are located in the lower back. In addition to these bones, the spine also contains several nerves and intervertebral discs. Back Pain can sometimes be the result of an underlying problem, such as a herniated disc. One of the earliest signs of a herniated disc is lower back discomfort, which can range from mild to severe. You might also have weakness, numbness in the legs, or severe and shooting sensations. Patients have also reported losing bladder control as a result of a herniated disc in certain extreme situations.

When the jelly-like nucleus of an intervertebral disc protrudes, it is called a herniated disc. This occurs when the disc’s cell wall isn’t strong enough to keep the nucleus in place, allowing it to push through the outer ring and bulge. A herniated disc can occur anywhere along the spine, although the lower back is the most typical location. If you’re having back pain and suspect it might be due to a herniated disc, call our office right away to see how we can assist.

How does a herniated disc form?

Herniated discs are most commonly associated with aging, as the spine wears down and becomes more brittle. “Disc degeneration” is the term for this condition. When we’re young, the water content of the discs in our spine is high, but as we become older, the water content declines. The CDs will shrink as a result of this.

As a result, the older we get, the more likely we are to get disc degeneration. Other variables that can increase your chance of a herniated disc include:

  • Being between the ages of 20-50.
  • Being male.
  • Engaging in improper lifting techniques.
  • Engaging in a sedentary lifestyle.
  • Driving often.
  • Being overweight.

Signs and symptoms of a herniated disc

If you suspect you have a herniated disc, make an appointment with your primary care physician. Your doctor will do a physical exam to check muscle strength, as well as perform a neurological exam, to determine if your disc is herniated.

A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan may be used to confirm the diagnosis if your doctor suspects your disc is herniated. Your doctor will be able to tell if you have a herniated disc in your lower back thanks to this scan.

If the disc is putting pressure on the spine, it can be detected. Your doctor will then provide you with a treatment plan, and will likely recommend physical therapy for pain relief.

How does a physical therapist help relieve herniated disc pain?

Your physical therapist will create a treatment plan that specifically targets your individual needs. This will begin with passive treatments to ease your pain and improve your function, including manual therapy, traction, ice and heat therapies, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, or hydrotherapy.

Active treatments will begin once your passive treatments are complete. This may include core exercises to strengthen your back, stretching and flexibility exercises to increase range of motion, and any additional muscle strengthening exercises that your physical therapist deems fit. In addition to these exercises, your physical therapist will advise you on any lifestyle changes he or she may recommend, in order to decrease your risk of future pain and injury.

You don’t have to struggle alone anymore

Our physical therapy office has the best resources and procedures for assisting you in recovering and resuming your life. Look no further if you’re looking for a natural, safe, and non-invasive solution to treat your herniated discs. Call us right now to get started on the road to recovery!

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Physical-therapy-clinic-balance-disorders-dubuque-physical-therapy-Dubuque-IA
How A Stronger Core Can Help With Balance Issues

Have you been feeling shaky and off balance lately? The culprit might be a weak core! Having a weak core might make you feel unbalanced, but the good news is that physical therapy can help you strengthen your core and improve your balance as well.

Physical therapy should include core strength training. Your core muscles play an important part in keeping you balanced whether you’re sitting, standing, or sprinting. The muscles in your core assist in anchoring your center of gravity, allowing you to maintain balance.

Are you trying to find a way to improve your balance? If that’s the case, call Dubuque Physical Therapy in Dubuque, IA to learn more about how our core strengthening services might help you.

What should I know about my core?

There are two types of core muscles: the inner core and the outer core. The inner core muscles are attached to the spine. These are the muscles that balance the core and hold it in the correct place. The outer core muscles work together with the inner core muscles when you need to rotate your body to perform much of everyday physical activities.

Core stability has to do with the inner core muscles. These muscles are stabilizing for the spine. Core strength relates to the outer core muscles, and when properly formed, works to help you move about with ease. It also helps you keep your balance!

Frequent visits with a licensed physical therapist may be able to help you train your inner and outer core muscles for improved balance and movement!

How are balance and core strength related?

It’s crucial to know where your core muscles are located before you can focus on strengthening them. Many folks mistakenly believe they are working their core muscles when they are actually working their upper abdominal muscles. These muscles are vital for core strength, but they’re not the ones you’re looking for.

Your unique core muscles, as well as the transversus abdominis muscles that make up the “pelvic corset,” are positioned in your pelvis, hips, and lower back.

These core muscles serve as your body’s natural stabilizers, making constant adjustments in response to nerve cells called “proprioceptors,” which give you your sense of spatial awareness.

As your core becomes stronger, you will be able to steady your balance much easier. When muscles are weak, it is more difficult to balance yourself from your center of gravity. This increases your risk for falls, and it can affect your arm and upper body movements. Back pain, difficulty in standing up from a seated position, and incontinence may also indicate an unstable core.

How can my balance benefit from physical therapy treatments?

Our physical therapists are highly skilled and dedicated to helping you improve your balance through core strengthening. When you arrive for your first appointment, your physical therapy clinic will conduct a comprehensive exam to assess your stance, gait, balance, and core muscles.

This will help determine the origin of the weakness and will be the foundation of your treatment plan. Treatment plans will be designed specifically for you and your individual needs. These plans for balance improvement typically include:

  • Using stability boards. Various types of physical therapy balance boards have a flat surface and a curved underside. Standing on these devices and working to maintain your stability can greatly improve your core balance.
  • Practicing Tai chi. Tai chi is a slow-motion form of Chinese martial art. The poses and transitions done within this type of treatment can help your body develop the core muscles it needs in order to retain the necessary stability from one move to the next.
  • Slow exercises. Depending on the severity of your balance impairment, it may be best to start off slow. Your physical therapist may suggest beginning with gentle and safe exercises, such as leg lifts or pelvic tilts. These types of exercises can help strengthen your back, pelvic, and abdominal core muscles.

Ab workouts. These may include sit-ups, pushups, and crunches. Abdominal exercises help strengthen the abdominal muscles that work with your core.

Regain your balance and strengthen your core with physical therapy

Are issues with your balance hindering your daily life? If so, don’t hesitate to contact us as soon as possible. We’ll provide you with the core strengthening exercises you need to get back on your feet, feeling better than ever.

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