Farnsworth Orthopedic Physical Therapy

Orthopedic Physical Therapy

Julie

Put Your Best Foot Forward

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Plantar fasciitis is a condition that affects the bottom or sole of the foot. The plantar fascia consists of several broad bands of thick, tough tissue, which start at the bottom of the heel bone (called the calcaneous). Some of the bands attach to the underside of the bones of the forefoot. The others attach to the bottom of the foot at the ball of the foot (called the metatarsal heads). Because these bands are very close together, they are generally called the plantar fascia.

The plantar fascia provides a structural reinforcement for the foot and helps maintain the arch of the foot. Plantar fasciitis is a condition that happens when the plantar fascia becomes irritated and inflamed. This inflammation can have many causes such as overuse (too much running, walking or standing) or trauma (stepping on a stone, falling on the heel, etc.). Another cause may be a heel spur, which is a bony spur on the bottom of the heel usually located where the plantar fascia attaches. In some rare cases, inflammatory disease may be the cause.

The main symptom is pain located on the sole of the foot. The pain may be very local, in one precise spot, or it may be generalized. Most often, it seems to be at the base of the heel bone or middle of the arch. The problem may be in one or both feet. Pain usually is present or worsens with weight-bearing activities such as walking or standing.

Treatment can take many forms. One of the first interventions is to insert a heel-pad support in the shoes to take some of the pressure off the attachment of the plantar fascia. If the pain is near the metatarsal heads, there are also shoe-insert pads for this area. Heat can help to relieve the discomfort. Ultrasound can help reduce the inflammation. Additionally, there are specific stretches and therapeutic exercises that can be performed to help improve the condition. As the symptoms resolve, rehabilitation generally progresses into more functional-activity exercises, such as walking. For more information consult your health professional.

Post written by: Travis Rohner, DPT

The Straw That Broke The Camel’s Back

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Back pain is one of the most common ailments we treat at our office. “Back pain” is a simplified term for something that can be rather complex.  While arthritis, disc problems, and surgeries are some of the more common causes of back pain, sprains and strains are also to blame. A strain is injury to a tendon, while a sprain is in an injury to a ligament. Improper lifting, falls, and motor-vehicle accidents are the most common causes of these types of injuries.

Strains are mild injuries involving the muscles. The good news is, blood flow in the muscles can aid in a quick recovery. Even still, this type of injury can be very painful. Pain causes the muscles to tighten up, which can result in spasms. More severe injuries involve the ligaments as well as muscles and tendons. When ligaments become torn or stretched, the bones of the spine become less stable. Instability leads to irritation which can cause severe pain.

Age, level of activity, and work conditions are all contributing factors to the treatment you may receive for your injury. During the beginning stage of healing, modalities such as heat and e-stim can help relieve pain. Low-level therapeutic exercises help promote range of motion and mobility. Manual therapy such as soft-tissue massage, mobilization, or myofascial release may be utilized throughout all stages of recovery. As your injury begins to heal, modalities will be used less frequently, and a higher-level exercise program will be implemented.

Like back pain, the truth hurts!

Decrease in range of motion, strength, and endurance are common occurrences with back injuries. Buttock and leg pain may also occur. Overall function may be limited, depending on the physical demands of your work and daily activities. All this to say, back injuries are THE WORST! While no injury is fun, the possibility of relief through physical therapy is comforting. With proper diagnosis and treatment, consistent attendance, and consistent application of the home exercise program, your back injury can improve.

Post written by: Clint Bunker, DPT

If At First You Don’t Succeed, Dry Dry Again

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Dry needling is a type of therapeutic technique. A specially trained physical therapist will insert small, thin needles into myofascial trigger points on the body, as shown in the videos below. If this sounds scary to you, fear not! The process is not as painful as it sounds. Generally, the needle insertion is painless. What can sometimes be felt is a small twitch response. This response is your brain sending impulses to the trigger point. The feeling is more like a shock or cramping sensation than pain. An added bonus is the release of endorphins and other hormones that help to reduce pain and relax your mind and body.  Still, you may be wondering why anyone would choose this type of treatment for their condition.

There are many benefits to dry needling, which is why it may be recommended by your doctor or therapist. The stimulation of blood flow that occurs when the needle is inserted stimulates your body’s natural healing process. Patients who have been through a number of dry needling sessions will see an improvement in their range of motion and joint mobility. A lot of athletes have turned to dry needles to improve and maximize their performances, as have patients who have suffered a reduction in mobility through injury. Dry needling can also reduce myofascial pain.

Dry needling can help treat a wide range of injuries and conditions. Some of the more common ones include tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, headaches, and back or spine problems. In addition, it speeds up the recovery process by releasing muscle tightness and reducing inflammation. There is not a set number of treatments required to improve each condition. Everyone will have a different experience because our injuries are specific to our own bodies. It is common to notice a small change after the first session, and within 3-4 sessions you should know if the treatment is right for you.

A view of the needles in the skin.

Post written by: Casey Badder, DPT

Got An Issue? Here’s a Tissue: Soft Tissue Therapy

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One of the most common types of injuries we see here at Farnsworth Physical Therapy is soft tissue injuries (STI’s). These types of injuries happen when trauma or overuse occurs to muscles, tendons, or ligaments. Most soft tissue injuries are the result of an unexpected or uncontrolled movement. For example, stepping awkwardly off a curb and rolling your ankle. However, soft tissue damage can also occur from excessive overuse, especially in muscles and tendons. Pain, swelling, bruising, and loss of function are symptoms soft tissue injuries, which can negatively affect your daily life.

At our office, rehabilitation for an STI often includes a treatment called Astym. Astym promotes regeneration of healthy tissues through the use of special tools. These hard plastic tools vary in size and shape, and provide a deep tissue massage of sorts. This process breaks down restrictive tissues, releasing growth factors and increasing blood flow. As a result, your body stimulates its natural healing response. This treatment is especially helpful for issues like plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, and calf sprains and strains.

The Astym process is fairly quick and simple. To begin, cocoa butter is applied to the affected area to make it easier for the tool to glide across the skin.  Using the tool, pressure is applied for approximately 5-7 minutes. Afterward, your therapist will help you stretch and strengthen the area to ensure your body heals correctly. Because Astym provides such a deep massage, there can be extra sensitivity to the area after treatment. Don’t worry, this is normal. Try to stay positive and be patient with your body during the healing process.

Astym on a forearm.
Astym on a calf.

To learn more about your soft tissue injury, or to find out whether Astym would be beneficial for you, call our office to schedule an appointment. We would love to help you!

Post written by: Rod Walker, DPT

Thank You, Necks

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Even genies get cervicalgia!

Many neck injuries and conditions can cause pain extending down into one or both of the arms. This radiating pain is called cervical radiculopathy. Problems in the cervical (aka neck) region may cause irritation and inflamation to the nerves located there. Because these nerves run down the arms and hands, it is normal for the brain to perceive the pain as originating there, even though the problem is in the neck.

There are three main nerves in the arms: median, ulnar, and radial. Each of these nerves originates at certain levels in the neck. The location of the pain in the arm may indicate where the problem lies in the neck.  One cause of cervical radiculopathy is degenerative disc disease. Discs are located in the spine between the vertebral bones of the spine. The discs are circular, flat in shape, and made of a thick fibrous tissue. When the disc begins to degenerate, it loses height and becomes less resilient, which can irritate the nerves. Cervical strains may also cause radiculopathy. Cervical strains are usually caused by injuries such as being struck on the head by a heavy object, or automobile accidents. When these injuries occur, the muscles, tendons, and ligaments may become inflamed, thus irritating nerves in the neck region.

Osteoarthritis is another condition that can create cervical radiculopathy. As the arthritis progresses, bony spurs become larger and increasingly prevalent. Eventually, these spurs can begin to irritate the nerves in the neck. Brachial plexus injuries can cause cervical radiculopathy. The brachial plexus is a large bundle of nerves located where many of the nerves of the neck combine and then split into the nerves of the arm. Injury to the brachial plexus may be from neck trauma, contact sports, and motor vehicle accidents. It is easy to see why injuring this nerve bundle can cause cervical radiculopathy, since it directly affects the path of the nerve impulses.

There may be other causes of cervical radiculopathy, such as severe neck muscle spasms, cancer lesions in the neck, infections in the neck region, as well as other disease processes. For more information about what may be causing your particular symptoms, consult your doctor or physical therapist.

Post written by: Travis Rohner, PT, DPT

Do You Even Lift, Bro?

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Proper Body Mechanics while Lifting

1. Test the load. Before lifting, check the weight and make sure you can lift it safely. If not, get help or use an assistive device.

2. Keep your back in its natural curve. Bend at the hips and/or knees, keeping the low back erect. This helps to ensure the forces will be distributed safely. Do not bend at the waist.

3. Maintain a wide base of support. A solid and wide base will help reduce the possibility of slipping.

4. Hold objects as close to you as possible. This provides more stability for the object and reduces stress on the back as a result.

5. Never twist at the waist. Move or change directions with the feet. This decreases the stress and load on the back.

6. When lifting, keep abdominal muscles tight. This prepares the abdominal area to help in the lift and reduce strain on the low back.

7. Always think before you lift. First, think about how you will lift the object. Then plan your path and make sure it is clear.

8. Lift with the legs or the large muscles. Using the large muscle groups helps to diminish the forces on the low back.

9. Maintain good communication if two or more people are involved. Good timing on a lift reduces the likelihood of jerky or sudden unexpected movements which can cause injury.

10. Move obstacles out of the way. Removing toys, tools, loose rugs, etc. decreases the risk of slipping or falling.

11. Push rather than pull. Pushing makes it easier to utilize your weight advantage.

12. Eliminate repetitive lifting duties if possible. Place things or supplies that you constantly need or use at a better initial height to decrease lifting activities.

Job well done, Robert!

Post written by: Clinton Bunker, PT, DPT

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Areas Served:

Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, Phoenix, Queen Creek, Apache Junction, Tempe, Globe, Gold Canyon

Postal Address

Gilbert Office
730 N. Greenfield Rd.
Gilbert, AZ 85234
Phone: (480) 633-0666

Mesa Office
342 N Val Vista Dr. Suite 106
Mesa, AZ 85213
Phone: (480) 325-3310