Here is a great youtube video on understanding pain.
Don’t let pain shut you down. Get some help and let’s get going!
Posts Tagged ‘physical therapy’
Trigger Point Dry Needling – New Orleans
Trigger Point Dry-Needling and Physical Therapy: A Personal Recovery Story , by Taryn Cohn, MSPT, OCS
I have been a practicing physical therapist for ten years. I became a certified orthopedic manual therapist through the Ola Grimsby Institute 7 years ago and have taken multiple continuing education courses in manual therapy. I have found that most all of the knowledge I have gained throughout the years is valuable and can be applied in one way or another based on the individual and the injury. So when the opportunity came up to take a continuing education course in trigger point dry-needling I jumped at the opportunity. What started out as educational growth opportunity, ended up having a much larger personal impact.
I would consider myself a frequent, perhaps avid exerciser. Ever since childhood I have always enjoyed a wide range of physical activity. It is this passion for movement that initially brought me to physical therapy as a career. However, almost 2 years ago I became sidelined for 8 months with a lumbar disc herniation. Through exercise and the hands-on physical therapy intervention of my co-workers I was able to overcome the injury without needing medical or surgical intervention.
It was in the midst of my recovery that I went to Colorado to learn about trigger point dry-needling. If you are unfamiliar with trigger point dry needling (TDN), or intramuscular therapy, it is a treatment for muscular tightness and spasm, which commonly follows injuries, degenerative processes, stress and muscular overuse. This treatment technique uses small, thin needles inserted directly into hyperirritable areas of taut skeletal muscle referred to as trigger points. When the needle hits the correct spot it causes a twitch response in the muscle, resulting in muscle lengthening and relaxation.
A requirement of the course when learning the dry-needling technique is that you practice on fellow course participants. After my treatment partner completed the trigger-point dry-needling on my low back and hips I experienced some of the most significant relief of painful symptoms I had felt in almost a year. As with most treatment techniques, I am hesitant to use it with patients unless I have experienced some personal benefits. After the initial and continued symptom reduction I have received as a result of dry-needling, I would encourage anyone to try it who has been unsuccessful with other treatments.
Since the addition of dry-needling to my existing manual therapy practice, I have seen excellent results in those suffering from low back pain, hip pain, shoulder pain, plantar fasciitis and neck pain, to name a few.
Call us to see if trigger Point Dry Needling would be helpful to you.
Fit Across New Orleans City Park’s Running Track Workout
Run the track for a great workout:
- easy to compute distance and time intervals
- great place to work on running technique and form
- great place to work on running speed, power, end explosive conditioning.
Go out to the running track at City Park this weekend, and try Dessauer’s speed, power, conditioning workout:
- 8 100’s, 30 second rest
- 2 200’s, 1 minute rest
- 2 400’s, 2 minute rest
For more information on training, running, and sports performance training, like us on Facebook , follow us on Twitter, or contact our office.
Run Longer, Stronger and Healthier #2
Week 2 Run Longer, Stronger: The Foot Continued
Last week we began working on strengthening the feet. You might be to the point now where you can see some space developing between your toes when you attempt to separate them. This week we are going to tackle another very important component to efficient running, strong feet, strong calves. Listed below are two exercises to add to your routine.
The Challenge: Running requires Calf Strength
1. Toe Raise
- Stand with the balls of your feet on the edge of a sturdy step. Let your heels come below the level of the step until you feel a slight stretch, then lift your heels up until you are on your tiptoes. Start with repetitions of 10-15 for 1-2 sets. The goal is to get strong enough to perform 2 sets of 30 repetitions.
1. Toe raise
- After performing your heel raises stretch out the calves by keeping one knee straight, and bending the other knee allowing the heel of the straight leg to go below the level of the step. Hold the stretch for 20 seconds, repeat 2-3 times each side.
- Look for our next running blog, Tuesday to learn dynamic stretching techniques for the foot and ankle.
2. Calf Stretch
Robert Griffin III ACL Reconstruction
With NFL fans and the popularity of Robert Griffin III, the question has been raised, how will RG III do after knee surgery? And will he be able to match the speedy recovery of Adrian Peterson?
According to reports Dr. James Andrews repaired Griffin’s anterior cruciate and lateral collateral ligaments on Wednesday January 9, 2013. The average return to sport with ACL reconstruction is in the 1-2 year range. But with today’s advanced techniques the outcomes have gotten better and better. Injuries which were once career ending are now just a 1 year hiatus from the game.
When considering when RG III will return to NFL football, there are many, many factors to consider. In my opinion here are a few of the main considerations for a full recovery:
- How did the surgery go? 5 hours is a long time. How much damage was there? How good was the repair. Will there be any post surgical complications like infections.
- The rehab: How efficiently and effectively will the Doctors, Physical Therapists and rehab team communicate, work together and inspire each other to succeed.
- Good fortune.
- The heart and drive of the player and his rehab team.
Moving too fast or too slow can impair progress. And coming back too soon can lead to re-injury or even new injuries.
So by now the rehab process should have begun, with physical therapy well underway. The early recovery seeks to heal the acute affects of surgery swelling, lack of motion, and lack of muscle firing, while protecting the repair. The second phase of recovery involves strengthening, coordination, balance and muscle re-education. In the third phase, strengthening, conditioning, coordination and agility are progressed, while in the forth phase the player moves into functional training and conditioning in preparation for return to sport. Each phase has criteria for advancement. In the end, successful completion of each phase of recovery and timely progression to the next will determine his return to football.
“When adversity strikes you respond in one of two ways….You step aside and give in..Or you step up and fight.” Robert Griffin III
Given his attitude, determination and strength of character, I’d bet on Griffin III’s return to football to be sooner than later. I wish him well and look forward to see him back on the field. He seems to be a great role model, and a great asset to the NFL.
For more information on ACL reconstruction and rehab, like us on Facebook , follow us on Twitter, or contact our office.
photo credit: Richard Lipski, AP
3 Ways to Cut Back Pain at Work
If you are sitting while reading this get up!
Chronic neck or back pain is often caused by being too sedentary. For those with office jobs, here are 3 ways to decrease your neck or back pain.
- Sit less. If you work in an office consider investing in a stand up or treadmill desk.
- Have an ergonomic assessment of your work site. Small cheap changes can make a big difference in how you feel.
- Schedule time to get up out of your chair and stretch. 5 Minutes of stretching during the day can go a long way to cut the pain.
Don’t let back or neck pain get you down. There is usually a simple, affordable solution.
For more information on how to relieve neck or back pain, like us on Facebook , follow us on Twitter, or contact our office.
Photo Credit Comstock Images/Comstock/Getty Images
Physical Therapy Month- Exercise Challenge of the Week, The Sit to Stand
This week’s exercise challenge is the sit to stand. The sit to stand is a great exercise for trunk and lower body strength. It is a fundamental movement pattern and can be a great tool to identify asymmetries and unilateral weaknesses. Perform slowly with controlled movements. Notice if you favor one side or the other. Work to be as symmetrical as possible. Repeat 10-15 repetitions 3 times this week.
Check out this video to learn how to include the right sit to stand exercise for you. 
Thank you for recognizing Physical Therapy Month and participating in our exercise challenge. We’d love to here what you think of the exercises and invite you to comment on your favorite exercises.
For more information on Physical Therapy please contact us.
Disclaimer: The information provided on Baudry Therapy Center ’s website and blog is presented for information and educational purposes only. This general information is not intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition nor to replace diagnosis or treatment by your healthcare professional. Before beginning light or moderate intensity physical activities, we encourage you to talk with your healthcare provider about health and exercise as part of your everyday routine. Baudry Therapy Center and its respective agents, heirs, assigns, contractors and employee’s will not be held liable for any injury incurred or exacerbated while performing any exercises, stretches, or any other activity related to the content and information available on this website.
Physical Therapy Month- Exercise Challenge of the Week, The Bridge
This week’s exercise challenge is the bridge. The bridge is a great exercise for trunk stability and gluteal strength. We include bridges to help our patients get rid of back pain. Hold the bridge position for time to build strength. Start with 15 seconds and work up to 1 minute as able.
Check out this video to learn how to include bridges into your exercise routine.
Thank you for recognizing Physical Therapy Month and participating in our exercise challenge. We’d love to hear what you think of the exercises and invite you to comment on your favorite exercises.
For more information on Physical Therapy please contact us.
Disclaimer: The information provided on Baudry Therapy Center ’s website and blog is presented for information and educational purposes only. This general information is not intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition nor to replace diagnosis or treatment by your healthcare professional. Before beginning light or moderate intensity physical activities, we encourage you to talk with your healthcare provider about health and exercise as part of your everyday routine. Baudry Therapy Center and its respective agents, heirs, assigns, contractors and employee’s will not be held liable for any injury incurred or exacerbated while performing any exercises, stretches, or any other activity related to the content and information available on this website.
Physical Therapy Month Exercise Challenge of the Week – Arm and Leg Raise
This week’s physical therapy exercise challenge is the arm and leg raise. The arm and leg raise is a great exercise for trunk stability, balance and coordination. Check out this video to learn how to include arm and leg raises into your exercise program.
Thank you for recognizing Physical Therapy Month and participating in our exercise challenge. We’d love to here what you think of the exercises and invite you to comment on your favorite exercises.
For more information on Physical Therapy please contact us.
Disclaimer: The information provided on Baudry Therapy Center ’s website and blog is presented for information and educational purposes only. This general information is not intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition nor to replace diagnosis or treatment by your healthcare professional. Before beginning light or moderate intensity physical activities, we encourage you to talk with your healthcare provider about health and exercise as part of your everyday routine. Baudry Therapy Center and its respective agents, heirs, assigns, contractors and employee’s will not be held liable for any injury incurred or exacerbated while performing any exercises, stretches, or any other activity related to the content and information available on this website.
Physical Therapy Month
“National Physical Therapy Month (NPTM) is a celebration held every October by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) to raise awareness of and recognize the important roles that physical therapists and physical therapist assistants play in helping people maintain, improve, and restore the mobility necessary to stay fit, active, and independent while enjoying the things they like to do as they age.”
R Scott Ward, PT, PhD
President, APTA
Bottom line, physical therapy gets you back to the things you love to do. Baudry Therapy Center does it with passion, excellence, and fun. Whether it be for rehab, fitness, or performance, call us now to schedule your free physical therapy consult, and let’s get moving!
