Common Causes of Carpal Tunnel Pain
Wondering what carpal tunnel pain is? Carpal tunnel pain is a numbing weakness that goes through the hand due to pressure on the median nerve in the wrist. This nerve controls the movement and feeling in the thumb and the first three fingers. The cause of carpal tunnel pain is the pressure on the median nerve that causes the nerve to swell. There can be a lot of factors why the nerve swells.
One factor may be an illness that contributes to arm pain, swelling in the joints and soft tissues in the arm to reduce blood flow to the hands. The illnesses or conditions that can cause these pains can include obesity, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, diabetes, lupus, and hypothyroidism.
Broken wrist bones dislocated bones that cause new bone growth from the healing of bones or bone spurs takes up room in the carpal tunnel which puts more pressure on the median nerve.
Carpal tunnel pain can also be caused by work-related factors. Work-related factors could include repeated hand and wrist motions. Repeated motions cause the membranes around the tendons to swell. Other work-related factors that can contribute to pain are forceful or repetitive hand movements, hand-arm vibration, or working for long periods in the same or awkward positions.
If you think you are getting carpal tunnel pain, pay attention to your symptoms. If your hand feels numb or “falls asleep” often, that can be the first sign. If you have numbness, tingling and pain in strictly your thumb and first three fingers, that can also be a sign of carpal tunnel pain. Other symptoms would include burning pain that travels up your arm, wrist pain that interferes with sleep, or weakness in the muscles of the hand.
Curing carpal tunnel pain can be nonsurgical or surgical depending on the pain and symptoms. Nonsurgical treatment to avoid surgery would include avoiding positions that overextend your wrist, wrist splint that holds your hand in a neutral position during the day or night, pain medication to reduce inflammation, treatment of underlying conditions such as diabetes or arthritis, and steroid injections into your carpal tunnel area to reduce inflammation.
Before you let your body get surgery, you should listen to your body. If you feel pain, chances are there is something wrong. So exercise your wrists but don’t overextend it, make sure they’re comfortable when you’re sleeping, and get help by a physical therapist before you consider surgery.
Benefits of PT For People Over 65
Usually, when people think of physical therapy, they think of people addressing injuries they may have suffered through playing sports or rebuilding muscle tone after surgery. However, people ages 65 and older are starting to participate in physical therapy just to stay in shape, prevent diseases, and other medical ailments like arthritis, Parkinson’s, or to simply enhance balance and strength.
Geriatric Rehabilitation is booming as it is recommended by many to “fight aging”. Although no one can literally fight to age, geriatric rehabilitation definitely helps to make older people feel more nimble. It is said that by the age of 65, just about everyone has arthritis in their spine, it’s just a matter of whether they experience symptoms or not. With geriatric rehabilitation, seniors can combat this arthritis with the assistance of a trained professional, rather than medicinal methods which can be harmful to your body. Rehabilitation’s main focus is to allow the elderly to gain and maintain their independence as they can get around unassisted and take care of themselves. Life expectancy around the world is increasing due to geriatric rehabilitation. This is because it directly affects a person’s frailty, speed, and ability to live independently, which are all important factors in life expectancy, especially as one gets older.
The physical therapists at Island Sports Physical Therapy can help with geriatric rehabilitation, as they address the unique physical and medical problems associated with aging. The geriatric rehabilitation offered at Island Sports Physical Therapy helps blood-pressure control, diabetes control, enhancing muscle strength, enhancing balance, and the prevention of osteoporosis. Choosing Island Sports Physical Therapy would be a wise choice as they not only direct the geriatric rehabilitation, but they also incorporate aspects of teaching, prevention, fitness, and wellness into the geriatric rehabilitation program.
Golf Safety
With summer in full swing, everyone wants to get outside and hit the links for some leisure and some fun with friends. When out golfing it is important to practice safety strategies so that you can get through a full round of 18 holes without any negative side effects happening.
Most people would tend to think of golf as being one of the safest sports out there. For many cases, this may be correct. However, because of the physicality of the sport, injuries can happen and it is important to be proactive. Like with any sport, it is important that you have a thorough warm up before participating in it. In order to protect yourself from injury, doing dynamic stretching is important to getting your muscles prepper for the activity ahead is beneficial. For golf in particular, focusing on the arms, shoulders, and abdomen is the correct first step.
It is also a known fact by many health professionals that carrying a golf bag that is too heavy can lead to back problems such as poor alignment. Leaving your golf bag on a golf cart or using a push cart is a safer method. If you have tension in your back before you even start the game you can be further injured when swinging the golf club.
Another thing to be on the lookout for while on the course is stray golf balls. Not everyone who is playing golf on your course is a seasoned golfer and sometimes people hit their ball array. Also if you do shank your ball, make sure to yell fore so fellow golfers know to take cover: It is proper etiquette and is a safe method. Another thing to be aware of is the weather, many golf courses like the beautiful golf courses in Smithtown, New York such as Smithtown Landing are open courses which leave you unprotected from the sun. Staying hydrated and wearing a proper hat and sunscreen will protect yourself from potential heat illness or sunburn.
Golfing is a great sport and is a fun and social activity to enjoy with friends or work colleagues. It is a great way to get outside and enjoy the weather as well as get some exercise. By practicing good safety techniques, it will allow you to have the most enjoyable experience possible for games to come.
Lyme Disease Prevention
Lyme disease is a common worry during the late spring and summer months. Living on Long Island, especially out on the east end where it is heavily wooded in many areas, the concern of a rogue tick leaching itself onto you, or even your child is very real. Residents in the Northeastern states, the Mid-Atlantic states and in the upper midwest region are at a greater risk than any other region of coming into contact with Lyme disease.
Island Sports Physical Therapy (ISPT), serving the residents of Nassau and Suffolk counties since 1985 wants you to be prepared this summer to avoid getting Lyme disease. Some of the symptoms associated with Lyme disease fall under flu-like symptoms, red expanding skin rash, Bell’s Palsy (facial muscle weakness), severe headache and nerve stiffness, fainting, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, shooting pains, pain/swelling in large joints, and light headedness.
According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control) in Atlanta, about 300,000 infections of Lyme disease occur each year. Lyme disease is spread through the bite of one infected tick. The tick that is most commonly associated with spreading Lyme disease is called the black legged tick.
The black legged tick is most commonly found anywhere through the eastern seaboard and like many ticks, can be found in humid environments with thick vegetation.
It is almost summer time and odds are you want to be spending the majority of your time outdoors and enjoying Summer activities and long nights outside around a campfire. So what are some steps that you can take to make sure you can avoid getting a tick bite? For starters, the CDC recommends that you use repellent that contains 20% or more DEET (diethyltoluamide) the most common, active ingredient in insect repellent. When applying insect repellent, focus it more on your legs and clothing. Do not get it on your hands, face or in your eyes.
You should also perform daily tick checks at the end of every day or outdoor activity on yourself and children. Areas you want to pay close attention to are under the arms, in and around the ears, inside the belly button, back of the knees, in and around all head and body hair, in between the legs and around the waist.
If you are hiking, playing in the backyard, or in an area with thick vegetation, try and avoid walking through bushes or grass that is above ankle height. If you do, a good technique is to wear your socks around your pant legs or pull them all the way up to your mid-calf section. As much as we want to wear flip flops or sandals during the summer month, it is always a good idea to wear sneakers with socks when doing outdoor activities to avoid a rogue tick attaching itself to you.
ISPT wants you to have a happy, healthy and safe summer. So start your summer off right, avoid any risk of coming into contact with Lyme disease and take the necessary precautions in order to assure you or your children do not develop the risk of Lyme disease.
Senior Physical Therapy
Fitness programming is a very important part of beginning a healthy lifestyle, it is especially important in the senior community. There are many benefits to fitness programming and there are many things that can contribute to help a fitness program such as physical therapy and resistance training.
In terms of creating a program of resistance training with physical therapy, you have to be sure to make a fair decision of where you are dividing your time as well as what should be focused on more. For seniors, it is best for seniors to focus on full body strengthening with an emphasis on balance. When working with a physical therapist, seniors can reduce the chance of falls significantly, while also help reducing pain and increase mobility. This will allow seniors to gain some independence back, safely and effectively.
Many seniors suffer from osteoporosis, so this is why it is a good idea to have some resistance and strength training into the fitness program so that they can increase bone mass and density as well as alleviate arthritis. With all these added health benefits, psychological and emotional benefits also increase. Having a better sense of independence leads seniors to have a better sense of confidence and just overall living a better lifestyle. Learning the different movements in physical therapy can also be beneficial in that they can teach things that can alleviate the discomfort that they are feeling at home if they can’t make it into the office or to a gym. Just a few simple activation exercises or even some easy everyday activities with some added resistance to them can mean the world of difference.
Fitness programming is something that should be looked at by every age bracket to improve his or her physical fitness and health but is something that someone living in the senior age bracket should consider a necessity. When looking at all the health benefits of a good fitness program with a trained physical therapist. it is an absolute no brainer for any senior to improve their lifestyle and lead a longer life.
Avoiding Heat Exhaustion on Long Island
With summer approaching, there are many fun outdoor activities to participate in. Although everyone will be itching to get outside and have fun it is important to do everything you can to avoid heat exhaustion during outdoor activities. Heat exhaustion happens more often than some people may think but it’s also easily avoidable as long as you follow some simple guidelines.
One of the most important things to do is to make sure that you stay hydrated; this means drinking water at regular intervals even when you aren’t particularly thirsty. It is recommended that while participating in outdoor activities that you should drink 2 to 4 glasses of water every hour, you can even mix in a sports beverage instead of water in order to replace the salt that your body loses. When it comes to drinking fluids make sure you are not drinking beverages with alcohol in them because this can lead to becoming dehydrated even quicker. If you must drink, alternating between nonalcoholic beverages can help keep your body hydrated. Another thing to make sure of is that the beverages you are consuming aren’t too cold because this can lead to cramping. A precautionary method that can be taken to avoid heat exhaustion is to limit your outdoor activity to the morning and evening hours this way it is still somewhat cool out. When you outdoors make sure to rest in shady areas regularly to limit yourself to exposure to the sun as well as to give your body a break. Make sure to also to wear protective clothing from the sun like a hat and sunglasses as well as to wear and reapply sunscreen throughout the day!
The summer months are always the best out of the year, which makes everyone anxious to get outside and enjoy them, this is why making sure you are taking the appropriate precautions to avoid heat exhaustion while performing outdoor activities is critical. Heat exhaustion is dangerous and not something to be taken lightly, but following these guidelines, you’ll be able to enjoy your summer the right way and heat exhaustion free.
Knee Injuries
One of the most common types of knee pain in athletes, active teenagers, older adults, and people who perform physical labor is patellofemoral pain syndrome. Patellofemoral pain occurs at the front of the knee, in and around the kneecap. Physical therapy is one option that can be customized to fit any person’s situation to help fix and prevent future knee pain.
The first step in determining which type of treatment would be most effective is the evaluation of the patient. After the evaluation, the physical therapist analyzes the results and finds what would be the most successful exercise and rehabilitation program specific for each patient. The strengthening exercises that are used for the knee are targeted at the hip, knee and the ankle.
The physical therapist will continue to work with each patient to keep them active and to maintain their fitness level necessary for their recovery. If it appears that the knee pain is being caused by the alignment and position of a patient’s foot or arch, shoe inserts called orthosis may be an option. The orthosis can lessen the stress to the knee that is caused by excessive rotation as well as the impact that occurs during walking or running.
Two common treatments that may be suggested by the physical therapist to help protect the knees are strength training and functional exercises and electrical stimulation of the knee. Strength training and functional exercises are designed to increase the strength, endurance, and function of the leg muscle as well as support the knee and reduce the stress to the knee joint. Electrical stimulation of the knee is used to increase the strength of the leg muscles and to reduce knee pain. This is done through electrical impulses generated by a device and delivered through electrodes to stimulate the quadriceps femoris; the primary muscle that supports the knee.
Although there are other options to protect the knees from injury, physical therapy is a cost-effective treatment that improves flexibility and relieves pain. Physical therapy reduces the need for surgery and prescription drugs and gives patients the opportunity to partake in a recovery plan that is modified to their needs.
May is National Fitness and Sports Month
A lot of people don’t know that May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. Founded by the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition (PCFSN). National Physical Fitness and Sports Month were founded in 1983 by the Council with the mission to bring awareness to Americans to stay physically fit, eat well, and stay active throughout the month of May. By doing so, you’re promoting a healthy lifestyle for yourself and for others around you. And in the long run, those healthy habits that you develop could become permanent.
Island Sports Physical Therapy (ISPT) is proud to take part in National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, by promoting the importance of staying physically fit and active to its patients. With locations in East Northport, Huntington, Nesconset, and Coram, ISPT is dedicated to providing its patients with the utmost care that they need during their time of rehabilitation. Their highly trained, and compassionate team of Physical Therapists provide world-class treatment that you will not find anywhere else on Long Island. With a hands-on approach, ISPT specializes in Orthopedic and Sports Therapy, Spinal Rehabilitation, Geriatric Rehabilitation, and Personal Wellness.
In an article written by the department of Federal Occupational Health (FOH) called, Rise to the President’s Challenge… Make physical activity part of your life, they mention that adults should be getting at least two-to-two and a half hours of moderately to vigorously physical activity each week. You can do this by spreading it out any way you desire, a half an hour each day, or one hour two days a week.
The health benefits of doing these exercises are excellent for your overall well-being. FOH states that by doing these weekly exercises you can help you maintain a healthy weight, lower your cholesterol, lower your blood pressure, strengthen muscles and bones, reduce your risk for heart disease, diabetes, some cancers, and obesity.
Other ways you can stay physically fit and active is by joining a community sports league of some sort. Almost every community offers some sort of sports league that you can get involved in. It is a great way to connect with the people in your community, and also an excellent way to get in shape and keep yourself active. The FOH states that by joining a community league you, provide yourself with the opportunity to connect with others, lift your spirits, and it gives you a new outlook on a problem or project.
Not only are the health benefits of staying physically fit and active crucial to your physical well-being, but they are also crucial to your overall mental well being. Be active in your community and make a difference while at the same time improving your health. Your body will thank you in the long run.
Spring Sports Safety
Spring is here! It may not have been the winter that we had the previous year, but the long, cold winter months have kept us locked inside the house, and it’s time to get rid of that cabin fever and get back to being healthy and active! Spring is a very popular sports season and is a time for athletes to get back in shape and for us non-athletes to shake out the winter blues and get the body moving again.
Safety, however, is of utmost importance when playing, especially for younger athletes. Concussions can cause both short and long term issues, and sprains, tears, and even breaks can be common amongst the many sports popular during the Springtime. Baseball, soccer, lacrosse, and golf are some of the most played sports in March through June, and it is best to keep yourself safe so you can be on the field for the whole season!
Baseball may not be our national pastime, but it is still immensely popular at all ages, from Tee-Ball to your beer softball league. The biggest concern for baseball is concussions. The dreaded line drive back to the pitcher is one of the scariest plays in sports, and it is always best to use precaution and stay alert in the field. Although there seems to be a lot of standing around, baseball involves short bursts of speed and intensity, and your body must be stretched out properly to avoid any sort of strains or pulls.
Soccer is another common spring sport and can be a great way to stay healthy and active, but soccer players run the risks of a multitude of leg injuries due to the constant motion, so it is always advised to be well stretched out. Lacrosse is another sport where contact is a concern, and it is best to make sure all of your equipment is working. Golf is very popular for those who are older or do not have the time to play an organized sport, and you can keep yourself on the links by using proper swinging techniques so not to throw your back out.
Island Sports Physical Therapy wants to make sure you stay safe during this sports season, so be sure to always make sure you are doing your best to avoid injury.
Physical Therapy in East Northport
Gait training, or gait rehabilitation, is a form of physical therapy which helps people of all ages improve their ability to stand or walk after sustaining an injury or disability. Island Sports Physical Therapy, with locations in East Northport, Huntington, Nesconset, Coram, East Meadow, and Glen Cove, focuses on the individual first as they try to achieve their rehabilitative goals.
Fall prevention is one of the main reasons for gait training, especially for the elderly. Falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries in the elderly, and one-third of all Americans aged 65 and older fall each year. Gait training can be used as a preventative measure for older people who wish to remain independent or who live alone. Island Sports Physical Therapy can make sure you learn the correct movements and techniques to avoid falls.
Gait training is also used as a rehabilitative measure for people who may have lost the ability to walk due to an injury or illness. Gait training will begin once prescribed by a doctor as a part of a physical therapy routine. The patient will first be evaluated by the physical therapist to see if they are physically able to perform the movements of gait training. The physical therapists at Island Sports Physical Therapy will be able to give a patient an individualized plan of action to execute both in the home and at the office.
A person who has been immobile for quite some time may have difficulties walking again, and since gait training is exercising the cardiovascular system, the transition may be a little tough for those with walking issues. The physical therapists at Island Sports Physical Therapy realize that this can be both a physical and mental challenge, and are there to help you every step of the way towards your goal of improved or regained mobility.