Physical Therapy in Locust Valley

Physical Therapy in Locust Valley

At Long Island Sports & Rehabilitation Center, our team is committed to helping you overcome your injury. When you’re looking for a non-invasive form of treatment that offers little chance of complication, physical therapy is the way to go. Our team wants to share what goes into a physical therapy session, and what types of injuries it can be used to treat.

Commonly Treated Injuries

One of the main benefits of physical therapy is the range of injuries it can be used to treat. If you find yourself suffering from any of the below, our team of physical therapists will create a rehabilitation regimen to get you back to full strength:

• Pulled muscles.
• Tendonitis.
• Shoulder impingements.
• Ligamentous issues.
• Shin splints.
• Sports injuries.

Additional Benefits

Aside from the injuries it can treat, physical therapy brings an abundance of other benefits to patients in need of this service. When you schedule an appointment with our team, you can expect to receive the below benefits:

• Regained strength.
• Improved flexibility.
• Increased range of motion.
• Elimination of pain and swelling.
• Mitigated risk of re-injury.

What To Expect

Physical therapy is an activity-based form of treatment that promotes healing from within the affected area. This healing is fostered by the use of therapeutic stretches and strengthening exercises. When you first come in for an appointment, our physical therapists will perform a full assessment of your condition to determine the level of physical output your body can handle. Once this is done, our team will teach you how to perform the stretches and exercises needed to make a full recovery.  

Contact Us

At Long Island Sports & Rehabilitation Center, we accept most major insurance plans and our billing department can answer all of your financial questions. Don’t let an injury derail your life any longer. Contact us to schedule an appointment for physical therapy today!

Physical Therapy in Locust  Valley For Geriatric Conditions

Are you or a loved one in search of a geriatric physical therapist? At Island Sports Physical Therapy, we offer an excellent program. As we age, we tend to grow more dependent on medications to feel our best. However, this is not necessary. Physical therapy is often a better alternative than medication, especially in geriatrics.

Physical Therapy For Chronic Illness and Disease:

As people get older, the risk for certain diseases and illnesses, unfortunately, tends to increase. Luckily, physical therapy can be used to help geriatric patients manage these different chronic illnesses and diseases successfully. Physical therapy can help aid:

• Arthritis: Physical therapy uses techniques to help reduce any discomfort and prevent any future pain that may occur as a result of arthritis.
• Stroke: Typically, loss of muscle strength on one side of the body occurs after a stroke. Physical therapy can also use movement therapy to help the individual strengthen the weak limb while stimulating the part of the brain that controls movement and helps to restore proper function.
• Incontinence: Physical therapy can help patients identify certain muscles and know how to use them effectively. Pelvic exercises are used to enhance strength in the muscles controlling the bladder.
• Parkinson’s Disease: Sadly, this disease in geriatrics is irreversible and progressive. But, physical therapy can help improve the quality of life and flexibility for those suffering from this disease.
• Alzheimer’s Disease: Physical therapy for patients with Alzheimer’s or dementia can help improve memory functions and delay the development.

Positives of Physical Therapy in Locust Valley for Geriatrics:

After an older individual becomes impaired in some way, whether it’s from an illness, injury, condition, or surgery, it can be difficult for them to recover and gain back their independence. Our Physical Therapy in Locust Valley team will develop a personalized treatment plan to ensure patients get back to their active lifestyle.

Some of the main benefits of physical therapy for geriatrics include:

• Reducing the risk of falls
• Treating pain without drugs
• Reducing the risk of infections
• Maintaining a healthy lifestyle

From decreasing pain or restoring balance, to help manage chronic illnesses, physical therapy offers a wide range of benefits to improve the quality of life in geriatric patients. Island Sports’ Physical Therapy in Locust Valley can help you and your loved ones. Contact us to get started today!

Physical Therapy to Relieve Shoulder Pain

You don’t realize how many instances you need to use your shoulder for until you’re suddenly dealing with shoulder pain. When this occurs, even the smallest daily actions can bring you pain and discomfort. Island Sports Physical Therapy offers premium Physical Therapy in Locust Valley, so you don’t have to live another day with debilitating, untreated shoulder pain.

Sources of Shoulder Pain

Though the shoulder looks straightforward from the outside, it’s actually a complex structure with a lot of different moving parts that need to work together. When one of those parts gets damaged, the whole mechanism can be disrupted. For you, this disruption means pain distracting you from the things you’d rather be filling your days with.

Your shoulder pain might be caused by any of the following:

• Tendonitis (a pinched, irritated, or inflamed tendon) in the rotator cuff or the bicep.
• Arthritis, caused by wear and tear, causing a stiff, swollen, and aching shoulder.
• Frozen shoulder, where you gradually lose mobility in the shoulder from any number of conditions.
• Bursitis within the shoulder. This means that the bursa, which is a sac used to help all the components of your shoulder move smoothly, has been painfully pinched.
• Shoulder fracture. Any number of the bones involved in the shoulder could have been fractured in an injury.

What You Can Do on Your Own

If you’ve been experiencing shoulder pain, you might be feeling helpless right about now. Luckily, even before you come in for your appointment with us for Physical Therapy in Locust Valley, there are a variety of strategies you can use to ease your discomfort.

One of the simpler methods is to ice your shoulder regularly and be careful not to overuse it. Apply ice directly to the joint, and leave it there for about ten minutes. This should help the healing process. Naturally, you should also avoid heavy lifting so that you don’t worsen your injury.

Trying to sleep when dealing with a shoulder injury is often bothersome as well. You can get the restful night you need by placing a pillow beneath your underarm. This will keep your shoulder steady and comfortable through the morning!

Stretching is another highly beneficial tactic you can undergo to find relief. While a lot of stretching can be painful, one useful technique you can utilize even before you start therapy is to simply stand up straight with your back against a wall, and squeeze your shoulder blades together.

What Physical Therapy In Locust Valley Can Do for You

Of course, there are plenty of other options you can explore on your own free time. For safe, long-lasting relief from shoulder pain, you’ll need to consult a professional and follow their careful treatment plan for your healing. Island Sports Physical Therapy provides impactful, results-driven Physical Therapy in Locust Valley through the assistance of experienced and calming health care professionals.

After a period of rest to begin your healing process, your physical therapist will evaluate your shoulder to determine the best course of action for bringing you total relief and recovery. Under the care and supervision of your physical therapist, you’ll do exercises in our offices designed for your specific case.

In addition, you will also be given a detailed plan for exercises to do at home. This way, you’re constantly keeping your shoulder engaged so that it heals as soon as possible.

You deserve to live a life free from shoulder pain. Request an appointment today! The sooner you start healing, the sooner you can get back to doing the things that make you happy.

You don’t realize how many instances you need to use your shoulder for until you’re suddenly dealing with shoulder pain. When this occurs, even the smallest daily actions can bring you pain and discomfort. Island Sports Physical Therapy offers premium Physical Therapy in Locust Valley, so you don’t have to live another day with debilitating, untreated shoulder pain.

How Physical Therapy in Locust Valley Can Help Reduce Lower Back Pain

Back pain is very common and can develop in all types of people, whether their lifestyle requires a lot of labor or if they sit at a desk. Back pain can be avoidable and preventable with physical therapy. At Island Sports Physical Therapy, we offer all types of treatments specific to each client’s needs. Physical therapy helps to relieve pain, promote healing, build strength, and restore function and movement. If you are looking for Physical Therapy in Locust Valley, give us a call today to set up an appointment.

Common forms of physical therapy

The two most common forms of physical therapy are passive and active. Passive physical therapy includes the use of heating pads, ice packs, and electric stimulation. Active physical therapy includes specific exercises and stretches. For most lower back pain treatment, exercise is the focus of pain management, relief, and prevention.

Benefits from physical therapy

The lumbar spine (lower back) is very dependant on the abdominal muscles and lower back musculature. So essentially, if the pain in the lower back isn’t treated properly, it can lead to pain in other muscles of the body. A physical therapy exercise program can reduce the chances of receiving the pain again and can help prevent future injuries and discomfort. Not only can it potentially help heal and reduce back pain, but it may even make those muscles stronger.

Physical therapy works differently for everyone

This is an important fact to remember when considering physical therapy. Every individual has different types of bodies, muscle movements and patterns, and also habits. Physical Therapy in Locust Valley at ISPT has the ability to monitor each patient in a unique fashion and cater themselves to their own specific needs. We specialize in treatments for children and adults, allowing us to expand our patient population.

Physical therapy before and after back surgery

Depending on the severity of the pain, surgery may be the only viable option for healing. Physical therapy is strongly recommended after surgery, but it can be utilized before the surgery as well. This may significantly shorten the patient’s recovery time by providing strength and stability.

Even if your back pain does not require surgery or does not seem too severe, physical therapy is still an option to reduce the discomfort and to avoid experiencing it again in the future. If you would like more information on our services and are looking for Physical Therapy in Locust Valley, give us a call today to schedule an appointment for physical therapy in Locust Valley NY today!

A Walk in The Park: Walking Safety

The team at Island Sports Physical Therapy encourages a healthy lifestyle. As spring blooms, the outdoors beckon us. The longer days, ample sunshine, and warmer temperatures provide us with an excellent opportunity to follow that calling. Add a good friend or spouse to your session and you’re primed for success. Walking is an excellent starting point to get re-adjusted to an exercise routine. Studies have shown that simply walking creates both physical and psychological benefits, such as improving cardiovascular health and increasing mood. Walking does not require equipment or special skill and can be performed at any time.

What are some factors I should consider before taking a walk?

As with any exercise routine, be sure to have your physician clear you to begin. Next, having goals, both short-term and long-term, are key. It’s even more important to progressively plan each of your sessions so that it leads to the achievement of the ultimate goal. Here are some factors to consider:

Distance and Pace

How far and how fast your walk should be is a matter of personal choice and your goals.  While many studies advocate for 30-minutes of brisk walking (3-4 mph), five days per week, others look to heart rate as the primary factor. Typically an individual’s heart rate, or pulse, can be detected with two fingers just below the jawline. Activity that raíses heart rate within 55%-70% of an individual’s maximum heart rate or beats per minute is effective in developing physical benefits. The maximum heart rate can be determined using the equation: 220 minus age = maximum heart rate/minute. For example, a 55-year old’s maximum heart rate is 165. So, ideally, their walk should elicit a heart rate range of 90 – 115 beats per minute. Wearable technology, such as watches, monitors, and bands, has been a tremendous help in accurately detecting proper heart rate ranges. Physiologically, an increase in heart rate also leads to an increase in perspiration, increased blood flow and increased breathing rate. That means, if you’re engaged in a conversation, you may have some level of breathlessness. An inability to talk most likely means your pace is too vigorous. Lastly, the number of steps can help determine the level of intensity. Studies indicate that a walking pace of 100 steps/minute is moderately intense.

Outdoor Surface

Depending on the location of your walk, the option to choose the type of surface or terrain will play a role in your exercise intensity. Often, running up hills will increase the exercise intensity. Further, the ground surface plays a role in the stresses that are placed on the body.

Here are some options for your consideration:

• Road/Sidewalk: Perhaps the easiest and most convenient location to start walking is right outside your door. Roads and/or sidewalks, while convenient, do pose a traffic safety concern. As an alternative, many Long Island golf courses allow residents to walk the circuitous cart paths during certain hours. Be aware that continual walks on hard pavement may exacerbate lower-body injuries, like shin splints, or lower back pain. The Island Sports Physical Therapy team is available to provide an evaluation of those injuries before implementing a walking exercise routine.
• Track: Another safe option for many is an outdoor track. Local Long Island communities have athletic facilities that often include a 400-meter track open for public use.  Four laps total one mile. This flat, forgiving surface is ideal for beginners.
• Grass/Trails: Long Island has diverse landscapes and a multitude of parks that allow you to enjoy scenery and nature. As a benefit, the softer terrain creates less impact on joints.   
• Beach:  Whether it’s the North Shore or South Shore of Long Island, the beaches can enhance the benefit of your walks. Sand will challenge your balance and increase the amount of work your muscles and joints, especially your calves and ankles, require to propel your body over the ground.  

Apparel

Spring weather can be fickle with temperatures changing quickly. Be sure to layer both your upper and lower body. Choose lightweight, moisture-wicking materials that are closer to your skin with a breathable, water-repellent or water-resistant layer atop that.  Hats and gloves are still advisable for brisk mornings. Opt for reflective clothing when walking during the dawn or dusk hours.

Consider your shoewear. The foot and lower leg distribute the forces that the ground places upon them during activity, especially when on the pavement. Properly fitted and appropriate shoewear is a vital extension of your foot. It helps correct any biomechanical abnormalities that your foot and lower body may have. Your shoe selection may be dependent on the terrain, but should probably include:

• The proper outsole, the undersurface of the shoe that makes contact with the ground, should only bend at the ball of the foot, also known as the transverse metatarsal arch. Rubber is usually the best. Trail walking shoes may incorporate a more rigid outsole.
• Mid-sole: This gel, air or foam portion is responsible for the distribution of forces from the ground. Some shoes incorporate a reinforced medial layer for those individuals who tend to overpronate and/or have flat feet, also known as pes planus.
• Lacing system: How you tie your shoe may help the shoe fit better, ultimately preventing overuse injuries. Be sure that the toe box (the front portion of the shoe) fits snuggly but isn’t too tight, which may cause blisters and neuromas.

New Activity Considerations

Proper walking cadence and patterns are key to incorporate efficient muscle sequencing. The muscles located in the rear of your lower body – calves, hamstrings, and glutes – should work as a unit to control effort, balance, and stability. Thus, as the walking pattern progresses, consider these tips:

• Foot and Ankle: Land on the heel, rolling through the foot and push off the inside two toes.
• Knee and Hip: When landing, maintain a “soft” knee and hip to aid in your body accepting the ground forces. When pushing off, focus on contracting the gluteus muscle (buttock). It’s the primary muscle group responsible for forwarding movement.
• Shoulders, Head and Neck: Maintaining a head straight, eyes forward posture will keep your spine aligned. Focus on keeping the shoulder blades (scapulae) pitched backward, yet allow for a natural swing. To increase the walking pace, bend the elbows to a 90-degree angle and swing the shoulders comfortably. This technique is especially useful on hilly terrain.

Self Care after Activity

As with any new activity or increase in exercise intensity, there may be some initial soreness or discomfort in the stressed areas of the body. While this is usually temporary, gentle stretching and the use of a cold application for 20-30 minutes (no longer) every 60-90 minutes can help alleviate this discomfort. Should the pain or discomfort last longer than 24-48 hours, the Island Sports Physical Therapy in Locust Valley team can help identify the cause and create a physical therapy plan to get you back on track.

For more walking stretches, click here!

Does Your Child Need Physical Therapy in Locust Valley?

Like adults, children are susceptible to injuries and conditions that can greatly impede their quality of life, if left untreated. As a parent, the last thing you want for your child is for them to experience pain that prevents them from living their life to the fullest. When you don’t know where to turn, you can put your trust in our team at Island Sports Physical Therapy in Locust Valley to treat your child’s injury with quality care and service. We offer physical therapy in Locust Valley as a treatment method for a wide variety of injuries and conditions that may be affecting your child.

What Is Physical Therapy?

Physical therapy is a natural form of treatment that works to ease pain and improve the overall functionality and movement of the body. While it can be paired with other forms of treatment to achieve more optimal results, this form of treatment can also be the primary source of care depending on the injury or condition being treated. During a session of our physical therapy in Locust Valley, your child will be taught a variety of exercises and stretches by one of our therapists. While first being done at our facility, some exercises and stretches can also be performed at home to expedite the healing process. The main goal of our staff at Island Sports Physical Therapy is to help your child regain strength and range of motion in the area of injury and we will work to develop a personalized plan to do so.

Helping With Development:

While each child develops at their own pace, there are certain developmental milestones that should be achieved by a certain point in their lives. While being a month or two behind the average development curve can be completely natural, you should consider our physical therapy in Locust Valley if your child is displaying any of the below developmental warning signs:

• Unable to bear weight on their legs after 6 months.
• Only able to turn their head to one side.
• Walking only on their tiptoes for more than 6 months.
• Unable to sit on their own after 8 months.
• Not yet crawling after 12 months.
• They have not begun to walk after 18 months.

Injuries and Conditions:

Whether your child is a developing infant or they are old enough to have started playing school sports, physical therapy in Locust Valley may be necessary. At Island Sports Physical Therapy, we are committed to doing everything in our power to help your child heal and develop properly. Our staff will develop a personalized care plan if your child is affected by any of the below injuries and conditions:

• Delays in development.
• Cerebral palsy.
• Sports injuries.
• Acute trauma.
• Genetic conditions.
• Effects of in-utero drug or alcohol exposure.
• Limb deficiencies.
• Muscle conditions.

Benefits Of Physical Therapy In Locust Valley

As you already know, physical therapy helps to increase strength and range of motion in the affected area. However, there are additional benefits that are commonly associated with physical therapy in children, including:

• Avoid and recovery from surgical operations.
• Treat or prevent sports-related injuries.
• Prevent injuries from reoccurring.
• Relieve pain.
• Increase balance to avoid slips and falls.
• Adapt to an artificial limb.

Physical Therapy In Locust Valley

As a parent, you never want to see your child suffer from a debilitating injury or condition for an extended period. To help avoid this and improve your child’s quality of life, we offer physical therapy in Locust Valley is an effective and natural form of treatment. When your child requires this type of care, make our team at Island Sports Physical Therapy your first call. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and take every step possible to ensure that your child can remain happy, healthy, and pain-free!

Physical Therapy For Scoliosis

Scoliosis is characterized as the sideways curvature of the spine that most commonly occurs when an adolescent is about to go through puberty or undergoes a growth spurt. While this condition tends to impact only three to five percent of adolescents, seven in ten adults over the age of sixty have scoliosis. Adults are more likely to experience symptoms of scoliosis than adolescents. Among the most commonly experienced symptoms are back pain, fatigue, and loss of function. The team at Island Sports Physical Therapy is prepared to help you manage many of the common symptoms associated with scoliosis through the use of our physical therapy in Locust Valley.

What Causes Scoliosis?

Doctors are not entirely sure what causes the most common forms of scoliosis, but it does seem to involve hereditary factors. Some of the more uncommon types of scoliosis can be caused by:

• Neuromuscular conditions
• Birth defects that affect the spine’s development
• Injuries to or infections of the spine

The risk of developing scoliosis can even vary based on age, gender, or family history. While both males and females tend to develop mild scoliosis at the same rate, females are often at a greater risk of their curvature worsening.

Do I Have Scoliosis?

To determine if a patient has scoliosis, a doctor may use what is known as The Cobb Angle. Invented by Dr. John Cobb in 1948, this method requires drawing lines parallel to the upper border of the upper vertebral body and the lower border of the lowest vertebra of the structural curve. Perpendicular lines are then drawn from these two parallel lines and this is known as the “angle of curvature.” The minimum angle for scoliosis is an angle of ten degrees. For an angle between fifteen and twenty degrees, you may require physical therapy and regular check-ups to prevent the curvature from becoming more severe. For an angle between twenty and forty degrees, our physical therapy in Locust Valley and a back brace will likely be necessary. Any angle greater than forty degrees may require surgery to link the vertebrae so the spine cannot continue to curve. 

What Can I Expect From Physical Therapy For Scoliosis?

Physical therapy has been shown to be beneficial in both reducing symptoms and improving the quality of life among those who suffer from scoliosis. Physical therapy for scoliosis tends to come in many different forms as each patient’s case of scoliosis is different. Our physical therapy in Locust Valley may include:

• Breathing and functioning mechanics.
• Using exercises to balance out the curve in the spine.
• Teaching you how to incorporate anti-scoliosis postures into routine activities.
• Performing involuntary exercises to train your brain and muscles to act in a different way.

It is important to retrain your brain to perform any involuntary motions that you already do that impact your spine. Your posture and other involuntary habits would likely need to be corrected through the use of physical therapy in Locust Valley and you will begin to see improvements after your first few sessions. If your scoliosis is mild or moderate, do not wait for treatment. You could be running the risk of making your condition far worse.

Contact Us Today For Physical Therapy in Locust Valley

Here at Island Sports Physical Therapy, we provide physical therapy in Locust Valley as well as five other convenient locations on Long Island. Our team will work tirelessly to treat your scoliosis and help you avoid surgery, or even help you get back on track after surgery. Either way, Island Sports Physical Therapy will help you get on the path to improving your quality of life and getting you back to doing what you love. To learn more about us and how we can help, be sure to contact us today!

Frequently asked questions about Physical Therapy in Locust Valley:

What are the different types of physical therapy?

Physical therapy can be broken down into six different areas. They include pediatric, geriatric, vestibular rehabilitation, neurological, orthopedic, and cardiovascular/pulmonary PT.

What are the benefits of physical therapy after surgery?

After going through surgery, PT can help restore the normal movement in your joint(s), build up the strength in your joint(s) and muscles, bring pain relief, reduce swelling, and increase circulation.

How Can Island Sports Physical Therapy in Locust Valley Help?

Physical therapy is a noninvasive treatment that can be used to both evaluate and treat injuries, disabilities, diseases or conditions.

Please use the form below to send us an email:

By Submitting This Form, You Are Consenting Us To Retain Your Information For Further Communication.
Your Information Is Not Shared With Any Unaffiliated Third Parties.