physical therapy: not just for injuries anymore

While many people are familiar with the old, but sound, adage, “Consult a physician before starting any new exercise routine,” few people realize you should also see a physical therapist for strategies to improve your overall level of fitness and prepare yourself to return to favorite summer activities after a winter off. Many aches and pains that eventually become chronic are avoidable with an evaluation and customized plan from a physical therapist.

As the sun and summer return to Rochester, the golf courses, tennis courts, trails, and roads will swarm with people who have been yearning to return to their favorite outdoor activity. A visit to a physical therapist could give you the edge you seek over both the competition and your body. For example, did you know that many tennis or golfer’s elbow injuries can be avoided by specific wrist stretches? Therapists have warm-up and training exercises aimed at specific sports that they can share with patients. More importantly, physical therapists can evaluate each individual’s condition — his or her level of fitness, type of activity, stretching, and warm-up routine — and recommend changes or improvements specific to his or her needs. They can also look at issues not related to working out or athletics. The way you sit, for example, could cause back pain. Body mechanics play a significant role in whether you have pain or not, and whether pain becomes permanent.

When unavoidable injuries do occur, physical therapists conduct a thorough evaluation of the patient’s condition and usually will submit a written report to your primary doctor. They can also provide treatments such as manual therapy, gait training/fall prevention, progressive strength training, flexibility training, and custom-designed exercise programs, and offer important patient and family education to help prevent new or recurring injuries.

Patients can also receive individualized treatment plans to relieve pain associated with conditions such as lower back, neck, and shoulder pain, elbow pain (tennis and golfer’s elbow), knee injury/ACL replacement, carpal tunnel syndrome, and sports injuries.

Physical therapists at Lifetime Health Medical Group in Rochester offer all these services. At this time, they are expanding their physical therapy department and will soon offer services at three area health centers. They currently provide physical therapy services at the Joseph C. Wilson Health Center (800 Carter Street in Rochester) and the Marion B. Folsom Health Center (1850 Brighton-Henrietta Town Line Rd.). Physical therapy will soon be available five days a week at the Perinton Health Center, 77 Sully’s Trail.

By New York law, a prescription is required to make an appointment with a physical therapist. For more information, or if you have a prescription and would like to make an appointment, call Lifetime Health Medical Group at (585) 336-4886. With advance notice, interpreters may be arranged for hard-of-hearing patients.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Erin Nielsen, PT, CPI, is the department manager of Physical Therapy for Lifetime Health Medical Group in Rochester. Her special emphasis is on orthopedics. In addition to her physical therapy licensure, Erin is a certified Pilates Instructor and specializes in spinal and core stabilization. She received her bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from Daemen College in Buffalo, New York. She also graces our cover this month.