Better Health : Owned and run by licensed physical therapists, Excel Physical Therapy has been providing expert therapy services since its operations began in 1988 in Omaha, Nebraska. Excel Physical Therapy has nine centers in addition to its headquarters in the Omaha Metro Area, four centers in other areas of Nebraska and two centers in Iowa.
Physical Therapy is the treatment of injuries or disabilities with the use of physical activities such as exercise and massage combined with mechanical methods of therapy such as application of heat, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, and water. Physical Therapy aims to restore the normal function of the body following injury.
A qualified therapist should perform Physical Therapy. A physical therapist is qualified if he or she has completed a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or doctoral degree in Physical Therapy from an accredited institution and has passed the National Physical Therapy Board Examination.
All physical therapists at Excel Physical Therapy have all necessary qualifications allowing them to create and perform therapy programs for each individual need of the patients.
Through its expert physical therapists, Excel Physical Therapy is able to provide the best therapy treatment and care for various conditions including sprains or strains, muscular headaches, neck pain, whiplash, frozen shoulder, rotator cuff injuries, back pain, arthritis, tendonitis, and sports injuries.
Excel Physical Therapy also provides physical therapy services to pregnant women and people who need therapy before and after surgery. Excel Physical Therapy can help patients who are recovering from burns and stroke or who are afflicted with multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease.
In addition to its patient services, Excel Physical Therapy also offers a program for employers designed to help injured employees return to work at the soonest time possible, which lessens costs in worker’s compensation and turnover rate in the workplace. The Employer Services Program seeks to enhance a worker’s productivity.
The Employer Services Program includes preventive measures such as physical exams prior to placement to determine the best people to do the job in terms of physical capability. The program also provides education on how to prevent injuries, self-responsibility, managing stress and etcetera. The program also evaluates the capacity of a worker to do a job after an injury and recommend if rehabilitation is necessary. Injured workers receive intensive therapy programs focused on fast recovery and return to work.
If you have any condition that requires physical therapy, get your physician’s recommendation and then visit Excel Physical Therapy at any of its 14 centers to schedule for an appointment.
Since When Did You Care? – The History of Physical Therapy
The start of the history of physical therapy had been acknowledged by researchers to date back as early as 3, 000 BC. The huge field of physical therapy now extends practically to all regions and in a variety of specialties, yet in those earliest times, it was China that is believed to have the best masseuses, and they also practiced on joint manipulation, soon later –acupuncture.
Then again, the rich history of physical therapy could not be attributed to China alone. In Greece, Hippocrates was able to make out the practice of hydrotherapy and massage as early as 460 BC. And in England, the British Medical Journal had called for the foundation of a physical therapy institute to regulate the practice of masseuses formally under the hands of qualified midwives and nurses within the 1890’s.
Nonetheless, the evolution of the history of physical therapy may be indebted to its nature itself and its practiced philosophy. The early history of physical therapy pioneered a view that the body’s health and fitness be treated according to the workings of biomechanics and kinesiology.
There could be no other way to explain the success of the practice throughout the entire history of physical therapy other than its scholarly expertise on the mechanics of the human body. As testimony to this proficiency, we can look at the rigorous test and training that the physical therapy discipline went through the two world wars.
The two world wars awoke the need for PT. We can declare that the history of physical therapy has finally stitched its mark permanently during its superlative stature in World War I and II. It was during these times that the vital role of physical therapy became ever more pronounced to the world.
The use of physical therapy shed light to the dark events of blood spills and had left much knowledge for use of future practitioners. In irony, the painful rehabilitation of injured soldiers paved way to the rise of a highly specialized PT, as spinal injury units, orthopaedic hospitals, chest clinics, and other facilities provided new challenge and promise to the profession.
And well up to these moments, physical therapy has been progressing as one of the largest allied professions in health care – research, development, technology, expertise, expansion. Whether it began through a simple prick on the skin or massive catastrophic deaths, the history of physical therapy owes much to the moment when humans learned how to care.
What is the largest joint in our body?
Better Health : The knee is the connecting point of a total of three bones in our legs: the lower end of the thigh bone or the femur, the upper end of the shinbone or the tibia, and the knee cap or the patella. Other parts of the knee are the cartilage or the shock absorbing cushions in between muscles, the tendons or the cords connecting muscles to bones, and the ligament or the bands connecting our bones to other bones.
Any damage to all of these parts are accounted for by a Knee physical therapy, and just the ligament alone is so vulnerable to pulling, stretching and tearing, and with each knee having four major supporting ligaments: the anterior cruciate ligament or ACL at the center of knee, the posterior cruciate ligament or PCL also at the center, the lateral collateral ligament or LCL at the outer knee, and the medial collateral ligament or MCL at the inner knee – Oh the pains of a sprain! and much more other knee ailments. Knee physical therapy deals with damages to all these bones and parts altogether – so what better reason to take care of it!
Knee physical therapy injury prevention itself does so much in providing a better health for our knees. Being one of the most easily injured joints in the human body, the knee rightly deserves its warm- ups, before it lies fateful to Cartilage Injuries, Chrondromalacia, Tendon Injuries, Iliotibial Band Syndrome, Osgood-Schlatter Disease, Osteochondritis Dissecans, Plica Syndrome, or Arthritis.
If you are already suffering from any of these, then you should be in luck for knee physical therapy. Whether you are lying cooperatively on an injury RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation), or just watching your way for tripping stones, whether you have knee injury or knee pain, recovering from injury, or plainly trying to avoid it – Knee physical therapy can handle it all, as long as you get it immediately.
Yes there are other procedures to hold your back beyond a knee physical therapy, yet should you go that extra mile of surgery, arthroscopy, or knee replacement? Knee physical therapy offers easy access to prevention, emergency, or rehabilitation. Following simpler processes such as evaluation, therapy, education, and aftercare, knee physical therapy can literally make you good to go. Try to jump, stand, run, and pivot – jump for joy if you have a healthy knee!
Potentials of a Parkinson’s Disease Physical Therapy
Better Health : Two areas of physical therapy are Geriatric physical therapy and Neurological physical therapy. Geriatrics focus on the conditions that affect many people as they grow older – arthritis, osteoporosis, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, hip and joint replacement, balance disorders, incontinence, Parkinson’s and more. Neurological PT focus on individuals who have a neurological disorder or disease – ALS, brain injury, cerebral palsy, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, stroke, and Parkinson’s Disease – again – a major predicament for therapists, such an immense challenge it could be separate discipline – Parkinson’s Disease Physical Therapy.
Parkinson’s Disease Physical Therapy has been nobly shouldering the development of specialized programs to help restore mobility, reduce pain, increase fitness levels. Parkinson’s Disease Physical Therapy works with patients to improve their areas of dysfunction – paralysis, vision impairment, poor balance, inability to ambulate, and loss of functional independence.
The benefit of physical therapy and general forms of exercise in Parkinson’s disease patients has been recognized for years. These days, one of the most exciting areas in rehabilitation science is the continuing of the intervention of Parkinson’s Disease Physical Therapy in advocating symptomatic relief, improved function and the general benefits of improved muscle strength, aerobic fitness, and balance for their patients, plus also driving the limits in setting their exercise parameters into an intensified level to challenge impaired systems, promote recovery, and eventually to modulate the progression of the disease on the patients.
More and more, individuals with Parkinson’s disease are expectant to benefit from treadmill training wherein their walking behavior is driven more automatically and at significantly higher intensities. Increasingly more exercise research in Parkinson’s Disease Physical Therapy is investigating the effect of challenging, highly intensive exercise on the brain and functional improvement of their patients.
Over the last 15 years has been the recognition that the brain’s capacity for recovery from injury is far greater than previously thought. Current studies being made on the correlation of physical exercise and its effect on the brain have been a spark of hope for patients as well as practitioners of Parkinson’s Disease Physical Therapy. An entire team in a Parkinson’s Disease Physical Therapy ward are encouraged ever more to give their patients a longer mobility and agility in their life, packaged with a full support system to hearten the patients in the long life waiting for them. With a ‘move it or lose it motto’, Parkinson’s disease therapists may just find that winning their play may only take exercising to delay.
The Promise of Pediatric Physical Therapy
Better Health : Pediatric Physical Therapy is the special field of physical therapy that assists in the early detection of illness in children and uses a variety of methods of treatment. Licensed practitioners of pediatric physical therapy perform diagnosis, treatment proper, and health supervision of infants, children, and adolescents with a variety of developmental, neuromuscular, skeletal, or acquired health disorders. The role that physical therapists play in the rehabilitation of pediatric diseases could not be dejected as much as much as those of the special role of the pediatrician of child psychologist. Children with developmental delays or congenital and non congenital conditions – cerebral palsy, down syndrome, spina bifida, and torticollis are a few of the patients treated by pediatric physical therapy. All the same, children who are measured as ‘normal’ also benefit from the therapy as it directs the improvement of their total and refined motor skills, balance and coordination, strength and endurance as well as cognitive and sensory development.
We here all the time that growth and development is crucial in the early years – crucial and capable. Children’s physiology is easy to mold into a correct form. Their health progress is receptive to performance of cardiovascular (aerobic) exercises as well as strength building (anaerobic) exercises. A plain touch therapy could make miracles. Yet let’s put away all the medical formalities of physical therapy. Any activity done with the kids ought to be a fun activity – including pediatric physical therapy. Let us not put a promising pediatric physical therapy in the scary zone along with a knee-knocking first trip to the dentist. At any rate, a fun-filled pediatric therapy is part of the therapy. It’s a great way to connect the kids with their parents, and to boost their self- esteem.
And all is possible even through a simple regular exercise. As children get involved in physical activities early in life, they have less chances of undergoing more stringent therapies in the future. There is definitely an explanation for the maxim, ‘Prevention is better than cure’. Pediatric physical therapy clearly illustrates. And the children won’t even know it. Make them do a soccer ball kicking, jumping jack, rolling, alternate toe touch, tumbling, arm circles, truck rotation, beach ball catch, or any exciting exercises you can come up with the therapist – complete with a game objective or music. With pediatric physical therapy, kids could feel kids again. They would feel the attention. And apart from the gentle touch, they’d feel loved.
Physical Therapy for Bulging Disc Relief and Recovery, Better Health
Better Health : Bulging discs commonly occur as the body ages and the intervertebral disc degenerates. However, bulging discs happen not just in senior adults but also in younger ones. At the center of the intervertebral disc is a soft and spongy substance called the nucleus pulposes. When this substance bulges out, it puts pressure on the ligaments known as annulus fibrosis, which surrounds the core. This normally is not a cause for major concern and may not even be painful but it becomes serious when the bulging intrudes into the area of the spinal canal. When this happens, the pain can be unbearable.
While majority of people with bulging discs do not experience debilitating pain, there are a few cases when patients suffer severe and persistent low back pain caused by a bulging disc, which hinders their normal activities. The good thing is most cases of bulging discs do not require surgical treatment. Doctors usually provide initial treatment of bulging discs through non-surgical or conservative methods focusing on pain relief, both short-term and permanent, and more importantly, healing.
To help reduce inflammation, your physician may recommend that you limit your activities and get some bed rest. For mild to moderate pain, your doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory medicines. Sometimes, patients receive steroid injections for temporary pain relief.
Physical therapy for bulging disc is also one of the recommended ways of treatment. Like any medical treatment, physical therapy for bulging disc starts with the doctor’s evaluation of your condition. Once the doctor has determined his diagnosis, he or she will design a program specific to your needs.
Physical therapy for bulging disc makes use of different methods, one of which is traction. In this procedure, the therapist pulls the vertebrae so the blood can flow into the damaged disc and promote healing. Another common physical therapy for bulging disc is massage therapy, which also improves blood circulation in the affected area.
Stretching exercises are also part of physical therapy for bulging disc. In addition to this, your therapist may gradually incorporate strengthening exercises into your therapy program to strengthen the muscles in your back.
Other methods in physical therapy for bulging disc are ice therapy, heat therapy, ultrasound therapy, and electrical stimulation. Your doctor or therapist may also recommend muscle relaxants and pain relief medication in combination with physical therapy for bulging disc. There are many treatment options for bulging discs. Some may work and some may not. Your doctor will help you determine which ones will work for you best.
Caring for Your Pet with Physical Therapy for Dogs, Better Health
Better Health : Physical therapy for dogs is available to help your pet recover whether your dog is old and suffering from arthritis or an injured younger dog or even a puppy. Your veterinarian will recommend the best time for your dog to undergo rehabilitation.
Some of the common canine conditions treated by physical therapy are hip dysplasia, hip surgery, low back problems, stroke, neurological disorders and obesity or weight control.
A common method of physical therapy for dogs is pool therapy, which involves water exercises to strengthen different muscles with less stress on the joints and muscle soreness. The main advantage of pool therapy is water buoyancy, which reduces the force of gravity and therefore the impact of the exercises on muscles and joints. This allows physical therapy for dogs to start almost immediately after injury or surgery with longer exercise sessions, helping injured dogs recover faster. Examples of exercises done under water are weight-bearing or resistance exercises, treadmill exercises, and range-of-motion exercises.
In addition to exercise programs, physical therapy for dogs may also include manual techniques such as myofascial release and joint mobilization as well as massage. The benefits of massage to humans are the same for dogs. Massage increases blood circulation, relieves stress and reduces muscle tension, among other known benefits.
Better Health : Other methods of physical therapy for dogs are ultrasound therapy, electrical stimulation or electrotherapy, often used to treat muscle disorders, and light therapy, which enhances immune and lymphatic processes, improves circulation, minimizes inflammation, heals wounds, and reduces scarring.
Just like human patients, physical therapy for dogs starts with the therapist’s evaluation followed by a series of therapy sessions. The length of physical therapy for dogs varies depending on the dog’s condition. Some cases require once a week therapy sessions while the more extensive programs may require three sessions each week for several weeks. Physical therapy for dogs lasts until the dog’s has completely recovered or the owner is satisfied with the dog’s improvement.
You will find many individuals who offer physical therapy for dogs. A qualified animal therapist should have completed an accredited certificate program such as the one offered by the Animal Rehabilitation Institute which includes the study of canine anatomy and physiology, management of orthopedic conditions and neurological disorders in dogs, physical therapy rehabilitation techniques and modalities, among others. Before you put your pet in the hands of a therapist, always make sure that person has received the proper education and training in animal or canine rehabilitation.
Methods of Physical Therapy for Frozen Shoulder, Better Health
Better Health : Frozen shoulder is the condition of pain and stiffness in the shoulder joint accompanied by loss of motion. An inflammation in or around the shoulder may trigger the body’s normal defensive response of stiffness. When the shoulder becomes stiff, it becomes too painful too move. Someone with frozen shoulder may not be able to reach above and over the head or touch the back.
While there is no definite cause of frozen shoulder, over 90 percent of patients experience full recovery. Doctors recommend physical therapy for frozen shoulder as the best treatment.
Physical therapy for frozen shoulder starts with reducing the pain and stiffness of the shoulder and increasing blood circulation through heat. One effective way of the heating method is taking a 10-minute hot shower or bath. Alternatively, the physical therapist may apply heat to your shoulder locally with the use of heating pads, wraps or towels. Hot water bottles and heat creams and ointments may also be used.
Better Health : Shoulder massage is also a good way to start physical therapy for frozen shoulder as it increases the flow of blood and oxygen into the area. Once pain is reduced either through heating or through massage, the therapist proceeds with a series of physical therapy exercises.
In physical therapy for frozen shoulder, you will first perform weight and non-weight stretching exercises to improve the flexibility of your shoulder joint. The common exercises include arm swing with weights, arm raise, overhead stretch, stretching your arms across your body, and towel stretch.
It is important to note that during these stretching exercises, you should feel tension but you should not overstretch your shoulder to the point where you feel pain or severe discomfort. These exercises are done once or twice daily until the shoulder restores its normal range of movement.
Your doctor will advise you should you need to perform other exercises to tone and strengthen your shoulder muscles such as rotation exercises. Remember not to force movement in your shoulder. This does not mean you should not move it at all but instead to limit activities that may further injure your shoulder.
If physical therapy for frozen shoulder does not work for you, your doctor may recommend surgical treatment. The good news is physical therapy for frozen shoulder is usually enough for patients to get effective results that improve with time. If you have frozen shoulder, consult a physical therapist and get the treatment that you need. – Better Health