Physical Therapy in Lancaster

Did you know that you can now find Physical Therapy in Lancaster at The Rehab Center?

Physical Therapy in Lancaster at The Rehab Center

At some point in everyones life pain happens. It can be back pain. Maybe it's knee pain. Whatever kind of pain it might be you can be sure to find friendly and caring service at The Rehab CenterPhysical Therapy in Lancaster.  We take almost all insurances including Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Medicare, Workman's Comp, Auto and Medical Assistance.

Who works at The Rehab Center - Physical Therapy in Lancaster?

Head Physical Therapist: Chris Knudsen,DPT

Chris Knudsen has been a practicing physical therapist for 11 years. He graduated in 2000 from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, where he received his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree.  He moved to Lancaster in 2002 and has been working for The Rehab Center now for nine years.  Chris believes that every patient should have their own personalized treatment program.  Manual therapy and strengthening exercises play an important part in his treatment programs.  He does not believe the "no-pain no-gain" idea works for injuries.  Chris gets great results without going "too far".  If you have the desire to return to full-function with the least amount of pain, you should choose physical therapy in Lancaster at The Rehab Center.

Physical Therapist Assistant: Phil Cruz, PTA

Phil Cruz, PTA

Phil Cruz has practiced as a Physical Therapist Assistant for almost 29 years. He has been working for The Rehab Center Physical Therapy almost since its inception 19 years ago.  Phil has a faithful following of patients in Lancaster County.  When you've met Phil, you will never forget him.  If you need somebody to motivate you, Phil is your guy.

Both Phil and Chris believe in a Hands-On approach with physical therapy.  Each patient receives the specific care that is right for them.  We also follow an active approach with exercise.  Every patient leaves the clinic stronger than when they first arrived.

How Do I Start

You have the right to choose your physical therapy. Once your doctor has prescribed physical therapy stop in or give us a call to schedule your first appointment. We have a 24 hr. policy for scheduling new patients. We will always offer at least one time slot for you to start today or tomorrow with your physical therapy. You can also find more information about The Rehab Center Physical Therapy in Lancaster at www.TheRehabCenterPT.com or call us at 717-397-2678. Thank you for choosing us for your physical therapy in Lancaster.

What Do Physical Therapists Know About Joint Disease and Osteoarthritis?

by Chris Knudsen, DPT

Clinic Director of The Rehab Center - Physical Therapy in Lancaster

Our previous article addressed the anatomy of a joint.  In today's article we will discuss the definition of Joint Disease.

Did you know that physical therapists now must have seven years of college, and earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree, in order to become a physical therapist?  The schooling is very rigorous and thorough.  Any physical therapist can teach you about joint disease.  Many things can happen to the normal joint to make it diseased.  A disease process can harm the joint in several ways.  It can attack the cartilage on the ends of the bones, it can affect the inside lining of

the joint capsule (the synovium), or attack the joint capsule itself (for more anatomy details, see Osteoarthritis: What is that popping noise? ). 

A diseased joint is usually painful, stiff, and sometimes swells.  Sound familiar?  Movement is hampered by these symptoms.  I always tell my patients that simply resting a painful joint may not make it better.  In fact, it might actually get worse with rest.  You see, rest decreases the blood supply to the joint and also causes the joint lubricating fluid (synovial fluid) to thicken.  On the other hand, movement increases blood flow, which then increases the supply of nutrients and fluids to the joint for nourishment and joint repair.  Have you ever noticed that you feel stiff and sore in your joints in the morning after lying around all night, but feel better after you get up and move around?

Osteoarthritis develops in our joints after years of "wear and rear."  You see, after walking thousands of miles, after grasping and turning a thousand bottle lids, after getting up and down from a chair ten thousand times, the cartilage on the ends of our bones has undergone numerous little insults which result in tiny microscopic cracks.  These tiny little cracks in the cartilage have been repaired over and over again with non-cartilaginous scar tissue (it is difficult to get cartilage to reform and repair itself because the blood supply is so poor). 

After our bone ends have become riddled with hundreds, even thousands of little cracks, they begin to show changes visible to the naked eye.  We can see fibrous scars and calcium deposits on the surface of our long bone ends where the normal smooth cartilage used to be.  This creates an irregular, rough surface.  The normally smooth movement of one bone upon another is now disrupted and the movement is more coarse and "sand-papery". 

This rubbing of one rough surface upon another creates joint irritation with thickening of the synovial fluid, and leads to the process we call inflammation, the body's way of trying to repair damage. 

Inflammation causes pain, increased blood flow into the joint (which causes redness and warmth) and leaky capillaries, which increases fluid accumulation into and around the joint (resulting in swelling).

When people have these symptoms they should see their family physician and consider asking for a prescription for Physical Therapy.

In my next article we will address the available treatments for osteoarthritis: including NSAIDs, topical analgesics, diet, and Physical Therapy.  If you have immediate questions feel free to call one of our physical therapists at The Rehab Center closest to you.  Click Here for the phone numbers.

Osteoarthritis: What is that popping noise?

Osteoarthritis

(What is that popping noise?)

By Chris Knudsen, PT, DPT

www.TheRehabCenterPT.com

One of the primary problems our bodies face as we age is degenerative arthritis, also known as osteoarthritis.  In physical therapy, we deal with osteoarthritis a lot.  In fact, it is one of the most common causes of pain that leads people to come see us.  There is much to learn about it.  Some factors that contribute to this condition are controllable (such as lifestyle) and some are not (genetics and environment). 

As we age we have joint pain more frequently.  Patients come into The Rehab Center in Lancaster and say, "My Dr. says I have osteoarthritis.  Does that mean there is nothing I can do about this pain?"

There are many things that can be done to treat osteoarthritis pain.  This is the first of four articles that I will be writing in order to answer that question.  To better understand what can be done it would be helpful to know exactly what osteoarthritis really is.  In this article we are going to talk about the anatomy and physiology of a joint.  In later articles we will address joint disease, treatments for osteoarthritis, physical therapy, and exercise and weight-loss.

Anatomy of a Joint

Any anatomy textbook will tell you that joints are made up of:

• bones
• cartilage
• joint capsule
• synovium
• synovial fluid
• ligaments
• tendons
• bursa  

The bones come together in the joint and touch each other; cartilage on the ends of the bones acts as a protective surface for bone to bone contact; the joint capsule is a fibrous sac which surrounds and encloses the entire joint; the synovium is a glistening membrane which lines the inside of the fibrous joint capsule; and inside each moving joint you will find synovial fluid which acts as a lubricant to promote smooth joint movement, and which is secreted by the synovial lining. 

Some joints have ligaments within them to connect one bone to another.  Other joints have tendons outside the joint capsule to attach muscles to the bones.  And some joints have cartilage plates between the bones to act as shock absorbers (such as the menisci in the knee).  And finally some joints have bursa (little fluid filled sacs lying between the

tendons and the joint itself to act as a cushion).   

The joint has a relatively good blood supply to the outer fibrous capsule, but very little blood flow to the deeper structures inside the joint, like the cartilage and ligaments.  We will talk more about this lack of blood flow in our next installment as we take a closer look at joint disease.

If you are experiencing joint pain, remember, joint pain is treatable.  Ask your doctor if physical therapy is right for you, then call The Rehab Center closest to you.

Aquatic Therapy is the Best!

by Chris Knudsen, DPT

The Rehab Center - Physical Therapy

What's so great about aquatic therapy?  It is simply the easiest way to exercise for people who are in pain.  Maybe you have avoided exercise because you were nervous or afraid of the pain you might get.  With aquatic therapy there is less to worry about.  It is not like land therapy.  Maybe you tried to exercise but you got tired too quickly and had to stop.  Has it been hard for you to exercise long enough to get any results?  Aquatic therapy is different.  Did you stop exercising because every time you did you noticed increased swelling in your feet or legs?  Here are six great things about aquatic therapy that might help convince you to try it.

1.  The relaxing effect of warm water.

The Rehab Center provides aquatic therapy at our clinics in Ephrata and New Holland, PA.  The water in each of these pools is kept at the optimal therapeutic temperature of 92 degrees.  This has the effect of softening stiff muscles and joints, improving blood flow, and improving range of motion.

2.  Decreased effects of gravity.

Being in water reduces the stressful effects of gravity on painful joints.  With the water at chest-level body weight is reduced by up to 80%.  This can increase the ability to exercise longer and get a more pain-free workout.  It also takes stress off of your joints, decreasing the normal wear and tear you might normally experience from land-based exercise.

3.  The strengthening properties of water resistance.

 

Water is a great environment to exercise in because it can provide resistance in all directions.  A full-body workout is more easily achieved, more muscles can be activated, and the resistance level can be controlled by the speed with which you move through the water.

4.  Edema control.

Exercising in water can help to control swelling.  The hydrostatic pressure of the water helps remove excess fluid from swollen feet and legs.  The deeper the water is the greater the hydrostatic pressure.

5.  Water Jet Massage. 

Everybody loves the water jet massage at the end of an aquatic therapy session.  The soothing feeling of fast-flowing water massaging sore muscles is a nice treat.

6.  The Under-water Treadmill

And finally, ask any of our aquatic therapy patients at The Rehab Center in New Holland and they will tell you the best thing about aquatic therapy is the under-water treadmill in our state-of-the-art Hydroworx pool.  Maybe it is time to try it for yourself.  Call your doctor and ask if aquatic therapy is right for you, then call The Rehab Center closest to you.

Safety Tips for Snow Shoveling

Safety Tips for Snow Shoveling

By Jason Cavallaro, MS PT

Clinical Director, The Rehab Center at Cornerstone, Lititz

Back pain is a frequent complaint of those who shovel snow. It’s been estimated that shoveling snow from your walks and driveways may involve lifting and moving hundreds of pounds of snow over the course of the winter season. If the season is as plentiful with storms like last year, it can feel like you’re moving tons! The result can be strain on your arms, legs and back. The following information gives you an overview of some potential issues and provides you with some tips on preventing pain while shoveling.

                Body mechanics refers to the way you move and use your body during any activity. There are good and bad body mechanics for everything we do. For example, bending from your back instead of using your hips and knees to pick up something from a low position is one sure way to aggravate your back. Do it repetitively, such as when shoveling snow and you’re likely to feel it even more. By practicing good body mechanics, you can help your body avoid injury:

Tips & Techniques

-          Change positions and activities frequently to vary the stress on your back. It may feel natural to always hold the shovel in the same position, but by switching sides every 10 shovelfuls, you can diminish the repetitive stress you would place by lifting and twisting to the same side.

-          When pushing, lifting or throwing, position your feet wide apart (at least shoulder width) to increase your base of support.

-          When picking up a shovel full of snow, remember to bend from your knees and hips. This will help you to keep the natural inward curve of your lower back as you bend or stoop.

-          When leaning or working forward, move one foot forward (staggered position) to spare pressure on your lower back.

-          As you lift snow, stand up with your legs, keeping your back straight.

-          Turn your feet or step in the direction that you are throwing snow – DON’T TWIST!

Equipment

-          Snow shovels today feature better designs than their predecessors. Today, snow shovels are made of lighter materials and designed to lift the snow without creating as much load on your back when you bend. A back saver handle allows the shovel to get lower to the ground without making you bend as much to pick up the snow. Also, avoid choosing the largest or heaviest shovel on the stand, as the extra weight in each load can add up quickly on your back.

-          Snow pushers are designed to push snow into piles. They work well with lighter snow and flat driveways. They allow you to stand upright, pushing from your legs to move the snow.

Rest Positions:

So you’ve tried to do everything I’ve said and your back is still sore. Here is a safe position to use when your back is stiff or sore.

-          Lie on your back on either your bed or a carpeted floor.

-          Place a pillow beneath your head and neck, and place two or three pillows under your knees.

-          This position allows you to reduce the stress on your lower back muscles, allowing them to heal.

Stretches: Stretching before shoveling to loosen up your muscles and reduce the chance of disc strain. Use the same stretches to cool down afterward. Remember that stretching should not cause pain in either your back, arms or legs. If you experience pain with any of these stretches, stop and consult your physician.

-          Standing Back Bends: stand with your feet comfortably apart and your hands on your hips. Bend your trunk backwards at the waist as far as you can comfortably can while pushing your hips forward. Make sure to keep your knees straight as you bend backward.

o   Hold each stretch for 3-5 seconds, repeat 10 times.

-          Prone on Elbows: Lie face down on the floor. Prop your upper body up on your forearms with your elbows directly under your shoulders. Relax your back muscles, allowing them to sag as you bend backward. Keep your hips in contact with the floor.

o   Hold each stretch for 3-5 seconds, repeat 10 times.

As old man winter reminds us how tough the cold weather can be on our bodies, remember that: (1) Being outdoors for extended periods of time causes our bodies to burn more energy just to regulate our core temperature and (2) this can also cause our blood vessels to constrict, which can raise your blood pressure.  Those with high blood pressure should remember that frequent breaks will alleviate the stress on your cardiovascular system. Be safe out there!