Fibromyalgia and Physical Therapy: The Latest Research

Aquatic Therapy and Fibromyalgia: The Latest Research

As many people know, physical therapy can often be a nice addition to treatment for fibromyalgia.  In our last article we introduced the benefits of aquatic therapy for treatment of fibromyalgia. You don't have to take our word for it. At The Rehab Center - Physical Therapy we try to stay on top of the latest research regarding the best treatments for our patients.  So what does the latest research say about Aquatic Therapy and Fibromyalgia?

Aquatic Therapy and Fibromyalgia

Aquatic therapy helps to decrease pain in patients with fibromyalgia.  In the Journal of Rheumatology International, Deniz Evcik, M.D. concludes from his study that Aquatic Therapy has a better effect on long-term pain management than a home-based exercise program in patients with fibromyalgia.  There were two groups in this study.  One group was given aquatic therapy.  The other was given a home exercise program.  Both programs lasted for 5 weeks.  The average of reduction in pain scores was 40% in Group 1 and 21% in Group 2.  However, this was still significant at week 24 only in the aquatic therapy group.  Only aquatic therapy seemed to have long-term effects.

Aquatic therapy can also help fibromyalgia patients maintain an exercise program of some kind even 12 months after completing therapy.  In a randomized controlled trial, Munugia-Izquierdo of the University Pablo de Olavide, in Seville, Spain, showed that a 16-week aquatic training program helps fibromyalgia patients in two ways.  Aquatic therapy in a warm pool can improve most of the symptoms of fibromyalgia and can cause a high adherence to exercise in unfit women with heightened fibromyalgia symptoms.  In short, a good aquatic therapy program not only helps decrease pain, it can help people continue to exercise even after they are done with therapy.

How long do the positive effects of aquatic therapy last?  In a study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology, Dr. Kaisa Mannerkorpi, of the Department of Physical Therapy, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, in Sweden, says that a six month aquatic therapy program showed positive effects even after 2 years.  He found that improvements in pain, fatigue, physical function, and social function were still found 24 months after completing the treatment program in the fibromyalgia patients.

Physical Therapy and Fibromyalgia: Aquatic Therapy is Best

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that can greatly affect your ability to function. Many fibromyalgia patients are finding that with the help of aquatic therapy their pain is decreased and they are better able to function.



If you are suffering from the pain and fatigue of fibromyalgia maybe it's time for you to try aquatic therapy.  The Rehab Center - Physical Therapy has two convenient locations with aquatic therapy pools in Ephrata and New Holland.  Give us a call.

Ephrata phone number is 717-738-7979.

New Holland phone number is 717-351-2468.

If you have fibromyalgia, ask your doctor if aquatic therapy is right for you to help treat the pain and fatigue associated with your fibromyagia.

Charlie Eberling, DPT - Physical Therapist at The Rehab Center in Ephrata

http://www.fox43.com/news/wpmt-victim-becomes-physical-therapist,0,6541509.story

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Charlie Eberling, DPT from The Rehab Center - Physical Therapy in Ephrata

We had one of our very own physical therapists on Fox News. Check it out!


 

Fibromyalgia and Aquatic Therapy

Physical Therapy and Fibromyalgia in Lancaster, PA

The best treatment for fibromyalgia can be found at The Rehab Center - Physical Therapy. Serving Lancaster County since 1992, The Rehab Center now has eight locations, including Ephrata, Denver, New Holland, Lititz, Brownstown, Lancaster, Leola, and Honey Brook, PA.

Fibromyalgia is a common problem we see in our physical therapy patients. Many fibromyalgia patients come to our clinics with another diagnosis. They may come because of low back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, or knee pain. Some are coming because they just had a total knee replacement, or a rotator cuff repair. The physical therapy we provide to a patient with fibromyalgia is modified because of the unique nature of this syndrome.

Physical Therapy and Fibromyalgia

The National Institutes of Health states that Fibromyalgia is a disorder that causes muscle pain and fatigue. The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) says that to receive a diagnosis of fibromyalgia someone must have a history of widespread pain lasting more than 3 months, and the presence of diffuse tenderness. Pain is considered to be widespread when it affects all four quadrants of the body, meaning it must be felt on both the left and right sides of the body as well as above and below the waist. ACR also has designated 18 sites on the body as possible tender points. To meet the strict criteria for a fibromyalgia diagnosis, a person must have 11 or more tender points.

Aquatic Therapy is the Best: Physical Therapy and Fibromyalgia

Research suggests that the best pain relief for fibromyalgia comes when physical therapy is combined with AQUATIC THERAPY. The Rehab Center has two locations with Aquatic Therapy pools for our fibromyalgia patients. The first is The Rehab Center in Ephrata and the second is The Rehab Center in New Holland.

Here are six (6) great things about aquatic therapy in New Holland and Ephrata that might help convince you to try it.

1. The relaxing effect of warm water on fibromyagia pain.

The Rehab Center provides aquatic therapy in New Holland and Ephrata, PA. The water

[caption id="attachment_159" align="alignright" width="259" caption="Aquatic Therapy for Fibromyalgia"][/caption]

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 muscles and 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 for fibromyalgia.

Water is a great environment to exercise in because it can provide resistance in all directions. A full-body workout with aquatic therapy in New Holland 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. Water Jet Massage.

Everybody loves the water jet massage at the end of their aquatic therapy in New Holland. The soothing feeling of fast-flowing water massaging sore back or leg muscles is a nice treat. You will not want to leave.

5. 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.  (Click Here to see a video: Aquatic Therapy – New Holland)

Physical Therapy and Fibromyalgia: Additional Points

It is not easy to treat fibromyalgia. There are many factors that will contribute to the successful treatment. For some patients the factor is improving sleep at night. For others it is increasing activity throughout the day. One thing is clear. Physical therapy and fibromyalgia are a good mix when people are looking for pain relief.

The Best Internet Links for The Rehab Center - Physical Therapy

Main WebPage:  www.therehabcenterpt.com

Main BlogPage:  www.therehabcenterpt.blogspot.com

Clinic Blog Pages:

Brownstown -     Denver -     Ephrata -     Honey Brook

Lancaster -     Leola -     Lititz -     New Holland

Google Places

Brownstown -     Denver -     Ephrata -    Honey Brook

Lancaster -     Leola -     Lititz -     New Holland

Physio Clinic Pages

Brownstown -     Denver -     Ephrata -     Honey Brook

Lancaster -     Leola -     Lititz -     New Holland

Ephrata Community Hospital - Centers for Health

Brownstown -     Denver -     Ephrata -     Honey Brook

Lancaster -     Leola -     Lititz -     New Holland

Additional information for each of our eight clinics can be found at these sites. Each clinic has its unique site in order to allow the public a chance to get to know all of them individually. That is a unique feature of The Rehab Center. We are located close to where you live and work. Many doctors will prescribe physical therapy for 3 times a week for four weeks. So why not choose a clinic that is close to where you live and work. This will save you time and gas money.

Other important links on the web:

APTA PTJournal PTstats PTDefinition

AboutPT WebMD/PT PTMovie

SportsInjuries BackPain-MayoClinic

back.com AdvancedSpine BackTrainer

PT-Good-for-Back-Pain MoreBackPain

Exercise-Good Nismat RTC-TBand

FamilyDoc Fibromyalgia-Physical-Therapy

Spine-Universe Quality-Health

Job Opening for a physical therapist: Clinic Director of The Rehab Center in Leola

Thank you for your interest in The Rehab Center - Physical Therapy in Leola.  Click here to Return to TheRehabCenterPT.com - Home Page

The Rehab Center - Physical Therapy in Leola

The Rehab Center - Physical Therapy has eight locations, including: Ephrata, Denver, New Holland, Lititz, Brownstown, Lancaster, Leola, and Honey Brook. Providing quality physical therapy close to where you live and work, since 1992.

Job Opening for Physical Therapist/Clinic Director

We are now looking for a skilled outpatient physical therapist with at least three years of experience. Previous management experience a plus.

This job has been listed in several locations. Click on any of the following links below for more info, or to apply for the position call Betty Roscher at 717-738-7979 or e-mail your resume to Betty Roscher at 717-7970.

See our ad on MyPhysio.com
See our ad on Association Career Network
See our ad on SimplyHired.com

Job Opening for Clinic Director of The Rehab Center - Physical Therapy in Leola

Why you should take the Clinic Director position at The Rehab Center -  Physical Therapy in Leola:

1. Leola is a beautiful clinic
2. Great support staff
3. Competitive Salary
4. Significant autonomy
5. Great Continuing Ed program
6. Top notch benefits
7. Quarterly Incentive Program

What is it like to work for The Rehab Center Physical Therapy in Leola?

Ask our physical therapists:  Ephrata, Denver, New Holland, Lititz, Brownstown, Lancaster, Leola, and Honey Brook.

You can also get more information by going to our Main Website for The Rehab Center - Physical Therapy in Leola.

The Best Links to Physical Therapy Lancaster

Physical Therapy Lancaster

The best websites when searching for The Rehab Center - Physical Therapy Lancaster clinic.

1. The Rehab Center - Physical Therapy Lancaster at www.TheRehabCenterPT.com
2. Therapy Tips - The Blog of The Rehab Center at www.therehabcenterpt.blogspot.com
3. PhysicalTherapyLancaster.com (you are here)
4. The Rehab Center - Physical Therapy Lancaster at www.MyPhysio.com
5. Professional Physical Therapy Lancaster Blog Page of The Rehab Center at www.MedicalMingle.com
6. Local Business site for The Rehab Center Physical Therapy Lancaster at www.MerchantCircle.com
7. Another local business site for our Lancaster clinic is at CitySearch.com
8. Find us at Yahoo.com Physical Therapy Lancaster.
9. Find our Places page on Google.com for The Rehab Center.
10. The Rehab Center Physical Therapy at www.EphrataHospital.org
11. You can also find us on other Physio sites.
12. We also have a FaceBook page for The Rehab Center Physical Therapy Lancaster

Physical Therapy Lancaster

We hope you find this list helpful.  This list will be expanding as time goes on.  The Rehab Center, providing quality physical therapy services to Lancaster County since 1992.  With eight locations we are close to where you live and work.  Our physical therapists have over 60 years of combined experience providing the excellent care that our community deserves.  Quality, Convenience, and Pain Relief.

If you are interested in scheduling an appointment with us at The Rehab Center - Physical Therapy Lancaster, please call us at 717-397-2678.

Disability Testing in Lancaster County at New Holland

Disability Testing Now Available in Lancaster County at New Holland

The Rehab Center – Physical Therapy in New Holland offers disability testing and clinical documentation of physical findings for those individuals applying for social security disability benefits. We work with your physician to complete the necessary disability paperwork ensuring an error free application for benefits. Our disability testing is a 90 minute test of your physical ability to function safely in a work environment. The evaluation is performed by a Physical Therapist trained in the examination and treatment of workplace injuries and function. The findings of your test will be discussed at the completion of the examination as well as with your referring doctor. The next portion of the article will describe the specifics of the exam.

What is Disability Testing?

Disability as defined by the federal government: “inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to last or has lasted for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.”
Here at The Rehab Center – Physical Therapy in New Holland we will begin by taking a history of your diagnosis and your work history and lead into a physical examination. We will assess your available range of motion, strength, and flexibility in preparation for physical testing. Generalized upper extremity testing is completed through the use of grip dynamometry and force gauge push and pull testing. Assessment of conditioning is completed during a treadmill walking test protocol and approximate aerobic capacity is calculated. Next, material handling is evaluated to determine your maximum safe effort at occasional levels. Non-material handling includes assessment of balance, positional tolerance, repeated and sustained reaching, bending, and squatting.

After the Disability Testing

The information collected in the evaluation is then summarized in a report to allow for accurate completion of your SSDI paperwork. Our goal is to provide a top notch service to those individuals in the community in need of a disability evaluation. We are able to provide a report for your referring doctor, and/or your disability lawyer assisting you with your case. Choose The Rehab Center for your disability testing in Lancaster County at New Holland.  Call us today at 717-351-2468. We guarantee quick scheduling of your disability testing and a report back to you within one week.