PT Doctors of Florida has tremendously improved the quality of my life. Scott is very knowledgeable, caring and highly skilled. Having a pinched nerve, arthritis and bulging discs has limited my movement. Scott has helped me regain my strength and balance so I can enjoy outdoor activities. As needed he has “pushed” me to try exercises I didn’t think I could do. I highly recommend Scott at PT Doctors of Florida.
From day one the Staff at Physical Therapy were professional , compassionate, sympathetic and understanding to my needs. Dr. Sweetland and Maggie have lots of knowledge and always had different ways of making therapy fun even though it was painful. You have to have a great personality to do this job and to work with all kinds of injuries which the staff had . It’s a small place but it was like going to see family which made me comfortable in doing my exercise’s. They would push you but only to what you could handle and always making sure you were comfortable doing the exercise you were doing . I would recommend them in a heartbeat.
I have been very pleased with my experience at Physical Therapy Doctors of Florida. I started with appointments after a medical event that affected my balance. I have been working with a therapist named Scott. He has just the right balance of humor, compassion and professionalism. He has helped me get to a point where I can walk better and feel steady on my feet. The best part is, he is as happy as I am about my improvements. He actually cares and wants to help me get to a better place. He just seems to know when I need a little push and when I’ve had enough. This is a top-notch facility; the whole team is friendly and helpful.
Now that the kids and grandchildren are back in school, parents and grandparents may find themselves with a little more time on their hands to consider using for interests beyond the joys of childrearing. Not only do we want our little ones happy and healthy, we also of course need to engage in some measure of self-care if we expect to be in the best position to continue caring for our loved ones. Promoting family involvement in physical activity is one of the goals of the U.S. Surgeon General’s Report on Physical Activity and Health. Since 1996, the last Saturday of September each year has been designated Family Health & Fitness Day. This year’s observance will be on September 28, 2024. Family Health & Fitness Day is a national event that promotes the importance of family involvement in physical activity and healthy living. This day serves as a reminder that health and fitness should be a family affair, not just an individual goal, so, in the spirit of this day, let’s explore some ways of integrating new practices into our pursuit of increasing physical activity–it’s one of the most important parts of our health!
One way to get back to health with the whole family is to enjoy outdoor activities that everyone can share in. We have no shortage of such opportunities here in Bradenton and Sarasota. A few examples are:
Walking through the sand offers a mild resistance to your legs, ankles, feet, and toes. It’s a light, low impact workout that can also offer some enjoyable education with a naturalist-guided birdwatching or shell identification tour.
Florida has a wealth of natural beauty. Between Manatee and Sarasota Counties, there are at least 40 preserves that can be accessed year round. Perico Preserve, one of Manatee’s newest preserves, is offering tours led by a Master Gardener to take a walk and learn about the wide variety of ecosystems on display and how the preserve was transformed into what it is today.
So many fun activities that can’t easily be engaged in at home are readily available at our local parks. You can even search by activity like tennis or swimming, type of park, amenity, or location. Our clinic is located in Bradenton in Manatee County, surrounded by over 30 parks at your disposal.
Understandably, if you suffer with back or joint pain, engaging in these activities may be difficult or even impossible. Not every ache, pain, or condition necessarily can or needs to be treated with opioid drugs or surgery. Physical Therapy is a non-surgical and prescription drug-free means of helping you move without pain. Our pain specialists excel in identifying the root causes of people’s pain or dysfunction and constructing a treatment plan specific to the person’s abilities. Give us a call at (941) 264-1414, email info@ptdoctorsfl.com, or send us a direct message to find out how we can help. As we move into the fall, let’s not only think about “back to school,” but also focus on getting “back to health” with Physical Therapy Doctors of Florida!
The shoulder is one of the most complex and versatile joints in the human body, allowing for a wide range of motion. However, this complexity also makes it susceptible to various injuries and painful conditions. The shoulder joint, more scientifically referred to as the glenohumeral joint, is a ball-and-socket joint in which the upper arm bone (humerus) and glenoid cavity of the shoulder blade (scapula) interact. The rotator cuff, a group of muscles and tendons surrounding this joint, provides stability and facilitates movement. With at least seven muscles, three bones, four tendons, and four ligaments, not to mention bursae and capsules, there’s both the freedom to perform a very wide range of movements allowing us to engage in all kinds of athletic tasks, and, unfortunately, also a lot anatomy that can suffer if things go wrong. Let’s look at some of the problems people commonly face when shouldering the burden of shoulder pain.
Shoulder pain is one of the most common regional pain syndromes. In fact, the National Library of Medicine reports that 18-26% of adults at any point in time are affected by it. Some of the more typical pain-causing situations are:
Damage to the cartilage in joints usually occurs through wear and tear over time related to age and use, or from injuries that change mechanics of the joint, thus hastening the wearing down of tissue.
Whether partial, or full-thickness tears, these often result from acute trauma or repetitive overhead activities such as house painting, carpentry, or ball throwing.
Similar to rotator cuff tears, but in the labrum, which is a ring of cartilage in the shoulder joint.
Sometimes called swimmer’s shoulder, this painful syndrome occurs when the shoulder blade pinches the rotator cuff beneath it, though there are several varieties of the condition.
To prevent shoulder problems, the same general strategies for all joints and muscles equally apply of course to the glenohumeral joint.
Proper warm-up before engaging in physical activities can enhance blood flow to the muscles and reduce the risk of injury. Stretching exercises help maintain flexibility and prevent stiffness.
Strengthening the rotator cuff and surrounding muscles can provide better support to the shoulder joint. Exercises such as shoulder presses, rows, and rotator cuff-specific movements can help. These should definitely be prescribed and overseen by a professional, lest you cause more damage by overtraining the affected tissue.
Ensuring proper posture and ergonomics, especially for individuals who spend long hours at a desk or perform repetitive tasks, can prevent shoulder strain.
Athletes and individuals engaged in repetitive overhead activities should focus on using proper techniques to reduce stress on the shoulder joint. A coach or specialist in your area of training can lend an educated eye to your technique, and offer constructive suggestions for improvement.
You need not continue shouldering that burden of pain. If you’ve already gotten past the point of injury or problematic pain, bear in mind that physical therapy treatment has been shown to improve pain, mobility, and shoulder function. Schedule a consultation with our team of pain experts so we can do our part helping you move without pain! Our clinic is in Bradenton, so we’re easily accessible from all over Manatee and Sarasota Counties. You can get answers to some general questions at our frequently asked questions page, and give us a call at (941) 264-1414 or email our staff at info@ptdoctorsfl.com so that our Physical Therapy Doctors and Assistants can assess your shoulder situation and devise a personalized plan of recovery. Physical Therapy Doctors of Florida are experts at crafting a program to treat back and joint pain of all kinds.
July 2024 is National Park and Recreation Month. This month celebrates the many ways parks and the professionals who service them provide safe and accessible spaces that foster a sense of “Where You Belong”–the theme of this year’s observance. Florida is of course renowned for its plethora of places in which you can enjoy the great outdoors, so those of us here in Manatee and Sarasota counties have an abundance of options from which to choose. Let’s go over a selection of local parks and activities where you can focus on having fun and getting healthy in the great outdoors.
Engaging in outdoor activities offers numerous physical and mental health benefits. Most of us are aware that regular physical activity helps to improve cardiovascular health, strengthen muscles, and enhance flexibility, but additionally, being in nature has been shown to reduce stress, boost mood, and improve mental clarity. Sarasota and Manatee counties’ parks provide a perfect backdrop for these health-enhancing activities, so in this month of emphasis on parks and recreation give attention to putting some time into getting healthy in the great outdoors.
At Physical Therapy Doctors of Florida, we understand the importance of maintaining an active lifestyle. Our team of skilled physical therapists is dedicated to helping you achieve and maintain your fitness goals. Whether you’re recovering from an injury, managing a chronic condition, or simply looking to improve your physical performance, we offer personalized treatment plans to suit your needs. Outdoor recreation certainly is a fantastic way to stay active, but it’s essential to do so safely and effectively. Our Physical Therapy Doctors and Assistants can provide guidance on proper techniques, stretches, and exercises to prevent injuries and enhance your outdoor activities. We can also help you develop a customized fitness plan that incorporates your favorite outdoor pursuits, ensuring you get the most out of your time in nature.
We look forward to meeting with you for a consultation, so call us at (941) 264-1414, email info@ptdoctorsfl.com, or send us a message. Our non-surgical back and joint pain specialists are dedicated to helping you move without pain!
The human neck is the highest portion of the spine, spanning seven levels of cervical vertebrae (C1-7). This complicated part of the body is divided into several regions, triangles, and zones. The neck is the sort of body part that people generally give little mind to until there’s a noticeable problem. Let’s look at some causes, prevention, and what can be done about neck pain.
CAUSES
Joints can experience wear and tear in the neck just like the joints of the rest of the body. Bone spurs may form as a result that can affect joint motion and cause pain.
Whiplash-caused neck pain is commonly the result of rear-end auto collisions, but of course, any trauma to the area has the potential to become a pain-causing issue.
Nerves branching out from the spinal cord can be pressed upon by herniated disks or bone spurs.
Overuse from prolonged time spent in the same position like being hunched over a computer or smartphone, overexertion from vigorous movement, or neglecting to warm up before exercise can strain unprepared soft tissues of the neck.
PREVENTION
As common as long hours spent working on a computer is, it’s very important to periodically get up, move around, and stretch your neck and shoulders to alleviate tension and lessen the likelihood of muscle strain. The same goes for long-distance travel, whether driving or sitting as a passenger.
Determine the proper placement and height of your monitor, keyboard, mousepad, and seat such that your knees are slightly below your hips and you can view your screen at eye level without having to hold tension in your neck.
It’s not only when seated and viewing screens, but proper posture is something that should always be practiced. This is something that you’ll have to actively pay attention to until you can learn to naturally hold a posture that’s conducive to neck health. Keep your shoulders over your hips and your ears directly over your shoulders.
Neck pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders, affecting 27 per 1000 people, in fact, 1 in 3 people are affected once a year, but pain that endures without getting better, or that impedes simple tasks like looking over your shoulder or holding the head in one place while driving or looking at a computer needs to be addressed so that the quality of your life isn’t unnecessarily diminished.
The good news is that there is something that you can do about neck pain. Neck strengthening exercises conducted under the supervision of a pain treatment specialist have been shown in multiple studies to reduce pain and improve disability in people suffering with neck pain. Licensed Physical Therapy Doctors and Assistants are experts in helping you move without pain, so give us a call today to schedule an appointment to assess your situation and formulate a plan of recovery. We can be reached at (941) 264-1414, emailed using info@ptdoctorsfl.com, or via direct message and are located in Bradenton for convenient access from all over Manatee and Sarasota Counties.
Nearly 26 million Americans are rendered incapable of engaging in everyday activities because of arthritis. 1 in 4 Americans have been diagnosed with this disease by a doctor, and a third of adults have severe joint pain according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The overwhelming prevalence of this malady has warranted the creation of an entire month’s worth of dedicated focus and awareness generation culminating in the month of May being deemed Arthritis Awareness Month. The lofty title of “All About Arthritis” may be a tad ambitious when broaching a topic as important and pervasive in people’s experience as arthritis, but we can at least give a healthy overview of the subject and offer a solid means of assistance to those who suffer from it.
First of all, what exactly is arthritis? It’s a general term for conditions that affect the joints, tissues around the joint, and other connective tissues, and there are actually more than 100 types of it, the most common of which is osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis can exhibit symptoms of pain, stiffness, tenderness, loss of flexibility, a grating sensation, or swelling, and these often develop slowly and worsen over time. It occurs when the cartilage that cushions the ends of your bones deteriorates and sometimes can form osteophytes, also known as bone spurs. Rheumatoid arthritis is the second most common type. It’s an autoimmune and inflammatory disease, meaning that your immune system incorrectly attacks healthy cells in your body causing painful swelling in those parts. The specific causes of why the immune system would do this are currently unknown.
What are some ways to manage arthritis? Well, for starters, staying active through routine exercise helps maintain strength and flexibility. Of course, if joint pain is already limiting your movement, you’ll need to choose the right intensity with the appropriate activities. People often find exercise in water as a great way to move your joints without them having to support so much of your body weight. Losing weight in itself can go a long way taking a load off your knees and ankles, potentially affording you more ability to move with less pain.
Helping you move without pain is the specialty of a Licensed Physical Therapist. Importantly, Physical therapy doctors assist you in accomplishing this without the use of prescription opioid drugs or surgery. The New England Journal of Medicine even published an article about a scientific study that found patients with arthritis of the knee who undertook a physical therapy based treatment had less pain and functional disability at 1 year than those who received an intra-articular glucocorticoid injection. But that’s no surprise, research continually demonstrates the efficacy of physical therapy for people with various forms of arthritis. Medical experts recognize physical therapy’s usefulness as a treatment for arthritis, so contact Physical Therapy Doctors of Florida in Bradenton at (941) 264-1414, email info@ptdoctorsfl.com, or send us a direct message. If you’re in or near Manatee or Sarasota Counties, our team will be happy to help you get back to moving without pain!
Back pain is all too common. In fact, 8% of adults in the US experience persistent or chronic pain in their backs to the point that they can be limited in everyday activities, and well over a third of the adult population reported back pain in the last three months in a study conducted by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The World Health Organization informs us that low back pain is the single leading cause of disability worldwide and the condition for which the greatest number of people may benefit from rehabilitation. This pervasive problem is what we’ll be examining in this overview of the basics of back pain.
First of all, symptoms can be quite varied. From dull aches to sharp pains, it can even radiate into other parts of the body – most commonly the legs. Spine-related leg pain, often called sciatica or radicular pain, can present itself as numbness, tingling, weakness, a dull sensation, or even a feeling reminiscent of an electric shock. Otherwise normal movement restricted by pain can affect people’s work, school, and community engagement, not to mention recreation like sports, gardening, or playing with the kids or grandchildren. Back pain can be acute, which is to say lasting less than 6 weeks, sub-acute (6-12 weeks), or chronic (more than 12 weeks).
Like symptoms, the causes of back pain are sundry but can generally be divided into specific or non-specific classifications. Non-specific means that the experience of pain cannot be confidently accounted for by another diagnosis such as an underlying disease or pathology.. It is considered non-specific for around 90% of people’s cases, though reliable risk factors include low physical activity, obesity, smoking, and highly physically stressful work. Specific back pain can be explained by damaged tissue as from injuries, or from an underlying disease or organ problem.
As stated earlier, the World Health Organization recognizes back pain as the pain that can most commonly be treated. Proper treatments focus on the underlying condition(s) causing the discomfort. Physical therapy improves muscular strength providing a stable structure so that your spine doesn’t have to support so much of your body weight on its own. Of course, weight loss in general also lessens the load, and even quitting smoking may help you overcome back pain, as the risk associated with suffering from it increases with the number of cigarettes smoked per day according to Mayo Clinic. Many scientific studies have demonstrated the efficacy of physical therapy in helping people overcome back pain. This study, for instance, showed that those who saw a physical therapist at the first point of care had an 89 percent lower probability of receiving an opioid prescription. That’s one of many of the great reasons for seeking the expertise of a Licensed Physical Therapy Doctor here at Physical Therapy Doctors of Florida–we help you move without pain, and do so without prescription opioids! Our doctors and therapists also treat your condition without necessarily having to resort to surgery. They can identify and address the cause and treatment for back pain. Sometimes it isn’t what you’d expect, for example, a study in the National Library of Medicine found evidence suggesting that physical therapy interventions targeting the hips may improve outcomes, including pain and disability, for patients with low back pain.
Ready to go beyond the basics of back pain and allow our pain experts to help you move without pain? Call us at (941) 264-1414, email info@ptdoctorsfl.com, or reach out on our direct message page. We’re located in Bradenton, convenient for access from throughout Manatee and Sarasota Counties.
In the Northern Hemisphere, the season of Spring begins at the astronomical vernal equinox. In 2024, this event will take place at 11:06 p.m. on Tuesday, March 19. The equinox is the day wherein daylight and night hours are equal in length because the sun is directly over the equator. As the days are getting longer and the weather warmer, we’ll have more time and opportunity to enjoy our lovely local Bradenton and Sarasota climate. It’s an ideal window of time before it gets too hot & humid in the summer to get out and avail yourself of the many soon coming springtime events. Let’s go over a few seasonal activities coming to Manatee and Sarasota Counties.
Now that nighttime has gotten comfortably warm, Bradenton’s Bishop Museum of Science and Nature (just a few blocks from our clinic!) is offering Sidewalk Astronomy at The Bishop. This free event will provide a powerful telescope view of the moon, the planet Jupiter, and more. You’ll also be given a chance to win a free Celestron StarSense Explorer 10″ Dobsonian telescope so you can search the night sky from your own home. Tacos, edible cookie dough, and drinks will be available for purchase, as well as tickets to the planetarium’s newest show, Big Astronomy.
To combine light exercise, the great outdoors, and some useful and interesting education, consider taking a bird identifying walk conducted by a guide furnished by the Sarasota Audubon Society. This free tour explores the wetlands surrounding the boardwalk at Celery Fields. Enjoy your own backyard by taking up gardening. No experience? No problem. The University of Florida IFAS Manatee County Extension is opening a free series of classes about common plant diseases, so you’ll be ahead of the game when your plants take off. Instead of starting from seed, you can even get a jump start by purchasing ones that are already along in their growth since the UF/IFAS is also hosting a Spring Plant Sale.
For the art enthusiasts, Anna Maria Island will be home to the 36th Annual Springfest Festival of Fine Arts & Fine Crafts. Holmes Beach will be the place to go to for a juried exhibition with entrants from across the United States. Parking and admission are free, and proceeds from a raffle will benefit the Art League’s Scholarship Fund, which provides classes to children and adults.You can even enter your own creations or that of your kids or grandchildren. Another outdoor spring event that the kids can enjoy is the Meadows Farmers Market Spring Market. An Easter egg hunt, pictures with the Easter Bunny, and of course the local goods, fresh food, and artisanal products you’d expect from a farmers market will be there in abundance.
Enjoying the mild weather of our springtime can be difficult if you experience pain or limitation stemming from back or joint pain. Whether caused by arthritis, injury, or overuse, our Licensed Physical Therapy Doctors and Assistants possess the expertise and experience to accurately assess your particular situation and formulate a tailor-made plan to help get you moving again – without pain. We’re right here in Bradenton, and only a phone call or email away from an appointment to find out how we can treat your pain or weakness without opioid drugs or surgery. We can be reached at (941) 264-1414, info@ptdoctorsfl.com, or via direct message. Spring has sprung, so make the most of it by learning how we can help you move without pain.