Category: News

You Don’t Have to Live With Shoulder Pain

Shoulder pain is the third most common musculoskeletal complaint. In fact, its prevalence is such that maybe as much as 20% of the population suffers from it. Even though it may not affect your mobility in terms of walking, standing, or sitting, a limited range of motion or pain in the shoulders can severely impede your ability to safely turn the steering wheel when you drive a vehicle, open or close doors, even basics like putting on and taking off clothing. If you can’t reach or lift objects like you used to, this article will be of special interest to you.

There’s a lot going on in your shoulders. The National Institutes of Health goes so far as to name the shoulder joint as the most complicated in the human body. It’s also the most flexible, which indicates that a person really needs to rely upon it for a wide range of normal human activity. The problem with great flexibility and complexity is that this joint also is very prone to injury and dysfunction. Whether it’s related to the muscle, nerves, bursae, capsules, or cartilage, let’s look at a few possible causes of pain.

The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and tendons that keep the head of the humerus, i.e. the upper arm bone, in the shoulder socket. Repetitive motions, particularly overhead, can cause a dull ache deep in the shoulder and make it difficult to reach your head or behind your back. Shoulder pain stemming from rotator cuff problems increases in likelihood with age.

A pinched nerve can occur when bone, disk protrusions, or swollen tissue puts pressure on spinal nerves extending to the neck and shoulder. Numbness, a feeling of “pins & needles,” pain, or discomfort can all be symptoms of nerve pain in the shoulder. A frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) can greatly limit a shoulder’s movement. It’s caused by the joint capsule containing ligaments becoming stiff, thick, and inflamed. Frozen shoulders are more common in women than men, especially those between the ages of 40 and 60. Bursitis and tendinitis are also inflammations of those respective tissues. They are commonly caused by stress from overuse.

When the cartilage breaks down over time or through injury, it allows bone to rub against bone. This condition is called osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease. Even though it’s an extremely common occurrence with increasing age, it isn’t necessarily a sentence to perpetual pain.

There are a few steps we can take to prevent or mitigate shoulder pain. Several common sense practices we can all employ to help avoid shoulder complications are:

• Strengthen Your Shoulders

If the underlying structure of your shoulders are able to bear more weight, it obviously allows them to lift heavier objects with less likelihood of injury, as well as making it easier to lift things you were already accustomed to dealing with. Anyone new to physical training, or in need of special expertise due to having to work around existing pain or injuries will be greatly benefited by the knowledge a Licensed Physical Therapist can apply to their situation. Helping you move without pain is Dr. Mullis and team’s specialty.

• Warm Up

If you know you’re about to engage in activity that could be difficult or injurious, plan to take a few moments to properly loosen up and warm your shoulder joints with a few safe, controlled movements.

• Don’t Take Shortcuts

            Take the necessary extra few moments to use a stepstool, or to move yourself closer into a stronger position to move objects. Trying to save a little time by not setting up properly isn’t worth the risk of an injury that could leave you with a lot of lost time later.

• Consult The Professionals

            The Licensed Physical Therapists and Assistants at Physical Therapy Doctors of Florida are conveniently located for the residents and visitors of Manatee and Sarasota Counties in Bradenton. Living with shoulder pain is not something you have to settle for; give us a call today at (941) 264-1414, email info@ptdoctorsfl.com, or contact us online directly. We’re your non-surgical back and joint pain specialists!

Fall Injuries and Difficulty With Walking

The CDC reports that each year more than one out of four people over age 65 experiences a fall. One out of five of these falls results in a serious injury, such as broken bones or head trauma. In fact, according to the World Health Organization, falls are the second leading cause of death worldwide. Research has identified the risk factors, ie the conditions that contribute to falling. These include lower body weakness, difficulties with walking and balance, home hazards, and vision problems. Although they are a threat to the health of older adults and can reduce their ability to remain independent, falls are not inevitable as you age. Let’s review some ways to prevent them, and the answer to what to do if you’ve already experienced a fall or are at risk.

Addressing vision problems is the quickest, most straightforward step you can take towards avoiding falls. Schedule an eye exam to ensure you’re afforded the most up-to-date prescription for lenses, and to find out if there are any underlying eye issues that can be remedied. Unfortunately, many people’s homes are set up in a way that places unnecessary hazards in people’s paths. Both the CDC and the National Institute on Aging offer useful guides on safeguarding your home against falls, and how to make it easier to get around with walking difficulties. Here’s a room by room guide as well as a more general checklist. Small, simple things add up to a safer, less fall-prone lifestyle. Even something as simple as ensuring that you are wearing proper footwear can dramatically improve your gait and decrease the likelihood of a fall. Above all else, the most effective method for reducing the rate of falls in adults over age 65 is exercise. If you already have difficulty with walking or mobility in general, this appears to be a conundrum. How do you begin an exercise program if your basic movements are impaired?

Physical therapists not only treat chronic pain and rehabilitate injuries from falls, they also help people prevent suffering fall-related injuries by identifying weaknesses and focusing on strengthening them so that they aren’t as likely to experience a damaging fall in the first place. Assessing your risk for a fall can be a useful tool to help determine your level of need for professional attention. Use this CDC and National Council on Aging provided short,free questionnaire to give you insight into your risk level for experiencing a fall. If your mobility is decreasing, a physical therapist can prescribe a personalized training program designed to increase your stability and strength. The great thing about this is that not only will it make walking easier and decrease your risk for a fall, it also carries over into every other everyday task, like carrying groceries into the house, picking up and holding grandchildren, even enjoying outdoor activities you may have given up long ago, like golf or walking the dog. Licensed Physical Therapy Doctors and Assistants are available right here in Bradenton; easily accessible from all over Manatee and Sarasota Counties. Call Physical Therapy Doctors of Florida today at (941) 264-1414, email us info@ptdoctorsfl.com, or send a direct message for more information on how we can help you move without pain!

Attention Snowbirds!

Attention Snowbirds!

Manatee and Sarasota Counties are ideal winter hideaways for people looking to escape the cold and snow of the frigid north. The expected average temperature for this month of February is 75 F / 24 C with minimal chances of rainfall and absolutely no frost or snow! The skies are clear and sunny, the activities plentiful, and the food and shopping abundant. Let’s explore some options that are culturally enriching, active in the great outdoors, and great locales for good food and fun shopping.

Our area has an exceptional array of art galleries, but one that always demands a visit is The Ringling Museum of Art, replete with rotating exhibitions, performances, talks & lectures, as well as family programs that offer something for everyone. If machinery is more your style, check out The Sarasota Classic Car Museum and the Florida Railroad Museum. This is a culture-rich town on the coast, so of course we also have The Florida Maritime Museum for all the boat lover’s who dream of ship journeys and salty sea lore. If natural history is your interest, The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature has everything from mammoth fossils to archaeological treasures. More indoor, climate controlled learning combined with the biology of the ocean is to be found at The Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium. Those with a green thumb or at least an appreciation for the food supply chain should plan a visit to The Manatee County Agricultural Museum; it’s free!

The mild winter weather of southwest Florida invites snowbirds to experience the great outdoors in ways they couldn’t at their own hometowns this time of year. In addition to lounging on world-class beaches like those on Siesta Key and Anna Maria Island, you can take a leisurely 1.5 mile stroll along the Bradenton Riverwalk overlooking the Manatee River. There are lots of interesting spots along the way to take a rest and see what’s going on. Lake Manatee State Park has 2.5 miles of paved bicycle trails with bicycle rentals offered, boating, camping, fishing, geo-seeking, paddling, hiking, picnicking, and swimming. Visit the Palma Sola Botanical Park in Bradenton to take a walk through manicured gardens in an idyllic setting, or if that’s too much peace & quiet, the roar of race cars will spike your adrenaline at the thrill of the chase at Bradenton Motorsports Park.

When the season ends, take more home with you than you arrived with after patronizing the local shops. 130 designer and brand outlet stores are to be found at Ellenton Premium Outlets, along with many dining options so you can spend all day systematically weaving your way through every single shop. To combine just-around-the-corner beach views with a shopping spree, take a walk through St. Armands Circle for wares ranging from high fashion to trinkets and home decor.

Many people visit from areas that aren’t conducive to much physical activity and so arrive here suffering with pain or dysfunction stemming from arthritis, injuries, or just plain joint stiffness from a sedentary lifestyle. Because of this, they have a difficult time maximally enjoying the activity opportunities afforded by the welcoming Florida climate. While you’re here enjoying the amenities, you can also make huge strides toward moving without pain. Our Licensed Physical Therapy Doctors and Assistants won’t squeeze you into a cookie-cutter, one-size-fits-all program; they’ll personally assess your particular situation to tailor-make a customized treatment plan designed for you. Dr. Mullis and team are continually awarded stellar ratings for their professional and patient-friendly physical therapy care. Find out today how we can help you move without pain by giving us a call at (941) 264-1414, emailing info@ptdoctorsfl.com, or sending us a direct message.

It’s Wintertime in Sunny Florida!

Unlike so many other parts of the country, Florida can boast of year-round outdoor activity – even in the middle of winter. In the first month of this new year there are more than enough local events and activities happening here in Manatee and Sarasota Counties than most people will have time to attend, so let’s go over a sampling in a few different categories.

Our region is renowned for fine art and high quality décor and home goods. The Lakewood Ranch Fine Art Festival will showcase a gallery featuring a wide range of all art media, everything from painting and sculpture, to photography and jewelry. Admission is free, so it won’t cost you anything unless you find something you want to add to your personal collection. Plan to be there January 21st and 22nd on Lakewood Ranch’s Main Street. If you prefer more classic pieces, you’ll want to browse the collection of antiques at The Sarasota Antiques Show on the 28th and 29th. It will be an elegant exhibit and sale in-doors with air conditioning. Looking for more modern home furnishings beyond you’ve already seen in the local shops? The Sarasota Bradenton Home Show will give you exposure to 250 exhibitors at the Robarts Sports Arena January 20-22.

Of course January also offers more general food, music, and kid-friendly events. Rides, contests, shows, food, and more await at The Manatee County Fair. This fair runs for 10 days after opening on the 12th. If Sarasota is closer to home for you and you still want a similar experience with rides, food, and games, then the Sarasota Winter Carnival can be your destination, January 12-16. A more laid-back experience to which you can bring your chairs and leashed dogs is Music on Main in Lakewood Ranch, the first Friday of every month. The free admission Sarasota Seafood & Music Festival will be held the final weekend of January at JD Hamel Park. Seafood, meat, and vegetarian options will be cooked on-site for you to enjoy while listening to an array of live bands. A marketplace of arts & crafts will also be there for you to meander through.

To combine health & wellbeing with viewing some of earth’s natural wonders, sign up for a Manatee Yoga session at the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature for an indoor experience, or to get some sand between your toes and possibly spot wild dolphins, Anna Maria Island will be hosting Beach Yoga every Sunday morning this month. For some physical activity  in a natural setting apart from yoga, check out Saturday Mornings at The Nest. There you can traverse a boardwalk, climb to the top of a crow’s nest, and even exit the building via a slide. It’s a free program every Saturday at 9am. The Nest also conducts Sunset Tai Chi classes that you can sign up for here, along with many other fitness and activity oriented meetings.

If you suffer with back or joint pain, moving around and enjoying the local offerings can become more challenging than it needs to be. Licensed Physical Therapists are experts in helping you move without pain; and they accomplish it without prescription medications or surgery. Get prepared to have fun and enriching cultural experiences by first attending to your most important asset: your health. Call us today at (941) 264-1414, email info@ptdoctorsfl.com, or send a direct message to schedule an appointment or get more information on how Physical Therapy Doctors of Florida can assist your recovery from injuries, arthritis, muscular imbalances, or general mobility problems.

3 Tips for Safe Holiday Decorating

The Hanukkah, Christmas, and New Year’s celebration season is upon us once again. As we exit 2022 and enter 2023, many of us will put a lot of time and effort into decorating our homes for the festivities. It should be fun and personally rewarding, but if physical limitations seem to constrain our creativity, we’ll need to make some adjustments to ensure a safe experience. In this guide, we’ll go over several tips for safe holiday decorating.

1. Work Within Your Reach

If you have difficulty with stretching and reaching because of arthritis or injury, or don’t feel like you have the same sense of balance or stability as you used to, there’s no reason to risk injury when there are many options for fun and festive decor within arm’s reach – no ladder needed. If you feel that a short step stool is still within your level of physical ability, make sure it’s placed with the legs squarely on the ground, and test the stability before ascending it. Once at the top, don’t get overzealous with your range of work area. If you need to access an area that requires you to lean, it is imperative that you descend the step stool and then once grounded, move it to the next section rather than risking a fall or strain from overreaching.

When it comes down to it, we have the opportunity to deck a whole lot more than the halls. In order to stay within your reach, consider focusing on seasonal throws and pillows on the couch, holiday-oriented placemats, table settings, and centerpieces for tabletops; maybe even antlers for the car.

2. No Shortcuts

It’s important to use the right tool for the job. A possible savings of time certainly isn’t worth an injury, so be sure to familiarize yourself with the safe and proper use of electrical extension cords, splitters, power tools, and anything else you may not routinely use throughout the rest of the year. Always read the instruction manual and abide by the manufacturer’s specifications for each product.

If you’re going to involve candles, holiday lights, or fireplace decor in your seasonal ambiance, don’t give the flame or electricity an inch – it’ll take a mile. Be sure to turn off electrical lights when leaving home or going to bed, and make sure they are securely fastened in place with insulated fixtures to avoid electrocution or fire hazard. If you intend to light a fire in the fireplace, ensure all hanging stockings or anything else flammable is somewhere away from the mantel.

Want to decorate beyond what you feel is your level of safety? Hire a professional. Sometimes the best tool for the job is someone who can do it for you. A simple Google search for “local holiday decorators” will bring up close-to-home options whether you live in Bradenton, Sarasota, or anywhere else.

3. Learn Proper Movement

Holiday decorating is a physical activity, so in keeping with the idea of hiring a professional, Licensed Physical Therapists are the professionals to turn to when you want help to move without pain. Recovery from injuries, arthritis, muscular imbalances, and back and joint pain are all problems in which our physical therapy doctors and assistants specialize in treatment. And the great thing is that they do it without invasive surgery or prescription drugs. Don’t let another year end without addressing your pain, call us at (941) 264-1414, email info@ptdoctorsfl.com, or send us a direct message for more information or to set an appointment.

Bonus Tip!

The holiday generosity continues with a fourth bonus tip! Our own Sonia Mullis shares inspiration for decorating your home in her Facebook and Instagram Designs by Nina. Although there are plenty of current holiday oriented photos and videos to glean from, check out the links for creative home decor ideas for ALL the seasons, hosting & entertaining, and tablescapes.

Holiday Shopping Leaving You With Foot Pain?

‘Tis the season to start your holiday shopping. Black Friday and holiday sales are just around the corner, right on time for all the Christmas and Hanukkah gifts you enjoy buying for your loved ones. Unfortunately, what often accompanies the festive spoils is pain in the feet and ankles. One in three people over the age of 65 experience aching feet or stiffness, regardless of forays into the mall. There are several steps we can take to mitigate problems with feet as we gear up for the holidays.

Wear the Right Shoes

Studies show that a large proportion of the population wear incorrectly sized footwear that is associated with foot pain and disorders. Both length and width need to be appropriately sized, along with adequate arch and side support. You may need to choose healthy function over stylish form and leave the fancy shoes for the parties and get-togethers that don’t involve so much pavement-pounding.

Take Frequent Breaks

Your feet and ankles need to de-stress just like you do. Though you may be excited at all the holiday fare and presents you know everyone will love, a little rest will go a long way in keeping your lower extremities feeling good. Plan to get lunch mid-shopping, or stop and sit for a beverage or to make a call instead of trying to do these sorts of things while on the move.

Invest in Your General Health

One of the easiest but most neglected healthy habits is drinking plenty of water. Water makes up a very high percentage of your connective joint tissue, as well as being the most important part of joint lubrication. Try to get four to six cups per day and your feet and ankles will thank you for it. A healthy body weight also will go a long way towards happier feet. Since they bear the brunt of the rest of your body, decreasing the load to something more manageable will automatically allow them more stamina.

Get Professional Help

Many people’s pain extends beyond difficulties with extended bouts of walking. Each of your feet has 28 bones, 30 joints, and more than 100 muscles, ligaments, and tendons. The ankle is no less complicated. Just take a look at its sophisticated structure. All that is to say that there’s a lot going on and a lot that can go wrong in these critically important supports for your body. A Licensed Physical Therapist has the proven expertise and experience to assess your problem and prescribe a treatment plan that’s designed specifically for you. Muscular imbalances, errant posture, arthritis, not to mention new or poorly healed old injuries, all can contribute to difficulty with walking. Most people don’t know if their pain stems from plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, inflammation, or who-knows-what? Thankfully, these are all dysfunctions that physical therapists specialize in diagnosing and correcting, as well as being experts in general wellness who can help you structure a body weight reducing, strength building routine. Physical Therapy Doctors of Florida help you move without pain, and we do it without prescribing opioid drugs or invasive surgery.

Find out today what our friendly, highly rated, professional physical therapists have to offer by setting an appointment at our conveniently located office in Bradenton. You can reach us at (941) 264-1414, email info@ptdoctorsfl.com, or send us a direct message.

4 Steps Toward a More Active Lifestyle

Manatee and Sarasota Counties are perfect places for outdoor activities year-round, but our mild fall season in particular invites people from around the world to enjoy the comfortable temperatures, low rainfall, and abundance of fun and enriching local events. Let’s go over some practical steps toward helping you engage in a more active lifestyle.

Step 1: Establish a New Routine

There are so many walking, hiking, birding, biking, equestrian, and pet-friendly trails to choose from you; could pick one or two per week and have more than enough for many months before even coming close to exhausting them all. Whether you prefer level, paved, short trails, or more rigorous hikes through sand and over gravel with inclines, Southwest Florida has it all. Plan on identifying a trail or two you want to explore each week. You’ll receive the benefits of outdoor exercise, meet other locals, and learn more about your community as you branch out and discover new areas of interest. Here are some very useful online tools to assist your planning: For Manatee, you can use this link to survey the range of parks, preserves, and beaches. Each entry offers descriptions of amenities so you can determine which venues are best for you. If Sarasota County is where you want to start, here’s a huge list of nature trails that also host a wide variety of walking experiences. If you want to narrow it down to more town-specific trails (for example, Bradenton) instead of the more broad county-wide sites, utilize this searchable database.

Step 2: Join a Group

Joining a group, whether it’s a team, club, or ongoing class, will help you settle into a new schedule of outdoor activity. In addition to meeting new friends and learning new skills, routinely scheduled group events ensure that you have a reason to be out and active often enough to gain the benefit of the outdoor lifestyle. Manatee County has a great calendar of outdoor group events and classes with everything from Sunset Tai Chi to gardening. You can also find your nearest pickleball or tennis court here, as well as many other health-conducive activities.

Step 3: Use Technology

Smartphones have endless options between their local settings and additional optional apps for using technology to assist your move towards a healthier lifestyle. Calendar reminders and notifications will help keep you on track to a normal schedule of getting outside. Consumer electronics like Fitbit can also give useful feedback about how much movement you’re getting and how much time you’re putting into your activities.

Step 4: Use Precaution

Lastly, don’t forget to take proper precautions for spending more time outdoors. Sunscreen for the fair-skinned, insect repellant for the more wild natural areas, and sunglasses and drinking water on hand are all smart ideas to keep your outings safe. It would be wise to also be sure to leave home with a fully charged cell phone so you don’t get caught out having run out of power.

Walking, playing, and enjoying the great outdoors shouldn’t be a chore fraught with pain or difficulty. Physical Therapy Doctors of Florida’s specialty is helping you move without pain. Our Licensed Physical Therapists and Assistants are passionate about identifying and rehabilitating people’s physical dysfunctions, instead of merely masking painful symptoms with prescription opioid drugs or needlessly resorting to surgery. No matter whether it’s back or neck pain, joint inflammation, balance problems, or just a general sense of recognition that you need a greater level of fitness for daily tasks, Dr. Mullis’ team draws from a wealth of educated knowledge and practical experience to set you up with a specific plan that will get you back to that healthy, active lifestyle you desire. Contact us today to find out how we can help you! Call us at (941) 264-1414, email info@ptdoctorsfl.com, or send a direct message here.

Enough of That Pain in the Neck

It’s no wonder we say something is a “pain in the neck” if it’s bothersome, constraining, or wearisome. Actual physical neck pain is something you can’t just ignore. Whether it’s looking over your shoulder to check your blind spot while driving, backing into a parking spot, watching live sports, or shaving or putting on makeup in the mirror, neck mobility is something you constantly employ without ever even thinking about until it causes you discomfort. Neck pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders in the world with an annual prevalence rate of more than 30% of adults in the United States. Sadly, 5% of neck pain sufferers will become disabled as a result, and it’s ranked as the 4th leading cause of disability worldwide.

Causes of neck pain are sundry. Some common ones are:

• Injuries

Rear-end auto collisions can easily result in whiplash injury. This occurs if the head jerks backward and forward, causing strain to the neck’s soft tissues.

• Poor Posture

Hours hunched over a computer, smartphone, or television often strains the supporting muscles of the neck; especially if they are weaker than they should be for lack of proper use. “Text Neck Syndrome” arrive with the advent of the smartphone’s ubiquity and is not only endured by adults, but is increasingly common in children and adolescents.

• Worn Joints

Arthritis of the neck, more properly referred to as cervical spondylosis, occurs when disks and joints in the neck degenerate, possibly forming bone spurs that can painfully grind.

• Obesity

Being unhealthily overweight actually increases the risk of persistent moderate or severe neck pain after a motor vehicle collision, and places you at higher risk to develop osteoarthritis in the neck. Authors of a study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology concluded that physical inactivity and high Body Mass Index (BMI) are associated with an increased risk of chronic pain in the neck.

If you are someone who can relate to the problems outlined in this article, we are pleased to be able to end it on a high note of good news. Neck pain is very often treatable. Licensed Physical Therapy Doctors of Florida’s expertise lies in helping you move without pain, and doing it without prescription drugs or surgery. Neck pain is a problem with which our Physical Therapy Doctors and Assistants hold a host of successful patient testimonials. Check out many more stellar reviews on our Google listing. Let’s revisit the above neck-pain-causing problems and learn about how Physical Therapy addresses them.

• Injuries

Injury rehabilitation under the watchful eye and guidance of a pain expert helps to ensure that the recovery is speedy and complete. Poor or slowed healing needlessly extends the amount of time you suffer. Allow our therapists to design a treatment plan specific to your situation.

• Poor Posture

Physical Therapists know how to alleviate muscular imbalances and joint misalignment caused by habitually poor posture. We can retrain your body to hold itself in a posture that is optimum for your body type and habits.

• Worn Joints

Arthritis is not an untreatable condition. We know how to help you learn how to move in a way that won’t exacerbate your joint pain, while simultaneously improving the supporting structures to take the load off painful parts.

• Obesity

Physical Therapists understand whole body health. A plan to strengthen your muscles and joints while decreasing excess fat weight will go farther than you may think possible in remedying your neck pain. One scientific study in Finland showed that strength training caused 75% of neck pain sufferers to report considerable or complete pain relief.

Find out how the Licensed Physical Therapy Doctors and Assistants right here in Bradenton are serving all of Manatee and Sarasota Counties residents by helping them move without pain! Call us at (941) 264-1414, email us info@ptdoctorsfl.com, or send us a direct message here.

Do You Suffer With Shoulder Pain?

Shoulder pain makes life harder than it needs to be. Writing, typing, driving, picking up children and pets, carrying groceries–these are just a few of the daily movements that people take for granted until they suffer an injury or start to develop chronic pain in their shoulders. Not to mention limitations on your golf or bowling swing, or a host of other recreational activities. Difficulties with shoulder pain are extremely common, with its greatest prevalence and severity in the 50-56 year age bracket. It’s more common in women than in men, with approximately 15% of men suffering with it and 10% more than that in women.

The glenohumeral joint is structurally classified as a synovial ball-and-socket joint and functionally as a diarthrosis and multiaxial joint involving articulation between the glenoid fossa of the scapula (shoulder blade) and the head of the humerus (upper arm bone).  All this complicated talk is to say that the shoulder joint is extremely complex and so there are many possible causes of difficulty with it. Everything from the obvious injuries and arthritis, to the more deceptive poor posture or muscular imbalances that can inflame the rotator cuff. The shoulder joint is the most mobile joint of the human body, so suffering a decrease in range of motion and/or pain can be a serious diminishment of your otherwise normal life activities. Assessing the spaces (how much space there is in the joint matters), capsules (tough membranes sheathing the joint), bursae (small, fluid-filled sacs), muscles, ligaments (bone connectors), and innervation (there are 3 nerves supplying the shoulder) of this very busy body part is best left to a pain specialist.

A Licensed Physical Therapist knows how to assess your pain and develop a treatment plan to not merely mask it with side effects-laden prescription medications, but to restore strength, mobility, and the ability to move again without pain. The pain drugs do nothing to heal, and surgery is not necessarily the only answer. If you’ve already had surgery, Physical Therapists have the tools to progressively get your strength back. Our patient Keith reported in one of our many 5 Star Google Reviews that Physical Therapy Doctors of Florida got him back on the golf course less than 8 weeks after rotator cuff and bicep tendon surgery.  Another patient, J. Toomis, happily informed review readers that they were able to avoid surgery for a rotator cuff injury and regain a better range of motion. Physical therapy offers solutions that contribute to your all around wellbeing by correcting postural weaknesses that may exacerbate shoulder pain, strengthen injury-weakened muscles, and increase the functional range of motion of osteoarthritic joints. Physical Therapy Doctors and Assistants are experts in training and rehabilitation. Call our friendly staff today to schedule an appointment and learn about how we can help you move without pain! We can be reached at (941) 264-1414, info@ptdoctorsfl.com, or messaged on our Contact Page and are located in Bradenton, so we’re conveniently located for all of Manatee and Sarasota Counties.

Injured by an Accident?

There were nearly 55.5 million preventable medically consulted injuries in the United States in 2020 (the most recently reported complete year). Over ¾ of those took place in the home, not to mention nearly 8.4 million nonfatal traffic accident-caused injuries according to the National Safety Council. Nearly 21 million unintentional injuries resulted in visits to emergency departments in the same year, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC also informs us that falls are the #1 cause of nonfatal emergency department visits for all ages.

Plans, preparations, and actions can be taken to avoid accidents or stop them from taking place. Accidents often occur due to human factors such as:

• Unsafe Behavior
• Inattention
• Negligence
• Lack of Knowledge
• Inadequate Training

By choosing to be more mindful, we may very well decrease our risk of accidents. Some tips for older drivers that also apply toward preventing non-auto related accidents include:

1. Stay Physically Active

Staying physically active improves your strength and flexibility, giving you more control over the steering wheel, makes it easier to look over your shoulder when changing lanes or parking, and makes you generally more able to physically avoid slips and falls when walking. If you recognize the need to incorporate a physical fitness routine but feel unsure as to how to go about it due to pain related limitations, a Licensed Physical Therapy Doctor is a specialist in helping you move without pain. Physical Therapists have the know-how to improve your quality of life without prescribing drugs or surgery.

1. Eliminate Distractions

Texting while driving is illegal in Florida because it is unsafe. If you use an iphone, you can remove the distraction by utilizing the Driving Focus option. It will silence or limit your notifications while driving, and is fairly customizable; you can even set it up to detect when you begin driving and it will automatically activate.

1. Increase Your Knowledge Base

The State of Florida authorizes drivers who are 55 years of age or older to complete a Mature Driver Discount course that is approved by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV). Upon successful completion of the course, the driver can provide the completion certificate to their insurance company for an insurance discount. This is a great way to both learn how to become a safer driver and save a little money while doing it. Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles provides a list of Approved Mature Driver Courses.

If you have already sustained an injury from an accident, or still experience pain or limitation from an older injury that’s never fully recovered, that’s not to say that you have no recourse other than to live with it and expect to miss out on activities you previously enjoyed. Back and neck pain, dysfunction in any of the joints, and balance or walking difficulties are all challenges that physical therapy is designed to address, and all without prescription opioids or invasive surgeries. The state-of-the-art facility of Physical Therapy Doctors of Florida is here for you in Bradenton, Monday through Friday. Our team of Physical Therapy Doctors and Assistants are happy to serve all of Manatee and Sarasota Counties with the best in personalized care. Give us a call today at (941) 264-1414 or email us info@ptdoctorsfl.com. You can even send us a direct message on our Contact page.