New Year, Same Pain?
The new year brings a lot of new beginnings. The beginning of a new decade, the beginning of weight loss challenges among friends and family, and a chance to become a better “you.” However, if chronic pain is hindering you from living a healthy lifestyle, if the nagging back and knee pain is keeping you from exercising and losing the weight you desire, there is hope!
At First Choice Physical Therapy, we specialize in restoring pain-free joint mobility, increasing strength and stability as well as returning you to the high quality of life you want and deserve. If you are suffering from pain, struggling with not being able to exercise and move the way you desire, then give us a call and make an appointment to see one of our Doctors of Physical Therapy and start your journey to recovery today!
Brannon Chester, DPT
Doctor of Physical Therapy
First Choice Physical Therapy
Attention all overhead athletes!
Whether you are a pitcher, play volleyball, tennis, swim, or play quarterback, your shoulder pain may be more than just soreness. Many of you play on multiple teams/clubs or travel out of town for baseball and softball tournaments every weekend. Most of you are talented and perform at a high level, but when do you train your body? More importantly, how do you train your bodies for your specific sport? Pitchers want to throw hard, with all of their power moving from the mound to the plate. Which muscles have to control that motion and stop the arm and body from moving forward? Or as a volleyball player slamming aces down. Do you train your scapular muscle groups that allow you to load up, stabilize the shoulder, and deliver an unreturnable serve?
The research looked at the risk factors, as well as the diagnosis and treatment of shoulder injuries in the overhead athlete and have identified several characteristics that cause these injuries. Scapular malpositioning (Poor Shoulder blade position), deficits in shoulder internal rotation, and weakness of the rotator cuff musculature are a few characteristics researchers have found. If any of the aforementioned are present, the increased likelihood of future injury in overhead athletes increased.
Statistics show that damage can be prevented if the impairments are addressed. With the proper training of these critical muscle groups that perform these functional motions specific to the sport, a lot of trouble can be avoided. Whether you are having pain now or want to prevent future surgery, see our Doctors of Physical Therapy, and let us work together to develop a personalized treatment plan for you. We will find the source of your problem and help you safely return to your respective sports pain-free and better than before.
Give First Choice Physical Therapy a call today! 1-850-248-1600! We are here for you –Dr. John Gray PT, DPT
Trent H
I’ve only had a few sessions but can already feel the difference after a stroke affected my right side. Dr. Gray is a great therapist.
We are very glad that you are already noticing improvements. You can count on Dr. Gray to prescribe the right treatment and exercises to help you continue your progress! Thank you for the stars.
Carole T
This is my second time at First Choice. I am very happy with the results. Everyone is very professional & friendly. I would recommend First Choice to anyone needing therapy.
Thank you for trusting us with your therapy!
Janice S
Dr. John Gray has helped me to get control of my back pain. I have had great results in a very short time. I have had back pain for years and this therapy has helped more than any thing I have tried. This is a great place for therapy, and the personal attention and note to detail is most reassuring and beneficial to your success.
Janice, we are really glad that you have come to see us and that you are having great results! Thank you for helping to spread the word about physical therapy’s positive outcome for patients with back pain.
Kathie F
I really feel like the PTs here care about getting me back to my healthiest self post-injury/surgery.
Thank you Kathie! That is exactly our goal for our patients. Merry Christmas.
A Cool New Treatment!
Want to research Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy even more? Check out our library of documents here.
Study Shows New Israeli Treatment For Fibromyalgia
Do you suffer from fibromyalgia? Take a look at this new study from Israel of a hyperbaric treatment for fibromyalgia patients. This hyperbaric medicine showed an improvement in 100% of sufferers. Hyperbaric Centers of Excellence located in Panama City Beach, Fl may be the answer for you!
http://fibromyalgianewstoday.com/2015/06/09/hyperbaric-therapy-offers-hope-fibromyalgia-sufferers/
Swimmer’s Shoulder
As the dog days of summer are upon us, many of you are finding relief and a way to beat the heat in the joys of swimming. Whether you are a novice swimmer that enjoys time in the water, or an elite swimmer that swims for a local swim team or training for your next Triathlon, you most likely have experienced some sort of shoulder pain. Research shows that 94% of elite swimmers experience some sort of shoulder pain or “Swimmer’s Shoulder.” I have recently teamed up with a local NCAA competitive swimmer to take a look into the world of swimming and the injuries that come along with the demands of the sport. Attached to this blog is a link to a research paper that goes into great detail the biomechanical dysfunctions that produce shoulder pain and how to prevent such injuries. If you or your loved ones are having any shoulder pain that may be related to “Swimmer’s Shoulder” come in and see one of our Doctors of Physical Therapy for a complete evaluation and plan of care to get you back into the water pain free.Brannon Chester, DPT
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Jamie McDonald
NCAA Swimmer, University of West Florida
Swimmer dysfunction research paper.
It’s just a little tendonitis…Right?
A common phrase that people use to describe their pain or injury is, “Oh it’s just a little tendonitis, it will go away soon.” Chronic tendonitis without treatment could ultimately lead to a complete rupture of the tendon sidelining you from any activity for months. In the past 10 years there has been substantial research into tendon pathology and the term “tendinopathy” has replaced the old term “tendonitis” as a result of the research and we now have a better understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms. Through study and research, it has been concluded that there are 3 stages to tendinopathy: 1) reactive tendinopathy 2) tendon dysrepair and 3) degenerative tendinopathy.Reactive tendinopathy is the early stage of tendon dysfunction and is a short-term adaptive thickening in attempt to reduce the stress placed upon the tendon. In this stage, the tendon can revert back to normal structure if overload is reduced or sufficient time is given between loading. Tendon dysrepair, there is greater matrix (tissue composition) breakdown of the tendon. We see this in all ages of patients and activity levels. In this stage, the tendon appears thickened with more localized changes. Degenerative tendinopathy is the last and most dangerous stage of tendon dysfunction. There is greater matrix and cell breakdown, with even some areas of cell death in this particular stage. If gone unchecked, this stage can inevitably lead to rupture.
Due to the fact that tendonitis/tendinopathy is an overuse injury, the best course of action is to decrease the stress and overloading of the tendon. In other words, REST. Also, through specific treatment interventions including soft tissue mobilization, eccentric strengthening, and evaluating the ultimate cause of the tendon dysfunction, we can prevent any further damage done to the tendon. If you are experiencing any sort of joint pain or “tendonitis” pain, come in and see one of our Doctors of Physical Therapy for a thorough evaluation to determine the best course of treatment for your particular injury.
Brannon Chester, DPT
Doctor of Physical Therapy