Patients and HCP Perceptions about LBP

Patients’ And Healthcare Providers’ Perceptions On Back Pain Do Not Always Align

Low back pain is jarringly common. About one-half of all working Americans will experience related symptoms at least once every year, and roughly 31 million are affected by it at any given point in time. In essence, low back pain is just “one of those things” that we will all probably face in the eventual future if we haven’t already faced.

Dealing with low back pain can be troublesome and place a strain on everyday life. Typical movements like bending over to pick something off the ground or twisting your torso when looking to the side might suddenly give you pause and make you less mobile. This regular reminder naturally leads to frustration and often creates a shift in focus to one question: “what’s causing my pain?”

As a result, many patients with low back pain start to place a particularly strong—sometimes unhealthy—emphasis on obtaining a diagnosis. This desire may be explained by several factors, such as the assumption that the diagnosis will provide a clear explanation of what is causing the pain and what treatments will improve it, even though this is rarely true. Nonetheless, not receiving a diagnosis can lead to anger and frustration in patients who feel that they are not being heard or understood. Some healthcare providers may also experience frustration with low back pain patients who expect their problem to be “fixed” by certain interventions, regardless of how realistic these expectations are.

Healthcare providers underestimate the importance of an explanation for pain

A study was therefore conducted to evaluate the expectations of patients with low back pain and compare these expectations to the assumptions of the healthcare providers who treat them. This was a survey-based study, which administered one survey to 419 patients who were visiting a doctor for low back pain for the first time. In addition to questions about demographics and pain characteristics, this survey included 8 variables frequently related to the medical care of low back pain (eg, improvement in pain/function, explanation of what is causing the pain, diagnostic testing, medication, physical therapy, and surgery), which patients were asked to rank in terms of personal importance on a 5-point scale. A similar survey was given to 198 healthcare providers, who were asked to rank the same 8 variables in terms of their importance to patients.

Patients considered an explanation for what is causing their pain to be far more important

Results showed that both patients and healthcare providers attributed similar—and high—levels of importance to the improvement of pain and the improvement of function; however, there were also several key differences in the assessment of expectations. Patients considered an explanation for what is causing their pain to be far more important than healthcare providers believed, while patients attributed much less importance to diagnostic tests, medications, and surgery compared to healthcare providers. This suggests that healthcare providers are more driven to act by ordering tests and administering treatments for their patients, while patients appear to be more interested in receiving a diagnosis.

Unfortunately, a clear diagnosis for low back pain is not always possible, or helpful.

Approximately 70–80% of all low back pain cases do not have a specific identifiable cause and are classified instead as “non-specific back pain,” which patients could contribute to patients’ frustration because it does not explain their pain. It’s also worth noting that some apparent back pain diagnoses—like a herniated disc—may not truly be responsible for the patient’s pain, which can lead to unnecessary and unhelpful treatments being undertaken.

Nonetheless, this study shows that it is essential for healthcare providers to clearly communicate with patients and educate them on the nature of low back pain, particularly by explaining that not all pain is dangerous or a reflection of injury.

As physical therapists, we incorporate these methods into our practice, and explain to each of our patients with low back pain that a diagnosis is usually less important than they might think. Instead, we start patients on a comprehensive treatment program right away that will address their pain and functional limitations without the need for other diagnostic tests that could possibly do more harm than good.

Contact Us Today for Help

So, if you’re dealing with low back pain, we invite you to contact Bacci & Glinn Physical Therapy at 559-733-2478 (Visalia) or 559-582-1027 (Hanford) to learn more or schedule an appointment today.

Postoperative Opioid Use After Spinal Fusion

Opioid Use Persists In Many Patients After Common Spine Surgery

The prevalence of pain is far greater in the spine than anywhere else in the body. In fact, back pain ranks only behind skin disorders and osteoarthritis/joint disorders in top reasons to visit a doctor. Up to 80% of the general population will experience at least one episode of back pain in their lives, and about 65 million Americans report dealing with a back-related issue recently. So, if your back is bothering you right now, you’re far from alone.

Most cases of back pain will resolve on their own over time, and studies consistently show that patients with persistent or chronic back pain can improve from conservative interventions like physical therapy. But research has also shown that opioids represent one of the most prescribed treatments for back pain, either along with other conservative interventions or independently. The high risk for abuse and addiction with opioids is well documented by now, and these drugs also fail to truly resolve patients’ pain by only masking the sensation and tricking the brain that it has dissipated.

Surgical procedures like lumbar spinal fusion—which joins together two moveable bones in the lower back—is typically regarded as a last resort for chronic back pain, but rates of this surgery have been steadily increasing over the past few decades.

In addition, up to 70% of patients who decide to have surgery have already begun taking opioids by this point, with nearly 20% being dependent on opioids prior to their procedure. The use of opioids may affect outcomes, and most patients would prefer to not take opioids for an extended period after their procedure. But statistics show that continual use is somewhat common, both in patients taking opioids before surgery and in those who do not.

More than one in three patients are taking opioids six months after surgery

Therefore, a study was conducted to determine how many patients who undergo lumbar spinal fusion continue to take opioids in the long term. This type of study was called a systematic review, in which researchers performed a comprehensive search of four major medical databases to identify relevant studies that tracked the use of opioids in patients for at least six months after a lumbar spinal fusion procedure. A total of 329 studies were identified in the search that met all inclusion criteria. Of these, only 32 (9.7%) included data on the use of opioids, and only 21 (6.4% of all included studies) tracked the use of opioids for at least six months.

Analysis of this data revealed that the long-term use of opioids after surgery varied greatly from 6% to 86%. The average across all studies was 35%, with an average follow-up of 34 months. This suggests that more than one in three patients were taking opioids for at least six months after undergoing lumbar spinal fusion. The percentage of patients who were on opioids before the procedure also varied substantially, from 23% to 76%.

Based on these findings, it appears that many patients who have spine surgery continue to rely on opioids for pain relief for six months or more after their procedure. This contradicts with most patients’ expectations, as it is a common conception that surgery will automatically alleviate pain and eliminate the need for continual pain medication.

This information is particularly valuable for patients with chronic low back pain who are weighing the pros and cons of surgery.

While surgeries like lumbar spinal fusion may be appropriate and beneficial for certain patients, this study shows that it may not always lead to the outcomes that most patients expect, and it could maintain or create a reliance on opioids in the long term. For these reasons, we believe physical therapy is a much safer and more effective option for most cases of low back pain, since it can often produce long-term relief without the need for opioids.

Experiencing Lower Back Pain? Give Physical Therapy a Try

If you’re dealing with low back pain, we invite you to contact Bacci & Glinn Physical Therapy at 559-733-2478 (Visalia) or 559-582-1027 (Hanford) to learn more or to schedule an appointment today.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment in Visalia

 
If you need rheumatoid arthritis treatment in Visalia or Hanford, we can help.  This post describes how our physical therapy expert clinicians assist patients with their rheumatoid arthritis care in Hanford and Visalia.

Physical Therapy Should Be An Integral Component
Of Any Treatment Plan For Rheumatoid Arthritis

The ends of most bones are covered by a smooth, shiny surface called articular cartilage. The cartilage protects bones where they meet one another—at a joint—and provides a smooth surface that allows the bones to slide freely and not contact one another during movement.

Arthritis is general term that’s used to describe the loss of articular cartilage in one or more joints. About one in four Americans—which equates to nearly 59 million people—currently has arthritis, making it one of the most common medical conditions in the U.S. There are over 100 different types of arthritis, but osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are by far the most common of these.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, meaning it’s caused by the body’s own immune system mistakenly destroying healthy cartilage in joints. It occurs for reasons that are not completely understood, but a combination of genetics and hormonal or environmental factors likely play a role in its development. Rheumatoid arthritis can affect any joint of the body, but usually starts in the small joints of the hand. Women are about three times more likely than men to get rheumatoid arthritis, and it usually occurs in middle age—with an average age of onset of 30-60 years—but it’s also seen in younger individuals.

Rheumatoid arthritis can lead to a variety of symptoms, with some of the most common including:

  • Stiffness, swelling, and/or redness in joints, which is usually worse in the morning
  • Weakness and/or loss of range of motion
  • A sensation of “cracking” or “crushing” in the hand joints
  • Increased size or deformity of the hand
  • Fatigue and general discomfort

Unfortunately, there is no cure currently available for rheumatoid arthritis. Instead, most patients are managed with medications and other interventions designed to help them move more easily and efficiently, and physical therapy is one of the best tools to help them get there.

Physical Therapy as a Choice for Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment in Visalia

Our physical therapists are movement experts that work with each patient individually to identify their biggest limitations from rheumatoid arthritis that are holding them back. From there, we design a personalized treatment program to address these symptoms, which will usually consist of:

  • Manual (hands-on) therapy: may include soft-tissue massage, stretching, and joint mobilizations to reduce pain and improve alignment, mobility, and range of motion
  • Stretching exercises: to improve the flexibility of joints affected by arthritis
  • Strengthening exercises: to build back up strength of the muscles of the hand and any other affected joints
  • Pain-relieving modalities: ultrasound, electrical stimulation, ice, and/or heat to decrease pain and inflammation of the involved joint

Research Supports the Use of Physical Therapy – Therefore, We Provide for Rheumatoid Arthritis Care in Visalia & Hanford

The benefits of physical therapy for rheumatoid arthritis have been confirmed in the medical literature, including one study of 490 patients. Results from this study showed that physical therapist-led hand exercises led to significant improvements in pain and hand function, and the intervention is likely to be cost-effective.

Rheumatoid arthritis can prove to be a nuisance that interferes with your ability to function normally in everyday life. So if you’re affected by symptoms that sound like rheumatoid arthritis, we can help.

Contact Bacci & Glinn Physical Therapy at 559-733-2478 (Visalia) or 559-582-1027 (Hanford)

 

…to learn more about our rheumatoid arthritis experts in Visalia and Hanford…or to schedule an appointment today.

Community Exercise for Arthritis

Exercise Reduces Pain And Improve Function In Patients With Arthritis

As we discussed in our last blog, arthritis is a major healthcare issue in the U.S. Of the roughly 59 million adults who have arthritis, nearly half—or 26 million—report that their condition makes daily activities more difficult. As a result, many of these individuals’ quality of life is negatively affected, making arthritis a pressing concern for them.

Research has also shown that arthritis-related disability does not impact all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups equally. According to recent statistics, more than half of low-income adults and about two-thirds of those living near the poverty line are negatively affected in their daily lives due to arthritis, compared to about 30–40% of wealthier individuals. In addition, about 60% of American Indian and Alaskan Natives experience arthritis-related limitations, compared to only about 40% of White individuals and about half of all other racial and ethnic groups.

One way to help individuals that are more likely to be physically impaired from arthritis—chiefly lower-income individuals and persons of American Indian/Alaskan Native descent—is through a targeted approach. This type of approach aims to identify at-risk patients, encourage them to seek out treatment, and then manages them appropriately. Physical therapists, for example, are movement experts who frequently treat arthritis patients with comprehensive treatment programs that feature exercise, education, and other interventions intended to alleviate pain and improve function.

Exploring the role community exercise in patients with arthritis
Understanding the value of a targeted treatment approach, researchers conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of community exercise on pain and physical function in adults with arthritis and fibromyalgia. A meta-analysis is a study that collects and assesses all available research on a particular topic to obtain a comprehensive overview of the effectiveness of a particular intervention. In this meta-analysis, researchers identified 33 relevant studies on 3,180 adults with arthritis and fibromyalgia who underwent an exercise program delivered in their community. Of the exercise programs analyzed, most included both aerobic and strengthening exercises, while some focused on either aerobic or strengthening exercises alone.

Results showed that these community-delivered exercise programs significantly reduced pain and improved physical function in adults with arthritis or fibromyalgia. These findings were further strengthened by a lack of bias observed by researchers in these studies, and the fact that similar results were obtained when analyzed at both the study and group level. Finally, results from a test called the intention-to-treat analysis indicated not only that exercise was effective, but that it would also be effective in a real-world setting.

This study is important because it highlights how a targeted approach with a community-based exercise program can help patients with arthritic conditions improve. Physical therapists prescribe these types of interventions and promote exercise- and movement-based strategies for patients with impaired mobility due to arthritis. Therefore, if arthritis is currently interfering with your ability to complete normal daily activities, we strongly encourage you to contact Bacci & Glinn Physical Therapy at 559-733-2478 (Visalia) or 559-582-1027 (Hanford) to learn more or to schedule an appointment today.

Shoulder Impingement Syndrome

Sore Shoulders Are Common In Swimming,
But Physical Therapy Can Get You Back In Line

Swimming is a great form of exercise because it strengthens multiple regions of the body and improves both flexibility and endurance. In addition, the lack of impact on joints makes it a safe choice for avoiding lower-body injuries that are common with land-based exercises. Water polo, which involves swimming, passing a ball, and other active movements, features many of the same attractive characteristics as swimming and is commonly regarded as an excellent workout. However, neither sport is risk-free, and an injury called shoulder impingement is quite common in both.

A Quick Review of the Anatomy

The shoulder is made up of three bones: the upper arm bone (humerus), the shoulder blade (scapula), and the collarbone (clavicle). The humerus and scapula are surrounded and connected by the rotator cuff, a group of muscles and tendons that keeps the shoulder stable and allows the ball-and-socket movements of the joint. There is also a fluid-filled sac called the bursa between the rotator cuff and a bony prominence on the top of the scapula (acromion), and this bursa provides a cushion during movement.

What Exactly is Impingement?

In shoulder impingement syndrome (SIS), the tendons of the rotator cuff become compressed—or “impinged”—as they pass through the narrow space beneath the acromion. Over time, this causes the tendons to become irritated and inflamed, eventually leading to bothersome symptoms like swelling, tenderness, loss of strength, restricted shoulder movement and pain that’s most common at rest, when moving the shoulder overhead, and when sleeping.

If You Use Your Shoulder, You Might Get SIS

SIS is most common in individuals that regularly perform lots of overhead activities like golfers, swimmers, and baseball and tennis players, as well as painters and construction workers. Competitive swimmers are at a particularly high risk for shoulder impingement syndrome because of the repetitive overhead motions involved in most strokes, which can cause continuous wear and tear on the structures of the shoulder. It’s estimated that year-round competitive swimmers cover 10,000–24,000 meters per day, and more than half of these athletes suffer from shoulder pain.

Water polo players also swim large distances on a regular basis, while also passing and shooting a ball, which are overhead motions. As a result, these players are frequently affected by SIS and other shoulder problems, with one study finding that the rate of shoulder pain is about 80% in these athletes.

Physical therapy for swimmers and water polo players with SIS
If SIS develops, physical therapy is strongly recommended as the safest and fastest route to recovery. Physical therapy for SIS typically consists of the following:

  • Activity modification/functional training
  • Stretching exercises
  • Strengthening exercises
  • Hands-on (manual) therapy
  • Posture education

The effectiveness of physical therapy for SIS has been consistently confirmed through published research, including a recent study called a systematic review and meta-analysis. This study reviewed the findings of 11 high-quality studies called randomized-controlled trials that compared physical therapy to surgery for patients with SIS. Results showed that there were no significant differences between patients in measures of pain or function up to 10 years later, which suggests that physical therapy can lead to comparable outcomes to surgery while also avoiding the high costs and potential risks of a surgical procedure.

Whether you’re a swimmer or water polo playing dealing with shoulder pain, or if your shoulder is bothering you for some other reason, Bacci & Glinn Physical Therapy can help you get back on track.

Contact us at 559-733-2478 (Visalia) or 559-582-1027 (Hanford) to learn more or to schedule an appointment today.

Running Injuries

Physical Therapy Is The Fastest Way To Recover From Running-Related Injuries

One of the best possible ways to stay active is by running, which requires little more than a good pair of running shoes, some outdoor routes to follow—or a treadmill—and the motivation to get moving. For these and many of its other attractive qualities, running has become one of the most popular forms of exercise in the U.S. But unfortunately, common running injuries tend to prevent would-be runners from getting started and may also hold back experienced runners from returning.

More than 40 million Americans consider themselves regular runners. This massive popularity is due in part to the numerous benefits that running can provide, including lower blood pressure and a reduced risk for heart disease, better sleeping habits and brain performance, and improved mood through less stress and anxiety. But along with its many benefits, running also comes with a moderate risk for injury. The constant impact of forces on the legs, bodily imbalances like muscle weakness, progressing too aggressively are all factors that can contribute to an injury. Below are a few of the most common running-related injuries:

Runner’s knee (patellofemoral pain syndrome)

  • Most common running injury (16–25% of all running injuries)
  • Involves the patella (kneecap) rubbing against the groove of the upper leg bone (femur)
  • Common symptoms involve a dull pain felt behind or around the patella that is often aggravated from running, squatting, climbing stairs, or sitting

Jumper’s knee (patellar tendinopathy)

  • Caused by repetitive strain to the patellar tendon, which attaches the bottom of the patella to the top of the shinbone (tibia)
  • Accounts for about 5% of all running injuries
  • Leads to pain and stiffness below the front of the patella and/or in the quadriceps, and an aching sensation usually brought on after exercise

IT band syndrome

  • IT band syndrome is an overuse injury in which a tendon called the iliotibial band becomes irritated from rubbing against the patella
  • The main symptom is a burning pain on the outside of the knee or hip that usually arises after running a few miles

Plantar fasciitis

  • Stubborn overuse injury and the most common cause of heel pain
  • Involves the inflammation of the plantar fascia, a connective band of tissue that connects the heel to the toes
  • Very common in runners—especially long-distance runners—due to the repetitive strain, as well as those with flat feet or high arches
  • Typically leads to a stabbing pain near the heel that’s most noticeable upon waking up and after standing for long periods

Achilles tendinitis

  • Overuse injury that usually stems from too much speed training or uphill running, or after suddenly increasing the intensity or duration of runs
  • Constant strain can cause small micro-tears in the Achilles tendon and lead to inflammation
  • Patients typically notice heel pain that comes on gradually as a mild ache in the back of the leg or above the heel after a run

How physical therapy can help runners return to their routine
Some may see this as a reason to not get involved in running in the first place, while others who have injured themselves from running fear another injury and stop altogether. The truth is that most running injuries can be effectively treated non-surgically through a comprehensive course of physical therapy. Physical therapists work with each patient on an individualized basis to determine what interventions will be most effective, and typically employ a combination of stretching and strengthening exercises, pain-relieving modalities, functional training that involves running motions, and manual (hands-on) therapy techniques.

The effectiveness of physical therapy is supported by a plethora of research, including a 2018 study called a systematic review, which evaluated 7 high-powered studies called randomized-controlled trials. Results showed that manual therapy led clear improvements in physical function and pain reduction in patients with plantar fasciitis.

If you’re a runner dealing with ongoing or a new episode of pain, Bacci & Glinn Physical Therapy would like to offer our services to help you return to running quickly and safely.

Contact us at 559-733-2478 (Visalia) or 559-582-1027 (Hanford) to learn more or to schedule an appointment today.

Knee Ligament Rehab in Visalia and Hanford

 

Tears Of Other Knee Ligaments Can Usually Be Treated Nonsurgically With Physical Therapy

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are frequently discussed in the sports world due to their high prevalence and season-ending potential. But the ACL is just one of four major ligaments in the knee, and the three other ligaments can also be injured, either independently or in conjunction with others.

The consequences of these injuries are usually not as dire as ACL tears, and most patients can therefore participate in physical therapy alone and experience a complete recovery.

The type of knee ligament injury is determined by the force upon the knee

The four major ligaments of the knee and the most common mechanism of injury are described below. All four ligaments connect the tibia (shinbone) to the femur (thighbone) in different locations. As you’ll see, the type and severity of the injury depends on the direction of the force upon the knee:

  • Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL)

    • Connects the inside top of the tibia to the outside bottom of the femur in a diagonal direction
    • Prevents the tibia from sliding too far forward on the femur
    • Injuries most commonly occur when a patient changes direction with one foot planted

  • Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)

    • Also connects the inside top of the tibia to the outside bottom of the femur, running diagonally in the opposite direction of the ACL
    • Prevents the tibia from moving too far backward on the femur
    • Strongest ligament of the knee and least likely to be injured, but the most common mechanism of injury is a force applied to the front of the knee

  • Lateral collateral ligament (LCL)

    • Connects the tibia to the femur on the outside of the knee
    • Provides stability to the outside of the knee and prevents the knee from buckling outward
    • Most common mechanism of injury is a force applied to the inside of the knee while the foot is planted

  • Medial collateral ligament (MCL)

    • Connects the tibia to the femur on the inside of the knee
    • Provides stability to the inside of the knee and prevents the knee from buckling inward
    • Most mechanism of injury is a force applied to the outside of the knee while the foot is planted

Surgery is needed far less often for non-ACL injuries

Injuries to these knee ligaments are called sprains. In a mild, or grade I sprain, the ligament only stretches and is slightly damaged.

Grade II sprains are partial tears of the ligament, while grade III sprains are complete tears of the ligament.

In some cases, more than one ligament will be damaged or torn from a single traumatic event, such as a severe sports-related injury.

As we explained in our last blog, surgery is often recommended for most patients with complete ACL tears that want to return to a high level of activity. But for knee ligament injuries that don’t involve the ACL, surgery is needed far less often, and many patients can experience a completely recovery with physical therapy alone.  The reason this is the case is that rarely are the other knee ligaments completely torn in two pieces (grade III sprain).

Rehab may even be sufficient even for some complete tears of the PCL, MCL, or LCL; however, treatment decisions must be made on an individual basis according to the extent of the damage and the patient’s intended level of activity.

Physical Therapy Almost Always is Important for a Full Recovery

Even in cases when surgery is warranted, physical therapy will also play a role in helping patients prepare for the procedure and in the recovery afterwards. Physical therapy programs for sprains and tears of the PCL, MCL, and LCL typically consist of the following:

  • Manual (hands-on therapy) techniques to alleviate pain and improve function
  • Pain-relieving modalities like ice, heat, ultrasound, and electrical stimulation
  • Range of motion exercises to increase flexibility and help patients regain normal mobility
  • Strengthening exercises to increase the strength of weakened muscles of the upper and lower leg
  • Balance and agility training to help athletes regain their sense of balance
  • Sport-specific training that progressively increases in intensity as the patient regains function

If you’ve recently suffered a knee ligament injury and want to get back on the field or court as quickly and safely as possible, we can help you get there.

Contact Bacci & Glinn Physical Therapy at 559-733-2478 (Visalia) or 559-582-1027 (Hanford) to learn more about our services or to schedule an appointment today.

You can also click here to visit our contact page.

ACL Rehabilitation in Visalia

 

After ACL Surgery, A Comprehensive Rehabilitation Program Is Essential To Return To Activity And Reduce The Risk For Re-injury

Tears of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) get lots of attention in sports, primarily because they are very common and often put athletes on the sidelines for extended periods. Discussions about ACL tears often focus on the severity of the damage to the knee and the timetable for when an athlete will get back on the field or court after surgery.

One topic that may get overlooked, though, is the athlete’s risk for re-injury after returning to play, which is quite high in certain populations—especially young athletes.

Here’s Why Visalia Residents Looking for ACL Knee Rehab Should Contact Us for More Information:

In order to completely recover from ACL surgery and avoid additional injury, both the athlete or weekend warrior must undergo a comprehensive rehab program, which we can provide.

The ACL is one of the four main ligaments within the knee that connects the tibia (shinbone) to the femur (thighbone). It runs diagonally in the middle of the knee and prevents the tibia from sliding forward on the femur, and it also provides a great deal of stability for the knee that keeps it from rotating out of position.

ACL injuries are called sprains. In mild (grade I) sprains, the ligament only stretches and is slightly damaged, while grade II sprains are partial tears and grade III sprains are complete tears.

ACL Injuries Are Often a Serious Problem

ACL tears are devastating injuries that typically lead to:

  • Significant pain,
  • Knee instability,
  • Swelling,
  • Tenderness, and
  • Muscle weakness.

Any athlete or active individual can suffer an ACL tear, but the chances are highest in those who participate in high-demand sports with lots of cutting motions, like basketball, soccer, football, and volleyball. In fact, about 1 of every 60 athletes will tear his or her ACL at some point in their career, and this figure is only expected to rise as the intensity of sports continues to increase.

Classifications of ACL Ligament Sprains

Grade I and II ACL sprains can usually be managed with rest and physical therapy alone.

For complete ACL tears (grade III), physical therapy may be an option, but a surgical procedure called ACL reconstruction is often recommended for athletes who want to continue playing sports at a competitive level.

This procedure removes the torn ligament and replaces it with another band of tissue from the leg (usually a tendon).

ACL Surgery is a Start but Full Recovery is More Likely with a Good Post-Surgical Knee Rehab Program in Our Visalia or Hanford Office

ACL reconstruction is usually successful, and many athletes can return to their sport afterwards; however, one notable risk is tearing the newly reconstructed ligament or the ACL of the other knee. Many factors may contribute to this risk, but high-intensity sports with lots of pivoting and cutting have particularly been linked to re-injury of both the reconstructed ACL and the ACL of the opposite knee.

Completing a personalized ACL knee rehab & physical therapy program will minimize re-injury risk

For ACL reconstruction to be successful, a patient must allow enough time for the new ligament to become part of the knee—a process called graft incorporation—and restore the normal muscle strength of the knee to ensure it is properly protected. Physical therapy is therefore necessary during this time to help patients get back to their pre-injury levels and not return to sports until they have completely recovered. A typical ACL rehabilitation program will consist of the following:

  • Strengthening exercises to build back up the weakened muscles of the leg
  • Stretching exercises to increase flexibility and regain normal mobility that may have been lost during the injury and surgery
  • Plyometrics, or jump training, which is crucial for patients recovering from ACL tears
  • Recommendations on how to modify activities to minimize the risk for future injuries
  • Exercises to improve neuromuscular control, which is the body’s ability to stay in a strong and stable position regardless of what movement it’s making

The rehab process after ACL surgery is a long one, as Joe Burrow can attest to. The second-year quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals tore his ACL in the middle of his first NFL season and has spent the better part of the past year undergoing an intensive rehab program. But the quarterback is now healthy and back on the field, and only time will tell how his knee holds up in the long term.

Rehab your knee with Bacci & Glinn Physical Therapy

If you’ve torn your ACL and are scheduled to undergo surgery, we can help you through every step of your rehab afterwards.

Contact Bacci & Glinn Physical Therapy at 559-733-2478 (Visalia) or 559-582-1027 (Hanford) to learn more about our services or to schedule an appointment today.

Visit our contact page by clicking here for details.

Note: People looking for this content often do these searches too:

  • ACL physical therapy Visalia
  • ACL rehab in Visalia
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  • Note, we also have an additional office that does ACL rehab in Hanford.

Balance Training in Visalia

 

Looking for a clinic that specializes in balance training in Visalia?  We can help. Read below for more information about our expert clinical services.

Our Physical Therapists Can Help Older Adults Improve Balance To Reduce Their Risk For Falling

As our bodies age, they go through numerous physical and mental changes that can often make life more difficult. One of the most common issues that begins to develop in older age is impaired balance, which can turn basic everyday tasks like walking up the stairs into major challenges that precipitates fear of movement and avoidance of activities.

Having good balance means always being able to control and maintain your body’s position, and it’s necessary for normal physical functioning inside and outside of your home.

A balance disorder, on the other hand, indicates that an individual has trouble maintaining a stable and upright position when:

  • Standing,
  • Walking,
  • Or even sitting.

Older adults are at a much higher risk for having balance disorders than any other age group, as about 75% of Americans aged 70 years and older have “abnormal balance.”

This means that one or more aspects of the person’s balance is out of sync, which can often cause complications.

The risk for balance disorders increases as individuals enter their 70s and 80s due to various age-related changes and other factors, like:

  • Increased muscle weakness,
  • Joint stiffness,
  • Visual Impairments,
  • Inner ear problems,
  • Spending too much time sitting, and
  • The side effects of certain medications.

The greater likelihood of a balance disorder also ties directly into an increased risk for falling, as more than one-third of adults aged 65 years and older suffer from a fall each year. Experiencing a fall and a subsequent injury like a hip fracture can further impair your abilities and infringe on your independence.

Improving Your Balance will Reduce Your Fall Risk

Why do we provide balance training in Visalia and also in our Hanford office?

It’s essential for older adults to take measures that will improve their balance and as a result, reduce their risk for falling. Our physical therapists are great resources for this population because they can prescribe feasible tips to help you achieve a more active lifestyle—a necessary first step—and design personalized programs to mitigate your fall risk.

These fall prevention programs focus primarily on improving balance while also working to increase strength, flexibility, and proprioception (sensing your body’s location in space), which all contribute to fall risk. Specific exercises like the heel-to-toe walk, sit-to-stand exercise, and heel raise are frequently incorporated into these types of programs and can be performed at home as well.

Research Supports Our Balance Training

The benefits of fall-prevention programs have been highlighted in a recent systematic review, a robust type of study that reviewed all the available medical literature on the effectiveness of various programs to prevent falls in older adults. Results showed that programs involving light to moderate exercise training may reduce risk factors related to falls and the incidence of falls in this population.

Researchers also found that the most effective exercise programs were those that accounted for each patient’s specific needs with a personalized approach and recommended that balance training and strengthening exercises should be necessary interventions in any worthwhile fall-prevention program.

Call Bacci & Glinn Physical Therapy Today for Balance Training in Visalia or Hanford

So if you or a loved one has impaired balance and you’d like to take action now, contact Bacci & Glinn Physical Therapy at
559-733-2478 (Visalia) or 559-582-1027 (Hanford) to learn more about our services or to schedule an appointment today.

Vestibular Therapy in Visalia or Hanford

 

Looking for vestibular therapy in Visalia or Hanford?  Let us explain more about how we can help.

Vestibular Therapy Can Correct Most Balance Problems And Help Re-stabilize Your Life

The vestibular system is the sensory system that provides the brain with the most important information regarding the body’s sense of balance and spatial orientation, which allows it to smoothly coordinate your movements.

This system detects motion of the head—mainly through the inner ear, as well as the eyes, muscles, and joints—and based on this information it generates reflexes that are crucial for completing most daily activities. Some of these tasks include stabilizing our gaze and maintaining the posture of our head and body as you move.

When the vestibular system functions properly, most people are unaware of its existence and don’t think twice when performing physical tasks like walking on uneven surfaces or arising from bed in the middle of the night.

However, when the vestibular system becomes damaged in any way, it leads to a variety of symptoms, most notably dizziness, vertigo, and impaired balance.

There are several causes of dizziness and vertigo, each of which can affect balance in different ways. A condition called benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is one of the more common contributors. BPPV is a disorder of the inner ear that involves tiny calcium crystals, or rocks, which normally help to regulate balance.

Infection or inflammation can cause these rocks to detach and travel to other parts of the inner ear, where they trick the brain into perceiving motion even when the person is at rest. This results in brief periods of dizziness and disorientation that usually occur when lying down, turning over, or looking up.

Targeting the Vestibular System with Specific Exercises

Vestibular therapy is a service we offer to help patients with BPPV and other disorders that cause:

  • vertigo,
  • dizziness, and
  • balance problems.

Each vestibular therapy program is unique depending on which condition is present, but the goal is always to help patients restore their balance and navigate their surroundings more easily.

In each case we start by evaluating all areas of the body associated with balance to determine what condition is present and the degree of impairment. From there, we typically prescribe gaze stabilization exercises, which are designed to keep vision steady while making rapid side-to-side head turns and focusing on an object. This is intended to help the brain adapt to new signaling from the vestibular system.

What We Often Include When Performing Vestibular Therapy in Our Visalia or Hanford Offices

We also frequently prescribe balance retraining exercises, which involve shifting one’s body weight in various directions while standing to improve how information is sent to the brain, and a home-exercise program to help build on the gains made within our clinic

The effectiveness of physical therapy interventions for older patients with vertigo, dizziness, and balance disorders was evaluated in a recent systematic review, which is a robust review of all available medical literature on the topic. This review identified 22 relevant studies and concluded with the following statement after completing its analysis of these studies:

Vestibular rehabilitation in any variation seems to be effective in treating for older adults with vertigo, dizziness, and balance disorders

Come see us to get started on your vestibular therapy program

Therefore, if you’re dealing with a balance issue of any sort, regardless of your age, we strongly recommend coming in for a visit. Our physical therapists can help get to the root of your problem and start you on your way to a more stable life in which impaired balance is no longer a hindrance.

Call Bacci & Glinn Physical Therapy at 559-733-2478 (Visalia) or 559-582-1027 (Hanford) to learn more about our services or to schedule an appointment today.

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