Lymphedema Treatment in Visalia

If you are searching for lymphedema treatment in Visalia or lymphedema specialist in Visalia, we can help. Read more below about how we can help you manage lymphedema.

We are lymphedema specialists here in Visalia & Hanford

Some patients may not be aware that physical therapy can treat far more than your average ankle sprain or episode of back pain, and may be surprised to hear the full extent of conditions it’s effective for, including conditions like lymphedema.

Lymphedema involves the lymphatic system, which is part of both the circulatory system and immune system. It plays a crucial role in both systems by collecting and filtering lymph fluids from tissues throughout the body and returning it to the bloodstream.

If the lymphatic system is damaged and fluid can longer drain normally, the result is lymphedema, which is swelling from the accumulation of excessive fluid in the tissues. Lymphedema may occur due to a hereditary disorder, but in most cases, it results from surgery and/or radiation from various cancers, particularly melanoma and breast, prostate, head, and neck cancers. Lymph nodes are frequently removed to assess the aggressiveness of cancer and whether it has spread to other parts of the body, while radiation can produce scar tissue that also blocks lymphatic organs from properly processing lymph fluids.

Swelling from lymphedema can develop in many regions of the body, but occurs most commonly in the arms and legs. Other symptoms of lymphedema include skin feeling tighter or thicker in affected regions, as well as pain, weakness, or heaviness in these areas, which can make it difficult to move certain joints—like the wrist or ankle—as easily as usual. The onset of lymphedema can also vary widely, occurring immediately after surgery or trauma in some patients and not for years later in others.

Physical therapists can help control your swelling and improve your mobility

Since lymphedema affects one’s ability to move normally, physical therapy should be considered a first-line treatment because it is perfectly suited to address these impairments and help patients regain their physical function. Although all physical therapists can treat lymphedema, certified lymphedema therapists undergo specific training for this condition and use the most up-to-date and evidence-based practices in their treatment plans. At Bacci & Glinn Physical Therapy, our certified lymphedema therapists can treat lymphedema with a variety of interventions, and a typical treatment program will include the following:

Compression therapy: involves wearing a garment or bandage that applies pressure to the affected area and increases the flow of lymph fluid; these garments are to be worn several days per week
Manual lymphatic drainage: this manual (or hands-on) technique helps to move lymph fluid in the appropriate direction to optimize reabsorption by the lymph nodes and reduce swelling
Decongestive lymphedema therapy: this technique, which is considered the primary treatment for moderate-to-severe lymphedema, involves several components (eg stretching compression, exercises, skin care, and self-care) that are intended to mobilize lymph fluid and reduce swelling
Personalized exercise program: regular exercise is also key because it promotes lymph drainage while also increasing the strength and flexibility of joints affected by lymphedema
Skin care: therapists will closely monitor the skin and recommend appropriate treatments to help patients avoid dangerous infections

If you’re dealing with limitations that may be related to lymphedema, the certified lymphedema therapists at Bacci & Glinn Physical Therapy can help.

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

Best Lower Back Pain Treatment in Visalia – It’s Prevention and It May Extend Your Life

Preventing lower back pain my extend your life. But, if you are experiencing lumbar pain, and are looking for the best back pain treatment in Visalia, we can help.

More on Prevention and Longevity

Low back pain is incredibly common. About one-half of all working Americans will experience symptoms at least once every year, and roughly 31 million are affected by it at any given point in time.

So if you consider yourself part of this group, you have plenty of company.

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 in the process. This is one of the main reasons low back pain is also one of the leading causes for missed work due to disability.

Anyone Can Experience Lower Back Pain

Low back pain is most prevalent in individuals between the ages of 30-60, which is mainly due to the aging process. Anyone can get low back pain and it can develop for a variety of reasons, but there are certain factors that are believed to increase one’s chances. These risk factors include older age, poor physical fitness, a sedentary lifestyle, being overweight, diseases like arthritis and cancer, occupations that strain the back, smoking, depression, and anxiety.

Fortunately, most cases of low back pain will resolve on their own in a short period of time, but up to 10% of individuals will go on to develop chronic low back pain when it lasts for more than three months. When the condition becomes chronic, it can have an even more significant impact on quality of life, and it also becomes more difficult to treat.

According to Scientists, Here’s Why You Want to Avoid Chronic Back Pain

According to a recent review, having chronic back pain may reduce one’s life expectancy as well.

For the review, researchers performed a systematic search for published studies that evaluated the impact of low back pain on the risk for death (mortality) in patients. This search led to 11 studies being included in the review, which included data on more than 80,000 patients who were monitored for 5–23 years. Results showed that mild back pain did not have any long-term associations with mortality and is therefore unlikely to impact the length of one’s life. However, patients with chronic back were found to have a modestly higher mortality risk compared to those who didn’t have back pain.

Address Lower Back Pain Quickly with One of the Best Lower Back Pain Treatment Options in Visalia or Hanford

These findings suggest that over time, chronic low back pain may reduce one’s life expectancy through various mechanisms, such as greater disability, reduced quality of life, and physical inactivity. Therefore, it stands to reason that addressing low back pain early and preventing it from progressing to the chronic stage may improve an individual’s quality of life and extend their lifespan.

One of the safest and most effective ways to alleviate low back pain is through a course of physical therapy, which is based on personalized treatment programs that teach patients various exercises and movement-based techniques that reduce pain and increase function.

Don’t Let Pain Get In Your Way – We Can Help

To learn more about what we can do for your low back pain, contact Bacci & Glinn Physical Therapy today:

559-733-2478 (Visalia)

559-582-1027 (Hanford)

Peripheral Neuropathy Treatment in Visalia – Why You Might Consider Laser Therapy

If you are searching for peripheral neuropathy treatment in Visalia or Hanford, this article is for you. Why? Because we have a specialized treatment that most other clinics don’t offer…deep tissue laser therapy.

How Peripheral Neuropathy Can Occur with Diabetes

Diabetes affects more than 34 million Americans, and it’s one of the leading causes of death and disability in the nation. The disease occurs when the body either doesn’t produce enough insulin—a hormone that allows the body to use glucose for energy—or the cells in the body fail to recognize the insulin that’s present. Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes lead to similar symptoms, which include increased thirst and hunger, extreme fatigue, blurry vision, and increased urination.

But about 50% of individuals with diabetes will also experience a condition called diabetic peripheral neuropathy. This complication is the result of poor circulation throughout the body and can lead to pain, tingling, and numbness, as well as decreased balance and proprioception. These impairments often cause patients to have an abnormal gait (how a person walks) and increase the risk for falls in older adults.

Peripheral Neuropathy Can’t Be Cured But There Is Some Hope

Unfortunately, peripheral neuropathy can’t be reversed, but physical therapy is an effective strategy that can help by retraining sensory receptors in the legs to compensate for these changes. By addressing these impairments, physical therapy can improve balance and function, and reduce fall risk as a result.

Some physical therapists also use laser therapy to treat diabetic peripheral neuropathy. This non-invasive intervention sends wavelengths of laser energy to painful areas and leads to changes at the cellular level, with the goal of alleviating pain and increasing function. These lasers gently pass through the body without breaking the skin or causing any discomfort, and the risk for side effects after treatment is therefore very low.

Recently Published Study Supports the Use of Laser Therapy

The benefits of laser therapy for diabetic peripheral neuropathy were highlighted in a study published in 2019. For the study, 20 patients with painful diabetic neuropathy were randomly assigned to receive either deep tissue laser therapy or a sham (fake) laser therapy treatment for 12 weeks. Results showed that the patients who underwent the real laser therapy experienced significantly greater reductions in pain compared to those who underwent the fake laser treatment in all pain evaluations.

In addition, patients in the real laser therapy group reported significant improvements in quality-of-life measurements and significantly faster times in a test that assesses speed in task that involves standing from a chair and walking a short distance.

These findings suggest that laser therapy is an effective intervention for managing pain and improving quality of life in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

We caution readers to understand that this is a pilot study. The results of this research are encouraging, but more research is necessary. Nevertheless, if you’ve exhausted most of your options, we’re willing to see if it laser therapy will work for you.

We offer Treatment is Not Currently Available at Most Physical Therapy Practices

We offer this laser therapy treatment in Visalia at Bacci & Glinn Physical Therapy for diabetic peripheral neuropathy and a variety of other conditions.

Therefore, we encourage you to contact us today at:

559-733-2478 (Visalia) or 559-582-1027 (Hanford) to learn more or schedule an appointment for any pain you may be experiencing.

Click here to visit our contact page for more details.

Achilles Tendinitis Treatment in Visalia

Achilles Tendinitis (AKA Achilles Tendinosis) Is A Common Injury That Responds Well To Physical Therapy

If you’re searching for Achilles tendinitis treatment in Visalia, we can help. Conservative physical therapy care including laser therapy treatment, and the appropriate stretching and loading of the healing tendon can reduce your pain.

The Achilles tendon sees a lot of action. This thick band of tissue—which connects the calf muscle to the heel bone—allows you to point and push off your toes, so it’s utilized every time you walk, run, jump, and get on your tip toes. These types of activities are part of everyday life and they keep the Achilles tendon busy, which is one of the main reasons why it’s also vulnerable to injury.

Achilles Tendinopathy is Common – Here’s Why

As the largest and strongest tendon in the body, the Achilles tendon can withstand loads of up to 2,000 pounds when running. This durability is necessary because of how frequently the tendon is used, but as with every other structure of the body, it has limits. When pushed too far, one of the most likely results is Achilles tendinitis.

Achilles tendinitis is a common injury that is seen most frequently in runners and other athletes. For runners, the condition usually stems from doing lots of speed training or uphill running, or after suddenly increasing the intensity or duration of runs without taking enough time off to recover. This constant strain can cause small micro-tears in the Achilles tendon and lead to inflammation, which is the telltale sign of tendinitis.

Patients with Achilles tendinitis usually notice heel pain that comes on gradually as a mild ache in the back of the leg or above the heel after a run, which may get worse after long runs, sprinting, or climbing stairs. Tenderness and soreness may also occur, particularly in the morning. As a result, running and performing many daily activities often becomes more difficult due to these symptoms.

Our Physical therapists can effectively address Achilles Tendinitis (acute injury) Tendinosis (chronic problem) based on the current best clinical evidence

For patients affected by Achilles tendinitis, physical therapy is generally regarded as the best available treatment to help them recover. Physical therapists are movement experts trained to identify any underlying issues, behaviors, or habits that are contributing to each patient’s symptoms. From there, therapists create personalized treatment programs that address these limitations and teach patients how to make the necessary changes to avoid future problems. A physical therapy program for Achilles tendinitis will typically consist of the following:

Calf-strengthening exercises: according to recent research and the latest guidelines, a combination of eccentric and concentric strengthening exercises are effective for treating Achilles tendinitis, and both are frequently used in treatment programs
- “Concentric” means a muscle shortens while doing work, while “eccentric” is the opposite of this, in which a muscle lengthens; heel drops and heel raises are great example that involves both types, as standing up on your tiptoes is concentric because it shortens the calf muscle, while lowering yourself down from tiptoes is an eccentric exercise because it lengthens the calf muscle
Manual therapy: these are hands-on techniques administered by the physical therapist that include massage, manipulation, and mobilization, which improve mobility and function, and alleviate symptoms
Stretching exercises: the physical therapist will usually guide the patient on how to stretch tight muscles in order to improve flexibility and range of motion; patients, in turn, can perform these exercises on their own at home
Pain-relieving modalities: ice, heat, ultrasound, and other passive interventions may also be used to reduce pain and inflammation

So if you’re dealing with any painful symptoms that sound like Achilles tendinitis, you may want to consider seeing a physical therapist.

Call us today to learn more about what we can do for you or to schedule an appointment for your first visit.

Foot and Ankle Treatment in Visalia and Hanford

Searching for Foot and Ankle Treatment in Visalia or Hanford?

Physical Therapy Is The Fastest Way To Regain Your Abilities After A Foot Or Ankle Injury

Regardless of your activity level, you need your feet and ankles to work properly in order to get around. Perhaps even more so than the hips and knees, these body parts are essentially the vehicles that allow us to move and navigate the world around us.

This is why any injury to this region of the body can be seriously detrimental, as experiencing pain with each step can interfere with doing the things you love or possibly drain your motivation to engage even in basic activities. There are several injuries and conditions that can develop in the foot or ankle, and each one has the potential to slow you down. But they have something else in common as well: all of these injuries can be effectively treated with a comprehensive course of physical therapy.

Physical therapists are movement experts that guide patients through a variety of active and passive interventions that will go on to alleviate pain and help patients regain their abilities. Below, we offer a brief summary of some of the more common foot and ankle injuries and highlight key components of a typical physical therapy program for each.

Ankle Sprain & Treatment

An ankle sprain occurs any time the foot twists or rolls beyond its normal range of motion; in most cases, this happens when a player lands on another player’s foot wrong or twists their ankle when making a cutting motion in sports
A sprain means that one of the ligaments in the ankle—which connect bones to one another—has stretched too far or was torn from this force
Physical therapy highlights
- RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation)
- Gentle stretching exercises
- Strengthening exercises
- Sport-specific training (when applicable)
- Ankle bracing

Plantar Fasciitis & Treatment

The plantar fascia is a flat band of tissue that connects your heel bone to the toes and supports the arch of your foot
Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of this structure, and it typically results from training too hard or wearing unsupportive shoes
The main symptom is a sharp, stabbing pain at the base of the heel that’s worst during the first steps of the morning
Physical therapy highlights
- Gait assessment
- Stretching and strengthening exercises
- Foot taping, shoe orthotics, and supportive footwear
- Gait training

Achilles Tendinitis, Tendinosis, Tendinopathy & Treatment

The Achilles tendon connects your calf muscle to the back of the heel and is used when you walk, run, and jump
Achilles tendinitis occurs when this tendon gradually becomes inflamed, usually after an individual makes sudden changes to their training regimen
Symptoms include an ache in the back of the leg or above the heel that is painful after waking up and when going up or down stairs
Physical therapy highlights
- Calf-strengthening exercises
- Stretching exercises
- Manual (hands-on) therapy
- Pain-relieving modalities

Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

The tarsal tunnel is a structure made up of bone and ligament tissue on the inside of the ankle; tendons, blood vessels, and the posterior tibial nerve run through it to serve the foot
Tarsal tunnel syndrome occurs when this nerve is compressed as a result of excessive stress on the foot and ankle
Symptoms include pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, and swelling in the ankle and foot
Physical therapy highlights
- Nerve gliding activities
- Muscle strengthening exercises
- Balance and coordination activities
- Orthotics, taping, and bracing

Jones Fracture

A Jones fracture is a break of the fifth metatarsal, which is the bone that connects your pinky toe to the rest of your foot
It results from a forceful blow to the bottom or outside of the foot, usually from landing from a jump improperly
Symptoms include pain, swelling, and discoloration on the outside of the foot, and difficulty walking or bearing weight
Physical therapy highlights
- Treatment can only begin after the fracture has healed (6-8 weeks)
- RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation)
- Balance exercises
- Range of motion and strengthening exercises
- Gait training

Sever’s Disease

This overuse injury results from inflammation of growth plates in the heels of young athletes, usually during growth spurts, because the heel bone grows faster than the surrounding muscles, tendons, and ligaments
Sever’s disease is more common in boys than girls
Symptoms include swelling and redness in the heel, as well as discomfort and difficulty walking
Physical therapy highlights
- Activity modification
- Manual (hands-on) therapy
- Posture and functional training
- Gentle calf stretching exercises
- Passive modalities (eg, ice and electrical stimulation)

Any of these conditions has the potential to throw your routine out of synch and cause you disability and distress, but we can help.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment for any foot or ankle pain you may be dealing with, and read our next blog if you’re interested in getting a closer look at Achilles tendinitis.

Slipped Disc Treatment in Visalia

Many Herniated Discs Will Eventually Improve on Their Own…

If you are searching for slipped disc treatment in Visalia, or slipped disc treatment in Visalia, new research again has concluded that this problem (sometimes thought of a bulging disc, which is technically not correct) will resolve on its own, for most people.

Here’s More Information about Herniated or Slipped Discs

Herniated discs are a common but often misunderstood condition. For a brief anatomy lesson, your spine is made up of small bones called vertebrae, which are stacked on top of one another.

Between these vertebrae are soft, rubbery pads called intervertebral discs, which absorb shock in the spine and keep it flexible. These discs have a structure that is similar to a jelly donut, with a softer center encased in a tougher exterior. A herniated disc, also known as disc degeneration or disc bulging, occurs when the softer jelly-like substance pushes out through a crack in the exterior ring.

Although a herniated disc may lead to pain in the lower back and/or numbness and weakness in the arm(s) or leg(s), many patients don’t experience any symptoms. In fact, one study found that 80% of 50-year-olds and 96% of 80-year-olds without back pain had signs of disc degeneration on an imaging test, while 60% and 84% of the same age groups had signs of disc bulging.

Most Can and Should be Treated with Natural Physical Therapy

The majority of patients with a herniated disc who do experience symptoms can be treated with a conservative approach that usually includes various movement-based interventions delivered by a physical therapist. However, many patients go on to have surgery to “fix” the herniated disc, even if their symptoms may not stem from this finding.

This can be problematic because surgery is expensive, risky, and may not lead to the outcomes that patients expect. In addition, it’s been reported that in some cases, the portion of the disc that has protruded out will spontaneously regress back towards its original position over time. Researchers were curious how frequently this spontaneous disc regression occurred, and therefore conducted a comprehensive study called a systematic review to find out.

More severe disc herniations associated with greater chances for regression
To conduct the review, researchers performed a search for studies in which patients not treated surgically were assessed with imaging tests like an MRI or CT scan. The studies also had to include information on the incidence of regression in these patients. This search led to a total of 9 studies fitting the necessary criteria to be included in the review.

These studies included data on 361 cases of herniated discs, which are classified according to the level of severity. A bulging disc is the mildest type of herniated disc, followed by a protruded disc, an extruded disc, and finally a sequestrated disc, which is the most severe type. Results showed that discs frequently became smaller, particularly in the more severe types of herniation. Disc regression occurred in 96% of sequestrated discs, 70% of extruded discs, 41% of protruded discs, and 13% of bulging discs. In addition, 43% of the sequestrated discs went on to reach a point where the disc was no longer herniated, which was called a complete disc resolution. Most of the regression was found to occur within one year.

Slipped Disc Treatment in Visalia? Here’s the TL;DR – It Will Go Away on Its Own

These findings show that it’s possible for a herniated disc to regress or completely resolve without any surgical intervention. Although regression or resolution of a disc does not definitively indicate that the patient will also improve—just as a herniated disc does not guarantee that symptoms will occur—research suggests that outcomes are better for patients after a reduction of the herniation. Therefore, patients with back pain should be hesitant before considering surgery to address a herniated disc, since there’s a chance it may not be responsible for their symptoms and because may resolve on its own.

Instead, we encourage patients to trial a course of physical therapy for their pain. Physical therapists only order imaging tests unless it’s deemed absolutely necessary and utilize a strategy in which they treat back pain with a variety of safe, noninvasive, movement-based interventions right away.

If you have questions or need help, click here to visit our contact page.

For Natural Treatment for Herniated, Bulging, or Slipped Discs,
Call (559) 733-2478

MRI Clinics in Visalia – Do You Really Need One?

If you have neck, back, shoulder, or knee pain and you are looking for an MRI or x-ray clinic in Visalia, you may not need this expensive test…at least, not right away.

Imaging Tests for Low Back Pain
Continue to Be Used Frequently Despite Potential Risks

Diagnostic imaging tests like X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans are important tools that can help doctors more clearly understand what’s happening in the body so they can reach or confirm a diagnosis. But just because these tests are helpful does not mean that they should be used at all times, or even frequently.

Low back pain is one of the most common medical conditions, and it will affect up to 80% of individuals at some point in their life. Imaging tests are only recommended when a “red flag” is present, such as signs of nerve damage, serious underlying problems like cancer or spinal infections, unexplained weight loss, bladder or bowel issues, and abnormal reflexes. If none of these red flags are present, most guidelines state that an imaging test is not needed, since it will not usually help to identify the source of pain.

Diagnostic Tests are Simply Overused – This Means You’re Paying for Something that Might Be Unnecessary

Despite these recommendations, diagnostic tests continue to be used frequently for various reasons. Some patients with low back pain request or demand an imaging test because they are seeking a concrete diagnosis, while many medical professionals may be more likely to order a test if they have the technology in their facility. It’s not clear how many patients end up undergoing an imaging test for low back pain, so a team of researchers performed comprehensive study called a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate.

One-third of patients who go to the emergency department receive an imaging test
Those involved in the review performed a detailed search of several medical databases for studies that included data on the use of imaging tests for patients with low back pain. This search led to 45 studies being identified that fit the necessary criteria for inclusion into the review.

The Problem is Getting Worse?

These studies showed that there were nearly 20 million unique consultations to either a primary care physician or the emergency department for low back pain. These consultations resulted in nearly 4.5 million imaging tests performed over 21 years. Further analysis of these figures revealed that there was moderate-quality evidence that one-quarter of patients who initially consulted with a primary care physician were referred to imaging, as well as high-quality evidence that about one-third of patients who went to the emergency department underwent imaging. It was also found that the use of imaging increased by 50% over the 21 years covered in these studies, despite the presence of guidelines against this practice.

Overuse of imaging tests remains a pressing and alarming issue…

The results of this review show that overuse of imaging tests remains a pressing and alarming issue. Imaging tests are not only extremely expensive—costing an average of $1,119—and expose patients to potentially harmful levels of radiation in the case of CT scans and X-rays, but they can do more harm than good for many patients. This is due to the fact that imaging tests don’t always identify the cause of patients’ pain—especially for low back pain—and often reveal “abnormalities” unrelated to the pain that may be misconstrued as a cause. As a result, many patients undergo invasive procedures like surgery that may not lead to the desired result because it does not address the source of their pain, which is usually difficult to pinpoint.

Going down this road can be avoided by seeing a physical therapist first. Physical therapists rarely refer low back pain patients to imaging tests because they understand the many risks associated with this approach. Alternatively, they treat patients with a multifaceted, movement-based program that is designed to address their symptoms according to their needs, abilities, and goals.

See Us for a Consultation First. You May Need an Expensive Test…But, You May Not!

Visit our contact page for more details or call us at (559) 733-2478.

Overuse and Repetitive Strain Injuries

Repeatedly performing certain motions can produce pain and dysfunction over time

Most injuries will fall into one of two categories: acute and overuse. Acute injuries usually result from a single, traumatic event, such as a fall, slip, or collision with another athlete or object. Some common examples of acute injuries include wrist fractures, ankle sprains, shoulder dislocations, and hamstring strains.

Overuse injuries, on the other hand, occur gradually over time rather than on the spot. They are more common than acute injuries but are also more subtle, which makes them more challenging to diagnose and treat. Overuse injuries may result from training too hard and pushing your body past its limits, or simply by moving incorrectly or with bad posture on a repeated basis. Another term used is repetitive strain injuries, which shows how repeating the same movements can result in small trauma—or microtrauma—to tendons, bones and joints. Eventually, the damage gets so bad that symptoms begin to arise, in which cases treatment is usually needed.

Here at our practice, we treat a variety of sprains & strains. Below, we offer a brief overview of the mechanisms responsible for 5 common overuse injuries:

Shoulder Impingement – Consider Physical Therapy for Shoulder Impingement Syndrome in Visalia
Shoulder impingement syndrome (SIS) is a condition that involves the rotator cuff, a group of muscles and tendons that keeps the shoulder stable. In SIS, rotator cuff tendons become compressed—or “impinged”—as they pass through a small bone on top off the shoulder blade called the acromion. Over time, this causes the tendons to become irritated and inflamed, and will lead to bothersome symptoms like swelling and tenderness, loss of strength, restricted movement and pain that occurs at rest, when moving the shoulder overhead and/or when sleeping.

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. The condition can also result from an injury that compresses the structures of the shoulder—like a fall—or from frequently sleeping on your side. Sleeping in this position regularly can strain the shoulder and cause impingement over time.

Plantar Fasciitis – We Provide Effective Physical Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis in Visalia
The plantar fascia is a thick, connective band of tissue that runs across the bottom of the foot and connects the heel to the toes. It’s a tough structure designed to absorb the regular stresses that are placed on the foot, but can become damaged when these forces are excessive. When this occurs, the resulting condition is plantar fasciitis.

Plantar fasciitis is a stubborn overuse injury and the most common cause of heel pain.
It occurs most frequently in runners—especially long-distance runners—due to the repetitive strain they place on their feet. People who have flat feet or high arches, are overweight or regularly perform any other weight-bearing activity are also at increased risk. The most common symptom of plantar fasciitis is a stabbing pain near the heel that’s most noticeable upon waking up and after standing for long periods.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome – Relief for Those Searching for Physical Therapy for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Visalia
The carpal tunnel is a space at the base of the palm that contains several tendons and the median nerve, which provides sensation to the fingers. If these tendons thicken or any other swelling occurs in the area, this tunnel narrows, which puts pressure on the median nerve and leads to a condition called carpal tunnel syndrome.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is extremely common, as it affects about 5% of the population.
The greatest risk factor is any task that requires repetitive hand motion, awkward hand positions, strong gripping, mechanical stress on the palms, or vibration. As a result, individuals who work on an assembly line—like manufacturing and meatpacking industries—are at the highest risk. The risk if also high in office workers. Symptoms usually start with a burning or tingling sensation, but eventually pain, weakness and/or numbness develop in the hand and wrist, and then radiate up the arm.

Golfers Elbow – Choose Physical Therapy for Golfer’s Elbow in Visalia
Golfer’s elbow is a condition that results from the repeated bending of the wrist that is necessary in a golf swing. This damages the muscles and tendons of the medial epicondyle—a piece of bone on the inside of the elbow that allows the forearm, wrist and hand to bend and move in several different ways—and eventually leads to inflammation. It is especially common in golfers because gripping or swinging clubs incorrectly or with too much force can take a toll on the structures within the elbow over time.

Common symptoms include pain, tenderness, swelling, weakened grip strength and a burning sensation on either the inside or outside of the elbow. These symptoms often develop gradually and are worsened by activities that involve the forearm, and if left unchecked, can go on to make many basic activities that require gripping or grasping a major challenge.

Lower Back Pain – Natural Physical Therapy for Back Muscle Strain in Visalia
Back pain is the most common musculoskeletal injury, and a significant number of cases are due to a strain of one or more back muscles. This condition—also known as a pulled muscle—is the result of muscle fibers tearing from being overstretched or overused, which can occur from repeatedly bending your back or using improper posture.

The most common symptom is pain in the lower back that is often most intense during the first few hours of the day. Pain also tends to get exacerbated with certain movements or positions that strain the muscles of the spine, like standing for long periods of time. Tenderness and stiffness of the spine is also likely.

Physical therapy for all types of overuse injuries
In addition to being the product of overuse or repetitive strain, another feature that all of these conditions share in common is responding to physical therapy. Our physical therapists can help by identifying the behaviors or habits that are responsible for your pain, and then recommending adjustments to your movements along with a personalized treatment program to help you move with less pain.

Contact Us for More Information About How We can Help

Common Painful Conditions That Physical Therapy Can Treat

No matter where it hurts, physical therapy can deliver effective relief and help you move more easily

Aches and pains can develop just about anywhere in the body. Sometimes pain greets you the first thing in the morning and then dissipates by the time lunch rolls around, while in other cases it becomes a daily visitor that seems to overstay its welcome. But regardless of how long it lasts, pain can always interfere with your ability to get through the day and degrade your quality of life in the process.

When pain arises, the natural reaction for most people is to hope that it goes away on its own. While this outcome is a reasonable possibility, it’s certainly not the best strategy, especially when pain continues to rear its head. For these cases and for pain that just won’t seem to dissipate, additional interventions are needed.

Physical therapy represents one of the safest and most effective treatment options available for all types of pain. Whether it’s short-lived (acute) or long-term (chronic) and no matter where it is in the body, there is an appropriate physical therapy plan that will address your pain with a variety of tactics and techniques.

Below, we offer a brief overview of what physical therapy strategies are typically used to treat some of the most common types of pain:

Searching for Back Pain Treatment in Visalia?
The back is far and away the most common location for pain in the body. At any given time, about 25% of Americans report experiencing low back pain at least once within the past three months, and at least 75% of people will experience at some point in their lifetime. Symptoms vary significantly, as pain could be dull, burning, or sharp, and it may be concentrated or spread over a broad area.

Physical therapy for low back pain also varies depending on the type and severity, but certain interventions are likely to be used in most cases. These include manual (hands-on) therapy techniques like spinal manipulation to improve the mobility of joints and soft tissues, strengthening and flexibility exercises, patient education about how better care for your back, pain-relieving modalities, and training on how to properly lift, bend, and sit to avoid further aggravation.

Need an Expert for Neck Pain Treatment in Visalia?
Neck pain is the third most common cause of chronic pain and it affects about 30% of adults each year, particularly those in the 30-50 age range. It usually manifests as a sharp, stabbing or dull, aching pain and tends to make it difficult to turn one’s neck and perform activities like working, driving, or playing sports.

Physical therapists will first identify the source of each patient’s pain and then target symptoms with a variety of interventions. This may include stretching exercises to improve the range of motion of the neck, strengthening exercises for the arms and upper back, massage and other manual therapy techniques, and posture training if posture is believed to be a contributing factor.

Looking for Shoulder Pain Treatment in Visalia?
Most shoulder problems that lead to pain result from a tear or inflammation of a tendon, instability, arthritis, or a fracture. People who perform lots of overhead activities on a regular basis like painters, carpenters, swimmers, and baseball players are all at an increased risk for developing shoulder pain, and bad posture can contribute as well. It usually manifests as pain and discomfort that occurs when moving the arm overhead and a restriction in shoulder motion.

A typical treatment program for shoulder pain will include both active and passive interventions. Stretching and strengthening exercises are often needed to improve flexibility and build back strength, while manual techniques like soft-tissue massage and shoulder stretches will help to improve range of motion. Heat, ice, and other modalities are often used to reduce pain levels, while patient education and functional training may also be needed.

Trouble Finding Knee Pain Specialist in Visalia?
Knee pain is also extremely common and represents the biggest cause of disability in people aged 65 and older. It may develop from a traumatic event or a chronic condition like osteoarthritis, and the resulting pain could range from mild to severe.

Treatment depends on the specific condition present, but usually involves stretching exercises to decrease tension and help restore the normal motion of your joints, strengthening exercises to address any muscle weakness or imbalances, manual therapy techniques to guide your joints into a less stressful movement pattern, and functional training. Braces and other assistive devices may also be prescribed for some types of knee pain.

How Physical Therapy Can Help If You’re Looking for Hip Pain Relief in Visalia
In most cases, hip pain is the result of a chronic condition like osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, but it can also be caused by injures like fall-related fractures. Symptomatic hip osteoarthritis will affect about 25% of the population at some point, which typically leads to a sharp, shooting or full, achy pain, along with stiffness, weakness, and difficulty performing daily activities.

Physical therapy can be used to help you avoid surgery, or in the cases when surgery is required, to help you recover. A physical therapy will prescribe interventions to reduce your pain, boost your strength and flexibility in the leg, hip, and back, and improve your balance and walking ability. Active and passive exercises, as well as guidance on how to return to activities will form the basis of your program.

Ankle Pain Expert in Visalia – Try PT First
The most likely cause of pain in the ankle is a sprain. Ankle sprains are the most common injury in the athletic population, accounting for 45% of all sports injuries. They are most frequent in sports such as basketball, football and soccer, but can occur during any sport or activity when the ankle moves beyond its normal range of motion.

Physical therapy for ankle pain from a sprain will first involve a period of RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation), followed by a structured rehabilitation program. This program usually involves range of motion exercises to restore ankle movement, strengthening exercises to help you regain your strength and prevent any long-term ankle disability, balance training to improve your stability, and functional training that will help you complete activities you might have difficulty with like walking, running, or jumping.

The Role of Physical Therapy

As you can see, physical therapists know how to approach any type of pain in any region of the body with a specific and customized treatment approach. So if you’re currently dealing with pain of any sort, contact us to get started on a treatment program today.

Contact Us at (559) 733-2478 for more information.

Physical Therapy After Back Surgery in Visalia or Hanford

A recovery from back surgery can only be completed with physical therapy

Back pain is a class of its own. As the most common painful disorder, about 85% of Americans will experience low back pain at least once in their lives. So if you’ve never dealt with bothersome pain or stiffness in your spine, you are technically part of the minority.

Anyone can get low back pain and it can develop for a variety of reasons, but there are certain factors that increase one’s chances of getting it. These include older age, poor physical fitness, a sedentary lifestyle, being overweight, other diseases like arthritis and cancer, risky occupations that may strain the back, smoking, depression, and anxiety.

Though it can be a bothersome condition that may interfere with your daily life, fortunately, most cases of low back pain will improve over time and with non-surgical, or conservative treatment. Conservative care is strongly recommended in nearly all cases of acute low back pain, and physical therapy is typically regarded as a fundamental component of this approach. Physical therapists implement a variety of interventions that are designed to decrease pain, increase function, and prevent further recurrence, and the majority of patients will notice these benefits as they progress through their program.

But a small percentage of patients don’t respond to physical therapy and continue to experience cumbersome back-related issues. These non-responders may be considered good candidates for surgery because conservative methods have failed to produce satisfactory improvements. Surgery may also be recommended for patients with persistent and disabling pain that’s due to certain conditions, including herniated discs, bone spurs, spinal stenosis, broken bones, or more serious problems like spinal infection and spinal tumors.

Explaining the necessity of physical therapy after surgery
If you fall into one of these groups and come to decide that surgery is the best path forward, your surgeon will explain what to expect before, during, and after your procedure. In particular, your surgeon will tell you that while the surgery itself will correct the anatomical problem that is responsible for your symptoms, it doesn’t guarantee a positive outcome in and of itself. Physical therapy begins as soon as the day after surgery and is regarded as an integral part of the recovery process that strongly increases the chances of success. Post-surgery physical therapy programs vary depending on the procedure and patient, but some of the most common interventions you’re likely to see include the following:

Pain-relieving modalities: ice, heat, electrical stimulation, and other passive modalities will be administered in the immediate days after surgery to reduce your pain levels
Stretching exercises: in the first week after surgery, your therapist will teach you gentle stretching exercises for the hamstrings and quadriceps muscles of the thigh; as you continue to heal, you will progress to stretching the back and abdominal muscles as well
Strengthening exercises: starting in week 2 of your recovery, you will begin basic strengthening exercises to build back the core muscles of your lower back and abdomen; these exercises will also increase in intensity as you progress, with elastic bands, exercise balls, and yoga stretches being incorporated staring around week 6
Manual therapy: your therapist will probably perform several manual—or hands-on—therapy techniques to increase mobility and alleviate pain, such as massage around the surgical incision, mobilization, and manipulation
Aerobic exercise: starting around week 9 after surgery, you should be ready to begin engaging in low-impact aerobic exercises, such as brisk walking, swimming, bike riding, and stair climbing; your therapist will guide teach you to perform these activities in the safest possible manner that keeps your risk for reinjury low

While surgery can generally be avoided for most cases of low back pain, as we’ve shown, there are certain circumstances when it may become a necessity. If you decide to have back surgery and want to get back to your pre-injury levels as safely and quickly as possible, physical therapy is the best way to get there, and we can help. Contact us today to learn more or schedule an appointment.