Denver Physical Therapy & Wellness

One of the most common issues that physical therapy is used to treat is pain resulting from neck and back issues. It’s no secret that neck and back pain can become a debilitating issue, one that can lead to a whole host of other health concerns. An excessive amount of back and neck pain is extremely difficult to ignore for an individual in their daily life. If you’ve ever suffered from this type of discomfort, you are acutely aware of just how painful and inconvenient this condition can be. There is hope, however, and it comes in the form of an effective physical therapy treatment plan. If you need to address this critical issue, here are some of the ways in which a person can improve their back and neck pain from their physical therapist in Parker.

Ways to Reduce Neck Pain

Chronic neck pain is a very common condition among Americans, as more than 25 percent of individuals in the United States say they suffer from persistent neck pain, according to the American Osteopathic Association. Chronic neck pain can dramatically decrease a person’s quality of life and can make things incredibly difficult in terms of movement. Neck pain that persists can also lead to additional complications, such as headaches and upper back pain. Often, individuals will overcompensate when neck pain is present, causing further issues in other areas of their body.

This is why treating chronic neck pain is absolutely essential if a person is to properly address their health and reduce the amount of suffering in their day-to-day life. If you recognize that you have an issue, it is always best to treat the issue as soon as possible so the problem doesn’t compound and inevitably become worse over time.

1. Apply a Cold Pack
It may not seem like that big of a deal, but using a cold pack to treat neck pain can be an effective strategy in reducing the amount of pain that a person is experiencing. By applying a cold pack to the affected area, you will be helping to decrease irritation as well as inflammation, two critical components in the neck-pain equation. A cold pack will reduce the amount of inflammation in your joints as well as in the muscles, two of the areas that can often create the most amount of discomfort when it comes to neck pain.

2. Rest
If you are dealing with persistent and chronic neck pain, an important aspect of recovery can be something as simple as rest. Sure, you may be an active individual with a full schedule of activities on your docket that you absolutely do not want to miss out on, but if you are dealing with neck pain this can often make the situation much worse. Knowing your limits and when you need to rest your body can be essential on the road to reducing pain. The last thing you want to have happen is to have a situation where your pain gets worse due to not taking it easy at the right time.

3. Physical Therapy
One of the best strategies for tackling your neck pain can be to see your local physical therapist. These highly-trained and knowledgeable individuals have a wealth of information regarding how the body operates and the kinds of things a person needs to do in order to become pain-free yet again. Physical therapy is a process that consists of appropriate stretches and exercises that a person can undertake on their own time. It also includes a degree of hands-on treatment that will help to loosen tight muscles and affected joints. This degree of information and knowledge can be invaluable in the fight to reduce neck pain, and seeking out a qualified and competent physical therapist can make all of the difference on your path to being pain-free once again.

Strategies for Reducing Back Pain

Let’s be honest: chronic back pain can be a miserable condition that can, over time, become increasingly painful an difficult to deal with. In fact, chronic lower back pain, in particular, is often cited as one of the most common medical conditions in the world. Truly, the act of dealing with persistent and chronic back pain is far from a joyful experience and is one that should be avoided at all costs.

However, there are times when a person cannot avoid dealing with back pain. Either due to an accident or other factors out of an individual’s control, chronic back pain can rear its ugly head and create havoc in a person’s life. As a result, it is important to take the necessary steps to reduce back pain in order to regain a sense of normalcy once more.

1. Stretch
Tightness in all areas of your body can lead to back issues if you aren’t careful. Consistent stretching is one strategy that is an effective method of reducing and limiting back pain. Holding a stretch for an extended period of time can be a great way of reducing potential back issues.

2. Lost Weight
While this can seem like an impossible task at times, it should be kept in mind that losing excess body fat is a huge factor in reducing your risk for persistent back pain issues. Research has shown a direct correlation between obesity and chronic back pain, as your body can become stressed due to having to carry excessive weight. Increasing your activity level will not only improve many areas of your health but can also lighten the amount of back pain you are experiencing.

3. Physical Therapy
Receiving professional attention in the form of physical therapy can often be the most effective approach to treating back pain. A physical therapist can directly treat the affected areas without the use of surgery or other invasive methods. By providing you with the right treatment plan to tackle this nagging issue, you will be on your way to dramatically reducing your back pain and regain your life back.

If you are experiencing neck or back pain and are tired of struggling with this issue, contact Peak Physical Therapy and Wellness today. We are dedicated to serving our clients and do whatever is necessary to ensure that a patient leaves in a better state than when they started treatment. Call us today at our Parker office at 303-840-7325.

If you’ve had an injury that continues to cause you pain and discomfort, and limits your mobility, it might be time to see a professional for physical therapy in Denver. In many cases, seeing a physical therapist for an injury means you can avoid surgery as well as medications. A physical therapist will address any condition that is limiting your ability to move and function properly on a day-to-day basis. Take a look at some of the comments from our patients who found relief with our services, including physical therapy.

Before you go to a physical therapist, here’s what you should know about ahead of time.

Be Prepared Before Your First Appointment

Make a written list of questions you have for your physical therapist. It’s easy to forget what you want to ask while you are in the appointment, so having a list you can refer to is key.

Also make notes for yourself for information to share with the physical therapist. For instance, what symptoms have you been suffering from and for how long? If you have multiple symptoms, which one is bothering you the most? Share information too on when the symptoms are bothering you most, including what activities are giving you the most pain or discomfort. Other considerations include:

• What time of day are you most bothered by your pain or symptoms?
• Are there physical positions that bother your pain or symptoms more than others?
• Does resting provide you with any relief from your pain or symptoms?

Jot down some notes about your medical history to share with the physical therapist. Even medical conditions that seem unrelated to your current pain or symptoms could be important. If you are currently taking any medications, be sure to share that information with your physical therapist. Include a list of all supplements you might be taking.

If you have recent lab work or diagnostic reports from other health professionals, take that along. If you have been working with other healthcare professionals regarding your pain or symptom, and if you would like them to share information with the physical therapist, bring along that information.
Think about your family history, such as medical conditions your siblings or parents might be experiencing. If you have had any injuries or stress, or are dealing with unique environmental circumstances, share this information with your physical therapist.

It’s not a bad idea to take along a family member or close friend to your first appointment with the physical therapist. It can be helpful for someone else to hear the information to ensure you don’t forget anything. Another person might also think of good questions to ask that you hadn’t considered.
When making your appointment, ask whether or not you will be engaging in any physical activities at your initial visit. If so, be sure to wear comfortable clothing so you can move freely.

Considerations About Finances

Ask about the clinic’s financial policies before you go in for your first appointment. Make sure you understand exactly what your responsibilities will be. Find out what might be covered under your insurance and what you will likely be responsible for paying. Read any financial agreement closely before signing it.

Be prepared to pay any deductibles or copays each time you go to physical therapy so you can avoid getting a large, unexpected bill. Be sure to find out what is covered under your insurance as far as frequency of visits. If your insurance coverage changes at any time during treatment, be sure to let the office know this.

Your First Visit to the Physical Therapist

Now that you have done the legwork prior to coming in, it’s time for that first appointment. Here’s what you can expect.

Be prepared to answer lots of questions, both about your overall health as well as the specific pain and symptoms you are being seen for. The more detailed you can be, the better the plan your physical therapist can devise for your treatment. Be sure to talk about your home and work environment, how healthy a lifestyle you live, what your activity level is, and any leisure activities you might be involved in.

Your physical therapist will conduct a physical exam that will vary from patient to patient, depending on your individual circumstances. These might include:

• Blood pressure
• Heart and respiration rates
• Strength and flexibility tests
• Flexibility and balance

Your physical therapist will probably touch the area in question as well.

Other parts of the evaluation might include a close look at how you walk, how you get up from lying down, how you stand up when getting out of a chair, how well you can bend and lift things.

Goals of Your Physical Therapy Treatment

At your first visit, your physical therapist will go over your goals for treatment. In most cases, your physical therapist will make a diagnosis at that first appointment and make a plan that will improve your ability to function on a daily basis. Depending on your pain or symptoms, this might include improving motion or reducing pain. (Find out more here about who can benefit from physical therapy.)

As you go through treatment, your physical therapist will constantly be making adjustments, based on what does and doesn’t seem to be working.
If you need any special equipment, such as a splint or crutches, your physical therapist will make a recommendation. If you at risk for falling, he or she may also make recommendations for equipment that can make your home and work environment safer.

Be prepared to have “homework” as your physical therapist may assign exercises for you to do at home in between visits.

Make a commitment before starting physical therapy to be an active participant in your treatment. Also go in with a positive attitude, which has been shown to improve patient results. Don’t hesitate to ask any questions about your physical therapy.

Contact us today to find out more about physical therapy or any of our other services. With offices throughout the Denver metro area, including south Denver, Highlands Ranch, Lowry, Parker, Aurora, and Englewood, you can be sure that one is conveniently located near you. We look forward to working with you and helping you live a healthy, pain-free lifestyle!

If you have suffered an injury, in pain from an old injury, or just dealing with chronic discomfort, the suggestion for dry needling might have come up. This is a fairly new treatment that has been gaining in popularity in the past few years. Before you run to the computer to do an online search for dry needling in Denver, let’s take a look at the history of dry needling and what it might be able to do for you.

The History Dry Needling

The discovery of dry needling dates back to the 1940s when a doctor by the name of Janet Travell identified muscular trigger points and patterns on the body. She along with another doctor, David Simon, created the first generation of what is known today as dry needling.

The American Physical Therapy Association defines dry needling as a skilled intervention that uses needles to penetrate the skin to stimulate underlying trigger points for pain and movement impairment management.

The treatment uses small, solid needles inserted into the body. The purpose is to stimulate tissue and release tight muscles. It can also be used to help lessen pain. Dry needling is a growing trend being used by professional athletes as well as weekend warriors.

Dry Needling Versus Acupuncture

You might be asking yourself, what is the difference between dry needling and acupuncture. Because the two use needles, they might sound very similar. The truth is, although there is a commonality with both using needles, there is a big difference in both method and approach between the two.
Dry needling is used to treat the muscles after a physical examination has been conducted. Treatment is based on where the patient is feeling pain as well as other areas that the physical therapist determines after conducting an examination and assessment.

When undergoing dry needling, the physical therapist inserts needles into the body slowly. They are moved around and manipulated—gently—to get a response from the muscle and usually removed almost immediately afterward. This process might be repeated over and over again, depending on the situation.

Acupuncture is a technique for balancing the flow of energy. When acupuncturists insert needles into specific points of the body, they are looking to balance energy flow. In acupuncture, the needles are frequently left in the body for a specific amount of time, with the acupuncturist often leaving the patient for a while.

Who Performs Dry Needling?

Most states regulate dry needling so it is performed only by a physical therapist or doctor of physical therapy who has been specially trained. At Peak Physical Therapy and Wellness, a certified physical therapist will perform dry needling. A massage therapist does not perform dry needling although massage too deals with trigger points in the body.

Conditions That Can Be Treated With Dry Needling

Dry needling can relieve a variety of musculoskeletal problems. It is relaxing and therapeutic procedure that is suitable for many different conditions, such as back and neck pain, sporting injuries, and discomfort that is a result of poor posture.
If you are suffering from any of the following conditions, you might inquire about dry needling to find out whether it can help you:

• Athletic performance
• Back pain
• Bursitis
• Chronic pain
• Golfer's elbow
• Headaches
• IT band syndrome
• Knee pain
• Neck
• Osteoarthritis
• Piriformis syndrome
• Plantar fasciitis
• Sciatica
• Tendonitis
• Tennis elbow

Does Dry Needling Hurt?

For the vast majority of people, dry needling does not hurt. In fact, most people don’t even feel the needles being inserted. Although the needle is moved and manipulated in order to engage a response from the muscle, the feeling that ensues is more of an ache or cramping sensation rather than pain.  

Side Effects of Dry Needling

It probably comes as no surprise that there can be side effects to dry needling, but these will vary depending on the individual. Some people report some needle soreness that might last for a day or so after treatment. In very few patients, there is some skin bruising at the needle sights, but this is somewhat rare and occurs in fewer than 5 percent of patients.

Just in case you are a bit sore after treatment, you might want to plan your schedule around that possibility to give yourself a few days to recover.

What to Expect During Your First Dry Needling Appointment

During your first session, our physical therapist will evaluate the areas where you are feeling pain, discomfort, or tightness. An examination will determine which muscles are tight or knotted. This is often performed by gently pressing on the areas as directed by the patient or by palpitating areas to determine if the muscle feels tight or knotted.

After locating the areas to be treated, the physical therapist will press a plastic tube containing a sterile needle against the skin, gently tapping it into place. There should be very little discomfort during this procedure; most patients barely feel anything.

As the needle is pressed deeper into the muscle tissue, there may be some discomfort. The physical therapist will then gently manipulate the needle to stimulate the muscle into twitching or cramping, loosening tight muscle fibers.

Many patients report feeling relief from pain after just one or two dry needling sessions.

If you have heard about dry needling yet you remain skeptical of its efficacy, you should consider that many professional athletes around the world are using this treatment to relieve muscle pain and dysfunction. At Peak Physical Therapy and Wellness, we are always happy to answer your questions about any of our treatments, which in addition to dry needling include treatment for craniofacial and jaw pain, functional movement screening, hand therapy and splinting, injury risk assessment, and more.

Contact us today to find out more about dry needling or any of our other services. With offices throughout the Denver metro area, including south Denver, Highlands Ranch, Lowry, Parker, Aurora, and Englewood, you can be sure that one is conveniently located near you. We look forward to working with you and helping you live a healthy, pain-free lifestyle!