Spectrum Spine & Sport Physical Therapy in Gilbert AZ

Fast pain relief and physical therapy

Pain Relief & Physical Therapy in Gilbert, AZ!

3485 S. Mercy Rd. Suite 101, Gilbert, AZ 85297
(Across from Mercy Gilbert Hospital)
Call Now (480) 963-2400

  • About Us
    • Staff
  • Solutions
  • We Treat
    • Head & Face Treatments
    • Neck Treatments
    • Shoulder Treatments
    • Elbow Treatments
    • Hand Treatments
    • Back-Spine Therapy
    • Hip Treatments
    • Pelvic/Sacroiliac (SI) Therapy
    • Knee Treatments
    • Foot/Ankle Treatments
    • Additional Treatments
  • Cost/Insurance
    • Insurance
  • Location
  • Testimonials
  • Make Appointment
  • Contact
  • Blog

Physical Therapists for Sports Injuries

September 6, 2018 By Stacey Billyard

Physical Therapists for Sports Injuries

Injured from activity in a sport? You’re not alone. Professional athletes are prone to injuries due to the excessive wear and tear associated with the demands of competitive sports. On the other hand, weekend warriors (you and I) are often injured because our brain thinks we can do things that our body can’t! Couple that with being out of shape, and you are likely headed to see a physical therapist on Monday morning.

 Sports Injuries

Sports injuries, by definition, include injuries involving the musculoskeletal system. The musculoskeletal system consists of bones, tissues, muscles, and cartilage. Every injury is different and every person heals differently. The purpose of rehabilitation with physical therapists is to help the injured tissues recover in a controlled and supervised manner. It takes time for an injury to heal, and it’s best to seek the guidance of an experienced physical therapist during this time. Physical therapists are specially trained at designing safe and effective recovery programs specifically geared towards an individual’s abilities. Physical therapists can 1) identify the cause of the injury, 2) create a treatment plan, and 3) also teach injury prevention to keep you on the field.

Some of the most common sports injuries include sprains, strains, shin splints and knee injuries. If you or someone you know is injured, schedule an evaluation with a physical therapist as quickly as possible.

Physical Therapy – The Right Choice

Physical therapists are healthcare professionals with extensive training in the musculoskeletal system. The therapist can work closely with athletes to assess muscle imbalance, range of motion and functional requirements of that particular sport. For example, a baseball pitcher may need a shoulder stabilization program; while a basketball player may need a speed and plyometric (explosive strength) training program. Physical therapists can evaluate, identify, and plan a sport-specific injury prevention and (once the injury is treated) an athletic performance program that can help the athlete regain full potential.

As part of the therapy program, therapists teach stretches and exercises; often using special equipment to reach specific goals. Therapy focuses on reducing pain and improving function as quickly as possible. Rest is an important part of the recovery process. Rest, combined with physical therapy, is the best recipe for recovery after being injured.

Don’t Wait For an Injury…

An injury is the last thing an athlete wants. Without properly rehabilitation, the damage can get worse. Physical therapists will help the athlete heal and return to normal. In many cases, therapy can also  help to strengthen a particular areas to avoid future injuries. Working with a physical therapist requires time and patience. However, it’s the best for the athlete to resume and continue sport. It’s a great way to come back to the sport you love and enjoy it, while minimizing the likelihood of re-injury.

If you or someone you know is dealing with a sports injury, consider working with a physical therapist. In fact, you don’t have to wait till you are injured, because a physical therapist can help an athlete improve performance and minimize injury. A preventive, proactive approach is likely to help athletes even more. Physical therapists will design the right program and get you great results!

Filed Under: Physical Therapy

Be Wary of Lower Back Pain!

August 29, 2015 By Jay Billyard 1 Comment

Be wary of lower back pain

Lower Back Pain Is More Serious Than You Think!


 

With our hectic schedules and busy lives, it’s easy to simply IGNORE these messages that our body is trying to tell us that something is wrong. After working with lower back patients for over 15 years, I’ve come to learn that you should not ignore some important warning signs.

I’ve seen some serious back problems in the clinic and most every patient I met would tell you, if they could “Don’t ignore it.”.

Here are some classic warning signs that your lower back pain is more serious than you might think:

1. SITTING BOTHERS IT.

Many serious back problems start this way. It seems harmless enough to not be able to sit very long before the pain forces you to stand up. Recent studies conclude that sitting is the number one worst thing for your back.

The main problem with sitting too much is that it compresses the discs of the spine that act as shock absorbers. Many serious problems occur as discs become too brittle. I’m not trying to scare you (actually I am sort of), it’s just that many back problems begin with difficulty sitting.

WARNING: Don’t sit more than 1 hour at a time without taking at least a 60-second break. Even if you exercise, it doesn’t take away the negative effects sitting has on your body and health.

2. WHEN GETTING OUT OF BED, stiffness.

Many blame “getting old” as the reason for why they are experiencing stiffness/soreness when getting out of bed in the morning. In many cases, it’s not old age. If you are younger than 40, especially.

Some people can lose over an inch in height throughout the day!

Many serious back problems start this way. And when you lie down to sleep, the water fills back up, and the volume refills and it can put pressure on the structures of the back thereby causing discomfort.

RECOMMENDATION: Get an examination by a professional (ie. Physical therapist, etc.) who can determine exactly what’s causing your problem.

3. Difficulty getting in/out of the car.

If this is a regular thing for you than it can indicate a bigger problem.. Sometimes the pain will get better (especially if you are adapting your body to avoid the pain) but if you are experiencing prolonged pain with this activity, you should seek help.

If you recently strained your lower back playing weekend warrior or doing strenuous activities (ie.. sex, golf, etc.), it’s understandable to have some discomfort getting in and out of the car. If it lasts more than 3 days, there could be something more serious going on.

IMPORTANT: Back pain often subsides on it’s own but usually does not mean the root problem is gone. The body has a way of adapting to pain but in response it could result in bone growth (hypertrophy and arthritis) or even worse the soft structures are hardened. The pain might go away, but worse problems later could be imminent.

4. Buttock muscles getting smaller or shrinking.

This is a serious sign. It means the nerves flowing out of your lower back are being constricted. Causing less energy to get to those buttock muscles.

If your jeans are not fitting quite the way they used to (meaning kind of baggy), it could be a red flag there is something going on with your back and it’s affecting the nerves.

Your buttock muscles getting smaller is justified if you simply stopped doing those squats in the gym like you used to or are trying to lose weight. If that’s not the case, it’s a sign.

5. Soreness or pain that lasts more than 3 days.

Occasional soreness is ok. It means you are being active. If you have a PAIN that lasts more than 3 days, especially if it gets worse or doesn’t improve, you should seek help.

In many cases, a problem is most easily “fixable” when caught early on. The longer you wait, the worse it can get.
Taking Tylenol, advil, or other pain numbing drugs can give you a false sense of security into thinking you are okay. This can lead to you doing things you shouldn’t given your condition. Whereby making it worse.

CAUTION: Many small problems become big problems when taking drugs for a prolonged period of time.

6. Going for the “quick fix” remedies can back fire.

Drugs, injections, and pills are indicated in certain acute situations but I see far too many people taking drugs making the root cause of their problem worse.

Many quick fixes are potentially dangerous and temporary to the body. Deaths have been recorded by those regularly taking drugs such as Celebrex, Bextra, Vioxx, and more.

Masking the symptoms can make it easy to accidently do something to further damage injured tissues.

RECOMMENDATION: See a physical therapist to determine what the best solution is for you.

7. Pain and/or Numbness in the saddle region.

This is a serious sign. Call a doctor or physical therapist immediately.

8. Loss of sensation or power in the lower feet or legs.

This is a serious sign.Call a doctor or physical therapist immediately.

I hope this guide helps you on your road to stopping lower back pain.


 

Spectrum Spine & Sport Physical Therapy specializes in lower back pain!

We are the premiere physical therapy in Gilbert, AZ. We are recommended by top physicians in the East Valley. Call us today to see how we can help you! (480) 963-2400

If we are too far from you, you can also search a directory of physical therapists specializing in lower back pain.

 

Filed Under: Physical Therapy Tagged With: fast pain relief, physical therapy, physical therapy in gilbert AZ

Follow Us

Facebookyoutubeinstagram

yelp1

Physical Therapy in Gilbert AZ

Where Does It Hurt?

3485 S. Mercy Rd. Suite 101
Gilbert, AZ 85297
Call Now (480) 963-2400

FREE JOINT REPLACEMENT PROGRAM

Are you scheduled for Joint Replacement Surgery or considering it? We’ll customize an exercise and education program for you (makes your post-op recovery time quicker). Return for as many free pre-surgery treatments as you would like. Free of Charge, No Obligation. Call today for more information.


3485 S. Mercy Rd. Suite 101, Gilbert, AZ 85297

Call Now (480) 963-2400

WE ARE OPEN FOR REGULAR TREATMENT!!!

TELE-HEALTH/VIDEO VISITS ALSO AVAILABLE

 

Virtual Tour Of Our Facility

Spectrum Spine & Sport Physical Therapy Gilbert
3485 S. Mercy Rd. Suite 101
Gilbert, AZ 85297
(Across from Mercy Gilbert Hospital)

SIGN UP FOR AN E-VISIT or FREE CONSULTATION NOW!!

Loading

About Us

If you are limited by pain or injury, we can help. Our facilities, expertise, and commitment will help restore the quality of life you desire faster and better than any other clinic. Since we opened in 2008, our reputation has grown to a referral base of almost 1,000 physicians and surgeons, along with several thousand satisfied patients. In fact, many of our referring doctors encourage … More

Common Causes of Pain

Many things can cause neck and back pain, however, the 3 most common causes are... 1) Stress Stress can cause your muscles to become tight and vulnerable to injury. Prolonged stress often leads to … More

Self-Help Tips

• Take Frequent Breaks - Change positions regularly to give your muscles the rest needed to supportyou better when you return. If you're sitting, … More

FREE Joint Replacement Program

Are you scheduled for Joint Replacement Surgery or considering it? We’ll customize an exercise and education program for you (makes your post-op recovery time quicker). Return for as many free pre-surgery treatments as you would like. Free of Charge, No Obligation. Call today for more information.

Be Wary Of…

Beware of Practitioners who solely treat your symptoms without addressing the cause. The facility that does not have private treatment rooms where treatment tables are close together and therapists … More

100% Money Back Guarantee

See What our Patients are saying about us

Angieslisticon yelp-5-star
DoctorBase Reviews

Follow Us

Facebookyoutubeinstagram

Staff Only

Sitemap / Terms of Use / Legal Notice / HIPAA Privacy Notice

Copyright © 2023 Spectrum Spine and Sport PT - Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Clinics

Spectrum Spine & Sport Physical Therapy in Gilbert AZ
  • About Us
  • Solutions
  • We Treat
  • Cost/Insurance
  • Location
  • Testimonials
  • Make Appointment
  • Contact
  • Blog