Wii-Hab to Improve our Rehabilitation Programs

We have Wii-hab!

In an effort to keep our therapy routines from becoming tedious we have introduced a new fitness device to our facility: The Nintendo Wii! We look at the Wii Fit as a terrific tool to keep certain patients involved in their therapy and provide some measurable progress reports as we work through their rehabilitation program.

The Wii Fit comes with a balance board and an array of games and activities that help patients improve their balance, core strength and proprioception. Wii-hab (or Wiihabilitation) is a part of our game plan!

Check out this video; It is a good example of the things we can do with the Wii.

Specialized Stretching

Enhance your Flexibility, Movement, Strength and Agility with Specialized Stretching!

As a Physical Therapist, I have the training, expertise and evaluation skills to perform these specialized techniques. In just a few sessions you will be able to lift more, run faster, play harder and feel less stiff.

This stretching approach is more aggressive than your typical passive stretch. I work with each client to first determine which muscles are out of alignment and need work. Then, we work with each muscle group along the WHOLE muscle using advanced techniques.
Some of these techniques are:
MET, or muscle energy technique, uses light isometric contraction in relaxed joint position
PNF, or proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, incorporates active movement in the stretching
C-R, or contract-relax, incorporates both isometric contraction and active and passive movements to stretch along the whole muscle in different joint positions
This program is for healthy, non-injured, individuals who are looking to maximize their sport specific skills, running speed, lifting ability and joint flexibility.

Come by or call for your first session!!!

What type of frozen shoulder are you?

The Frozen Shoulder, or Adhesive Capsulitis, is a unusual condition in that the cause is rarely known. It does occur more commonly in women over the age of 40 in the non-dominant arm. This article, Frozen Shoulder: Evidence and a Proposed Model Guiding Rehabilitation, is very interesting in how it rates different types of frozen shoulders. It does report that you do have to push through with rehab unless you want surgery. But with surgery comes more rehab!

So my recommendation if you have mild to moderate pain, try therapy first for several weeks. Push hard in therapy and at home. If you still feel "Frozen" then injections or manipulation may be the next step.

Let me know what you think if you have personal experience with this condition.

Surviving Rehab

The New York Times published this article, "Physical Therapy and the Camaraderie of Healing" February 17th 2009. It is about how healing from surgery is more than just healing the scars on the outside. It is about how we, physical therapists, are the ones who can take the time to supply the details and push you through the rehab and healing process. And, over time, how we the physical therapists and patients are able to build a strong relationship that goes beyond the clinic. It is a very well written and an enjoyable read.

Have Patience