ProActive: Shoulder, Elbow and Wrist Pain

THE NEWSLETTER ABOUT YOUR HEALTH AND CARING FOR YOUR BODY N E W S L E T T E R

ALEXIA KATSMA, PTA GETTING TO KNOW THE PROACTIVE PHYSICAL THERAPY & SPORTS REHAB TEAM!

Q: What makes you excited to jump out of bed and head to work each day? I look forward to witnessing patients’ improvement every day and just being a part of the process of regaining function. I love learning people’s stories and being a small piece of them. Q: What led to your decision to work at ProActive Physical Therapy? I strongly believe that people can accomplish much more together than alone. I admire the teamwork mindset that Proactive embodies and I’m excited to be a member of the team. Q: What is one thing you’d like every patient to walk away with from their experience at ProActive Physical Therapy? I want people to leave with a better understanding of their body and to be more invested in their wellness.

Alexia started working at Proactive Physical Therapy in 2019 after working in a similar setting in Indiana for two years. She

graduated with her Associate of Applied Science degree from Western Iowa Tech Community College. Prior to this, she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Exercise Science from Northwestern College. She experienced the process of rehabbing injuries first hand in high school, which ignited a passion for this field. Her favorite part of the job is building relationships with patients and helping them reach their potential. Outside of physical therapy, Alexia enjoys being active and spending time her husband, friends and family. She loves to travel and play board games.

INSIDE : • Where Is Your Shoulder, Elbow, &Wrist Pain Coming From? • Training Your Body Right!

• Exercise Of The Month • Patient Success Spotlight

www.proactivephysicaltherapy.net

WHERE IS YOUR SHOULDER, ELBOW, AND WRIST PAIN COMING FROM? THE NEWSLETTER ABOUT YOUR HEALTH AND CARING FOR YOUR BODY N E W S L E T T E R

INSIDE : • Training Your Body Right! • Exercise Of The Month

• Patient Success Spotlight • Practice News

A shoulder, elbow, or wrist injury can develop from a number of causes, such as lifting heavy materials or performing repetitive reaching motions. There are several culprits that can result in upper extremity pain, such as manual labor jobs or physically demanding work around the house. This can include common tasks that you may not have even considered, such as cleaning the gutters, mowing the grass, or hanging up wet clothes. Athletes are also at risk if they participate in rigorous activities, such as weightlifting, swimming, or tennis. The active movements associated with sports and laborious work are undoubtedly important factors to keep in mind; however, passive movements can also be contributing factors to an injury. Continuous poor posture and improper positioning of the shoulders can make your scapula (shoulder blade) much more vulnerable to pain and rotator cuff injuries. Fortunately, ProActive Physical Therapy can provide you with the treatments you need to bring relief to the shoulder, elbow, and wrist pain you are experiencing. If you have noticed discomfort in your upper extremities, contact us today. Knowing the warning signs: It is natural to experience an occasional ache or pain from overexertion. However, if the pain worsens or becomes chronic, it is best to consult with a physical therapist. Chronic pain can be defined as any pain persisting for longer than three months – if you notice a lingering pain that won’t go away despite your best efforts, we can help.

There are some additional symptoms to consider that may also be telling signs that treatment is needed, such as:

• Sharp or stinging pains.

• Uncomfortable “clicking” sounds with movement.

• Dull pain that runs alongside your arm.

• Sudden arm weakness.

If you notice any of these symptoms, it is important to contact a physical therapist. We can determine the cause of your pain and help treat it accordingly. Shoulder, elbow, and wrist injuries are especially common as a result of workplace injury and overuse. While it is sometimes possible to take action to prevent an injury from developing, it is especially important to be able to recognize when an injury develops and to understand ways that you can combat that injury by identifying what may have caused the pain to develop in the first place. At ProActive Physical Therapy, those are two methods that we commonly incorporate into treatment plans for neck pain relief, and we have noticed significant success in them.

www.proactivephysicaltherapy.net

POSTERIOR SHOULDER STRETCH Sit or stand with good posture. Reach across your chest. Use your other arm to pull a little bit further. Repeat 7 times on both sides. Stretches Shoulder www.simpleset.net EXERCISE OF THE MONTH Try this movement for shoulder pain relief

Training Your Body Right!

Disclaimer: As there is a risk of injury with any activity, use caution when performing exercises. If you experience any pain or discomfort, discontinue the exercise and contact your health care provider.

At the end of the day, it is important to simply be mindful of the ways in which you are using your shoulders, elbows, and wrists. If your sport or work requires repetitive heavy lifting, reaching, or swinging, a physical therapist can help you determine the best techniques to allow for as little strain as possible. Common issues that can lead to shoulder, wrist and elbow pain include: • Issues with poor posture. • Carpal tunnel syndrome, which can develop from overuse of the wrist and regular, repetitive motions, such as typing. • Heavy lifting.

PRACTICE NEWS

• Athletic injuries. • Muscle sprain. • Muscle strain. • Dislocation or hyperextension of the joints.

A physical therapist can also help you strengthen your muscles in order to accommodate for your physically demanding lifestyle. This will help make frequent daily chores, as well as strenuous, repetitive motions, much easier. By doing some basic exercises just a few times a week, you can strengthen the range of muscles in your rotator cuff region. Your physical therapist can also provide manual techniques for relief, such as targeted massage, pressure, and stretching of the affected area(s) to keep muscles loose and to relieve inflammation. If you are experiencing shoulder, elbow, or wrist pain (or you think you may be at risk for developing a shoulder injury), give our office a call today. At ProActive Physical Therapy, we are dedicated to providing our patients with quality treatment plans and long-lasting relief.

COMING SOON! ProActive will be hosting 105 lap Marathon Relay Fundraiser in September 2020 at Sioux Center Track. Plan your team of up to 105 individuals for the marathon relay!

Confirm your appointment today and get started on the track toward relief!

CALL US TODAY IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING ANY PAIN

Patient Success Spotlight

Refer-A- Friend Who Do You Know That Needs Our Help?

“They would heal my injury, and then strengthen my weaker areas to prevent me from experiencing that injury again.” “All of the staff were very friendly and seemed to care about me and how I was doing. They were great at setting up appointments around my schedule, and if I needed to quick set an appointment, they always found a way to squeeze me in. The exercises and treatments that they did on my injuries were very effective. They would heal my injury, and then strengthen my weaker areas to prevent me from experiencing that injury again.” - A.D.

Do You Have Friends Or Family Unable To Do The Following:

� Move without pain

� Sit comfortably for long periods

� Bend & move freely

� Walk for long distances

� Balance confidently & securely

� Live an active & healthy lifestyle

If you know someone suffering with aches and pains give the gift of health. Refer them to ProActive Physical Therapy & Sports Rehab today.

Read More Reviews Like This At: WWW.PROACTIVEPHYSICALTHERAPY.NET

Pass along this newsletter or have them call us directly to schedule an appointment.

About ProActive!

ProActive Physical Therapy & Sports Rehab seeks to provide the highest quality of care for our patients. We are dedicated to serving each patient in their rehabilitation and wellness needs with a comprehensive approach that supports each patients individual needs. We are committed to providing patients with the knowledge necessary for them to be actively involved in their care and recovery.

& Happy New Years From all of us at...

WE OFFER 2 CONVENIENT LOCATIONS CALL TO SCHEDULE TODAY!

110 16th St SW Sioux Center, IA 51250 Phone: 712.722.1902 Fax: 712.722.1905 Sioux Center

301 10th Street Suite C Sheldon, IA 51201 Phone: 712.324.0110 Fax: 712.324.0031 Sheldon

www.proactivephysicaltherapy.net