LoopPT.Shoulder, elbow and wrist pain, where is it coming f…

Physical Therapy N E W S L E T T E R

GIVE CHRONIC PAIN THE COLD SHOULDER SHOULDER, ELBOW AND WRIST PAIN, WHERE IS IT COMING FROM?

Exercise Essentials Try this exercise to relieve wrist pain!

Service Spotlight Learn about shockwave therapy and how it can help!

Home Exercise Spotlight Do these exercises to stay fit during quarantine!

Physical Therapy N E W S L E T T E R

GIVE CHRONIC PAIN THE COLD SHOULDER

• Muscle sprain • Muscle strain • Dislocation or hyperextension of the joints

It’s time to say goodbye to shoulder, elbow, and wrist pain once and for all. Identifying the cause of your pain and taking steps to combat ill habits that may be contributing to your discomfort can have a significant impact on your quality of life. Wave goodbye to pain in your hands, shoulders, elbows and wrists with targeted techniques from your experienced physical therapists. What is Causing the Pain? Think about the tasks that make up the majority of your day-to-day life. It is often said that life in the 21st century is way easier on the body than life during any other time in human history — and it’s true that there is a fair amount of evidence to support this idea. Rather than spending all of your days working in a factory or on a farm, the vast majority of Americans work indoors, often at a computer for a predetermined number of hours week after week. But this new lifestyle isn’t exactly harmless for the body, either. There are plenty of ways in which the common tasks of 21st-century life put the body under a great deal of stress. Sedentary lifestyles frequently contribute to weight gain, which increases your risk for a long list of obesity-related diseases. This puts additional stress on your body, which could result in pain in crucial joints like your shoulders, elbows and yes, even your wrists. But even aside from that, there are a lot of potential issues that your body can face as a result of sedentary behavior in the workplace— including shoulder, elbow, and wrist pain. 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 fromdeveloping, 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. Common issues that can lead to shoulder, elbow, and wrist pain include: • Issues with poor posture • Carpal tunnel syndrome, which can develop fromoveruse of the wrist and regular, repetitive motions, such as typing • Heavy lifting • Athletic injuries

Getting a Handle on Shoulder, Elbow, and Wrist Pain One of the biggest concerns regarding pain in the shoulder, elbow, and wrist is that it is difficult to impossible to actually allow these parts of the body time to rest. Every movement and action requires these body parts — and when the pain develops in both arms, as it often does, treating the pain becomes even more complicated. It is impossible to care for your basic needs without involving your shoulder or wrist, let alone get through a day at the office. This is why so many issues regarding pain in the shoulder, elbows, and wrists typically become chronic. Since it is difficult to allow these body parts time to properly rest, they continue being overused and the pain can actually worsen. Treating Shoulder, Elbow and Wrist Pain. Addressing the pain early on is the best way to prevent an issue from becoming chronic. Turning to medication and braces for pain management is not a long-term solution and will only push off the inevitable truth — that you need to find a solution for the problem that is causing you pain. Physical therapy is the ideal tool for support in this regard. Working with a physical therapist will provide you with an opportunity to understand what movements may be causing further discomfort, and can help you to strengthen the surrounding muscles while improving range of motion, which together will likely alleviate some of the pain associated with your injury. Don’t assume that pain in your shoulder, elbows, or wrists will go away on its own. It ismore common for the pain to worsen, and compensating for the pain by overusing the opposite arm can cause further injury to develop. For support with learning how to manage the pain, and to learn exercises and techniques that can help you overcome the injury and restore proper strength and functionality to your shoulders, elbows, and wrists, contact your physical therapist.

Schedule your consultation with physical therapist today by calling 773.541.2020 !

Learn more by visiting our website at LoopPT.com

We are excited to have recently started using Shockwave Therapy on many patients with excellent results. Extracorporeal (outside the body) ShockWave therapy, uses high- energy sound waves targeted over a specific site over a short period of time, which helps stimulate certain components involved in the healing process. Research has shown that it can reduce pain, swelling and increase function in several chronic tendon disorders including tennis elbow, patella tendinopathy, Achilles tendinopathy, gluteal tendinopathy, rotator cuff tendinopathy of the shoulder and plantar fasciitis. A buildup of specific elements in the muscles or tendons creates local, painful conditions that are addressed with ShockWave therapy. Plastic surgeons are also requesting ShockWave therapy for post-surgical healing and scar treatments. In the UK, the National Institute of Health endorses the use of ShockWave therapy to treat several of the conditions listed above due to the significant effects that it can have. A cluster of three to five sessions takes place across one to two weeks, followed by a gap of a few weeks for tissue regeneration. The picture of recovery is an accelerated progression from pain and mobility restoration. S E R V I C E S P O T L I G H T : SHOCKWAVE THERAPY

If you’re suffering from hands, shoulders, elbows or wrists pain, call your Physical Therapist at Loop Physical Therapy to schedule your appointment today!

WHAT PATIENTS ARE SAYING! I have been going to James for a couple months now and I have been blown away by the progress he has helped me achieve of being pain free. He is personable and professional and I have already recommended him to friends and family. If anyone is looking for a highly experienced physical therapist James is your guy! —K. D. I have been going to this clinic for lower back pain and the results are stunning. Very professional staff that wants to know the root of your problem and fix it so you don’t have to come back again. I’m very happy with the entire team and they do take my insurance which makes it affordable. If you in pain, give those guys a shot! — J. G.

EXERCISE ESSENTIALS RELIEVE WRIST PAIN IN MINUTES!

www.simpleset.net

WRIST FLEXION Sit or stand with good posture. Make a fist, flex your fist up. Repeat 6 times with each wrist. This is a good exercise if you work on a computer all day.

Learn more by visiting our website at LoopPT.com or schedule your consultation today by calling 773.541.2020 !

H OM E E X E R C I S E S P O T L I G H T

THREAD THE NEEDLE WITH SKY ROTATION

Sitting at home during the quarantine can cause body parts to become stiff and uncomfortable. Fortunately, at Loop PT, we are compiling exercise tips and videos just for you, so you can stay active while also practicing responsible social distancing at home! These shoulder exercises we’ve prepared for you can help relieve discomfort and prevent pain fromoccurring. However, if you notice any pain while performing these exercises, make sure to stop and consult with your physical therapist. If you have any additional questions, you can always feel free to call or message us at any time!

This one is great for getting a full stretch in your upper extremities. Begin by kneeling on the ground with your arms in front of you, holding your chest up. In a fluid motion, raise your right arm to the sky and then gently swing it back down toward the ground and across your chest. Repeat 3 reps of 10 and then repeat these instructions on the opposite side with your left arm. Just because you’re home, for the time being, doesn’t mean you can’t remain active. If you have any other questions, or if you would like further assistance on staying active during the quarantine, call or message Loop PT to speak with a physical therapist. For more information about staying active while at home, call your physical therapist at Loop PT at 773.541.2020!

WALL PEC STRETCH

Did you know you could do a Wall Pec Stretch from your home? Place your arms flat on either side of a wall or doorway, leaning your chest in front of you. Slowly glide your arms up until you feel the stretch in your arms and chest. Hold this stretch for 30 seconds on either side. Easy and beneficial! This exercise strengthens the rotator cuff muscles deep within your shoulders. Stand facing a flat wall with feet shoulder-width apart. Place and hold a stability ball against a wall at shoulder height. Keep your shoulders down and back. Make small circles with your hand while maintaining pressure on the ball. Start by performing this exercise for 15 seconds per arm and increase the duration as your muscles get stronger.

SHOULDER STABILIZATION (WALL BALL CIRCLES)

DO YOU KNOW ABOUT TELEHEALTH? Telehealth is a way for us to provide virtual physical therapy services to patients in their own homes! Telehealth services can be accessed via your smartphone or computer and allow you to meet and chat with your physical therapist about your treatment plan without coming to the clinic.

HEALTHY REC I PE STUFFED ZUCCHINI BOATS Ingredients • Four medium- sized zucchinis • One 5oz log of goat cheese

• 1-2 cups of

marinara sauce • Chopped parsley

Directions Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Slice zucchini lengthwise and scoop out seeds. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Place on baking sheet. Using 1/2 of the goat cheese, spread small amount into the zucchini and cover withmarinara sauce. Drop dots of remaining cheese over the marinara, bake until cheese is soft and marinara is bubbling (about 20 minutes).

By providing care virtually, we are able to give extra comfort and protection for clients with higher risks of COVID-19 infection. In addition to allowing for the practice of social distancing, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Telehealth also has other benefits for patients, such as quicker screenings and assessments. To learnmore about our Telehealth services, call 773.541.2020 today or visit our website at LoopPT.com

Learn more by visiting our website at LoopPT.com or schedule your consultation today by calling 773.541.2020 !