Say Goodbye To Achy Knees

C o mm o t i o n The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body The Back in Motion ®

Just imagine, the pounding they take doing over a million steps each year! Yet when problems arise, we realize just how complex these large joints are. When you have trouble performing previously simple functions like kneeling, stair climbing and bending down, it’s time to seek help. Too often, we take our hardworking knees for granted. SAY GOODBYE TO YOUR ACHY KNEES!

C o mm o t i o n The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body The Back in Motion ®

Discover How You Can Make Kneeling and Bending Easy Again

Why is knee pain so complicated, anyway?

Each of your knees are not only the largest joints in your body, but are comprised of two crucial connecting systems -- the first acting as a “hinge” between the thigh bone and the lower leg, and the other joining your thigh bone and kneecap. In fact, the way your knee joints are put together allows them to move in several directions in rapid succession. That means that the vast majority of functions you need to perform each day (whether it’s getting out of bed, bending down to empty the dishwasher, crouching to tie your shoe, or simply going

upstairs) are only possible when your knees can perform their full range of motion. Consider just one example of the interconnected functions of the knee joint. Your patella (kneecap) is designed to glide up and down within the thigh bone groove. If even a minor injury prevents that from happening, the resulting friction causes a buildup of debris, leading to inflammation, pain and crucial loss of function.

Between 15 and 20% of all men are afflicted with knee pain

More women than men report knee pain, with the overall prevalence of over 20%

KNEE PAIN: The Cause And The Solution

What causes knee pain and stiffness? Because the knees’ systems consist of 3 joints, the causes of individual knee pain can vary. In some cases, knee pain occurs from the kind of repetitivemotions that athletes routinely inflict on these hardworking joints. Ironically, the other extreme -- never moving very much at all -- can also lead to knee issues. Fortunately, the type of pain you feel and the activity that causes it, often reveal the underlying cause. This allows your physical therapist to evaluate the specific problem and devise the best treatment plan. For example, dull aching and swelling anywhere in your knee often indicates osteoarthritis. But a stabbing pain on the inside of your knee is a clue that a torn meniscus from injury or overuse may be the culprit. Other parts of your knee that take a beating from overuse include irritation of the tissue below your knee cap. This causes swelling and aching in the front of the knee. If ligaments actually tear (which can happen when you suddenly twist) you may feel that you can’t put weight on your legs at all. 1 6 5 8 7 1

Give us a call today! 839-5860 If you’re concerned about costly and time-consuming surgery, injections or invasive tests, contact us today. Our expert physical therapists will help you resolve your knee pain issues, while also teaching you methods of protecting your knees in the future, to prevent further pain or injury. physical therapy sessions, you’ll begin restoring the crucial fluid circulation in your knee joints, which ensures optimum natural joint movement. PT also builds strength in the muscles surrounding your knees, providing better long term support for the complex joint system.

How Physical Therapy Helps Your physical therapist’s assessment can refine or even replace more costly diagnostic tools, such as MRIs. Our trained professionals do this by determining what your knees’ current range of motion is, along with the location and nature of the pain, swelling, or stiffness you’re experiencing. These clues allow our team to create a strategy that’s geared to your specific knee problem. Hands-on care to restore ROM and decrease swelling are the keys to solving your aching knee problems. During your Print sudoku http://1sudoku.net 2 4 9 7 6 7 5 1 4 6 8 5 6 2 9 1 4 8 4 3 6 2 6 7 3 5 1 4 2 4 3 6 8 9 3

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FREE CONSULTATION Items the Center does NOT need: character items, coloring books, crafting kits, crayons,markers, used toys, board games, puzzles, stuffed animals. Schedule Yours Today! Prevent injuries, shorten recovery time and improve your flexibility with a free consultation. Take Care of Your Aches and Pains Before It’s Too Late. Our charity for the months of May and June is the Center for Grieving Children. We will be collecting specific arts & craft supplies through June 30th. Wish List: big roll of white or brown paper, big roll of black roofing paper, Fimo soft polymer clay, Play Doh, colored modeling clay, glue sticks,Modge Podge, oil and chalk pastels, scissors (left and right handed), tape dispensers, tape, tissue paper, watercolor paper and paint, light weight hammers, nails, knitting needles, sewing needles, and thread. Back in Motion ® Gives Back! Collecting Arts & Crafts Supplies

Download Get Easy Relief For Your Pain With A Simple Text...

Do you or someone you know suffer with hip, knee or leg pain? As a current or past patient you have access to this valuable information, at your fingertips. Start feeling better today in the privacy of your home. Text MOTION to 44222 for your free download.We will not send you additional text messages. This is the easiest way to get this information to our patients. Download and share with friends and family today! Text MOTION to 44222

SOUTH PORTLAND: (207) 799-8226

GORHAM: (207) 839-5860

PORTLAND: (207) 699-4111

Attendance Contest: If you are a current patient and keep all of your scheduled appointments from Monday, May 22nd through Friday, June 9th, you will be automatically entered to win our perfect attendance gift basket! ($75 value)

Practice News! Celebrations: Aga Lewandowski is celebrating her 12th year with Back in Motion ® ! Stephen Fari and Chance Farwell celebrate their 3rd anniversary with us, and Dan Clark, Kristin O’Kelly, and Donovan Hodges celebrate their 1st! Andy Broomhall, Phil Finemore, Ted Greeley, Tessa Rockwood, and Todd Morneau all have birthdays this month! Out and About: Join us at the Southern Maine Senior Expo on May 3rd in Scarborough, the Mom and Baby Expo on May 5th and 6th at the Portland Expo Center, and the South Portland Community Center on May 15th at 9:00am for a balance seminar. Happy Mother’s Day to all of our BIM moms: Mary Kroth-Brunet, Lori McDonald, Maura Wadsworth, Kim Nappi, Kayla Henderson, Kelly LaBrecque, Danielle Mackie, Kim Pelletier, Michelle Moreau and our newest mom, Brooke Theriault.

Photo courtesy of Courtney Elizabeth

Patient Spotlight

“I can do the things that I enjoy doing.” Stephen W. “I came here for pain in both my knees and hips. The pain was getting progressively worse. I wasn’t able to run anymore and I had to stop rock climbing. Most of my physical activities were extremely limited to the point where one out of two days I wouldn’t do a whole lot at all. The pain was near constant; sometimes manageable enough to go out and do things but sometimes not. I went to the doctor and for the first time they offered me PT. This has been a condition that has gone on since 2005, so 10-11 years now and I didn’t want to take the pain medicine anymore. I was living with the pain and reducing my activities to the point where I had gained 40 pounds. It was worse and worse so I decided- when I moved to Maine- that part of it was getting myself healthy again. Taking back those activities that I enjoy, taking back my life and I dedicated myself to actually doing it.

Because of the physical therapy and the care that I got here at Back in Motion, I was able to start doing yoga, I started rock climbing again, and I’ve been able to start running again. So In general, I have my life back. I can do the things that I enjoy doing. I do enjoy being out in the world, and now that I don’t have as much pain, I can do that.”

A Couple Simple Exercises You Can Do At Home To Help Your Pain Exercise Essentials

Self mobilization of the patella: Start in a seated position with your leg out in front of you, knee slightly bent with muscles relaxed. Using the base of your hand and thumb press down gently on the inside edge of your kneecap to elevate the outer edge.

T-stance: Stand with feet in the shape of a “T” with weight evenly distributed. Knees should be slightly bent, low back should be relaxed. Use this stance any time you eliminate knee or back pain; this can be done with a narrow or wide stance. are in a standing position to help

Featured Employee: Mike Bertrand, DPT

Where are you from? I was born in Florida but moved toMount Vernon, New Hampshire when I was 7 years old. What schooling/training do you have? I got my Bachelors of Science inApplied Exercise Science from the University of New England in Biddeford. After a few years as a personal trainer I went to Franklin Pierce University in New Hampshire for my Doctorate in Physical Therapy. How long have you been with Back in Motion®? I have been with Back in Motion® since March 2016, so just over a year now. What is your best work story (funny, happy, inspiring)? I had the opportunity as a student to train as a physical therapist in a fitness club with access to a pool. I remember working with a patient that was a retired physician who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. The patient was scared of water and never learned how to swim prior to PT. Watching her progress to the point that she could show up independently and perform her pool workout with no supervision other than the on-duty life guard was an amazing and gratifying accomplishment. She was able to challenge herself and push herself to improve strength, balance, and endurance safely

and independently which gave her more self-confidence and power. What are your hobbies? I like to stay active between gymworkouts, hiking, and stand-up paddle boarding. I also enjoy good food and local drinks all over southern Maine. What is one interesting fact about you that most people don’t know? My girlfriend and I have a pet rabbit that is litter trained and is as much

part of the family as a dog would be. I’ma huge fan of animals but right now we work too much too far from home to have a dog, so we have a rabbit that we spoil instead. Where do you see yourself in 10 years? I see myself living in southern Maine with a small family and a home, still a full- time outpatient physical therapist but maybe doing personal training as a side job instead of my current per diem job at Portsmouth Hospital.