When it comes to physical therapy at Advanced Kinetics our goal is to return each patient to their previous level of function whether it’s housework, job-related duties, or recreational/athletic goals. We will encourage recovery and independence through an individualized home exercise program. We will facilitate return to function through hands-on techniques, exercise, modalities, and patient education. Whether you’re suffering from a common injury or looking for recovery services, we’re here to help!

What Are Some Common Injuries Physical Therapy Can Treat?

Sprained Ankle

Did you know that about 25,000 people sprain an ankle every day? With such a high volume of cases, it’s no surprise that sprained ankles are a common injury seen by physical therapists. In many cases, the pain from a sprained ankle will subside in a few days which leads many people to not seek medical attention for their injury. However, even as the pain subsides, it’s still unlikely that the ankle ligaments will have returned to the level of stability they were at before the injury. This leaves your ankle weaker and possibly unstable, and will put you a greater risk for reinjury or fracture in the future.

Concussions

Concussions are an injury that are not commonly thought of when someone considers what physical therapy can be used as a treatment for; however, rest is not the only recovery aid your treatment plan should include. Proper after-care for a concussion is extremely important, and rushing back too soon can be detrimental to long-term function. If a concussion is suspected, it is vital that the patient does not continue their strenuous activity since symptoms of a concussion can take hours to fully manifest. If a concussion is detected, a combination of rest followed by controlled activity can lead to a faster and safer recovery than rest alone.

Back Pain

One of the most common reasons a patient reaches out to a physical therapist is because of chronic back pain. There are a variety of issues that can cause back pain including:

• Herniated or bulging discs
• Spinal bone spurs
• Spinal stenosis
• Pinched spinal nerves
• Degenerative disc disease
• Curvature disorders

If you discuss having chronic back pain with your primary care physician, they will likely recommend a comprehensive treatment plan that focuses on physical therapy. Whether physical therapy becomes a continued part of your routine or serves as a short-term treatment, it is a great tool to help alleviate pain and improve your quality of life.

Sports Injuries

Sports injuries cover a wide variety of injuries that can affect any area of the body. Additionally, while sports injuries are typically associated with an injury received during or because of athletic activity, it does not mean that these types of injuries are exclusively caused by athletic/sport participation. Some common sports injuries include:

Swimmer’s Shoulder

Swimmer’s shoulder is the colloquial term for a form of shoulder tendonitis, also sometimes referred to as shoulder impingement. Swimmer’s shoulder occurs when the tendons in the shoulder become inflamed and swollen. This inflammation causes the tendons to press on the surrounding bones, muscles, and tendons.

Tennis Elbow

Tennis elbow is a condition that occurs when the tendons in your elbow are overloaded. This painful condition is typically caused by repetitive motions of the wrist and arm. Pain from tennis elbow usually is felt where the tendons of your forearm muscles attach to the outside of your elbow. The pain can also travel down to your forearm or wrist.

Runner’s Knee

Runner’s Knee is not one specific injury but rather a generalized term that covers several conditions that could be affecting the kneecap and surrounding area. The condition is signified by a dull aching pain around or behind the kneecap. Despite the name, runner’s knee is not exclusively caused by running. It can be caused by running or any other activity that causes repeated stress to the knee joint.

Arthritis

While physical therapy is not a cure for arthritis, therapy can help manage pain and treat the condition and associated injuries. Working with a physical therapist can help strengthen muscles and ligaments which allows strain to be taken off of the arthritic joint while also retaining or regaining flexibility of the area. This helps to slow down the progression of the disease, potentially prevent continued arthritic degeneration, and manage symptoms.

Where Can I Find A Physical Therapist Near Me?

At Advanced Kinetics Physical Therapy we offer physical therapy as well as massage therapy and recovery services. These services are available at our locations in Falls Church and McLean, Virginia. If you’re interested in learning more about how our physical therapy and recovery services can help you, please get in touch with us!