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Pediatric Sports Injuries

Get Back in the Game with Bay State Physical Therapy

Is your child an athlete? If so, you likely already know that bumps and bruises can happen. But, those injuries are sometimes more significant, requiring medical care to ensure proper healing and a safe return to activity. It is estimated that approximately 60 million children aged 6-18 participate in organized sports. Of those 60 million, roughly half will sustain some type of sports injury. If your child is experiencing pain that lasts more than a day or two, Bay State Physical Therapy can help! In the same way we treat adult muscle and joint (‘musculoskeletal’) injuries, our care can provide relief and a speedy recovery so your child can return to doing the sports they love!

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What to Know About Sports Injuries

You don’t have to be a pro or competitive player to be an athlete. If you run, you’re a runner. If you swim, you’re a swimmer. Whether you train to compete or are simply trying new activities to find one that meets your fitness goals, skills, and interests, nothing is more frustrating than an injury that puts you on the sidelines.

Children aged 5 to 14 account for almost 40% of all sports-related injuries treated in hospital emergency rooms! Sports injuries can typically be placed into two categories: acute or overuse.

Acute injuries are caused by a specific incident, such as a collision resulting in an impact injury or concussion.

Overuse injuries are caused by excessive repetitive movements over time, often associated with a child who spends most of their active time involved in a single sport. Common overuse injuries include tendinitis, such as Achilles tendinitis.

Types of Youth Sports Injuries

While the type, location, severity, and cause of sports injuries are as varied as the sports themselves, some common injuries treated by physical therapists include:

Sprain 

A sprain happens when the ligaments that attach one bone to another are stretched beyond their capacity. While a mild ankle sprain tends to heal well on its own, once you have stretched those ligaments, you are more likely to re-injure your ankle a second or third time. Strengthening the surrounding muscles can be crucial toward reducing future re-injury.

Strain or “Pulled Muscle”

Unlike a sprain, a strain or “pull” occurs when a tendon that attaches a muscle to a bone is stretched beyond its limits. Similarly, once the tendon is stretched, it is more likely you will experience a pull or strain again. Proactive attention and care can help reduce the potential for worsening this type of injury.

Knee injuries

Your knee is one of the most complex joints in your body. Whether you tear your ACL, develop a repetitive use injury of the patella tendon, or have a dull ache that runs from your hip downward in your leg, knee injuries are some of the most common sports injuries that can happen.

Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD)

OCD is a joint disorder that commonly affects children, adolescents, and young athletes. It causes pain and dysfunction in the affected joint. OCD occurs when a segment of bone and cartilage starts to separate from the rest of the bone due to repeated stress or trauma, leading to a lack of blood flow and subsequent bone and cartilage instability. The most common joints affected by OCD are the knee, ankle, and elbow, although it can also occur in other joints

Shin splints

Pain on the front of your shins, also known as “medial tibial stress syndrome” or shin splints. Usually caused by stress on your shinbone and the connective tissue that attaches there, shin splints are painful and often debilitating. Wearing proper footwear, warming up before exercise, and strengthening your core and leg muscles can often prevent this type of sports injury. Awareness and preparation can be vital in managing and reducing the recurrence of shin splints!

How Physical Therapy Treats Pediatric Sports Injuries

Physical therapists are specialists in body movement, assessing movement patterns and prescribing a treatment plan to target recovery. At Bay State Physical Therapy, our physical therapists understand the importance of conservative, non-invasive care when treating children. Our friendly, caring physical therapists incorporate safe, hands-on services, ensuring a customized care plan uniquely tailored to each patient. They also provide patients with stretching and exercise plans to ensure an improved range of motion, overall function, and the ability to safely return to activity with a decreased likelihood of re-injury.

A young athlete’s care plan may include:

Pain management techniques to reduce immediate discomfort and swelling

Manual therapy techniques to promote blood flow and healing while improving range of motion

Strengthening exercises to enhance not only the area that was injured but also the areas around your injury that are essential to return to action

Flexibility and mobility work to ensure muscles and joints function at their best

Balance and functional training to mimic sports movements and reduce the risk of re-injury

Helping Athletes Return to Sport

Children have biomechanics that differ from adults, especially during growth spurts, which can compromise joint and ligament stability. Each patient and their injury is unique, as is their treatment plan. Your child’s physical therapist will consider the patient’s age, level of physical activity, and physical and mental development.

We know physical therapists play a crucial role in rehabilitation after injuries have occurred.  However, injury prevention and education are also at the core of what we do! Because they understand the physical demands of sports, physical therapists can prevent potential injuries from becoming major ones. Bay State Physical Therapy is the Official Physical Therapy Partner of the Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association. Learn more about our commitment to reducing youth athletic injuries by downloading our Injury Prevention Guide.DOWNLOAD INJURY PREVENTION GUIDE

Pediatric Sports Therapy- Helping Athletes Stay Safe and Active

The overall goal of physical therapy is healing and prevention. In addition to treating the injury, our physical therapists will help strengthen the affected area to prevent additional injuries. Our physical therapists will also provide your child with helpful warm-up and cool-down techniques to help reduce their risk of sustaining another injury.

If your child experiences pain or injury during sports, schedule an evaluation at your nearest Bay State Physical Therapy location today.

Available at:

Abington

Attleboro

Beverly

Bourne

Brockton – Pearl St

Cambridge – Porter Square

Carver

Chestnut Hill

Danvers

Fall River

Franklin

Haverhill

Ipswich

Kingston

Leicester

Marlborough

North Dartmouth

New Bedford

North Andover

North Attleboro

Norwell

Raynham

Reading

Providence – Elmgrove Ave

Shrewsbury

Swampscott

Walpole

Waltham

Westwood

Weymouth

Woburn

Worcester

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Neck Pain Relief with Physical Therapy

Neck pain is extremely common in adults, but that doesn’t mean you have to learn to live with it. If you’re experiencing chronic or recurring neck pain, physical therapy can help. Whether your pain is due to an injury or accident, a recent surgery, a sedentary lifestyle, stress, or strain, Hands-On Physical Therapy can work with you to determine the underlying cause of your neck pain and help you get rid of it. 

Our team of expert physical therapists is dedicated to helping you get relief from chronic neck pain, improve your overall health, and live the life you deserve. With our support, you can handle the cause of your neck pain and get back to living your life. Call us at (929) 647-3721 or click the link below to get started on your road to recovery today. 

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What Causes Neck Pain?

There are many different causes for neck pain depending on your age, activity level, job, and overall health. Common causes of chronic neck pain include, but are not limited to: 

Car accidents

Sports injuries

Poor posture

Sitting at a desk all day

Slipping or falling

Looking down at your phone

Gritting or grinding your teeth

Degenerative diseases like osteoarthritis

Strained muscles from heavy lifting

What Can Happen if Neck Pain is Left Untreated?

If you have chronic or recurring neck pain and don’t seek treatment, you put yourself in a position to injure the areas of your body connected to your neck. This is because your neck is a central and vital body part that connects with your spine and nervous system, as well as assists with movements of your head and shoulders. Left untreated, neck pain can lead to pain in any of the surrounding or connected areas of your body. 

Imagine it like this: if your check engine light comes on in your car, it could be a minor problem or a major one. If you get your car inspected, you can solve the problem fast. But if you ignore it for too long, your car can end up damaged and in need of more repairs. Your neck pain is like the check engine light telling you that something needs attention—and physical therapists are the mechanics who can figure out what’s causing it and fix it before it leads to further pain or injury. 

How Can Physical Therapy Treat Neck Pain?

Physical therapists are experts in the body’s strength, flexibility, balance, and other movement mechanics, including the way different parts of your body work together to accomplish movement. If any one of those areas is deficient, then everyday movements can lead to inflammation, swelling, soreness, and pain. 

Our team can help you regain your strength through simple exercises, stretches, and techniques that help alleviate neck pain and allow your body to heal. Plus, you’ll have our expert support to ensure you recover at a good pace, which reduces your risk of re-injury. And with our education and advice on posture, lifting form, and other vital movements that can affect your neck, we can help you reduce your risk of recurring neck pain. 

Why Choose Hands-On Physical Therapy for Treating Neck Pain?

Even if you’ve tried physical therapy before, you’ve never experienced it like this. At Hands-On Physical Therapy, we take a different approach to helping our patients recover their strength, range of motion, and comfort. Our expert therapists use advanced diagnostic technology to truly see your pain. Then we utilize proven, hands-on physical therapy techniques to alleviate your pain and get you moving confidently again. 

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What to Expect When Starting Physical Therapy for Neck Pain

If you’re dealing with neck pain from an accident, stress, or simply out of nowhere, an accurate diagnosis and customized treatment plan are vital for your overall health and well-being. When you come to Hands-On Physical Therapy for neck pain treatment, we’ll take you through your recovery one step at a time: 

Advanced Diagnostics to Uncover the Real Issue

We use advanced��diagnostic technology to help pinpoint the root causes of your neck pain for customized treatments, including: 

Electromyography (EMG) – a simple and reliable test that evaluates the condition of your muscles by measuring their electrical activity both while contracting and at rest. 

Nerve conduction studies (NCS) – an easy and safe test that measures electrical activity through your nerves to determine if they are healthy and functioning well.

Musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSKUS) – a diagnostic tool to see inside your body to determine what effects your muscles and joints are having on your pain levels. 

Videonystagmography (VNG) – a simple test to diagnose an inner ear (vestibular) disorder that could affect your balance or make you feel dizzy or lightheaded.

Somato-Sensory Evoked Potentials (SSEP) – a simple diagnostic test that checks how well the nerves in your body communicate with your brain, especially if you have a condition affecting your spinal cord. 

Visual Evoked Potentials (VEP) – an easy vision test that helps determine how well your eyes and brain work together to interpret what you see. 

Brainstem Auditory Evoked Responses (BAER) – a diagnostic test to measure how well your ears and brain work together to interpret what you hear. 

Customized Physical Therapy to Address Your Work Injury

Once we’ve determined the root cause of your neck pain, we develop a customized physical therapy treatment plan and use our state-of-the-art equipment to help alleviate your pain fast. Your treatment may include: 

Therapeutic exercises 

Myofascial release

Ice and/or heat

Joint mobilization

Trigger point therapy

Manual therapy

Massage

Laser therapy

Benefits of Physical Therapy for Neck Pain Treatment

Physical therapy is a proven, effective treatment for chronic or acute neck pain that can help you heal faster and reduce your risk of re-straining your neck. By doing simple exercises with our physical therapists, you can:

Reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation

Improve muscle strength

Build range of motion and flexibility

Regain your ability to move with confidence

Reduce your risk of re-injuring your neck

Get back to work, play, and life

Plus, you don’t have to do it alone! Our expert physical therapists will be with you every step of the way to encourage you and ensure you approach your treatment safely and effectively. 

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What Our Patients Have to Say

“Since I’ve been going to Hands-On Therapy for my neck my entire body has improved. The therapists there are very knowledgeable and very attentive to each client. They don’t just tell you what exercise to do, they show you the right way to do it.” –J.P. [link]

“The whole team at Hands-On Physical Therapy was really incredible. They were knowledgeable, helpful and kind. They made my recovery feel manageable and reachable. I��m very grateful for the help they gave me and the experience I had. Definitely recommend them.” –L.V. [link]

“My experience has been great so far. 4th visit now for my neck pain and it’s a big difference. Found out the root cause for the pain and how to take corrective measures to prevent it in the future. Great staff, service is super fast and efficient.” –P.T. [link]

Schedule Your Appointment with Hands-On Physical Therapy

Don’t let neck pain run your life. No matter if your pain is from an injury, an accident, or feels like it came out of nowhere, Hands-On Physical Therapy is here to help you get rid of your pain. Our expert physical therapists will work with you so you can heal faster, regain your strength, and alleviate your pain so you can live the life you deserve. Call us at (929) 647-3721 or click the link below to schedule your physical therapy evaluation today. 

Get Started

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CuppingCupping therapy may be the “in” thing right now, but it is not anything new. It was used by the ancient Middle Eastern, Chinese and Egyptian cultures. Cupping is an ancient form of alternative medicine where cups are put on the skin to create suction. Today, it is used to help with relaxation, blood flow, pain, and inflammation. Some think of it as a deep-tissue massage.How Cupping Therapy Is DoneA physical therapists utilizes a rubber pump to create a vacuum. It causes the skin to rise and the blood vessels to expand. Sometimes, silicone cups are used to create a massage effect.  This creates the same effect as the familiar use of cupping by placing a flammable substance like herbs or alcohol in a cup.Why Cupping Therapy Is DonePhysical therapists may sometimes use it as a technique of tissue distraction release. The cups are glided across different areas to lift and separate tissue. It enhances the release of the interfaces between the neural tissues, fascia, skin, ligaments, muscles, and tendons. Some patients with myofascial pain report resolution of pain after just one session. There is also some evidence to suggest that cupping techniques are effective for chronic neck pain, low back pain and fibromyalgia. It has also been shown to relax muscles, release trigger points, improve lymphatic flow, increase local circulation and release scar tissue adhesion.The three cupping techniques are longitudinal, cross fiber and circular. The longitudinal technique is the most common, and the cup is glided longitudinally across the muscle fibers. The cross fiber technique is used when it is believed that the tissue is scarred. The circular technique is used at the end of the session to ensure that all areas were covered.This therapy is popular among athletes. Numerous athletes from the Olympics in Rio 2016 used cupping. An athlete with a history of chronic iliotibial band (ITB) pain reported instant relief following a three-minute session of cupping. The technique was repeated a week later. Following only two cupping sessions, he was symptom-free and returned to his usual running. What can we learn? It may potentially be more effective than techniques that focus on further compressing down on soft-tissues that are hypothesized to be tight.There is real science behind cupping therapy. By creating suction with negative pressure, it can increase hydration and blood to body tissues, ease up adhesions, rid excess fluids and eliminate connective tissues. Cupping is a versatile treatment and can be modified from deep tissue release to lymphatic drainage.  It should not be performed on skin sites with wounds, infection, burns or active inflammation. Sometimes, it can create bruises on the skin that can last up to two weeks. Bruises typically resolve themselves with time.Other Benefits of CuppingIt can boost skin health, help with respiratory issues and improve digestion. This technique has been used to speed up recovery from the flu and common colds by improving immunity. It also reduces symptoms from disorders like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).Would you like to know more about cupping? Find a location below that provides cupping therapy. Our skilled physical therapists will do a full assessment of your condition and determine whether or not you are a good candidate for cupping therapy.  

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Advancements in Orthopedic Joint Replacement Surgery

Four Joint Replacement Trends You Need to Know About

Increasing Demand Among Younger Patients

One significant trend is the rising demand for joint replacement surgery among younger patients. While age-related factors causing osteoarthritis still account for a sizable portion of joint replacement surgeries, an increasing number of younger adults are seeking surgical intervention to address joint pain and dysfunction caused by arthritis that is secondary to sports injuries, trauma, and genetic conditions.

Enhanced Longevity and Active Lifestyles

As life expectancy continues to rise, individuals are placing greater emphasis on maintaining active and healthy lifestyles. Joint replacement surgery offers the opportunity to eliminate pain and regain mobility, allowing patients to continue participating in activities they enjoy. As a result, more individuals are opting for this type of procedure at a younger age to preserve their quality of life.

Tailored Treatment Approaches with Integrated Care Services

Advancements in technology have allowed orthopedic surgeons to adopt a more personalized approach to surgery and rehabilitation services that follow. Whether it’s selecting the most appropriate implant type, customizing surgical techniques, or optimizing post-surgical rehabilitation protocols with your physical therapist, personalized care is crucial when considering joint replacement surgery, leading to better outcomes and patient satisfaction.

Improved Implant Technology and Surgical Techniques

Advancements in implant technology and surgical techniques have made joint replacement surgery a viable option for a broader range of patients. Innovations such as durable implant materials, minimally invasive procedures, and a comprehensive team approach such as A.V.A.T.A.R.® (Alignment of Vital Assets To Accelerate Recovery) have improved outcomes and shorter recovery times, making joint replacement surgery more appealing to patients of all ages. A.V.A.T.A.R.® Surgery is an innovative approach that combines advanced technology with personalized care to optimize outcomes.

Understand Your Surgical Options to Choose What’s Right for You

As a patient considering surgery, it’s important to realize you have many choices. Whether you’ve had a previous traditional joint replacement, are considering another, or are looking for a second opinion, our team is here to help you. We aim to ensure that all patients reach their optimal health, and we’d be pleased to answer your questions, so please contact King & Parsons at any time.

Are you dealing with joint pain? Call your nearest Bay State Physical Therapy location or complete the form below to request an appointment.

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Trends and Advancements in Joint Replacement Surgery

Four Trends in Joint Replacement Surgery

Increasing Demand Among Younger Patients

One significant trend is the rising demand for joint replacement surgery among younger patients. While age-related factors causing osteoarthritis still account for a sizable portion of joint replacement surgeries, an increasing number of younger adults are seeking surgical intervention to address joint pain and dysfunction caused by arthritis that is secondary to sports injuries, trauma, and genetic conditions.

Enhanced Longevity and Active Lifestyles

As life expectancy continues to rise, individuals are placing greater emphasis on maintaining active and healthy lifestyles. Joint replacement surgery offers the opportunity to eliminate pain and regain mobility, allowing patients to continue participating in activities they enjoy. As a result, more individuals are opting for this type of procedure at a younger age to preserve their quality of life.