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HEALTH & WELLNESS NEWSLETTER
TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR RECOVERY TODAY! Patients have the freedom to choose their preferred physical therapy provider. We are in-network with most major insurance plans, and in most cases, no prescription is required to begin treatment.
WHAT’S CAUSING MY ELBOW AND WRIST PAIN — AND HOW CAN PHYSICAL THERAPY HELP?
412.278.1221 | FRITZPHYSICALTHERAPY.COM
Remember the last time you accidentally slammed your funny bone? That sharp, radiating pain is deeply unpleasant — fortunately, it usually only lasts a few moments. But what happens when that pain lingers? If you’re dealing with pain in your elbow, forearm, or wrist, Fritz Physical Therapy is here to help! Wrist and elbow pain can have several potential causes. Three major nerves run through the arm and can become entrapped, leading to numbness, tingling, and pain. You can also injure the muscles, tendons, or ligaments in the elbow and wrist joints, which can cause mobility restrictions and pain in the impacted area. Our team of physical therapists will help you get to the bottom of your elbow pain — and we’ll help you find a way to resolve that pain for good. Call us to schedule an appointment and get started today! WHAT’S CAUSING MY ELBOW AND WRIST PAIN — AND HOW CAN PHYSICAL THERAPY HELP?
CONTACT US TODAY! 412.278.1221 | FRITZPHYSICALTHERAPY.COM
When you come in for your appointment, the first thing we’ll do is carefully review your symptoms and run a few simple movement screens to help pinpoint the cause of your pain. Overuse injuries are one of the more common causes of wrist and elbow pain. You’ve probably heard of conditions such as tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow — both are examples of overuse injuries. They stem from repetitive movements or awkward postures that strain the joint’s soft tissue, leading to a gradual onset of symptoms. You can also suffer acute injuries, particularly in the wrist. These injuries happen suddenly rather than over time. Wrist sprains, in which the ligaments in the wrist suffer damage, are among the most common. You can also fracture the bones in your wrist and elbow, which will typically require medical intervention. Nerve disorders are another common source of discomfort in the elbow, forearm, and wrist. They occur when one of the nerves running through the arm becomes entrapped, leading to pain, numbness or tingling, and mobility restrictions. The location of your symptoms can let you know which nerve is affected: • Carpal tunnel syndrome affects the median nerve and can become trapped in a structure in your wrist (the carpal tunnel). You’ll typically experience symptoms in your wrist and hand. • Cubital tunnel syndrome affects the ulnar nerve, which passes through a narrow structure in your elbow (the cubital tunnel). If the nerve becomes entrapped in the cubital tunnel, it can cause symptoms in your elbow and hand. Finally, arthritis can affect your elbows and wrists, leading to pain and restricted range of motion. A CLOSER LOOK AT THE CAUSES OF WRIST AND ELBOW PAIN
Reach out to Fritz Physical Therapy today for a comprehensive assessment and personalized treatment plan designed to restore balance to your muscles, improve your posture, and, most importantly, alleviate your pain! Follow These Simple Steps to a Pain-Free Life
412.278.1221 | FRITZPHYSICALTHERAPY.COM
WHAT WE CAN DO TO HELP EASE YOUR WRIST AND ELBOW PAIN Once our therapist has determined the source of your pain, we’ll develop a customized treatment program to help you find relief. The good news is that physical therapy alone can resolve most common sources of wrist and elbow pain. Here are a few of the techniques we might incorporate into your program: • Manual Therapy: Manual therapy techniques help reduce pain and restore mobility restrictions. We might guide the joint through its current range of motion, manipulate your soft tissue, or try other techniques. • Therapeutic Exercises: We’ll create a targeted, progressive exercise program to ease your symptoms. We’ll start with gentle stretches and mobility work, then move on to strengthening exercises to help support and stabilize the impacted joint. • Braces and Splints: Some conditions might benefit from a brace or splint, which temporarily immobilizes the joint as you work on treatment. We’ll let you know if it’s a good choice and help you find the right device to suit your needs. • Injury Prevention: We’ll let you know what you can do to prevent future injuries. We might show you ergonomic adjustments to reduce the impact of repetitive movements, postural corrections to minimize strain on your wrist or elbow, or other strategies. Let’s Get to the Root of Your Wrist or Elbow Pain! Pain in the wrist or elbow can seriously impact your quality of life, making it difficult to perform day-to-day movements like brushing your teeth, typing on a computer, or preparing a meal. The team at Fritz Physical Therapy will help you get to the bottom of your pain to find lasting relief. Call us to schedule your initial appointment today! Sources: https://www.physio-pedia.com/Physiotherapy_Management_of_the_Elbow• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih. gov/books/NBK532948 •https://physio-pedia.com/Carpal_Tunnel_Syndrome • https://www.physio-pedia.com/ Neurodynamic_Treatment
Tee Up for a Healthy Golf Season March marks the arrival of spring and the anticipation of a brand- new golf season. It’s not just about dusting off your clubs but also about prepping your body for the game. Here are some effective tips to ensure you swing into the new season at your physical best. • Dynamic Warm-Up: Replace traditional static stretching with dynamic warm-ups like leg swings, arm circles, and torso rotations to prepare your muscles and joints for the various movements in golf. • Balance and Coordination: Golf requires a high level of balance and coordination. Our therapists can give you drills to enhance your stability, which in turn will improve your swing. • Soft Tissue Work: Use foam rollers or a massage stick to work on your soft tissue. This helps muscle recovery and keeps you loose and limber, reducing the risk of strains or sprains. By incorporating these cutting-edge tips into your preparation, you’re setting yourself up for a healthier, more enjoyable golf season. May your drives be long and your putts be true!
NERVE GLIDES: SIMPLE EXERCISES TO EASE NERVE DISCOMFORT If your elbow, wrist, or hand pain stems from a nerve disorder (like carpal tunnel or cubital tunnel syndromes), you might benefit from nerve glide exercises. These simple mobilization techniques stretch the nerves and encourage them to follow the natural movement of your joint. Your arm contains three major nerves, and the Fritz Physical Therapy physical therapists have a nerve mobilization exercise for each. Try them out at home–but stop if you feel any pain. 412.278.1221 | FRITZPHYSICALTHERAPY.COM And if you want to learn more about nerve gliding exercises, schedule an appointment with us today!
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