Have you started to notice that your knees seem to be getting bigger? Do you notice popping, clicking, or grinding sounds with certain movements? Does pain ensue when you bend, squat, or kneel? When you first wake up in the morning, do you notice that your knees feel stiff, achy, or painful?
Physical Therapy & Wellness
September 2020
It’s a JOINT Effort! A L S O I N S I D E : Letters From Our Practice • Exercise Essentials • Staff Spotlight • Healthy Recipe Spotting and Treating Arthritis of the Knee
September 2020
A Letter From Our Practice
Dear Friends, It is almost three months since we started working after the Covid-19 shutdown. We have all adapted, and your trust and support have allowed us to continue and maintain all of our staff. We have even hired a new aide, Erin Wagnitz (you will read more about her in our employee profile). We expanded our schedule to accommodate more distancing and will continue to do so as needed. The insurance companies keep challenging us with new rules and policies. Most BXBS policies limit the number of times you can receive our services, often based upon data collected that may not be relevant to your situation and individual needs. Although your insurance policy may indicate you are entitled to 20-60 visits total, most of you will find yourself limited to 10-12 visits “per diagnosis”. Please consult our billing department if you need further clarification. We assure you; we will always do our best to work with your insurance company to secure for you the best treatment possible. Since Functional Physical Therapy started in 2000, we have always felt a deep commitment to helping our community, including those with limited resources . At times we have worked pro bono rather that turn
away individuals who seriously needed our help. We have also worked on a no cure/no pay basis for the uninsured and covered clients when there was a gap in their coverage. We have discretely provided these services to the Waterford community to the tune of approximately $40,000 per year. During the next year we expect this need to continue and expand. We are presently designing a plan for working with the Waterford community to meet this challenge. In next month’s newsletter, a more detailed solution will be shared. Now more than ever, we realize that the health and well-being of our community depends upon all of us working together. We are fortunate to continue and even expand the service you have become accustomed to. Natasja Brattinga, a 30-year veteran of the profession, will increase her hours as needed to meet demand. And to close, you will see a new sign on our post in early September. So many of you have told me you love the clock, it will be revived in September as well. See you when you need us, — Eric
Call Functional Physical Therapy at 248-673-6980 or visit functionalpt.com to schedule your appointment today!
Spotting and Treating Arthritis of the Knee It’s a JOINT Effort!
Have you started to notice that your knees seem to be getting bigger? Do you notice popping, clicking, or grinding sounds with certain movements? Does pain ensue when you bend, squat, or kneel? When you first wake up in the morning, do you notice that your knees feel stiff, achy, or painful? If you identify with any of these scenarios, you may be experiencing the effects of arthritis. The knees have two main fat pads, which reside just above and below the kneecap. These help to cushion the knee and assist with lubricating fluid flow around the joint. With arthritis, inflammation in the joint causes the fat pads to gradually thicken, choking the joint fluid flow. This leads to a vicious cycle of decreased lubrication, more “wear and tear”, pain, and swelling. If you have been living with stiff, achy, or painful knees, contact Functional PT today to schedule a consultation. Our dedicated physical therapists will evaluate you, determine the areas of your daily life that are impacted, and create an individualized treatment plan for relieving the arthritic pains in your knee.
Common symptoms of arthritis: It can sometimes be difficult to determine if you are truly experiencing arthritic symptoms or if you simply have a joint that is tight or overworked. In addition to the aforementioned signs of knee arthritis, additional symptoms may include:
• Muscle spasms • Decreased range of motion in the affected area • Abnormalities in gait (such as limping) • Swelling • Weakness • Warm sensation in the affected joint
• Pain in the affected region, which may spread to surrounding body parts • Increased pain with certain activities (such as work or physical activity) • Stiffness • Inflammation • Joint creaking, clicking, or popping sounds
Tasty Recipe Sheet Pan Grilled Cheese with Apple and Dijon
Ingredients • 6 oz sharp cheddar cheese, divided
• 8 tsp grainy Dijon mustard, divided • 1 small Gala or Fuji apple, cored and very thinly sliced
• 4 tbsp butter, softened • 8 slices sourdough bread
Instructions Preheat oven to 425°F, placing top rack in upper third of oven. Coarsely grate the cheddar. Line a sheet pan with parchment. Spread the butter on 1 side of each bread slice. Arrange 4 slices of bread butter-sides down on prepared sheet pan. Spread bread with the mustard, then top with apple slices, cheddar, and remaining 4 slices of bread, butter-sides up. Press down gently. Bake the sandwiches 10–12 min., until cheese is melted and bread is golden brown, turning over once halfway through. Source: https://recipecenter.giantfood.com/recipes/208668/sheet-pan-grilled-cheese-with-apple-and-dijon
Staff Spotlight
As a result, this leads to improved blood flow, joint lubrication, and decreased swelling. Physical therapists can also work to help you strengthen your hips and glutes to protect the knee, reduce pain, and buy time before surgery. Get started today! At Functional PT, we are dedicated to treating each arthritic case individually. Each patient will receive their own personalized treatment plan, based on their specific needs. It is very common for themuscles that support the lower back, hips, and knees to become weakened from inactivity due to arthritis. Your physical therapist will guide you through targeted, goal-specific exercises, aimed at reducing inflammation, providing greater support to the joints, and helping your muscles regain their overall strength. Are you looking for fast pain relief, in addition to improved motion, strength, and the ability to do physical activities you thought were lost for good? Contact Functional PT today to get your knees started on the right path to health. Discover how you can move freely once again, with the help of physical therapy!
If you have been suffering fromany of the above symptoms and you are looking for relief, do not hesitate to contact us today, before your condition worsens. Arthritis is unfortunate, but with the help of Functional PT, it can be verymanageable. How can physical therapy treat my arthritis? Regardless of the cause of arthritis, physical therapy plays a major role in the treatment of its symptoms. Physical therapy should always be the firstmethod of treatment, before resorting to more aggressive procedures, such as surgery. In fact, studies show 60-70% of knee osteoarthritis patients can avoid surgery by getting physical therapy treatments first. Furthermore, physical therapy is actually 40 times less expensive than a total joint replacement – so it’s at leastwortha shot! Physical therapy works by increasing the lubrication in your joints through improved joint motion, strength, balance, and coordination. The better lubricated your knee joints, the less friction and wear occur, thus reducing inflammation and pain. During knee treatments, our therapists work to improve your patella (kneecap) and joint mobility. This improves the mobility of the tissue around the joint, especially the fat pads.
Erin Wagnitz Physical Therapy Aide
Erin is a recent graduate from Concordia University Ann Arbor with a degree in Exercise Science. She enjoys the outdoors as well as arts. We are happy to have her a part of our team as she brings a friendly and positive attitude. Erin plans to go to Graduate school to receive her Doctorate in Physical Therapy.
Exercise Essentials
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Step lunge with forward reach Strengthen Glutes (buttocks) and Hamstring (back of leg) Step onto platform with a lunge position and reach forward with both arms. Lean forward with chest. In lunge position — do not let your knee hover past your toes. Hold position for 2-3 seconds while squeezing buttock and abdominals. Return to standing position by using the back of your leg to push off the step. Strengthening the glutes and hamstrings will assist in decreasing knee pain.
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