Farmingdale PT: Helping Arthritis Pain

Health & Wellness Newsletter by Farmingdale Physical Therapy West

Health &Wellness The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body

THE ROAD TO RECOVERY

By Kayla Reese

My name is Kayla Reese, I’ve grown up playing lacrosse and it has always been my dream to play in college. Lacrosse has been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember. My senior year at West Babylon High School I was having one of my best seasons until the most devastating thing happened to me. Within the first ten minutes of a game early on in our season I tore my ACL and meniscus. I never expected this to happen to me and it was so disappointing considering it was my senior year and I was playing very well in the beginning of the season. I got surgery two weeks after I was injured and started physical therapy two days after surgery. Since lacrosse is such a huge part of my life I was dying to just get back on the field and play with the girls I’ve grown up playing with and help them make it to the county finals. I never expected myself to make so much improvement in so little time at physical therapy.

My physical therapist Butch had me off crutches and walking two weeks after my surgery. I can’t thank Butch enough for all he has done for me from April till August. He had me running at 30% of my body weight 8 weeks after surgery and running at my full body weight 12 weeks after surgery. My surgeon cleared me 3 months after surgery. Even though I was cleared I was still going to physical therapy 3 times a week and working with Butch to get back to playing at my full potential by the time college comes around. While doing physical therapy for my knee Butch also had me doing upper body workouts so I didn’t fall behind the rest of the girls I was going to be playing with in college. Since I’m going to be a freshman at Mercy College and play lacrosse there I have to finish the rest of my physical therapy there before I start playing. I am so excited to be back on the field again doing what I love.

www.fptwest.com

Health & Wellness The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body

Long Island’s Top PT Clinic!

HELPING ARTHRITIS PAIN

INSIDE:

• It’s Time To Live Life Without Arthritis Pain • Healthy Recipe

• Employee Of The Month • Patient Success Spotlight

Understanding Arthritis Pain Osteoarthritis is the most common chronic condition to affect the joints. Almost 30 million adults in the United States struggle with the condition, and while it can influence anyone of any age, it most frequently develops among those who are most prone to overuse—those who are over the age of 65. Arthritis occurs when there is a breakdown of the cartilage that covers the ends of the bones. This cartilage is what allows the joints in the elbows, ankles, knees and hips to move with freedom. Without cartilage, the bones would rub against one another with each movement, and would cause extreme pain. As the cartilage breaks down, so, typically, does the bone, and as the shape of the joint changes it becomes even more difficult for it to function smoothly. Furthermore, the ligaments and tendons around the joint will often stiffen, and the muscles surrounding the joint will weaken, making it altogether more difficult and painful to move. While arthritis pain typically develops gradually, the realization of what you are dealing with can still come as a shock. In some circumstances the pain will appear more abruptly, especially when the pain develops in association with a change in weather or other environmental circumstance.

When you experience an injury, dealing with the pain that comes as part of the aftermath is expected. While painful, most of the time when recovering from an injury you can find comfort in the knowledge that the pain is temporary.

As your body heals, as you go through the motions of building your muscle mass back and improving flexibility with physical therapy, you know that in time you will feel like yourself again.This knowledge gives you something to work towards, and helps the pain feel more manageable—even when it is intense, and never-fleeting. Arthritis pain is different. Arthritis doesn’t develop as a result of an injury, but instead develops over time as a result of chronic use, or even as a result of genetic disposition.  This can make dealing with the pain of arthritis even more difficult to cope with, as it begs the question: if the pain is coming from inside the joint, is there anything I can actually do about it? VINCENZOADDUCI, DPT

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IT’S TIME TO LIVE LIFE WITHOUT ARTHRITIS PAIN

Turning to over the counter pain medications to cope with arthritis pain is ineffective as a long-term solution. While some of the medications may provide temporary relief, they will not help you overcome the pain for good. Physical therapy, on the other hand, can provide actual relief from arthritis by helping to rebuild strength in the joints through targeted movements and flexibility exercises.   There is a lot of current research trying to understand what precisely causes arthritis to develop in some people, and not in others. Everyone uses their joints every day, and while it makes sense that so much pressure would cause pain to develop over time, it doesn’t explain why the pain develops when and where it does, and why it happens to some people and not to others. Anti-inflammation and Arthritis One leading form of arthritis treatment is with the use of anti-inflammatory medication. Certain types of arthritis develop as a result of a build-up of inflammation in the body. Specifically, the tendons and ligaments become inflamed as a result of an internal attack from the immune system, which is typically triggered by some combination of environmental factors. Avoiding certain foods and movements can reduce inflammation, and thereby reduce pain. Physical Therapy and Arthritis Physical therapy is highly recommended for the treatment of arthritis because it can strengthen and support the joints through guided practice of movement and strength building exercises.Typically, the best activities for arthritis pain are low-impact activities. Working with a physical therapist is the best way to ensure that you are practicing the best techniques for overcoming your discomfort.

There is a long list of home remedies that are said to help with arthritis pain as well, and there is some credibility to some of these concepts. For example, losing weight, exercising regularly, and making some dietary changes such as reducing caffeine and sugar consumption are said to help alleviate pain associated with arthritis. However, before you start making any changes to your lifestyle, it is best to consult with a physical therapist. For more information about how to rid your life of arthritis pain, contact us.

www.fptwest.com Healthy Recipe: Grilled Shrimp Tacos w/ Sriracha Slaw

INGREDIENTS • 1/4 c. extra-virgin olive oil • 3 tbsp. freshly chopped cilantro • Juice of 3 limes, divided • Kosher salt • Freshly ground black pepper

• 1 lb. large shrimp, peeled and deveined • 1/4 head red cabbage, shredded • 1/4 c. mayonnaise • 1 tbsp. sriracha • 4 medium tortillas

In a small bowl, mix together olive oil, cilantro, and 1/3 of the lime juice. Season with salt and pepper.Add shrimp to a baking dish and pour over mixture. Toss until completely coated and let marinate 20 minutes. Meanwhile, make slaw: In a large bowl, toss cabbage with mayo, remaining lime juice and sriracha. Season with salt.Heat grill to high. Skewer shrimp and grill until charred, 3 minutes per side.Grill tortillas until charred, 1 minute per side. Serve shrimp in tortillas with slaw.

FARMINGDALE PHYSICAL THERAPY WEST 4277 Hempstead Turnpike Bethpage, NY 11714 • 516-731-3583

www.fptwest.com

Patient Success Spotlight

Employee Of The Month

ALLIE RIEGER

“I have been coming to PT since January when I had a total knee replacement. Before the new knee, I could hardly walk because of much pain. After the surgery I could not walk without a walker, but I still had pain. When I started in February, Scott took care of me. I starting walking up steps and he massaged my knee. I also was on the bike and other machines.The PTgot me walking and Stephanie and Anthony were very helpful to me. As of today, I am walking without a walker or cane thanks to the treatment that Scott did to help get me to this point. Everyone in Farmingdale Physical Therapy West are terrific, making sure that the patients are well taken care of.” - Anna I. “I am walking without a walker or cane thanks to the treatment...”

In her free time, Allie enjoys sleeping, reading, drawing, watching horror films, and going out with friends. Some of her favorite foods include Indian curry, vegetable sushi, and tacos. Her favorite part about working at Farmingdale PhysicalTherapy West is all the friends that she has made since she started working here.

Take Care of Your Pain Before It’s Too Late.

Patient Of The Month

Nicole Punzo

How long has Nicole been a patient with us at FPTW? Nicole has been a patient here for just over a year.

What does she do in her free time? In her free time, Nicole enjoys going to Starbucks, going to the park with her niece and nephew, and hanging out with her friends and family. Why does Nicole enjoy coming to PT here at FPTW? Nicole enjoys coming to physical therapy because she likes learning new exercises. She sees her progress and is excited to be gaining her independence again. The final reason she loves FPTW is because she enjoys the atmosphere and being able to hangout with all of the therapists and everyone else who works here.

CALL TODAY! 516-731-3583

Attention Pain Sufferers WE ARE HOSTING A GREAT WORKSHOP!

BACK PAIN & SCIATICA WORKSHOP

October 20th | 10:30 am

- 11:30 am

You’ll learn: • Main causes of back pain and sciatica • Benefits of PT for back pain and sciatica • How posture plays a role in back pain

• Exercises to improve strength of your back • Exercises to relieve sciatica symptoms

CALL (516) 731-3583 TO RSVP

LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE

At A

Location!

New

SPORTIME Bethpage Multi-Sport 4105 Hempstead Turnpike, Bethpage, NY 11714

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WE’VE BEEN NOMINATED FOR BEST OF LONG ISLAND 2019

YOU CAN HELP US WIN FOR THE 5TH YEAR IN A ROW VOTING BEGINS MONDAY, OCTOBER 1ST

We would like to take this time to thank you for your continued support of Farmingdale Physical Therapy West. It is because of patients like you that we have been able to win this award every year since 2015. We hope to continue serving patients in the Long Island area for years to come! Thank you again! - FPTW Team

Find Us On:

www.fptwest.com

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