Treatments

Vertigo

Dizziness can be difficult to manage and may cause falls. Using a whole body approach SOS physical therapists can treat this problem and help prevent it from returning. We may find and treat other underlying conditions that often come with vertigo.  Each patient may have different symptoms and as such each patient is treated for their individual condition. Other difficulties that come with vertigo are:

  • Loss of balance
  • Falls
  • The walls and world are spinning
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Blurred vision

Treatment for vertigo usually requires from between 4 to 10 visits. 

Concussions

Concussions have always been a significant challenge. Recently the whole community has come together to do something for this injury.  Receiving treatment for concussion is important, we can assist you in its treatment.  SOS physical therapists are trained to help each patient overcome the physical and mental challenges of concussions.  Some of the symptoms that come from concussions are:

  • Headaches
  • Blurred visions
  • Difficulty learning new things
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Dizziness
  • irritation/ mood swings
  • Sensitivity to light and noise
  • Drowsiness
  • Depression

Balance disorders

There are many reasons why someone may have balance disorders, such as vertigo, concussions, weak muscles, natural atrophy due to aging, MS, and Parkinson’s disease.  

Some common things that our patients notice when they find that they are having balance problems are:

  • The walls seem to jump out at you
  • Rugs and carpet seem to be curling up, yet they are definitely flat on the floor. 
  • Changing directions while walking is more difficult, and you need to use the wall or a chair to help change directions
  • You have had a fall, or lose your balance when standing
  • They have difficulty getting up from a seat.  

If you have any of these symptoms our team can assist you to “not have the walls jump out” at you.  We use the latest techniques to help patients increase fast twitch muscle fibers in your body to help reduce the risk of falls.  

Total Joint Replacement

Following a joint replacement your body goes through an intense process of rehabilitation which may increase your pain.  The objective of joint replacement care is to assist you to return to a better you.  We have specialized therapists and products to develop a plan which will get you back on your way as soon as is physiologically possible.  Whether your joint replacement is an ankle, knee, hip, shoulder or reverse shoulder replacement we will help you recover from your joint replacement. 

IT Band Syndrome

The iliotibial band is the connective tissue that run from the hip to the knee joint.  Patients may have this syndrome for a variety of reasons, such as weak gluteus max muscles, or fallen arches in the feet. For this reason you should see a physical therapist that is trained in understanding the mechanics of where your IT band pain is coming from.  Some patients find that the pain is in the actual muscles that attach to the IT band or it may appear as a general pain in the knee.  Especially for the runners, this syndrome can be very limiting and not allow one to run or finish a marathon. This recovery may require an extended period of time of about 3-10 weeks.  

Physiologically possible means the amount of time that is required for the body to break down each tissue, repair it and build the tissue back up. Our treatment plan will include an appropriate exercise plan to assist your rehabilitation.

Meniscus Tears

Meniscus are the two pieces of cartilage that protect the femur and the tibia at the knee joint.  This is often damaged when the knee is moving in awkward moving patterns and will cause pain with deep knee bends or during a twisting movement.  Some meniscus tears need repairing by your surgeon and some may heal on their own.   Oftentimes it is best to speak with your surgeon and decide on a plan for this type of knee injury.  If you have difficulty bending your knee or standing and twisting, or hear a popping or tearing sound, get your leg “stuck” in a bent position you may have a meniscal injury. We can test and screen for this type of injury.

Neurological rehabilitation

Our bodies are made up of many structures, such as the muscles, bones, nerves, and the brain.  We know the brain controls our bodies in conjunction with the nerves. Thus anything that affects the brain or nerves can be problematic during our lives.  We are able to treat neurological issues such as Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s and Post Hemiparesis (stroke). 

We will evaluate your condition and develop a plan that will help you improve your quality of life.

Tendonitis

Tendinitis is now referred to as Tendinopathies. Oftentimes we do not know what state of repair the tendon is truly in.  Many individuals may stop the exercise or movement that is causing the pain. When the pain goes away they then return to performing the movements or sport that was causing the pain; to no avail, the pain did not diminish.  Unfortunately, patients wait 2-4 years before getting quality treatment.  With proper care and remodeling of the tendon within weeks the pain will diminish and disappear and one can then return to activity pain free.  The most common areas for tendinitis are:

  • Elbow
  • Knee
  • Achilles
  • Bottom of foot/ plantar fasciitis.  
  • Base of the thumb/medial wrist

Treatment for tendinopathies usually requires 4-8 weeks.

Shoulder Injuries

Our therapists know the rehabilitation protocols and are specialists in the treatment of shoulder injuries.

Shoulders are complicated and involve several ligaments, capsules, tendons, and muscles. The shoulder is composed of two force couplers. A force-couple relationship is the act of muscles or muscle groups acting together in a synergistic manner, to produce movement around a joint. The shoulder muscles must work together in conjunction to heal the injury.  

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS)

TOS is a disorder that happen when blood vessels or nerves are tightened between the collarbone and the first rib. This can cause pain in your shoulder and neck as well as numbing of your fingers. This injury can be from an accident, repeating sports activities, for example golf, throwing a ball, hammering, etc. 

The therapists at SOS Physical Therapy are able to provide skilled therapy for other shoulder injuries including:

  • Scapular Fractures (repaired) 
  • Overhead Shoulder Injuries (throwing)
  • TOS
  • Shoulder Impingement
  • AC Joint Injuries
  • Labral Tears
  • Scapular Dysfunctions
  • Rotator Cuff Injuries 
  • Rotator Cuff Rehabilitation After Repair
  • Shoulder Bursitis
  • Shoulder Tendonitis
  • TSA & rTSA

If you have had surgery to repair an injured shoulder our therapists will work closely with your surgeon to ensure that we follow the surgeon’s protocol. Your surgeon is the only one that knows exactly what your injury requires to repair the injury and how he wants the injury to be treated.  When your surgeon gives a patient the “full return” to sport or work our therapist will assist in returning you to your full capacity.

Knee Injuries and knee pain

Knees absorb our weight throughout our lives and approximately 1 in 5 people will have knee pain every year.  The knee is a beautiful structure and is one of the joints designed to allow us to walk and run long distances. Thus when we have pain in our knees, we need to take care of them. Through proper neurological movement training knee pain is mitigated with physical therapy.  

Knee injuries that our Physical Therapist are not limited to the following: 

  • Osteoarthritis (OA)
  • ACL Injuries
  • IT Band Syndrome
  • Meniscus Tears 
  • Tibia Plateau Fracture

ACL Injuries

There are about 150,000 anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) repairs each year. The cause of such injuries are many including: sports, soccer (females are more susceptible), other sudden stops and twists which may occur during hiking, or even a slip or a fall.  The ACL is the major tendon that prevents the knee from giving out and falling forward.   Many ACL injuries require repair and need surgery.  We use the most innovative treatment methods to treat ACL injuries; for example blood flow restriction. We also use a return to sport program that is scientifically shown to reduce ACL injuries and decrease reoccurrence of ACL injuries. 

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is pain and inflammation in the joints.  There are many forms of arthritis. The most common is Osteoarthritis. Fifteen million people report severe pain because of osteoarthritis. Severe osteoarthritis pain is reported using a pain scale of 3/10 for most days of the week or, a 7/10 pain two or three times a week in a joint.  Twenty six percent of all adults have pain from arthritis. The arthritic pain is complicated by factors of overweight, obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and other psychological stresses which may come from work and daily activities.   

Over the counter medications may help with pain.  Opioid use has not been shown to be effective in relieving pain from arthritis.  

Continuous research studies of osteoarthritis have shown to reduce pain and improve daily function with physical activity.  Meditation, mindfulness, cognitive therapy, and weight loss can minimize pain symptoms and improve your life.

We will develop an individual physical fitness treatment plan that will include cardio and strength training exercises. This plan will minimize the narrowing pain effects of osteoarthritis (joint space narrowing).

Our staff will provide instruction for you to manage the effects of osteoarthritis (joint space narrowing).  With that information we will teach you correct strength exercises and an effective daily cardiovascular workout.

Metabolic Lifestyle Changes

We can guide you in how to best makes changes to your lifestyle to support a healthy metabolism.