Ryann Roberts, DPT
Ryann Roberts, DPT
Ever had an injury or nagging pain that just won’t go away? During the course of exercise, sports and sometimes normal daily activities, these injuries occur frequently. Some people will turn to word of mouth, YouTube, or a medical professional for assistance. They will receive an abundance of information, exercise and movements that may help alleviate or reduce the pain. Many of these stretches and activities loosen tight muscles, strengthen weak muscles, alleviate the pain and help you achieve full return to activity. But what do you do when the home exercise program (HEP) does not resolve your injuries fully?
I see many people in the gym or who come into my office at AZOPT and tell me despite finding a good HEP and performing the exercises correctly and frequently, the pain still will not go away. My response is always the same – you need the skilled hands of a physical therapist to manually release the restricted tissue. A skilled physical therapist uses techniques and stretches you will not receive any other way. A physical therapist will push your limits safely and effectively in a way you cannot on your own.
You can only foam roll or lacrosse ball out a tissue so much and so deep compared to what manual therapy from a physical therapist can perform with their hands. Physical therapists can ‘feel’ the restriction and use several deep tissue methods to release the restriction deeper than a foam roll or a lacrosse ball. A physical therapist’s hands can pin-point to the exact restriction and effect positive change.
HEPs are very good; I give them to my patients all the time, but as a part of a larger program. I give instruction and advice all the time. Without actually spending time with the person on the table, my advice is limited. If your routine is working for you and you are able to function or compete on a daily basis with this program, then keep going! If you find you are constantly searching for that next great stretch on the Internet to fix your problem, have a physical therapist perform an evaluation.
I decided to write this blog because I see too many people looking for the easy answer to their pain. Treating pain without the use of medication takes time and effort. The easy answer is “take two of these and call me in the morning.” The hard answer is “make an appointment and let’s get to work.” You spend so much time, money and energy to get healthy; do not fail yourself at the point of pain. Put in that extra rep and call to make an appointment; we can only help you if you allow us.
If you are having nagging pain or an injury that just will not go away, give us a call at 623-242-6908 and make an appointment.