Manual therapy is a hands-on treatment by clinicians to treat muscle aches, joint pain, and limited range of motion. It encompasses a variety of techniques including soft tissue mobilization of muscles, specific joint mobilization, and joint manipulation.

The three most notable forms of manual therapy are:

• Manipulation is the application of a rapid force into a joint(s). Manipulation is often associated with an audible popping sound called cavitation.
• Mobilization is a slower, more controlled process of articular and soft-tissue stretching intended to improve joint mobility.
• Massage is typically the repetitive rubbing, stripping or kneading of muscle and fascia tissues to facilitate healing.

Manual therapy has been proven to be an important part of an overall conservative treatment plan for a variety of conditions including:

• Adhesive capsulitis
• Shoulder impingement
• Shoulder stiffness/limited range of motion
• Tennis elbow
• Golfers elbow
• Pinched nerves
• Limited joint range of motion
• Capsule tightness
• Postsurgical stiffness
• Much more.

Manual therapy is typically part of a complete treatment plan that is customized for your specific needs. Give us a call to learn how we can incorporate manual therapy into your rehabilitation program.

If you are a youth, collegiate, elite, or professional athlete, when you are injured, you need a physical therapist with experience rehabilitating sports-related injuries.

Athletes place higher demands on the muscles and joints and also require sport-specific training to recover speed, power, and agility. This is the specific training that our therapists provide.

Our physical therapists have years of experience rehabilitating athletes with:

• Postsurgical rehabilitation of the knee, shoulder, ankle, hip, and spine
• Shoulder & rotator cuff injuries
• Ligament sprains
• Muscle strains
• ACL, PCL, MCL, LCL rehab
• Tendonitis/bursitis
• Post-fracture rehab
• Tennis elbow
• Overhead sports injuries (throwing, swimming, etc.)
• Running & cycling injuries

A Personalized Recovery Process

The process starts with a thorough evaluation of your condition and your personal goals. We then provide a custom program including the following:

• Control of Pain & Inflammation
• Recovery of Range of Motion
• Hands-on Techniques
• Neuromuscular Retraining
• Core & Extremity Strengthening
• Balance & Proprioceptive Activities
• Speed, Endurance, & Power Training
• Sport-specific Retraining

Optimizing the Recovery Process

Injuries are an unfortunate side effect of sports but they don’t have to sideline you indefinitely. With the application of the latest clinical research, we can work hand-in-hand with your referring physician/surgeon to optimize the recover process so you can reach your full potential.

Give us a call today to learn more about our sports rehabilitation program.

Recent Blog Posts From Our Office Of Physical Therapy Rochester Hills MI

The Importance of a Proper Warm-Up Routine

It’s easy to skip the warm-up and get right into your workout, but you might not realize how important a proper warm-up routine is. A warm-up routine is a series of stretches and exercises to increase blood flow and muscle temperature. Beginning your workout without a proper warm-up can lead to injury because your muscles might not be ready for intense action. Plus, warming up can help improve sports performance, similar to Physical Therapy Rochester Hills MI. 

 

What To Include In a Good Warm-Up

Warming up before your workout helps in many ways; it effectively preps your body for more intense exercise. A good warm-up doesn’t have to belong; only five to ten minutes of prep is all your body needs to get ready. Additionally, finishing your workout with a brief ‘Cool-Down’ routine similar to your warm-up can help prevent muscle soreness.

 

Some exercises you could include in a warm-up are

• Push-ups
• Squats
• Leg lunges
• Jumping jacks
• A few minutes of brisk walking

 

These are all Dynamic exercises, meaning that their actions are similar to those in your workout but are less tiring. Physical Therapy Rochester Hills MI, can help you learn more healthy dynamic warm-up routines. Our sports medicine program will create a tailor-made plan for you to help you reach your athletic potential. 

 

Dealing with Workout Related Injuries

Failing to warm up can lead to muscle soreness and an increased risk of sports-related injuries. Our physical therapy in Rochester Hills MI, can help you recover from various sports-related injuries. Static Stretching can help muscle soreness when done at the end of a workout, as it helps your body cool off and your muscles relax. This is called static stretching because most of your body is not moving, besides the one area you are focused on. If done correctly, it can help increase flexibility, however, if you stretch too much before a workout, it can put additional strain on your muscles. 

 

Some healthy stretches to include are:

• Lying hamstring stretch
• Hip flexor stretches
• Triceps stretches
• Touching your toes
• Arm circles

 

Empower Physical Therapy Rochester Hills MI

Keep in mind that these should be done for the cool-down period of the workout when your muscles are warmed and pliable. Our Physical Therapy Rochester Hills MI can teach you more healthy workout routines, along with personalized medical care to deal with any related injuries. Visit our website for more information.

Soccer Injury Prevention and Treatment

Soccer is one of the most popular sports in the world. It is so popular that approximately a quarter of a billion people play around the world. However, with the increasing popularity comes the increase in soccer-related injuries. Soccer injuries can range from minor scrapes and bruises to vast injuries that may require surgery or physical therapy. If you suffer from a soccer-related injury and need Physical Therapy Rochester Hills MI, consider reaching out to Empower Physical Therapy to ensure your injuries are properly treated.

Common Soccer Injuries

Soccer helps athletes build up their endurance, improve their speed, and promote fitness. However, it is also a game that often involves hard falls, player collisions, and the overuse of certain parts of the body, all of which can increase a player’s risk of injury. Common soccer injuries may include:

• Concussions
• ACL Injuries
• Meniscus Tears
• Sprained Ankles
• Bone Fractures
• Heat-Related Injuries

Preventing Soccer Injuries

Even though going to Physical Therapy Rochester Hills MI can help treat any injuries you may receive while playing soccer, it is important to take preventative measures. Soccer injuries can often be prevented by:

• Stretching– spending five to ten minutes doing stretches before and after a game can help reduce muscle soreness, keep your muscles flexible, and can reduce your risk for injury. 
• Warm-Up Before Playing- warming up with exercises such as jumping jacks or a short run will warm up your muscles. These will increase your blood flow and put less stress on your muscles.
• Practice proper techniques- hitting the soccer ball with your forehead or staying low to the ground when you quickly change direction can help prevent various injuries, which will help protect you from harm.
• Wear proper attire- proper soccer attire includes well-fitted shin guards, properly fitted and securely fastened cleats, an ankle brace (if needed), and synthetic, unabsorbent soccer balls.
• Stay hydrated- Being dehydrated can have a significant impact on a player’s performance. If you are not hydrated, your body will not be able to cool itself down, which can cause you to overheat. It is recommended that players before, during, and after the game.

Treatment for Soccer Injuries

While there are many precautions players can take to reduce the risk of injuries on the soccer field, it is important to be prepared for the injuries that may occur during a game. Knowing what treatments are available for your injuries can help the healing process go smoother and be more effective. Physical Therapy Rochester Hills MI can help heal soccer injuries and get players back to their pre-injured activities. Empower Physical Therapy helps athletes with:

• ACL Rehab
• Muscle and ligaments strains
• Running injuries
• Post-Fracture rehab

Schedule an Appointment for Physical Therapy Rochester Hills MI!

If you are currently suffering from a soccer-related injury and are unsure of where to get help, look no further than Empower Physical Therapy. Whether you are looking to recover from an injury or increase your sports performance, our team is dedicated to making sure you are getting the help you deserve. Contact Empower Physical Therapy today to get the treatment you need!

Physical Therapy for Basketball Injuries

Playing basketball is a great way to exercise and stay active during the year. You can play the sport outside in the warmer months and indoors all year round. However, playing basketball leaves you at risk for certain injuries. Here at Empower PT Rochester Hills MI, we understand that enduring an injury due to basketball can be tough, but we strive to lead you towards rehabilitation. We focus on tailor-made physical therapy treatments to get you feeling your best and back to playing the game you love. If you or someone you know is suffering from a basketball-related injury visit our website to find out how physical therapy can help you!

Common Basketball Injuries 

When it comes to any sport stretching and warming up are key in order to prevent injuries. However, it doesn’t mean that you still can’t obtain injuries even if you are stretching properly. Basketball is a tough sport to play that takes a toll on your entire body. Some common basketball-related injuries are as follows:

• Ankle Sprains
• Jammed Fingers
• Knee Injuries
• Deep Thigh Bruising
• Facial Cuts
• Foot Fractures
• ACL Tear
• Jumper’s Knee 
• Achilles Tendinitis

Treatment Methods for Basketball Injuries 

Depending on the severity of a basketball injury you may need medical attention. But a common way to help alleviate some pain is the “RICE” method which is:

• Rest 
• Ice
• Compression 
• Elevation

If your injury is more serious it is very important that you get the medical treatment you need to understand your injury and start a treatment plan with a medical professional. 

How Physical Therapy Can Help Basketball Related Injuries

If your basketball-related injury is more severe such as Achilles tendonitis or jumper’s knee, physical therapy is a great treatment option to help rebuild strength and get you back to playing basketball. Physical therapy is also used to help patients recover after surgery for injuries such as an ACL tear or torn tendons. The main focus of physical therapy is to help patients at their rate to strengthen their muscles and overall body, improve mobility, and achieve their goals of rehabilitation. At Empower Physical Therapy Rochester Hills MI our expert physical therapists pride themselves on making a treatment method that is tailor-made to the needs of their patients to get back to being healthy and strong. Physical therapy is a great treatment option for basketball-related injuries. We work hard with athletes to have them playing the sports they love again at their best ability. 

Empower Physical Therapy Rochester Hills MI

Enduring a basketball-related injury shouldn’t have you fearing you won’t be able to play the game again at the same ability. At Empower Physical Therapy we understand the needs of athletes and our patients. Our physical therapist makes our patients’ recovery process their number one priority. To find out more about Empower Physical Therapy Rochester Hills MI click or call at (586) 868-7000.

Contact Us For Physical Therapy Rochester Hills MI