Our balance influences every aspect of our lives. Yes, that's right, you can't play golf, tennis, or even swim properly without balance, but more than that, walking correctly, stabilizing your body, or keeping your skeletal and muscular health in check without having the correct balance can be 

… uh hum… a bit of a tightrope act. Don't worry, we've got you covered. In this post we talk all things balance, from why you need it, to what happens when you don't have it, all the way through to how you can improve it. So, let's get some stability on the subject, shall we?

You might be thinking, “Well, hey, my balance is pretty good – I don't fall off of my bicycle and I can still stand on one leg if I concentrate hard enough”. And that's all pretty great, except that's not really the type of balance that matters. Of course, we encourage cycling and circus acts, but what we're really worried about is the overall balance of weight distribution as you go about your daily activities. Most falls and their ensuing back, hip, neck, and ankle problems are as a result of a misstep or an inability to balance weight and muscle function correctly. Balance is more than just a fleeting moment of stability on a bicycle: it's the continual stability of your body in its entirety so as to preserve health and wellbeing.

Let's make that a little clearer: balance is part of absolutely everything we do whether we are conscious of it or not. The way we walk, listen, and move are all part-and-parcel of the way we are able to balance weight. Mobility depends on our ability to balance muscles correctly; spine health is dependent on an even weight distribution throughout the body during movement and periods of rest; joint health is keenly affected by how well we are able to balance during activity. If we do not have good balance, then we are likely to injure ourselves in the long run – having great balance is a bit like enjoying superior tires on your car: if one or two are low, your wheel alignment changes and your car's overall functionality suffers.   

Here are just a few benefits of excellent balance:

·         Increased muscle strength.

·         Increased co-ordination and reaction time.

·         Strong, effective posture.

·         Increased skeletal strength.

·         Increased joint mobility.

·         Increased flexibility.

Ultimately, good balance is directly linked to health and quality of life. That's great news, right? Absolutely! If, that is, you maintain stability. What happens, then, if you don't keep an eye on your balance? As you age, your ability to balance decreases and, thus, your health follows suit in various ways. As balance ability declines, so too does the health of your muscles, bones, and general wellbeing. Falls, hip problems, back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, and even headaches are sure to follow. One of the leading causes of serious injury and/or death are falls… unfortunately, most of them are as a result of impaired balance. Luckily, flawed balance doesn't rear its ugly head overnight: there are warning signs you can look out for. Here they are:

1.      Vertigo

Feeling as though the world is spinning – much like you did on the playground as a kid – is a sure sign that something may not be right with your balance. For some of you reading this, this feeling may be more severe than for others: many people become used to the spinning sensation and are unaware that they are off balance, thereby overcompensating on one side of the body and, as a result, increasing the problem and ensuring injury.

1.      Muscle Pains on One Side of the Body

Because a destabilized body is in a state of unbalance, muscles and joints try to rectify the imbalance by overcompensating on one side. When this happens, muscles strain to one side thereby both increasing the unbalanced posture and, ultimately, increasing the chance of injury. Don't ignore a nagging pain on one side of the body, as it may very well be causing an imbalance in weight distribution.

1.      Blurred Vision

Oftentimes imbalanced bodies give way to various other issues, from disorientation through to blurred vision. Prolonged periods of muscle overcompensation can cause fatigue and mental distress and can, in severe cases, lead to blurred vision.

If the above seems all too close to home, don't fear – we're here to help. Take a look at some tips for how to get back on – and stay on – your feet in order to be a more stable, healthier you:

1.      Yoga and Pilates

Doing activities focused on core strength, muscle flexibility, and overall mobility is essential in maintaining a good balance. Yoga and Pilates offer incredible benefits, here.

1.      Daily Stretching

Always stretch, as this gives your muscles flexibility and mobility and, essentially, helps correct overcompensation if done correctly.

1.      Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is the single most effective way of correcting balance issues: from improving posture, to increasing strength and mobility, physical therapy does it all. A professional, hands-on physical therapist will not only diagnose and treat the root cause of your balance problem, but will provide you with the tools to maintain great balance and posture outside of the clinic. In effect, physical therapy offers you the opportunity to ensure excellent balance and to continually live a pain-free, injury-free life. Avoid life-threatening falls by calling one of our dedicated physical therapists, right now. Balancing is, well, a balancing act. With the help of physical therapy you'll be well on your way to being a stable, balanced, healthier person.

A strong, balanced, body is essential this year: don't let poor balance stop you from heading out there. Give us a call today and find out how we can help you get back to being strong and stable on your feet. One of our dedicated, professional physical therapists can't wait to chat.

A bursa is a tiny, fluid filled sac which provides lubrication between bones and the muscles, tendons, and ligaments that slide over the bone when a joint moves.  When a bursa gets irritated, it can become swollen causing a condition known as bursitis.

Joints affected by bursitis will feel achy and stiff.  Movement is often very painful and the joint is tender to the touch.  The joint may also be swollen and red.  

Due to their large range of movement and numerous muscle and ligament attachments, the two joints most commonly affected by bursitis are the hip and shoulder.

There are many potential causes of bursitis.  Repetitive motions such as reaching over head, lifting, throwing, running up and down hills or stairs can irritate the bursa.  Abnormal motions like limping due to arthritis, knee, or back pain can also lead to the development of bursitis.  Trauma to the joint from a fall or direct blow to the area is another common cause.  Bursitis can also develop after surgery or due to bone spurs, muscle weakness and/or tightness and poor posture.

While bursitis can go away with rest alone, a physical therapist can help you recover faster in several ways.  A skilled physical therapist can also help to identify and address the specific causes so that bursitis will be less likely to reoccur in the future.

The first step is to reduce pain and swelling in the joint using a variety of modalities such as ice, ultrasound, electric stimulation, stretching, and massage.  The physical therapist will then help to restore normal joint motion by improving strength, flexibility and joint mobility in the affected region.  

Instruction in techniques for performing activities that will reduce stress on the bursae including postural correction, lifting mechanics and gait training are also often   necessary.  In addition, a home exercise program is also developed specific to the individual's needs. to help speed recovery and prevent a future recurrence.

If you believe that you are struggling with bursitis, call us today to schedule a free consultation to determine how we can help you. 

Low back pain (plus sciatica) is a common occurrence in the pregnant population with as many as 70% of pregnant females reporting low back pain or sciatica at some point during their pregnancy.  Studies have shown that of these women who report back pain to their health care providers, only 15-30% of them receive treatment.

This is quite an alarming statistic as often times there are simple, straightforward exercises and tips on how to perform daily activities that can significantly help if not resolve this pain.

Why Do Women Experience Back Pain with Pregnancy?

• The body has to adapt to weight gain in different areas during pregnancy, which changes the demands on the joints and muscles when sitting, laying, and standing 
• The pelvis becomes more mobile to prepare for delivery, which is often a source of discomfort in the lower back and pelvic areas
• As the baby grows and there is more weight in the abdomen, a woman's posture changes the curve in her low back which becomes more and more exaggerated

If You are Pregnant, Tips to Decrease Pain:

• Sleeping
  • If sleeping on your side, sleep with a pillow between your knees and arms.  As your belly grows, you may also want to place a small pillow or rolled up towel under your belly for support.
  • When getting out of bed, log roll onto your side then let your legs hang off the side of the bed and push up to sitting.  This will stress your low back much less than sitting straight up.
     
• Lifting
  • Be sure to bend your knees and keep items close to your body when lifting.
  • If twisting, be sure to stand up straight with the item first and then twist – NEVER lift and twist at the same time.
     
• Holding your child
  • Make sure you alternate and hold your child on both sides (people often hold little ones on the same side/hip and this can be a source of pain).

Low back pain and/ or sciatica can be a problem before, during, and after pregnancy, but it does not need to be a way of life!  If you have any questions regarding the above information or how to minimize low back pain, during pregnancy, please call us to schedule a free consultation, so that we may help you. 

Impingement of one or a number of structures in the area of the shoulder is the principal reason that this occurs. Most commonly involved are the biceps tendon, a rotator cuff muscle (usually the supraspinatus) or a bursa.

But what causes this impingement?  There are a number of reasons why this impingement occurs, while there are also some predisposing factors why some people maybe more apt to develop this problem than others.

Perhaps the most common reason for an impingement to develop is capsular tightness, which can often develop over time, secondary to limited use of the arms overhead. When the capsule becomes tight, the humeral head fails to move in a downward or backward position as the arm is raised overhead, which results in one of more tissues becoming impinged. In turn, as the individual strives to lift their arm overhead, they commonly succeed in irritating these structures which causes tendinitis and/or bursitis to develop, making the problem worse.

This form of impingement can be further complicated by the presence of a bone spur, which has developed over time, due to the wear and tear on the joint over many years, while arthritic changes in the joint are also commonly present.

Another reason for impingement is instability of the joint or weakness of the rotator cuff tendons due to an injury or a tear. In the presence of instability or a rotator cuff injury, once again the humeral head fails to move as it should when raising the arm overhead and the impingement occurs.

Individuals most likely to develop this problem, include those individuals that work with their arms repetitively overhead (such as your HVAC technicians), athletes that use their arms overhead (tennis players, swimmers, pitchers etc.,) and also individuals with poor posture (rounded shoulders) . Poor posture will commonly result in diminishing what is referred to as the sub acromial space, which heightens the possibility for an impingement to occur.

So, what can you do about this problem?

To relieve the pain, avoiding using the arm overhead, taking an anti-inflammatory medication & icing will likely help, unless you have a rotator cuff tear, whereby the relief you note will likely be minimal. However, these measures fail to address the underlying reason for the problem.

The key to overcoming this problem in the majority of cases, will be to attend for a program of Physical Therapy. At the time of your initial appointment, the therapist will pinpoint the reason for the impingement and will then design a therapy program that will improve capsular mobility and joint stability, reduce the inflammation, improve your rotator cuff strength and improve your upper quadrant posture which collectively will address the problem and provide you with long term pain relief. Of note, when there is a rotator cuff tear, a labral tear or a large bone spur, the therapy may not be successful, but the therapist is typically able to recognize this early on in your treatment (if not the 1st session) and in these instances will typically recommend diagnostic testing or an orthopedic surgery consultation.

So, if you have this problem, recognize that it is unlikely to get better over time (in fact it may get worse) and ask your physician to refer you for Physical Therapy.

A work-related injury is an injury sustained while carrying out a duty relevant to employment. Some of these work-related injuries can be minor and no more than a nuisance, while other injuries can be painful and may affect one's day-to-day activities.

These injuries can occur across all fields and professions. As these injuries can affect anyone on the job, it is important to be aware of the types of injuries that can occur. No matter what type of work related injury you or your loved one may have, Mid Michigan Physical Therapy  can help.

Back Injury:

One of the commonly found work-related injuries is back injury, which can be caused by improper posture like slouching or sitting for long hours. Additionally, improper lifting can cause immediate back injury. Back injuries can affect the cervical, dorsal or lumbar regions. Mid Michigan Physical Therapy  can provide a comprehensive program to reduce back pain and successfully treat the underlying reasons that are causing pain

Falls:

Injuries can also occur from falling, tripping or slipping. These injuries happen suddenly and without warning. These injuries can be minor like bruises or lacerations. They can also be severe enough to cause a fracture of the bones.

Carpal tunnel syndrome:

Another common affliction affecting people in the computer era is carpal tunnel syndrome. This work related issue affects the wrist and hands, usually caused by excessive use of computer keyboard. It is mostly found in people who perform repetitive motion with their hands such as typists, hairdressers, mechanics etc. In many instances, physical therapy can be very successful treating this problem.

Head and brain injury:

Head and brain injuries can have a devastating effect on the person. Concussions, skull fractures and other head injuries can cause permanent damage to the brain. Mid Michigan Physical Therapy has the expertise to be an integral part of the rehabilitation and treatment process when recovering from head and brain injury.

At Mid Michigan Physical Therapy, we provide a complete rehabilitative program for all types of work related injuries, frequently reducing pain without the need for medication. At Mid Michigan Physical Therapy, our goal is to speed up the recovery from injury, to enhance performance and to reduce the future risk of injuries. 

Neck pain can affect people of all ages, while according to a number of studies, approximately 35% of adults can expect to experience neck pain, whereby they seek medical advice at some point during their life.

There are multiple reasons that a person may experience neck pain or  related functional limitations which include cervical spondylosis (a.k.a. arthritis) a disc bulge with nerve impingement and often simply poor neck and shoulder posture.

When a person experiences neck pain, it can often lead to a downward spiral in their energy level and well-being, as well as feeling depressed. However, it doesn't have to be this way and being reliant on medication for relief is NOT the answer. Instead, discovering and treating the root cause of the problem is the answer, while Physical Therapy is a natural and often the best solution for successfully treating the majority of neck problems.

In our daily lives, we place tremendous strain and demand on our neck and if a person has poor neck posture this will cause added stress and strain on the muscles, joints and ligaments. In fact, it has been determined that if your head protrudes forward just one inch from neutral, the strain on your neck doubles from approximately 10 to 20 pounds!

The GOOD NEWS is when a person has neck pain, it can commonly be relieved by restoring normal neck motion and alignment, while here are 5 key areas that you can focus on to reduce your neck pain:

1.       Work on improving your posture – while sitting and standing

2.       Restore your flexibility to the neck muscles and joints

3.       Strengthen your upper back/ scapular muscles to help support your neck

4.       Sleeping: Ensure your neck is in a neutral position when sleeping

5.       Ask for help to relieve your neck aches and pains that last more than 1 week – while a Physical Therapist is the best health care professional to analyze your movement and posture AND to create an effective treatment program for your neck complaints.

If you have neck problems and you would like to learn more, then we encourage you to schedule a Free Consultation to see if we can help you. Simply call 517-545-3200.

Is back pain causing you to move a little slower and more cautiously? Back pain is one of the most common physical complaints that people experience, while it is reported that more than 80% of the population will experience and seek treatment for back pain at some point in their life. As many people know

back pain can also limit a person's ability to simply sit, stand and walk, sleep at night and perform normal daily tasks.

Why Does Back Pain Occur?

Back pain can occur for several reasons, while the most reasons include:

·         Weak core muscles and weak spinal muscles

·         Poor trunk posture and postural habits

·         ‘Wear and tear' on the spine, resulting in arthritic (aka spondylitic) changes

·         A bulging disc and associated nerve root involvement

·         Sacroiliac joint dysfunction, often due to muscle imbalance.

Regardless of the reason, most people do not seek treatment soon enough and continue to suffer, while often times the problem will become worse, whereby the person may also also start to experience pain, tingling and numbness into the buttock region and legs. When this occurs, many people will take medication to reduce the severity of the pain, however this just masks the problem and does nothing to address the root cause of the problem.

The Solution For Back Pain

Successfully treating back pain, starts with determining the true cause of the problem, while usually a thorough clinical exam that includes a posture assessment, flexibility and strength testing and joint mobility testing will identify the underlying reason for the person's complaints. Then, a comprehensive plan can be formulated to resolve the person's pain complaints and get them back to their normal activities. At Mid-Michigan PT Specialists, we have the training and experience to help someone with back pain and we can commonly resolve a person's pain quickly and get them back to their normal activities sooner than they expect!

If you have low back  problems and you would like to learn more, then we encourage you to schedule a Free Consultation to see if we can help you. Simply call 517-545-3200.

1.Do You Really Need A Joint Replacement?

Often times as we get older and our joints become stiffer, many people start to believe that someday in the future that they are going to need a joint replacement ( just like their mother or their brother or a close friend) and then finally they  go to the doctor and

learn after an X-ray  that their hip or knee joint is ‘ bone on bone' with zero joint space! But, does that person REALLY need a joint replacement? The answer is – sometimes Yes and sometimes No! The decision should not be made based on an X-ray, but instead how that joint is impacting the person's life. That said, when a person is taking medication like candy for pain relief, they are starting to notably reduce their activity due to pain and other joints are starting to hurt as they try to compensate for that arthritic joint, the likelihood is, it's time to consider that joint replacement!

2.Who Should You Choose To Do Your Surgery?

Often times, your family physician will have a surgeon that they recommend, while reading on-line reviews and speaking with friends who have had joint replacements can be helpful. The best person to ask however can actually be a Physical Therapist, as they see the RESULTS from many different surgeons and we can provide you with some very helpful guidance. So, don't hesitate to contact us!

3.Should You Have Physical Therapy Beforehand?

It is often a good idea to have what is referred to as ‘ Prehab' prior to your surgery, however the decision to receive therapy beforehand is most often dependent upon the patient's insurance plan. If a person's insurance plan only allows a limited number of PT visits thru'out the year, then it is often a better idea to save their visits for AFTER their surgery.

4.What Is The Best Time Of The Year For You To Elect To Have Surgery?

The number one thing to think about, is what life has in store for you the weeks that follow your surgery. So, if you are planning a trip to Florida in February, having your surgery just a few weeks prior would not be a good idea. Other things to think about include who will be available to help you after surgery and how you have used your insurance benefits thru'out the year.

5.How Long Will It Take Before I Am Back To Normal?

Obviously there are a lot of factors that will influence a person's rate of recovery, while for a hip or knee replacement, ‘most' people will be back to doing 80% or more of their daily activities within 3 months and sometimes sooner than that.

6.How Long Will I Be In Hospital After My Surgery?

Nowadays, sparing any type of complications, patients are now commonly discharged after a joint replacement the same day or within 24 hours

7.Is There Any Special Equipment I Will Need To Purchase?

Yes, there is a number of things that should be purchased in advance of your surgery, while these items may include a walker, a cane, an elevated toilet seat, non- slip mats for the bathroom, ice packs and perhaps a wedge to elevate your legs after a knee of hip replacement

8.Will I Need To Go To A Rehab Center Or Will A Nurse Or Therapist Come To My Home?

The decision to send someone to a rehab. center after a joint replacement is typically dependent upon their medical status and whether or not that person has someone to help them in their home after surgery or not, while accessible in and out of the home is also a factor. Often times, if a person does not go to a rehab. center, it will be arranged for the person to receive Physical Therapy and perhaps nursing assistance in their home for 1-2 weeks.

9.Will I Need To Take Pain Medication After My Surgery?

Your surgeon will prescribe a specific medication regimen for you following your surgery, while you should endeavor to fill your prescriptions 1 or 2 days before your surgery. It is critically important that the person's pain is under control following surgery so they have less difficulty sleeping and also to boost their general level of activity and exercise tolerance

10.When Will I Be Allowed To Resume Driving

You should consult with your surgeon regarding this question before deciding to drive. The effect of anesthesia can last up to 10 days following surgery, while taking some medications after surgery will impair a person's ability to drive. This a great question to ask, when you see the surgeon 1-2 weeks after your surgery.

11.How Soon Do I Get To Start Outpatient Physical Therapy?

Baring any complications, most people should expect to start outpatient Physical Therapy within 2 weeks after surgery. If the person goes to a rehab. center 1^st, then the timeframe is more likely to be 4-6 weeks.

12.Can I Choose Where To Attend For My Physical Therapy?

YES. Many surgeons will have a preference for you to receive therapy within the hospital system where they work, but YOU CAN CHOOSE where you attend for your Physical Therapy, just as you choose your surgeon, while at Mid-Michigan PT Specialists, we have extensive experience helping people with partial and full joint replacements and revision surgeries including ankle, knee, hip and shoulder replacements.

When we see a person for  PT for the 1^st time, they will commonly state that they not sure if their pain is coming from their neck or shoulder (as they point to the area that hurts above the top of their shoulder blade) while in truth it can be difficult at times to discern whether the shoulder or the neck (or both) is the issue. 

So, let us provide you with some key information that should be helpful for you to know.

If a person has a shoulder problem, there is commonly an event or an activity that they can recall whereby they may have irritated or strained their shoulder. This might include a fall, a home project such as painting a room, some lifting activities or it might be related to efforts to exercise or sports participation. It is also true, that shoulder problems can start for no ‘apparent' reason.  Second, the person is typically able to pinpoint where they hurt (perhaps the front or the top of the shoulder) and they are able to identify what movements of their arm increase their pain. Third, the pain they experience is usually minimal when the arm is ‘at rest' (unless they are sleeping on the involved side) and the pain rarely extends below the elbow. While another key thing to realize is if the shoulder is stiff and painful, reaching overhead may result in some compensatory motion, whereby there is increased strain placed on the neck, causing it to also become painful.

In contrast, when a person has a neck problem, unless they were involved in a specific accident, most neck problems gradually develop over time for no apparent reason, while occupations that we commonly associate with neck issues include desk workers or people working at a computer station for prolonged periods and jobs that require repetitively looking overhead. Second, the person may report pain when turning their neck to one side (not always the case) and if the problem is more severe, they may experience generalized pain in the area of the shoulder or shoulder blade region and pain extending below the elbow. In addition, the person may also experience tingling and /or numbness down their arm. Headaches are also often associated with neck problems

The tricky thing of course is when both areas hurt! In this instance, it is helpful to know that while abnormal shoulder motion  ( typically overhead) can lead to some neck pain / soreness, a shoulder problem should not  otherwise cause neck pain, while in contrast a neck problem can readily cause shoulder pain and even weakness.

That all said, a comprehensive clinical exam can readily distinguish whether the shoulder or neck is the cause of a person's problem and that is where one of our PTs at Mid-Michigan PT Specialists  can help not only determine the underlying reason for a person's complaints, but also identify an effective treatment program to overcome the problem.

Take Action                                                                                                                                                                               

At Mid- Michigan PT Specialists, we have extensive experience providing therapy for individuals with both Neck  and Shoulder Problems  -  so if this is a problem that you are experiencing , call our office today to schedule a FREE Consultation to see if Physical Therapy can help you OR sign up for our upcoming Free Shoulder Workshop!

As we age, degenerative disc disease (which is a deterioration of the discs of the spine) tends to progressively occur and can result in neck or back pain and other musculoskeletal and neurological symptoms.

Types of degenerative disc disease

1. Cervical: affects the neck and is referred to as cervical degenerative disc disease
2. Lumbar: affects the lower back and is called lumbar degenerative disc disease

Signs and Symptoms of DDD

Most patients report one or more of the following symptoms.

• Pain is triggered by an activity
• Pain flares up periodically and then settles to a low-grade pain/discomfort
• Pain and /or stiffness upon awakening
• Pain with sitting or standing for long periods
• Pain alleviated by activities such as walking
• Pain relief upon changing body position

Management of Degenerative Disc Disease

When symptoms start to occur and continue to persist ( > 2-3 weeks) despite efforts to rest and avoid aggravating activities, early intervention could save you from further damage to the disc, muscles and ligaments.

Treatment tends to fall into 3 categories

1.       Medical: Pain, anti-inflammatory and steroids are commonly prescribed to help relieve pain and improve mobility, however medication tends to only provide symptomatic relief and ideally this should not be viewed as a long term strategy

2.       Injections and Surgery (such as a Laminectomy or Fusion) These interventions can be effective, but are also associated with some medical risk and should only be considered for less 5% of DDD sufferers and only after conservative treatment has failed

3.       Conservative (Physical Therapy) ideally consisting of Manual (Hands on) Physical Therapy, an individualized exercise program, posture & ergonomic education, self-care strategies and sometimes traction have been shown to provide the BEST RESULTS!

Take Action

If you believe that you are suffering from the effects of DDD, call our office without delay ( 517-545-3200) to inquire about scheduling a FREE Consultation to see if a program of Physical Therapy will help you and/or inquire about attending one of our free workshops!