Physical therapy is a health profession that diagnoses and treats diseases or injuries of the body’s musculoskeletal system, which includes the bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Multiple treatment techniques are used to improve movement, reduce pain and restore functionality.
Some of the most common treatments include: TENS (painless electrical nerve stimulation), joint mobilization, kinesiology taping and dry needling.
Lymphedema Specialists
Lymphedema is a condition that causes fluid build-up in soft body tissues causing swelling, most commonly of arms or legs, but can occur anywhere on the body. This condition is caused by a disruption in the normal lymph flow which causes fluid to build up in the soft tissue and cause swelling.
Despite improvements in cancer therapy, lymphedema remains one of the most serious complications of chemotherapy and radiation treatment for solid tumors. It affects up to 1 in 6 patients treated for cancer and results in chronic problems such as pain, heaviness, and swelling of the limbs, and decreased quality of life. Recent research has elucidated physiopathologic mechanisms of disease, including fibroadipose deposition, lymphatic pump dysfunction, and chronic inflammation, and suggests that control of interstitial fluid stasis is central to effective management.
Physical Therapists in Birmingham AL with special training in lymphedema use a variety of techniques to manage this disorder, including manual lymphatic drainage (MLD). MLD involves gently moving the skin in the direction of the lymph flow and towards areas that are draining well to avoid fluid accumulation. The goal is to reduce the heaviness and tightness of the affected limb and improve quality of life for the patient.
Rehabilitation case managers work to coordinate care and handle the paperwork and processes related to inpatient stays. They also help arrange safe discharge and serve as patient advocates. Therapeutic recreation specialists provide leisure programs that are beneficial to a patient’s cognitive, sensory, motor, and emotional health. They may also assist patients with barriers to participation in leisure activities by providing alternatives, adapting them or offering financial resources.
Neck and Back Pain Treatment
The cervical spine (neck) is a strong structure that holds up the head, but it can become painful or stiff from injuries, poor posture or prolonged use of a computer or other devices. When neck pain arises, it’s best to seek treatment as soon as possible to prevent long-term damage.
Your physical therapist can ease your neck pain with an array of therapies. For example, a series of spinal decompression sessions may reduce the pressure on your discs, helping them heal faster and relieve your pain. Moreover, your therapist can teach you proper posture and ergonomic principles to minimize back strain.
Other treatments for back and neck pain include muscle-relaxing injections, joint-stimulating electrostimulation or massage therapy, which can reduce swelling and pain, as well as accelerate healing. A patient-specific exercise regimen can also be created to improve strength, flexibility and mobility, while preventing further injury.
During the initial visit, your physical therapist will take your medical history to understand your symptoms and pinpoint what’s causing your neck or back pain. X-rays and other diagnostic tools are often used to see if there’s an abnormality with the bones, muscles or ligaments that could cause your pain. The physician will then conduct a physical exam and perform simple tests to measure flexibility and muscle strength. In some cases, your physical therapist may recommend an imaging test such as an MRI to better understand the source of your pain.
Preventative Care
In addition to specialized treatments, the team at Simon-Williamson Clinic can also help you prevent illnesses. This is often done through routine health checks and screenings. They can also offer advice on diet and exercise. They can refer you to specialists if necessary.
In an effort to evaluate the quality of care provided by internal medicine residents, we collected baseline performance data on preventive services from patients attending the Russell outpatient resident clinic at University of Alabama Birmingham (UAB). Seventy-three postgraduate year (PGY)-1 and -2 internal medicine residents and 4 PGY-3 medicine-pediatrics residents staffed the outpatient clinic, which serves a predominantly low-income, lower education, and African American patient population.
Participants completed a questionnaire asking how frequently they seek curative and preventive health care in their country of origin and in the US. Using Fisher’s exact tests, significant differences in seeking curative and preventive care were found between the two countries. In addition, a significant difference in reasons for not seeking curative or preventive care was observed. These differences were found to be associated with age, race/ethnicity, and insurance coverage.
Rehabilitation
Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama and offers a wide variety of activities and accommodations. The revitalized downtown area features upscale restaurants and shopping, while outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy the foothills of the Appalachian mountains to the northeast or hike in the Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve. For those with a disability, the UAB Spain Rehabilitation Center provides state-of-the-art inpatient rehabilitation care and research.
Physical therapy is a medical treatment that involves multiple techniques to improve movement, reduce pain and restore functionality after injuries or health problems that limit motion. Physical therapists are highly trained to diagnose and treat the musculoskeletal system, which includes bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and joints.
Treatments may include joint mobilization, a manual technique in which the physical therapist moves the affected area firmly and carefully to help reduce stiffness and restore range of motion; dry needling, an alternative to acupuncture that uses thin needles to stimulate specific nerves; and laser or light therapy, which boosts blood flow, relieves inflammation, and improves flexibility. Rehabilitation case managers help patients and their families set goals, handle paperwork and processes related to inpatient stays, and serve as patient advocates.
ATI Physical Therapy near Birmingham is known for exceptional results and an upbeat environment. Conveniently located on St. Vincent’s Drive, ATI offers one-on-one physical therapy in a welcoming setting. The clinic also provides online PT and in-home PT treatment.