Month: February 2021

Is Dry Needling the Right Therapy Treatment for You?

Is Dry Needling the Right Therapy Treatment for You?

innovatephysicaltherapy

Though the name itself might not sound like something that falls in the realm of physical therapy, dry needling is a great option when looking for a therapy program to treat pain related diagnoses. It is a simple, cost-effective and efficient solution to many physical deficiencies.

Dry needling is a physical therapy practice that allows therapists to directly treat the deep and superficial tissues which are contributing to dysfunction. Fine filament needles help bypass restrictions from soft tissue and improve circulation to reduce chemicals signaling pain. By using a needle, trigger points are targeted more directly and accurately. Dry needling is different from acupuncture in that acupuncture comes from Eastern-based medicine and dry needling comes from Western-based medicine. The same “dry” needles, without medication or injections, are used in both practices.  

Dry needling is often integrated into a wider rehabilitation plan and used in conjunction with other therapy treatments. Because it falls under the umbrella of physical therapy practices, dry needling is covered by most major insurances.

“Dry needling can play a role in improving physical function for a wide variety of people,” said Luke Collin, DPT, the Outpatient Therapy Coordinator for Innovate Physical Therapy. “It has benefits with most pain, acute muscle strains, chronic pain, tennis elbow, headaches and postural deficits.”

Typically, dry needling is used to treat a client one-to-two times per week at the beginning of treatment. Then the number of sessions is reduced as the therapy program progresses.

The best part is that not only does dry needling have a wide variety of benefits, it is also a simple and quick technique with minimal side effects.

“Dry needling itself is generally a short process,” said Collin, who has been certified in dry needling since 2014. “Most of the time it is done in just a few minutes.”

Dry needling is relatively painless, with a sensation that is often described as deep and achy. Side effects after a session can include muscular soreness, similar to soreness after a workout, and mild bruising. Though side effects of dry needling typically subside after 24 to 48 hours. 

To find out if dry needling is the right therapy treatment for you, call (402) 682-4210 to speak to one of our skilled therapists and learn more about what other therapy treatments we offer.

Don’t Let Debilitating Hand Pain Impact Your Independence

Don’t Let Debilitating Hand Pain Impact Your Independence

innovatephysicaltherapy

Think about how many times a day the average person uses their hands. From hitting the snooze button in the morning to setting the alarm at night, hands rarely remain still. They are constantly moving through both simple and complex motions as a regular part of daily living.

“Any kind of deficiency, caused by an injury, surgery or neurological event, can significantly affect one’s daily function,” explained Kathy Ramaekers, an occupational therapist and certified hand therapist with Innovate Physical Therapy in Bellevue.

This is why Ramaekers wishes more physicians would refer patients to physical or occupational therapy when patients first notice pain and/or movement limitations with their hands.

“Most people just accept that some pain or stiffness is a normal part of life,” Ramaekers said. “But that isn’t necessarily true. In fact, there is a lot that a hand therapist can do to alleviate pain and improve hand function.”

Each hand contains 27 bones that are wrapped together by ligaments, tendons, muscles, nerves and arteries. All work in concert to perform activities like tying a shoe, opening a jar or putting together a model airplane. When something limits one’s use of their hands, it can have a profound effect on his or her entire life.

“As individuals age, learning to live without functioning hands is challenging physically, mentally, emotionally and socially,” Ramaekers said. “A hand therapist works to get his or her patients back to as much normal function as possible. Hand function is key to independent living.”

Even though complaints may be localized to the hand, all hand therapy treatments should be preceded by an assessment of the entire arm extremity – from the neck and shoulder down through the arm and to the fingers.

“I always look at alignment, position, strength and flexibility, range of motion and grip strength,” Ramaekers said.

As the provider of choice for multiple orthopedic physicians focusing on the hand, Ramaekers recognizes such assessments would also identify inflammation, swelling or other indications of medical conditions, such as arthritis, which can affect the hand.

Once a cause of pain or loss of function is determined, a treatment plan is formed. In addition to exercises and therapies, such as massage or ultrasound, a hand therapist can suggest compensating strategies and adaptive equipment.

Compensating strategies may include selecting shoes with Velcro® or magnetic straps that don’t require knot tying, learning to do certain tasks with the other hand or choosing shirts without buttons. Adaptive equipment prescribed may include an appliance that opens jars, handles that make gripping and pulling easier (such as seat belts) or specially designed silverware or writing tools.

Hand therapists will also work with individual clients to devise strategies that help them alleviate stress on the hands, such as carrying items with the arms and not the hands.

To learn more about our hand therapy services, call us at (402) 682-4210.