Belmar Physical Therapy is now a member of the Rocky Mountain Health Plans (RMHP) physical therapy network through our affiliation with Colorado Physical Therapy Network.
If you are a Rocky Mountain Health Plans member in the Denver or Lakewood, CO area and you are interested in the best possible results from physical therapy contact us at (303) 274-2404.
Physical therapy ranks among the top treatment choices of their readers with back pain, according to a new Consumer Reports survey of more than 14,000 Americans who experience the condition. The report also recommends manual therapy (spinal manipulation) and exercise for low back pain. Physical therapists perform both of these types of treatments regularly. In fact, many of the studies supporting spinal manipulation and exercise for low back pain have been published by physical therapists.
More and more studies are showing that physical therapy is a great first choice treatment for low back pain. Here are just a few:
The trochanteric bursa is a small fluid filled sack that lies between the greater trochanter (the bony knob on the side of your hip) and the iliotibial band (a band of connective tissue that runs along the side of the thigh). Trochanteric bursitis occurs when this fluid filled sack becomes inflamed and painful. The pain from trochanteric bursitis is usually felt along the side of the hip.
What causes Trochanteric Bursitis?
Trochanteric bursitis is most often caused by a mechanical fault at the pelvis and hip. The mechanical fault involves the inability to control the femur (thigh bone) during weight bearing activities such as walking, hiking, running and going up and down stairs. The lack of control of the femur during these activities causes increased friction between the greater trochanter and the iliotibial band resulting in irritation of the bursa.
How Is Trochanteric Bursitis Treated?
Many treatments such as ultrasound, ice, anti-inflamatories and steroid injections can provide short term benefit. However, in order to provide long term relief and prevention one must treat the mechanical cause. The muscles that control the femur must be strengthened in order to eliminate the excessive friction on the bursa. The muscles that help control the femur during weight bearing activities include the gluteus medius and the deep lateral rotators of the hip (the rotator cuff of the hip). Excessive pronation (flattening) of the foot during weight bearing activities may also cause excessive friction on the trochanteric bursa. This excessive pronation of the foot can be reduced by wearing proper footwear or using orthotics.
Here is a video demonstrating some of the hip strengthening exercises we recommend for the treatment of trochanteric bursitis:
If you live near Lakewood, CO and need help finding the cause of your hip pain for successful treatment we are her to help. Contact Belmar Physical Therapy at (303) 274-2404.
One-third of people over the age of 65 suffer from a fall each year.
Falls are the number one cause of hospital trauma admissions, injuries and accident-related deaths in this people over 65.
In 2002, fall-related injuries were the cause of death for approximately 13,000 Americans.
The National Safety Council expects the number of people over age 65 to double by the year 2030, which will potentially double the number of falls in this age group.
Why Do People Over 65 Fall More?
The ability to avoid falling is dependent on a persons ability to maintain balance in a variety of situations. Maintaining balance is a complex process that relies on multiple sensory systems working together. These sensory systems include receptors in the foot and ankle as well as the eyes and the inner ear. The brain receives signals from these sensory systems and in turn sends signals to the muscles of the trunk and lower extremities to react and maintain balance. As we age the sensory systems may become slower and the muscles may become weak and unable to adjust quick enough or powerful enough to avoid falling.
Preventing Falls: The Good News!
Falls in this population can be avoided with proper education and training. Stopfalls.org is a great resource for education on this topic. You can download a flyer from their site called Fall Prevention Tips here. Education is a vital component to fall prevention. However, at least one study has found that balance training exercises provided by a licensed physical therapist can be even more effective than education alone. These exercises focus on improving positional sense as well as strengthening of the lower extremities and the coremuscles of the trunk so that they can react more effectively to correct a loss of balance.
If you live in the Lakewood, CO or the Denver Metro area and you or a loved one would like to stay out of the hospital by avoiding a fall please contact Belmar Physical Therapy at (303) 274-2404.
The thoracic spine is the part of the spine where your ribs attach. This area is below the neck and above the low back. A physical therapist performs thoracic manipulation by applying a quick push to this area. This quick impulse may or may not cause a harmless pop to occur.
What Are The Benefits of Thoracic Manipulation for Neck Pain?
More and more studies are showing the benefits of manipulating this area for neck pain. A recent study in the Journal of Orthopedics and Sports Physical Therapy found that patients with acute neck pain who received this thoracic spine manipulation had superior clinical benefits that persisted beyond the 1-month follow-up period. You can view a synopsis of the article here.
Here is a video demonstration of thoracic manipulation:
The Following Links Provide Further Support For The Use of Thoracic Manipulation by Physical Therapist For Neck Pain:
We have found the use of thoracic spine manipulaiton combined with patient education, specific exercises and other manual therapy techniques to be very effective in alleviating neck pain. If you live in the Lakewood, CO area and would like relief from this very debilitating condition contact Belmar Physical Therapy at (303) 274-2404.
Are you suffering from pain, numbness or tingling in your legs or feet? It might actually be a problem in your low back, even if you don’t have back pain. Symptoms such as these that radiate down the legs may be from a condition called spinal stenosis.
What is Spinal Stenosis?
Injuries or age-related changes to the discs that lie between the vertebrae can cause degeneration and loss of disc height. Over time, this results in decreased space between the vertebrae, causing pressure on the nerves where they exit the spine. Repeated or prolonged compression on the nerves in the lower region of the spine can cause symptoms anywhere from the low back to the toes. These symptoms include pain, decreased sensation to hot and cold, and numbness or tingling. The symptoms of spinal stenosis typically get worse with standing or walking (which causes narrowing of the spinal canal) and decrease upon sitting (which causes opening of the spinal canal).
Treatment for Spinal Stenosis
The good news is that these symptoms can be improved or even resolved with proper physical therapy. A good physical therapist will identify any strength and flexibility imbalances that exist around your spine and address those deficiencies with proper exercises. Core stabilization activities are especially effective for people with spinal stenosis. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, try the exercises shown in this handout.
Belmar Physical Therapy Can Help
If your symptoms are persistent and you live in the Denver or Lakewood, CO area, our physical therapists can design a treatment program to meet your specific needs. Call Belmar Physical Therapy at (303) 274-2404 to get started on the path to resolving your symptoms.
Adhesive capsulitis, also known as frozen Shoulder, is a disorder of the shoulder in which the capsule surrounding the joint becomes inflamed and stiff. As the condition worsens range of motion of the shoulder is severely reduced. The exact cause of frozen shoulder is unknown. However, there are a number of risk factors for this problem including diabetes, stroke, trauma, lung disease, connective tissue disorders and heart disease. Frozen shoulder usually occurs in 3 phases:
People with Frozen Shouler typically lift the entire shoulder girdle when attempting to lift the shoulder.
The Freezing Phase: This is the most painful stage. Pain occurs with any movement and there is a gradual reduction in range of motion.
The Frozen Stage: During this stage the pain in the shoulder gradually decreases. However, the shoulder is extremely stiff during this stage.
The Thawing Stage: During this stage range of motion of the shoulder gradually returns to normal.
Each stage can last months and full resolution can take over a year.
What is The Best Treatment For Adhesive Capsulitis?
Physical therapy can be very effective in decreasing the duration of frozen shoulder as well as improving function during this period. However, it is important that the physical therapist use effective treatment techniques. A recent study in the Physical Therapy Journal examined the records of 2,370 patients (That’s alot of patients!) with adhesive capsulitis to see which treatments were effective in decreasing pain and improving function and which treatments were not effective.
The treatments that increased the likelihood of pain reduction and improved function were:
Joint mobilization performed by a licensed physical therapist.
Exercise
The treatments that decreased the likelihood of pain reduction and improved function were:
Ultrasound
Massage
Iontophoresis (Delivery of steroid with electrical stimulation)
Phonophoresis (Delivery of steroid with ultrasound)
If you think you may have adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder) we would be glad to help you. Please contact Belmar Physical Therapy at (303) 274-2404.
If you desire a long and successful career in baseball, at any level, read further to see how Belmar Physical Therapy can help you achieve your goals.
In the last two decades, top level managers have focused less on speed and more on injury prevention for success in the sport of baseball.
My Shoulder Already Hurts, What Do I Do?
Even if you’re currently experiencing shoulder pain, it’s not too late!
Many injuries can be successfully treated with a well-structured and carefully implemented non-operative rehabilitation program by a Physical Therapist.
The overhead throwing motion is an extremely skillful and intricate movement that is very stressful on the shoulder joint complex.
The overhead athlete places extraordinary demands on this complex. The thrower’s shoulder must be loose enough to allow extreme motion, but be stable at the same time. This requires a delicate balance. Experts refer to this balance as the “thrower’s paradox.”
Scientific studies show that changes occur in the shoulder from the repetitive microtrauma that occurs during overhead throwing.
The Types of Injuries That Occur Are:
Anterior Instability
Impingement
Biceps Tensonitis
Rotator Cuff Tendonitis
The physical therapists at Belmar Physical Therapy continuously review the scientific literature in order to provide the most successful treatment possible. Physical therapy treatment focuses on the restoration of normal movement of the shoulder complex during the rehabilitation program.
The Treatment Consists of:
Controlling inflammation.
Restoring muscle balance.
Improving soft tissue flexibility.
Improving strength of the throwing muscles.
Enhancing control of the shoulder complex.
Call Belmar Physical Therapy today at (303) 274-2404 to start improving your performance through injury prevention or treatment.
The Plantar Fascia is a thick band of connective tissue that supports the arch of the foot. This band of connective tissue runs along the bottom of the foot from the heel to the toes. The plantar fascia is an important energy storing structure acting like a spring to assist pushing off of the foot during walking and running. Plantar fasciitis occurs when this band of tissue is overloaded and becomes inflamed or irritated.
What Are The Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis?
Pain on the bottom of the foot towards the heal.
The pain is usually worse with the first few steps in the morning or after sitting for a long time.
Increased pain after weight bearing exercise.
What Are The Possible Causes Plantar Fasciitis?
The possible causes are:
Abnormal foot mechanics such as excessive pronation (flattening)
Abnormal hip and knee mechanics placing increased stress on the foot.
Tight calf muscles placing increased stress on the foot.
Wearing shoes that lack arch support.
A sudden increase in weight bearing activities such as running.
Weight gain placing more pressure on the feet.
Pregnancy due to added weight and softening of the plantar fascia due to hormonal changes.
How is Plantar Fasciitis Treated?
We have found the EdUReP (Education, Unload, Reload, Prevention) model to be very effective for treating Plantar Fasciitis.
Education: The patient is educated regarding predisposing factors and mechanical faults that may be contributing to overload of the plantar fascia.
Unload: A period of rest is recommended and the plantar fascia is unloaded by improving hip and knee mechanics as well as stretching the calf muscles. Calf stretches must be altered to isolate the stretch to the calf without stretching the plantar fascia (see our self management hand out). We do not recommend stretching the plantar fascia because we feel that excessive elongation of this tissue is the cause of the pain in the first place. Orthotics may also be necessary to help unload the plantar fascia. The pain can often be managed with ice and self massage.
Reload: Once the pain is diminished wight bearing exercise is slowly reinstituted into the patients program.
Prevention: The patient is further educated regarding ways to prevent recurrence. This includes instituting recovery weeks into their training program and exercises to maintain proper mechanics of the lower extremity.
If Pain Persists and You’re In the Denver Metro Area
Schedule an appointment with our staff of licensed Physical Therapists. We’ll do a thorough exam and evaluation and suggest a course of treatment. If you’re not local to Belmar Physical Therapy then please contact a local, licensed therapist in your area.
Shin splints, or medial tibial stress syndrome, is an overuse injury that causes lower leg pain. This problem is the cause in 18% of running injuries and is 2-3 more prevalent in women than men. Shin splints are primarily caused by a mismatch between overload and recovery during weight bearing exercise. High-stress impact loading during running or walking places an increased stress on the lower leg bone (tibia). When this stress increases gradually the bone strengthens in order to handle the load. Shin splints occur when the body’s ability to strengthen the bone is not able to keep up with the stress being placed on the bone. This imbalance of bone strengthening and stress causes small cracks in the bone and inflammation of the surrounding tissue. The pain from shin splints can be classified into 4 stages in order of severity:
Light pain or stiffness after working out.
Pain at the beginning of a work-out which dissapears during the warm-up.
Pain during the work-out, but also after the workout and during the night. The pain subsides after long rest and inactivity.
Constant pain. The pain does not dissapear after rest.
What Mechanical Factors Contribute to Shin Splints?
Excessive flattening (pronation) of the feet when walking or running.
Rest (The amount of rest depends on the stage above).
Anti-inflamatory medication (prescribed by a medical doctor).
Orthotics to support the arch of your foot and decrease the flattening of your feet.
Make sure you shoes are not too old (running shoes should be replaced every 300-600 miles).
Run or walk on softer surfaces such as dirt.
Increase the endurance of your ankle muscles with these exercises.
Stretch your calf muscles.
Cross-train to give your body a break from high-stress impact loading (cycling and swimming are great choices for maintaining aerobic fitness while resting the injury).
When you are ready to resume training, gradually increase your duration and intensity so that the bones can keep up.
Prevent recurrence by instituting rest weeks into your training (We recommend an active rest week of 1/2 your usual training duration and intensity every 4th week).
If you live in the Denver or Lakewood, CO area and would like help treating or preventing shin splints give us a call at (303) 274-2404. If you do not live in our area and have more questions about this or any other orthopedic problem please contact us and we would be glad to help.
network through our affiliation with Colorado Physical Therapy Network.
Are you suffering from pain, numbness or tingling in your legs or feet? It might actually be a problem in your low back, even if you don’t have back pain. Symptoms such as these that radiate down the legs may be from a condition called spinal stenosis. 
