In physical therapy, I see a variety of patients with conditions that have associated swelling or edema. Many patients post-operatively suffer from swelling that is very painful and restricts mobility. Compression garments can be an extremely useful self management tool for many types of swelling. The most common type of garments used are compression stockings for leg swelling. These come in a variety of sizes and lengths and are used to support the venous and lymphatic systems of the leg. They provide graduated compression which means there is more compression at the foot and ankle and less compression higher on the leg around the thigh. The compression stockings act as a pump for the fluid in your legs. The exterior tissue support that the stockings provide helps Read the rest of this entry »
Archive for November, 2009
Compression Garments in PT
Nov 27
Destress for Less Pain
Nov 20
We all know stress isn’t good for the body, but how does it affect the musculoskeletal system? Patients who seem to be under a lot of stress have more pain, especially neck pain. When people are stressed it changes their posture and increases muscular tension, which are both bad for your musculoskeletal health. Has stress ever made you do the following: Clench your teeth? Tense your neck? Hold your head in your hand? Hunch your shoulders? Throw out an attitudinal hip? 
These can lead to headaches and jaw, neck, shoulder, and back pain. An emotionally unhealthy environment or condition is not one that is conducive to healing. If you are more stressed you may be less likely to complete your prescribed home exercise program. This will not help your cranky joints. Read the rest of this entry »
Some people like to take their therapy with them. I’ve been asked frequently where to get the best cold or hot packs, pillows, and massage tools. There are oodles of great products out there, but you don’t have to spend a fortune to get the equipment you need to get through therapy. Maybe you’ve already discussed some of these ideas over coffee talk with friends, but anyways here are some do-it-yourself ideas for home equipment that won’t break the bank.
Packs for Pain Relief
- Ice Pack Recipe
- This rubbing alcohol doesn’t burn, it deflames. Put 1 part rubbing alcohol to 3 parts water in a gallon ziploc bag, making sure not to fill it all the way up. Then, double bag it and place in the freezer. It won’t harden all the way, so you have a pliable ice pack to mold around the joints. When using, place a damp cloth around the pack and then apply to the affected area for 15 minutes. Always keep one in the freezer, just in case. Read the rest of this entry »
The Silent Killer
Nov 6
Bones are living tissue, constantly breaking down and rebuilding. They respond to the stresses placed on them, building more bone when there is more demand and breaking down when there isn’t. Weight-bearing exercise stimulates the bones to rebuild. When we are sedentary there isn’t demand to build, thus the rate of breaking down bone can go up in relation to bone-building. This is why weight-bearing exercise is important in the prevention of osteoporosis! Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by low bone mass and structural deterioration of bone tissue, leading to bone fragility. Read the rest of this entry »
