- Headaches
- ArthritisRheumatoid arthritis – the second-most common form of arthritis, in which auto-immune reactions target (in some cases, disfigure) the joints
- FibromyalgiaFibromyalgia is a term used to describe a group of symptoms. Typically, a person who is experiencing debilitating fatigue, tender areas of the body, changes in mood or muscle pain can be diagnosed with this condition. While it is unclear what causes fibromyalgia, some believe the pain is due to an overactive sympathetic nervous system, the part of the body that activates the fight or flight response. Many people first experience symptoms after a physically or emotionally traumatic event. Others begin having pain after bouts of chronic stress or depression while some have symptoms that build over time. Fibromyalgia tends to affect women more than men and if you have a family member with the condition, you are more likely to experience it as well.
- Plantar FasciitisResearch has shown that it can reduce pain, swelling and increase function in several chronic tendon disorders including tennis elbow, patella tendinopathy, Achilles tendinopathy, gluteal tendinopathy, rotator cuff tendinopathy of the shoulder and plantar fasciitis.
- CryotherapyWe at Preferred Physical Therapy are very excited to have started using Compressive Cryotherapy Technology on many of our patients in that have pain or swelling in the knee, ankle, foot, elbow, shoulder, wrist and hand.
- Stroke RehabilitationStroke is a leading cause of disability in adults. Your physical therapist is part of the stroke rehabilitation team and will develop an individualized plan for the best outcome. Your physical therapist can help you improve walking and balance, train you on how to use assistive devices and provide training for your caregivers. Therapy typically includes constraint-induced movement therapy, functional electrical stimulation, motor image, partial body weight support and neuro therapy like biofeedback. Biofeedback is a type of neurological therapy that helps you be aware of how your muscles work and how you can change things. The therapist will attach electrodes to your skin, so you can see measurements of muscle activity on a screen. The goal of your physical therapist is to help you regain functional skills after a stroke, so you can get back to your life.
- NeurologyNeuro therapy is a non-invasive treatment that allows individuals to gain information about their brain activity and learn how to change it. Brainwave activity is measured with an EEG, and “brain maps” are created. Physical therapists work closely with those who specialize in neurological therapy. Without physical therapy following a neurological injury, patients may be unable to perform certain activities, lose function and lose their independence. Physical therapists who specialize in neurology work with a wide range of patients who may have the following conditions...
- Carpal Tunnel SyndromeCarpal Tunnel Syndrome—Swollen tendons, muscles, and other tissues pinch the median nerve inside of the bony carpal tunnel in the wrist. Symptoms include shooting pain in the wrist and hand, sometimes up to the elbow; numbness, tingling, and hand weakness are also common.
- Multiple SclerosisMultiple Sclerosis (MS) is a neurological disease that causes the body’s immune system to abnormally attack the covering of the nerve cells, called myelin. This causes scarring and decreases the nerve’s ability to transmit signals properly. The progression of MS is based on 4 different types of aggressiveness. Multiple sclerosis is categorized by bouts of activity, with periods of minimal to no activity, depending on the different type of MS you may be suffering from. Symptoms can vary person to person dramatically as different parts of the brain, spinal cord or peripheral nerves are affected, making no two cases alike.
- Depression
- Mental HealthChronic pain generally has a combination of environmental and genetic components. Risk factors include family and medical history, advancing age, a history of trauma, alcohol use, tobacco use, mental health, and the presence of other comorbid conditions like obesity. In some cases, chronic pain is considered “idiopathic,” meaning there is no clear cause.
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Diabetes Care
- UltrasoundUltrasound, cold laser therapy, and electrical muscle stimulation – These techniques can all help you heal more quickly.
- MRITo diagnose vertigo, a medical professional will take a full history of your symptoms and events. This includes previous medical issues, recent illnesses, and medications. Then, a physical exam is performed. It includes a comprehensive neurological exam to check brain function. This allows for the determination of whether it’s peripheral or central. Signs of abnormal eye movement may pinpoint the problem. The Dix-Hallpike test or the roll test may be done. The Dix-Hallpike test repositions the head and monitors symptoms. With the roll test, the head is rapidly moved from side to side. A CT scan or MRI may be done to exclude structural problems. Sometimes, electronystagmography may be performed.
- Computed TomographyLymphedema typically occurs as a result of surgical treatment involving the lymph nodes. It is most common in surgical cancer treatments where the lymph nodes are removed or damaged. However, the cause of primary lymphedema isn’t always clear, and your physician may want to take additional imaging tests in order to look at your lymphatic system. This may include an MRI scan, CT scan, Doppler ultrasound, or lymphoscintigraphy.
- ChemotherapyWe use therapeutic massage to help people manage or recover from a wide range of conditions, including fibromyalgia, back and neck pain, arthritis, migraines, diabetic nerve pain, sports and auto-accident related injuries, and even psychological disorders including anxiety and depression (since mental and emotional stress is often neurologically carried into and stored in physical tissues). A professional massage provided by a physical therapist can even ease the effects of chemotherapy and can hasten the healing process in post-surgical patients.
- SciaticaHave you got a back injury that causes you pure agony? Maybe you have not just back pain but also other symptoms like a pins and needles sensation in your back, buttocks, or legs. Back pain and the sciatic nerve disorder called sciatica are often connected, and they can come together to make your life absolutely miserable.
- WhiplashHave you ever experienced whiplash? If so, then you know just how painful this sudden condition can be. Mayo Clinic defines whiplash as “a neck injury due to forceful, rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck, like the cracking of a whip.” Ouch!
- ArthroscopySometimes, home remedies can relieve the symptoms of TMJ syndrome. Some people respond well to over-the-counter meds like ibuprofen and aspirin. Ice packs applied to the jaw joint may also help. Sedative essential oils, such as clary sage and lavender may give temporary relief. When home remedies don’t work, medical treatment may be needed. A jaw specialist may use a dental splint to keep teeth properly aligned and to prevent tooth grinding. Other types of medical treatment include trigger point acupuncture, joint replacement or a TMJ arthroscopy. Muscle relaxers and anti-inflammatory meds may be prescribed.
- Joint Replacement
- Bunions
- Arthroscopy
- Psoriasis
- Sports MedicineAccording to a study shared by the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, the rates of sports injury in track and field sport can be high as 9 out of 1,000 athletes. Other injuries, including contact sports, may be even higher.
- Physical TherapyPreferred PT Associates helps patients with many different conditions. Please see the diagram below for information on common conditions we treat and how physical therapy can help you.
- Occupational TherapyOccupational therapy is an evidence-based treatment deeply rooted in science. It’s a proven therapy that works in the real world. Interventions include helping people to recover and regain skills from an injury, helping children with disabilities participate in school and social arenas and helping seniors improve cognitive and physical skills. An occupational plan is all-inclusive and includes...
- Frozen ShoulderAdhesive Capsulitis (Frozen Shoulder): progressive and marked range of motion loss in the shoulder generally following some sort of injury, illness, or infection affecting the shoulder area
- Tennis ElbowLaser therapy effectively treats lower back pain, neck pain, arthritis, bursitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow, plantar, and sciatica. It can also be used to treat sports injuries, sprains, and strains, or other soft tissue injuries throughout the body. Anywhere there is pain or injury, laser therapy can help. Even older injuries that have not healed properly can be improved with this type of physical therapy service. However, it is important to note that laser therapy is most effective when combined with physical therapy. While this modality addresses pain, inflammation, and healing, it increases flexibility and mobility only when combined with therapeutic exercise, stretching, and other physical therapy services.
- Shoulder Pain
- Heel Pain
- Ankle SprainWhy might our Deerfield Beach physical therapist prescribe both physical therapy exercises and manual therapy for your condition? As powerful as each of these disciplines is in improving function and easing discomfort, they appear to offer special benefits when used in combination. For instance, a study of ankle sprain sufferers found that the ones who received a combination of manual therapy and physical therapy exercises had fewer functional problems and discomfort (both at 4 weeks and at 6 months) than those who only performed the physical therapy exercises.
- Neck Pain
- Back Pain
- Aquatic TherapyPhysical therapists can even treat vertigo due to a car accident. In as little as one treatment, they can fix a dysfunction in the vestibular system. Types of physical therapy include massage, manual manipulation, ultrasound, ice and cold therapy, specific exercises, targeted massage, stretching and aquatic therapy. It’s a holistic approach to healing after being in a car accident. In addition to treatment after a car accident injury, physical therapists can provide services for pulmonary rehab, neurologic rehab, cardiovascular, orthopedic and post-op care.
- Manual TherapyMuscle energy technique is a form of manual therapy in Deerfield Beach which muscles own energy is used to induce relaxation and promote pain relief. This technique is especially useful when the cause of pain and stiffness are muscles.
- TMJ Dysfunction
- Orthotics and Prosthetic TherapyThe TOG GaitScan™ is a valuable education tool that provides practitioners with a comprehensive biomechanical analysis for each patient as well as clear, concise images to assess and articulate the need for orthotic therapy.
- Achilles TendonitisOther potentially treatable conditions include patellofemoral knee pain, shin splints, achilles tendonitis, and bunions, as well as numerous systemic pathologies that (like diabetes) affect the function of the lower limbs. Physical therapy services can provide treatment to relieve pain and improve whatever condition you’re suffering from.
- Ankle Sprain
- Bunions Problems
- Heel SpursHeel Spurs – This is a bony protrusion on the heel that is usually made of some sort of calcium build-up. While the actual spurs are not painful they can poke the tissues in the heel and potentially cause severe pain. Many of the same risk factors that cause plantar fasciitis can also cause heel spurs.
- Heel Pain
- Foot Pain
- MetatarsalgiaMetatarsalgia – This is a painful disorder that affects the joints and bones along the ball of the foot. This condition is often caused by ill-fitting footwear or restrictive footwear. Orthotics are usually recommended to help reduce pain caused by metatarsalgia.
- Plantar FasciitisPlantar Fasciitis – This is a painful condition along the sole of the foot; and in particular, the area that connects the heel bone to the toes. This is due to thick tissues along the bottom of the feet becoming tightened or inflamed. Pain can occur in the heel or the arch of the foot. It can be caused by obesity, age, and standing for long periods of time on your feet.