Vertigo is a feeling of dizziness. The most common vestibular disorder is BPPV or Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo.  This is an inner ear disorder where calcium crystals deposits drag the fluid in the inner ear causing the nerves and brain to react with the symptoms below.

Symptoms of Vertigo:

• spinning
• swaying
• blurred vision
• unbalanced
• feeling nauseated/ vomiting
• headaches
• eye jerking (nystagmus)
• hearing loss

These symptoms can be debilitating if left untreated.  Your doctor may refer you to a physical therapist for vestibular rehabilitation.  This will help strengthen your vestibular system.  Treatment includes specific head and body movements.  Also, doing lifestyle changes with sleep, positioning with certain activities, avoiding sudden neck movements, and exercising will help with your treatment of vertigo.

Vertigo can cause a big impact in your life if left unanswered. This will affect your daily productivity, interactions with others, and many more.

If you still have Vertigo, we can help eliminate all your pains in as little as a few visits. Be in control of your life. Don’t wait until the pain gets worse, the time is to act is now!

For more information, please contact us at (443) 906-6070 for an appointment today!

By Jennifer Angeles (Updated: 06/14/2020)

Gardening in Spring is fun!

Spring is here and the weather is continually getting brighter!  Many are out there in the garden planting pretty flowers,  stacking stones, digging the soil, spreading the mulch, and so many other gardening activities that are enjoyable.  It’s also a time where we are all coming out of the house and finally getting the sun.

Are you gardening safely?

If you are not gardening safely, you are prone to injury especially to the neck, shoulders, and elbows.  Our bodies may not be prepared for these gardening activities.  Weekend gardeners hurry to finish their projects over the weekend.  The stress that is placed on the body, especially on the neck and upper body, may cause serious problems.

Tips for safe gardening

These are some safe gardening tips to help prevent injury from happening.

1.  Stretch.  Stretching before and after gardening is a simple way to warm up and cool down your body.  Simple stretches can be done to the neck by bending and turning side to side, head down and back , holding for 5 secs for 10 times; rolling shoulders forward and back 10-20 times; pinching shoulder blades together 10-20 times.

2.  Lift with your legs.  Bend your knees when lifting to protect your neck and lower back.  Don’t lift anything heavy.  Many gardeners want to get the job done and lift heavier than they can handle.  Heavy lifting makes you extend your neck and back which causes injury.   Proper body mechanics can save your spine.

3.  Use tools.  Man has made tools to make the job easier – use it.  A dolly or wheelbarrow helps transport objects faster and safer.  Shovels, and soil tillers are great to use. They have longer handles to prevent long periods of stooping.

4.  Take breaks in between.  Getting out of the stooped position is good to relieve your body from the stressful position you’re in.  Take frequent breaks to drink water to hydrate your muscles.  Wear a hat or stay in the shade while gardening.

Gardening is a fun activity.  The work you put in is very rewarding – trying to get it done may be harmful if the body is not ready for all the activities that come with it like lifting, bending, stooping, and pushing.  Try these simple tips for safe gardening and you will surely feel good.

If you do experience pain or injury, call us today for an appointment – one of our physical therapists can help you!

By Jennifer Angeles (Updated: 06/14/2020)

Do you have back pain from sitting at your desk 8 hours a day, 5 days a week?

You may not know it, but back pain from sitting for 40 hours a week can hurt you.  Sitting at your desk can lead to backache and fatigue from slouching over your desk all week.  Since you sit most of the time during the day, it is best to learn some back care tips that could help you prevent injury and strain.

Sitting Monday Through Friday

Back pain from sitting for long periods at work from Monday through Friday is quite common.  There is long, unrelieved pressure on the back sitting in one position, and leads to slouching.  Then on Friday nights and weekends, you engage in activities like dancing, hiking, playing a sport, and your back may feel fine.  Come Friday again, your back may be tired and prone to injury.  It’s not your job that causes the problem, it’s how you treat your back on and off the job.

A back care solution from pain from sitting

There are simple things you can do to save your back from the everyday strain of sitting.

• Start with good sitting posture.
• Shift your sitting position to take pressure off your lower back.
• Get up and walk around .
• Simple back exercises you can do right at your desk to release muscle tension.

Back Care Exercises for People Who Sit

Here are some back care exercises that could help you break your sitting cycle and release muscle tension.  It can also help realign your spine from slouching.  Doing these exercises will give your good circulation and may boost your energy!

1. Chin Tucks.  To realign your natural curve in the neck, simply slide your chin straight back, keeping your head and ears level.  It feels like you have a double chin when doing this exercise.  Repeat 5-10 times, several times a day
2. Middle Back Stretch.  To realign your upper back, bend both elbows and swing your arms back and forth, as if you would when running.  Repeat 5-10 times, several times a day.
3. Back Extension in Standing.  To release the slouch curve in your lower back, stand up, press your palms on your lower back , and gently bend your upper and lower back backward.  Repeat 5-10 times, several times a day.
4. Shoulder Circles.  to release tension in your neck and shoulder, roll your shoulders backwards.  Repeat 5-10 times, several times a day
5. Elbow Press.  To release tension in your middle back,  bring your arms to your side with elbows bent and gently squeeze your shoulder blades together.  Repeat 5-10 times, several times a day.
6. Abdominal Isometrics.  To strengthen your abdominal muscles which helps support your back, first make sure you are sitting with your buttocks firmly against the back of the chair.  Exhale and tighten your abdominal muscles for a count of 10.  Repeat 5-10 times, several times a day.

If you’re still experiencing back pain, call us today at KTS Physical Therapy for an appointment!

By Jennifer Angeles (Updated: 06/14/2020)

So, who really gets shoulder problems?  Do shoulder problems only happen when you lift something heavy or fall on your shoulder?

Almost anyone can get shoulder problems – young, middle-aged, old, workers, athletes, and even people who are sedentary.  This is something that is usually seen here at the clinic.  Athletes, young and old, often get shoulder injuries.  Some shoulder problems occur from wear and tear, repetitive use, and from routine activities.  “Weekend athletes” who play basketball and are out of shape, or the do-it-yourselfers  doing projects at home painting or fixing faucets when they’re not prepared for such strenuous activities.

Someone who has neck problems may also have difficulty with moving the shoulder, arm and hand.  Shoulder problems can also affect arm, hand movements, and have a weakened grip.  Some symptoms on the shoulder could be due to some internal organ problems such as the heart or gallbladder; or an illness such as diabetes.  So it is necessary to be carefully diagnosed by a doctor.

When the shoulder shuts down

Like a machine, the moving parts can go wrong – injuries.  Many nerves and tendons pass thru the shoulder which causes pain, and referring pain to the neck, elbow and hand.  When you hurt your shoulder, you find the simplest activities are hard to do.  Stiffness and difficulty moving the shoulder happens when we stop using the hurt shoulder.

How to Regain Your Shoulder Motion Back

There are a few things you can do to get motion back to the shoulder

Diagnosis.  Make sure that you see your doctor or physical therapist if you hurt your shoulder.  Don’t try to go thru the cycle of not using the shoulder.  The longer you wait, the worse your shoulder problem may become.

Movement.  Once you know what’s wrong with your shoulder, movement may be necessary to avoid stiffness and pain.

Physical Therapy.  Anyone with shoulder problems will benefit from physical therapy, and there are various treatments available that physical therapists can do for you, and are specific to your needs.

Still experiencing shoulder pain? Don’t worry – all our office today to schedule an appointment!

By Jennifer Angeles (Updated: 06/14/2020)