Physical Therapy Hows & Whys

Is Physical Therapy a good way to get started on an exercise program if you have been inactive for a long period of time or is a personal trainer a better option?

It is always best to consult with your doctor before beginning an exercise after prolonged inactivity. Your doctor will perform a complete physical and determine if you will be at risk or if you are safe to begin an exercise program. If the MD gives you the “Go Ahead”, physical therapy is your best option for proceeding.

The PT will evaluate your body before developing an exercise program. Tests may include an assessment of muscle strength in your arms, legs and core. He or she will assess your flexibility, your ligamentous stability, your range of motion in your joints, your endurance level, and your current fitness level. The PT will measure our blood pressure and your heart rate at rest and determine an appropriate activity level for your exercise program. He or she can tailor the program towards your specific fitness goals, for example, weight loss, improved endurance, strength gains, toning or others you may have in mind. If you wish, the PT can also measure your body fat level and develop a plan to reduce that level.

One benefit of beginning a fitness program with a PT is that you are being medically monitored. As you proceed with your fitness program, the PT will assess your heart rate and blood pressure before, during and after activity. Your exercises will be adjusted accordingly. If you have any previous injuries, alert the PT so that area can be protected in your program to prevent a flare up. Additionally, the PT can add exercise to your program to rehabilitate the injured area.

One last advantage of a fitness program which is performed under the direction of a Physical Therapist is the price. A medically guided program may be covered under your health insurance. This means that you may only need to pay for your copayment or coinsurance. If, however, you do not have insurance, many Physical Therapists provide personal training to their clients. The cost may be slightly higher than the fee a personal trainer may charge (about $10-$20 on average). But, the Physical Therapist is a medical professional who has either a Masters or a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree and is trained in the biomechanics of the body, muscle structure and function, injuries and rehab, anatomy and physiology, orthopedics, and strengthening and conditioning.
North Tahoe Physical Therapy works with many clients for reconditioning programs both through insurance and on a cash payment basis. We also offer personal training and Pilates exercise programs.

-Jane O’Brien, MSPT

Massage and Chronic Pain

Can massage help me with chronic pain that I have had for years?

Therapeutic and deep tissue massage and bodywork can not only relieve acute symptoms but can also affect a change in chronic pain that you may have been experiencing on and off for years. In some cases, massage is the most beneficial tool used to deal with these ongoing discomforts.As with anything, it may take several sessions to relieve symptoms of chronic pain. You didn’t develop these pains overnight, so they may take more than one session to relieve. As you begin to treat your condition, it may be important to be treated several times before you can transition to a less frequent schedule for health maintenance.

Please be sure to share specifics with your massage therapist to develop the best plan for you.Massage therapy is particularly effective in treating the chronic pains experienced as a result of exercise, fibromyalgia, and job related discomforts (i.e. working at a computer, sitting or standing for long periods of time). I have the experience and training to facilitate your bodies healing process and look forward to ridding your body of the pain and discomfort that keep you from enjoying a healthy lifestyle in Lake Tahoe. Massage should not only be looked upon as a commodity, but as preventative maintenance on your body’s tissues and subsequent organs which is one of the best ways to stay out of your doctors’ waiting rooms.

-By: Brian Hrindo, LMT

Massage and Soreness

I just had a massage yesterday, why am I so sore today?

Chances are it was the bodywork you experienced the day before, and it’s perfectly okay. Yes, soreness can be an after-effect of the treatment and it is common to experience it. Soreness or tenderness can result from the pressure used to release the restrictions in your body’s tissue, and also can be a result of under-hydration either before or after the treatment. If the body is not being properly hydrated after the session to flush out the toxins, such as lactic acid, they may be re-deposited into the muscular system causing tenderness. A great approach would to be properly hydrated prior to your treatment by drinking 2-3 glasses in the hours before your appointment. Water is necessary for the liver to filter out the toxins and chemicals from our body, food, and medications.

A professional massage is more than an ordinary back rub. The reason that massage therapy is so effective is that it physically breaks up the restrictions in the muscle tissue causing pain. It is very much like doing a workout. If the muscles are not used to it, they often respond with some soreness. This should only last a day or two, if it does last longer, speak with your therapist about adjusting the treatment. However, just as with exercise, when your body adjusts to having this type of workout your physical response will also be less intense. As a therapist, I want to know how the body is feeling after the soreness does subside.