The joints form the connections between your bones and provide support and stability as you move. Joint damage from an injury or disease can hinder your mobility and cause significant pain and discomfort. Joint pain is a common ailment we see at Free Body Physical Therapy, Shoulder Therapy in Chicago.
Our experienced physical therapists are well versed in diagnosing and treating common causes of joint pain. Continue reading to discover more information about the causes of joint pain and tips for keeping your joints in top shape.
What Causes Joint Pain?
Joint pain is an extremely common phenomenon, especially as you age. Most people complain of pain in their knees, shoulders, and hips, but joint pain can affect any part of your body. Numerous conditions can lead to painful joints, including but not limited to the following:
- Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes your body to attack its tissues.
- Osteoarthritis is the most prevalent form of arthritis caused by wear and tear.
- Sprains and strains.
- Bursitis occurs when the bursae cushioning your joints become inflamed.
- Gout is a form of arthritis that affects the joint in your big toe.
- Tendinitis is a painful inflammation of the tendon.
Treating Joint Pain: Shoulder Therapy in Chicago
Joint pain can range from irritating to disabling. Even short-term swelling and pain can negatively impact your quality of life. While there may not be a cure for the cause of your joint pain, there are ways to manage your condition and find relief. Our team will thoroughly evaluate your situation to determine the cause of your pain and treat it at the source. Most joint pain treatments aim to reduce inflammation and pain and preserve joint functions. Stiff, painful joints only get worse when you leave them at rest. Physical therapy is a helpful solution to your joint problems.
Our team will prescribe a physical therapy program that works to improve your symptoms and quality of life. Here are some of the goals of Shoulder Therapy in Chicago for joint pain:
- Reduced swelling and pain in the joints.
- Restored range of motion.
- Increased muscle strength.
- Education on maintaining good joint health.
Tips To Prevent Joint Pain
Some of the causes of joint pain and stiffness are beyond your control, but you can take steps to prevent joint pain or delay the onset of pain. Here are some tips for keeping your joints healthy and preventing pain:
- Keep Moving – The golden rule of joint health is to stay in motion. While joint pain and stiffness may have you reluctant to get active, the more you move, the less stiffness you’ll have.
- Weight Loss – Your weight can affect the strain on your hips, knees, and back. Every pound of weight loss takes 4 pounds of pressure off of your knee joints. Free Body Physical Therapy, Shoulder Therapy in Chicago, can help you implement an effective routine to help you achieve your weight loss goals.
- Quit Smoking – It’s no secret that smoking can lead to a host of health problems. Smoking increases your chances of developing osteoporosis and can leave you at risk of bone fractures. Quitting smoking can help improve your joint and bone health.
- Try Low Impact Exercise – You can achieve all the benefits of regular exercise with lower impact exercises. Low-impact workouts minimize joint stress. Swimming and walking are great ways to stay active while going easy on your joints.
- Strengthen Muscles – It’s essential to keep the muscles that support your joints as strong as possible. You can improve your muscle strength by doing targeted strengthening exercises. Our team can show you strengthening exercises to increase your joint stability while decreasing pain.
Contact Us: Shoulder Therapy in Chicago
If you live with joint pain or wish to prevent it, Free Body Physical Therapy, Shoulder Therapy in Chicago, is here to help! We’ll work with you to keep your joints healthy and improve your longevity. Be sure to contact our team today to schedule your first physical therapy session!
Whether you swim competitively or as a hobby, swimming is a fun activity that keeps you in shape. Being submerged in water puts less stress on your joints than running or weightlifting would. However, injuries are still possible. At Free Body Physical Therapy, Shoulder Therapy in Chicago, our goal is to help you stay in the pool and remain injury-free all summer long. To learn more about swimming injuries and how you can prevent them, continue reading below.
Swimming Injuries
Swimming is a well-loved summertime exercise for many people. However, the incorrect technique can be damaging to your body. Recreational and competitive swimmers alike should exercise caution when jumping in the swimming pool this summer to avoid common injuries.
Some examples of common swimming injuries may include:
Swimmer’s Shoulder (Shoulder Impingement)
Most swimming techniques involve a lot of arm movement, which can cause significant strain on your shoulder muscles. Repetitive use without regulation can cause tissue damage. Swimmer’s shoulder refers to several injuries that can result from repetitive motion in the arms, including but not limited to the following:
- Rotator cuff tears and impingement.
- Bicep tendonitis.
- Bursitis.
Limiting training and refraining from sudden increases in workout intensity can help you avoid unnecessary shoulder strain. It’s also important to remember not to swim with tired muscles. Consult with Shoulder Therapy in Chicago before swimming during the recovery process, especially if you plan to return to an intense routine.
Breaststroke Swimmer’s Knee
In competitive swimming environments, breaststroke is very physically demanding. When you face your feet out during this stroke, you may be impacting the ligaments in the knee. This can lead to swelling, knee pain, and inflammation and potentially lead to issues with the medial collateral ligament (MCL). Communicating your pain early on can make all the difference. It’s also important to vary your swimming routine by practicing other strokes to avoid overuse. Strength training guided by Shoulder Therapy in Chicago can also improve your knee strength and overall well-being.
Neck Injuries
While swimming is generally considered low impact, it can cause significant strain on your neck. Neck pain from swimming is usually caused by the contortion involved in keeping your head above the water during the breaststroke or rotating your neck to breathe. Keeping your head aligned with your spine can help prevent neck pain. It’s also a good idea to rotate your entire body instead of just twisting your neck to breathe. Our team of dedicated physical therapists will work with you to hone your technique to eliminate any potentially damaging neck movements.
Avoiding Swimming Injuries
Like any other physical exercise, there are several steps you can take to avoid swimming injuries. Keeping your body healthy ensures that your body moves appropriately and decreases your risk of injury. Here are some of the steps you can take to potentially prevent swimming injuries:
- Warm-up – Our team can provide you with tips on the best exercises and stretches for the type of swimming you do.
- Work all muscle groups – Swimming is a full-body workout, so don’t neglect any of your muscle groups. Keeping yourself fit is crucial to injury prevention.
- Utilize proper technique – Proper technique is an essential component to preventing swimming injuries. Our physical therapist will evaluate your technique and help you make safe adjustments to improve your form.
- Avoid swimming if you are injured or sick – If you are not feeling healthy, it’s best not to get in the water. If you are not feeling your best, you can become a danger to yourself and others in the water. Take time to rest and recover from an illness or injury before diving back in.
Contact Us Today: Shoulder Therapy in Chicago
Being aware of the different swimming injuries and taking the necessary steps to prevent them will help you stay healthy at the pool. At Free Body Physical Therapy, Shoulder Therapy in Chicago, our team is well-versed in managing these conditions. We’ll work with you to find the source of your pain and prevent it in the future. Contact us to set up an appointment today!
Baseball season has arrived and is now well underway! Whether you root for the Cubbies or the Chisox, or are a player yourself, this is an exciting time for players to get back on the field, it’s essential to know how to stay injury-free this season. With so much strain put on their body, baseball players are highly susceptible to overuse injuries in the elbow, shoulder, and lower limbs. If you’re looking to stay injury-free this baseball season, our team at Free Body Physical Therapy, Shoulder Therapy in Chicago, is here to help. Continue reading to learn some effective ways you can help yourself prevent baseball injuries all season long.
Preventing Baseball Injuries
Baseball players will be ramping up their training this season, which means there is a risk of overuse injuries. Some may push themselves too hard, and while some pain and soreness is good for the body, too much can be a sign of something serious. Overuse injuries are caused by prolonged, repeated impact, which can cause the muscles, bones, or joints to become inflamed. Athletes often place a strong emphasis on performance rather than promoting health preservation through a baseball season. To avoid injuries this season, there should be a component of injury prevention and movement training in place for each athlete and the team. Here are some tips to help protect yourself from injuries so you can stay out on the field this season:
- Perform Strength and Conditioning Exercises
Incorporating these exercises into your routine both during the season and the off-season can improve your performance and is one of the best ways to prevent injuries. One of the most important aspects of your conditioning routine is stretching. Your training should also target different areas of your body based on your position. When targeted to meet the demands of your position, strengthening exercises will be more effective. Our team will work with you to determine which exercises are best for you to help you achieve optimal performance.
- Don’t Forget to Warm Up
Warming up before practice or a game is another way to prevent injuries. No matter what level you play at, your workout regimen should include a warm-up and cool-down period to increase the heart rate and keep muscles flexible. You can try jogging lightly or do jumping jacks to get the blood flowing and incorporate a few stretches.
- Wear the Right Equipment
As a baseball player, wearing the right equipment is crucial during a game. You should be wearing properly fitted cleats and wear a helmet when you’re up to bat. All of the gear you wear should fit correctly to be most effective in preventing injuries.
- Stay Hydrated
Dehydration can seriously hurt your athletic performance. Staying hydrated can help you prevent muscle cramps and fatigue, especially in the warm summer months. Without enough fluids, your body won’t be able to cool itself effectively. Remember to drink plenty of water before, during, and after your workout.
Physical Therapy for Baseball Players
Few things can be more upsetting than having a season cut short due to an injury. At Free Body Physical Therapy, Shoulder Therapy in Chicago, we are here to help you during the season. Our team will help you play an active role in injury prevention so you can continue to work towards the goals that you’ve spent hours on training. If you suffer an injury, our team will work with you to help you get back to competing. With physical therapy sessions, you can increase your chances of making a speedy recovery. Some of the benefits of using sports rehabilitation can include the following:
- Improved strength and range of motion.
- Improved athletic performance.
- Reduced pain.
- Quick recovery time.
Contact Shoulder Therapy in Chicago
If you’re looking to prevent injuries this baseball season, our team at Free Body Physical Therapy, Shoulder Therapy in Chicago, is here to help. Our team will evaluate your unique needs and develop a routine to help you remain injury-free all season long. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!