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Back Pain and Obesity

Thursday, August 19th, 2010

Question:

Can low back pain be caused by obesity?

Answer: By John Childs, PT, PhD, MBA

Obesity may in fact contribute to the development of low back pain. The most recent studies have shown that when compared with non-overweight people, obese individuals have a higher prevalence of low back pain, even after multiple other risk factors were controlled.

If your low back pain is associated with being overweight or obese, a physical therapist can conduct an evaluation that includes questions about your specific condition and an examination for any problems with posture, flexibility, strength, joint mobility, and movement. Once your assessment is complete your physical therapist will develop an exercise program that will help you lose weight safely and minimize the potential for further injury and back pain.

Posted in Ask A PT, Low Back | Comments Off

Medial Epicondylitis

Thursday, August 19th, 2010

Question:

Can physical therapy be effective in treating medial epicondylitis? I would like to avoid surgery.

Answer: By Margot Miller, PT

Yes, physical therapy is an effective solution for treating medial epicondylitis for most people, avoiding unnecessary and expensive surgery, and often avoiding prescription medicines.    

Medial epicondylitis is a condition caused by repetitive motion associated with forceful finger and wrist motions.  Pain, tenderness, and inflammation occur on the inner side of the elbow, where the tendons of your forearm muscles attach to the bony bump on the inside of your elbow.

The pain and tenderness may extend along the inner side of your forearm and into the wrist, creating stiffness in the elbow and pain when making a strong fist.  You may experience weakness in your hand and wrist as well as numbness and/or tingling in the ring and little fingers.  Pain often comes on gradually, and you are likely to notice that pain gets worse with forceful and repetitive grasping motions, such as when swinging a golf club or tennis racket, squeezing or pitching a ball, turning a door knob, or bending your wrist toward your forearm. 

After an evaluation, your physical therapist will develop an appropriate treatment plan for you aimed at decreasing the pain, improving/maintaining elbow and wrist range of motion, and increasing strength of the muscles specifically in the elbow and wrist.  This will include a home program that includes icing and rest. The physical therapist will also instruct you on ways to minimize excessive gripping motions that increase your symptoms.

Posted in Arm, Ask A PT | Comments Off

Backpack Safety

Thursday, August 19th, 2010

Question:

How heavy should my child’s backpack be?

Answer: By Janet Crosier, PT, DPT, MEd

Your child’s backpack should be no heavier than 10-15% of their body weight.  For example, if you child weighs 100lbs, their backpack should weigh no more than 10-15 lbs.  Click here for more information about backpack safety.

Posted in -Other, Ask A PT, Low Back, Mid Back, Neck | Comments Off

Avoiding Blood Clots

Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010

Question:

Are there exercises I can do on a flight to prevent DVT?

Answer: By Ethel Frese, PT, DPT, MHS, CCS

A DVT is a blood clot that usually happens in the legs and can occur during periods when someone is not moving very much, such as on a long flight.  The lack of muscle activity contributes to the increased risk of a blood clot.  If you can keep the blood moving in your legs, you will decrease your chances of getting a blood clot.

To decrease the risk of a blood clot forming during flights, it is a good idea to get up and walk in the aisle of the plane every one to two hours to increase the blood flow in your legs.  There are also some simple leg exercises that you can do while you are sitting in your seat:

  • Lift your knees up toward the ceiling as if you are marching in place
  • Bend and straighten your knees as far as seat room allows 
  • Move your ankles up and down by lifting your heels up and then pointing your toes up
  •  Move your ankles in circles 

These exercises cause your calf muscles to contract and squeeze the blood vessels in your legs, which helps keep the blood flowing in your legs.  It is easy to become dehydrated while flying, so drinking plenty of water to also improve blood flow.

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Posted in -Other, Ask A PT | Comments Off

Tightened Muscle

Monday, August 2nd, 2010

Question:

I have been experiencing some serious tightness in my trapezius muscle. I have no idea why or where it came from. I don’t think it is exercise related because I haven’t really done many workouts with my arms lately. Any suggestions on what I should do?

Answer: By Janet Crosier, PT, DPT, MEd

Tightness in the trapezius muscles is often due to postural problems and/or repetitive reaching, like for a computer keyboard or mouse that is too far away. A physical therapist can evaluate your muscles and work environment and prescribe the appropriate exercises and/or posture education to meet your specific needs.

Posted in Arm | Comments Off

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The purpose of the "Ask a PT" section of this Web site is to provide consumers with the opportunity to send their questions to a panel of APTA physical therapists. The group will select a certain number of questions each month that are representative of a broad spectrum of consumer health issues. Not all questions will be answered. If answered, you question will be posted on this Web site. Read the full disclaimer.