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What it is: An ankle sprain occurs when the tissues which support your ankle (ligaments= tough bands of tissue which hold the bones together) get stretched too far from rolling, twisting, or landing on the foot or ankle wrong. This overstretching can cause damage which can range from mild (inflamed and sore) to severe (significant tearing of ligaments with severe pain and inability to put weight on foot).

How we treat: Here at MVP, our focus will be on reducing inflammation and pain, restoring any lost motion/mobility, and strengthening all the supportive structures of the ankle and any muscular imbalances that may have lead to the injury to reduce the risk of injury in the future.

What it is: Arthritis is an inflammatory condition of the joints. This very common condition often causes pain, swelling, and stiffness at the affected joint/joints, making every day tasks such as lifting and carrying groceries a difficult and painful ordeal . There are 2 main types: 1. Osteoarthritis (the most common), which breaks down cartilage (the cushion inside a joint, and is also associated with bone spurs (extra bony growths around a joint), and 2. Rheumatoid (an autoimmune disease which attacks the joints and usually affects both sides of the body and multiple areas). 

How we treat: A common saying in PT is “motion is lotion for the joint”. When you are actively moving the joint, synovial fluid (fluid within the joint) circulates in the joint, creating some cushioning which makes using the joint more comfortable. Your PT will prescribe the right stretches and exercises to help relieve stiffness and pain, while also helping you gain the range of motion and strength you need to do the things you want to do more comfortably and safely.

Video: What Is Arthritis?

What it is: In an automobile accident,  your neck and spine go through too much range of motion very quickly, with powerful forces causing excessive stress to the supporting muscles, ligaments, and tendons. This stress can cause mild to severe pain, stiffness, and loss of motion of the neck (difficulty turning or bending the neck). This often makes it difficult to do things like look over your shoulder (such as when driving) or even looking down at your phone.

How we treat: Initially, the focus of treatment will be on reducing the inflammation and pain associated with any injury that occurred. An assessment of limitations of movement will be made, and any deficiencies will be addressed with treatments and exercises targeted to get you back to your prior level of function.

What it is: Anything with the ending “itis” means inflammation is occurring. Bursitis is when there is inflammation of the bursa (a fluid filled sac that sits between a joint and the surrounding tissues to protect the joint from the motion or rubbing of those tissues). Often when there is an imbalance of muscular strength or faulty mechanics of how the joint moves, the bursa is exposed to too much friction and becomes swollen, inflamed, and painful. This happens most often in the shoulder, hip, and knee, and makes moving these joints very painful, impacting the ability to complete normal, everyday tasks without pain.

How we treat: During your initial visit and evaluation, your PT will perform tests of your muscles and joints in order to discover what imbalances have contributed to the inflammation. A program will then be developed to help reduce your pain, restore your mobility, and correct the dysfunction of the joint and motion in order to get you back to your daily activities pain-free and reduce friction placed on the bursa to protect you from further injury.

Video: What Is Bursitis?

What it is: Degenerative disk disease (or DDD for short) is another name for arthritis specifically of the spine (neck, upper back, or lower back). Just like arthritis in other joints of the body, the cartilage is attacked and begins to break down (in this case, the disks which act as a cushion between the segments of the spine). Some individuals have no symptoms at all, while others may experience loss of mobility (less able to bend, twist, or rotate), pain, and stiffness.

How we treat: Our first priority when treating DDD is to reduce pain and restore loss of any motion, including increasing flexibility for improved ability to move that joint through its full range of motion. We then prioritize strengthening all the muscles around the spine and supporting structures to allow for increased stability, creating less pain with movement and activity.

What it is: Poor balance, increased fall risk, and difficulty walking normally can each have many different causes and significantly impact a person’s ability to carry out their daily activities in a normal and safe manner. Some of those causes include: a neurological condition such as Parkinson’s disease or Multiple Sclerosis, neuropathy (loss of sensation) of the legs or feet, stroke, muscular weakness or other orthopedic conditions. Other causes may include certain medications and inner ear/vestibular issues which are addressed best by your physician or a clinic with a vestibular specialty.

How we treat: The first step to improving balance and walking difficulties is for your PT to  evaluate all the factors that are contributing to your issues (mobility/motion of the ankle or knee, posture, weakness, loss of sensation, etc.) so your program can be specialized to address your unique needs. There are 3 distinct systems that help humans stay balanced. These include: vestibular (inner ear), vision, and somatosensory (your body and brain’s ability to tell where they are in space). These systems will all be taken into account when developing your program.

What it is: Foot pain can be due to many different causes: stress fractures, arthritis/poor mobility of the joints of the foot, strained or sprained tissues from overuse or injury, bunions, flat feet, high arches, improper footwear, and many more. Feet support the full weight of the body and are especially susceptible to injury from other joints and areas of the body not working properly, putting them in poor alignment and at risk of damage.

How we treat: Your plan of care, developed by your PT after thorough evaluation, will consist of modalities such as ice and ultrasound to address pain, stretches and exercises focused on regaining any lost motion, and exercises developed to increase the strength and stability of the foot, ankle, and leg, to allow you to get back on your feet and back to all the activities you have been missing out on.

What it is: Any break in a bone, from hairline (very small and thin, line-like fissure) to complex breaks (multiple pieces broken or a difficult place for a break)  requiring surgery for repair.

How we treat: Depending on the severity of the break, the initial phase will likely include movements and stretches to maintain the motion of the joint or body area, increase circulation to promote healing,  and may include non-weight bearing exercises in areas surrounding the injury to maintain strength without disrupting the healing process. As healing progresses, strengthening will increase and include weight bearing (if applicable) exercises specifically designed to get you back to your unique activities and life needs.

What it is: A spinal disk is a piece of cartilage with a soft, jelly-like center, which acts as a cushion between each segment of the spine. When the supporting bone structure breaks down (due to arthritis or aging) or has too much impact or pressure applied, the cartilage slips out of place (often sideways, but sometimes forward or backward), which is called herniation, rupture, or “slipped disk”. This slip out of place causes pressure on surrounding nerves and tissues, often making it very painful to bend over, sit, twist, or lift items.

How we treat: The first priority in treatment is to reduce the pressure on any nerves and the disk, if possible, to reduce pain and other symptoms associated with it. This is frequently achieved with manual or pneumatic traction (to increase space within the joint), manual stretches and mobilizations of the spine, and exercises to stabilize and reduce force on the spine and surrounding tissues for improved movement and ability to perform daily tasks and activities.

Video: What Is a Herniated Disk?

What it is: When a joint breaks down through wear and tear over years, or a traumatic injury causes a significant injury to the joint, it may require replacement. A surgeon specializing in joint care will remove (either fully or partially) the damaged bones of the joint and replace them with an artificial joint, then also fix any damaged tissues or tendons that may be associated with the injury.

How we treat: We work closely with your surgeon to make sure that your recovery goes as smoothly as possible. The initial focus will be on pain relief and restoring full motion to the joint, then restoring strength through targeted exercises specific to you and your surgery.

Video: What Is a Joint Replacement?

What it is: Joint pain can occur in any joint of the body, and can occur due to overuse, imbalance of supporting muscle strength, arthritis, injury, certain health conditions or medications.

How we treat: Your PT will evaluate the root cause/s and contributing factors of your joint pain, and a program specific to your unique factors and needs will be developed to help you heal and get back to the things you want to do.

What it is: Pain, weakness, instability, or other issues of the knee can be caused by wear and tear of the tissues or joint of the knee, injuries to the meniscus (cartilage cushions of the knee) or tendons/ligaments, arthritis of the joint, or inflammation caused by poor mechanics during movement.

How we treat: Your first visit will include a thorough evaluation by your PT, aimed at discovering any contributing factors to your pain. A program including individualized exercises, stretches, modalities, and manual techniques will then be developed to help you achieve your specific goals.

What it is: Back pain is one of the most common causes of disability and missing work due to pain. This pain can be dull, aching, sharp, burning, and may even radiate down the legs. Depending on the cause, it may cause difficulty standing up straight, bending over, sitting or standing for extended periods, sleeping, and lifting items. 

How we treat: At MVP, we understand how debilitating this condition can be, and are dedicated to getting you feeling better and back to your normal life activities. Your PT is experienced in manual techniques and creating specific exercises and stretches aimed at reducing your pain and improving your function and movement.

What it is: Both of these conditions are an overstretching or overuse of tissue. A muscle sprain occurs when the muscle is suddenly overstretched or over-worked to the point of injury. A sprain is an injury to the strong tissues that hold the joints/bones together when they are suddenly and forcefully overstretched and may even tear.  

How we treat: The first priority after either of these injuries is to reduce swelling and pain and promote healing through massage, modalities such as ice and TENS, and gentle movement at or near the site of injury. Your program will then focus on addressing any stiffness or loss of motion, and then strengthening and stability exercises to help you return to full recovery and activity.

What it is: Stiffness, pain, numbness/tingling into arms, and difficulty turning/ moving your head are common symptoms related to neck conditions. These symptoms may be caused by poor posture, arthritis, whiplash, or other injuries or conditions.

How we treat: Depending on the cause of your neck pain, treatments may include: gentle spinal mobilizations, traction, massage, stretches to improve the motion of your neck, specific exercises and education to improve posture and stability of the neck and spine. These treatments will be tailored to your unique needs and goals by your PT and adjusted as needed as you heal.

What it is: Neurological disorders are disorders or diseases of the brain, spinal cord, or nerves, which often significantly impact many areas of an individual’s life, including the ability to move (walk, carry, lift, climb stairs, use of hands and arms, etc.), and also frequently impact balance and increase risk of falls. Neurological conditions frequently seen in PT include (but are not limited to): Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple  Sclerosis, Strokes, and Neuropathy. 

How we treat: Our first priority is always your safety. Education and training will be provided on how to be safe in your current state, and after a thorough evaluation by your PT, exercises specific to your limitations and concerns will be developed to help you improve; gaining more strength, balance, function, and confidence to achieve your fullest potential and health.  All of our clinicians at MVP have been trained in and have lots of experience treating these conditions, however, if your symptoms or limitations are deemed severe or more complex, we may refer you to a specialty clinic in order for you to have the technology and specialized care you may require.

What it is: Osteoporosis is a condition of the bones where they lose or are no longer able to build density/thickness, making them weaker and at high risk of breaking. 

How we treat: Besides any medications or treatments your doctor may prescribe, the very best thing to treat weak bones is exercise! As experts in human movement, your PT will develop and prescribe exercises designed to help make you and your bones stronger in the safest way possible, in order to protect you and prevent fractures or injuries.

What it is: Plantar Fasciitis is a condition where the fascia (large, tendinous sheet on the bottom of your foot) is inflamed, tight, and creates micro-tears in that sheet when walking. Pain from this condition is usually most intense with first steps after waking up or being seated for extended periods, or with any impact such as running or jumping. Pain may be felt in the bottom of the foot and/or in the heel.

How we treat: The first step in addressing plantar fasciitis is for your PT to assess what may be contributing to your pain. Factors may include: improper footwear, walking or running (gait) abnormalities, weakness in other areas of the body creating undue stress on the feet, or overuse from a sport (such as running a marathon, etc.). Specific education, exercises, and stretches will be given by your PT to address your individual factors and reduce your pain so you can get back to the activities you’ve been missing out on in a healthier and safer way.

Video: What Is Plantar Fasciitis?

What it is: Heads jutting forward, slouched shoulders, neck “humps”, sway back, and flat back are just some of the many postural abnormalities we see in PT. Frequent use of technology with phones and computers often putting our necks in bad positions, weakness of supporting muscles around the back resulting from sitting for long hours while working, lack of postural awareness when walking, sitting, or standing, are just a few of the ways that we put increased stress on our joints and tissues which can lead to pain and even deformity.

How we treat: As part of your initial visit, your PT will evaluate your posture and related circumstances. A plan will then be developed to help address any contributing factors (which may include education on ergonomics for your desk, postural awareness exercises, safe posture for use of phones, etc.). Exercises, stretches, and manual techniques will also be used to address your pain and improve the alignment and stability of your body and joints.

What it is: Why do PT before surgery? People tend to have much better outcomes after surgery if they have participated in PT prior to the procedure. This is because their body has been prepared to be as strong, healthy, and flexible as possible before surgery, making for less deficits and recovery afterwards. Post-surgical rehab is designed to help you heal and recover as quickly as possible while regaining your full range of motion and strength to get you back to doing the things you want to be able to do.

How we treat:

Pre-surgical rehab

is focused on strengthening as much as possible and working on flexibility in order to achieve the best outcomes during and after surgery.

Post-surgical rehab

utilizes manual techniques and stretches to help you regain full motion of the area, modalities to reduce pain, and targeted exercises individualized to your goals to help you build the strength and stability you need to fully recover in a timely manner in order to get back to your daily routine, activities, and/or sport.

What it is: The rotator cuff is the name for a group of four muscles that attach to and are responsible for the movement and stability of the shoulder joint. When one or more of the tendons to these muscles tear, it creates significant instability, pain, and limitation of movement of the shoulder. For partial, small, and even moderate size tears, surgery may not be necessary, and physical therapy treatment can help the shoulder adapt and function at its best despite the injury.

How we treat: Initially, pain, swelling, inflammation, and any loss of motion are the first things addressed in your plan of care. As the shoulder heals, emphasis will be placed on regaining strength in the muscles of the rotator cuff, as well as any supporting muscle groups, in order to restore your function and ability to reach, lift, throw, carry and any other activities requiring use of your arm and shoulder.

What it is: The sacroiliac joint is where the bottom of the spine (sacrum) joins the two edges of the pelvis (ilium) at the bottom of your back/ top of your buttocks. This joint absorbs a great deal of weight and impact as it is where the trunk meets the legs. This joint is reinforced by strong bands of tissue (ligaments) which help this area have stability with movement. Pain occurs with traumatic injury to this area, arthritic inflammation and changes, postural abnormalities, uneven leg length, or pelvic misalignment. 

How we treat: The specific cause of SI dysfunction will influence the rehabilitation of the joint. Treatments may include such things as: pelvic alignment techniques, stretches for increased flexibility, exercises to address stability and control of the pelvis, abdominals, hips, and back, in order to improve functional movement and reduce pain.

What it is: Sciatica is any tingling, numbness, burning, shooting, aching pain, or weakness of the muscles of the legs, associated with compression of the sciatic nerve. This sciatic nerve runs from the lower back (spine) to your toes, and, when irritated, can cause symptoms to travel along this path. Pressure on this nerve can be caused by disk herniation (the cushion between the bones in your spine pushing outward), narrowing caused by bone spurs (extra bone growing where it shouldn’t be-often from arthritis), or tight muscles in your buttocks. The irritation caused by this compression can cause pain that ranges from uncomfortable to severely painful and is often worsened by sitting, bending over, or lifting heavy objects. 

How we treat: Our team will focus on reducing your pain through techniques specific to the cause of your sciatic pain, which may include: nerve gliding techniques (specialized movements to reduce nerve irritation), mobility exercises, correcting any muscular imbalances that contribute to the issue, massage, and use of TENS or ice for pain relief. Please note that if any bowel or bladder control issues or sudden severe muscular weakness occur, this is considered an emergency and the individual should be seen by a physician immediately.

What it is: The shoulder is a complex joint capable of the most motion of any joint in the body. This wide range of motion makes it less stable and more vulnerable to injury. Issues with the shoulder include: rotator cuff tear, arthritis of the joint, impingement, tendinitis/bursitis, frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis), labral tears, instability/ weakness due to dislocations or neurological conditions, and thoracic outlet syndrome. These conditions make everyday activities such as reaching, lifting, and even dressing and bathing painful or even impossible at the time.

How we treat: As experts in shoulder care, our team will help address any pain and limitations you may be experiencing in order to help you get back to the things you need and love to do. Treatments frequently include such things as: range of motion exercises and stretches to regain any lost motion of the joint, exercises to target your specific weaknesses in order to help you heal and achieve your goals. Modalities such as ice and TENS may also be used for pain management as needed.

What it is: Any injury resulting from participation in, or training for, sports which may or may not result in the need for surgery.

How we treat: As a sports medicine PT clinic, our team are specialists in how to best treat your injury and get you back to your sport. ACL tears, meniscus injuries, rotator cuff tears, UCL injuries, and everything in between, we have seen it all, and will do everything we can to help you avoid surgery if that is your plan, or recover from surgery as efficiently as possible. We work alongside your trainers, coaches, doctors, and surgeons to make sure everyone is on the same page for you to receive the best care and a safe return to sport when ready.

What it is: Anything with the ending “itis” means inflammation is occurring. Tendons are strong, rope-like, bands of tissue  that connect muscles to bones. When muscles are being overused, or an imbalance of muscle forces are causing too much friction or stress on a tendon, tendinitis  occurs. The resulting inflammation causes the  tendon to become inflamed and the area around it to become swollen, painful, stiff,  and in some cases, may lead to weakness in the attached muscle. 

How we treat:

During your initial visit and evaluation, your PT will perform tests of your muscles and joints in order to discover what imbalances have contributed to the inflammation. A program will then be developed to help reduce your pain, restore your mobility, and correct the dysfunction of the joint and motion in order to reduce friction and protect you from further injury.

Video: What Is Tendinitis?

What it is: Tennis elbow is most often an overuse injury of the forearm muscles and tendons. This can occur from computer mouse use or other jobs and activities requiring heavy hand and forearm use (using tools, holding a tennis racket, etc.). These repetitive motions, without proper form or supporting muscular strength, cause inflammation at the site of the tendon as well as tightness/soreness along the muscle group involved. This inflammation causes simple activities (such as brushing your teeth) to become difficult and painful.

How we treat: As part of a thorough evaluation, your PT will discuss what kind of adjustments can be made to your activities to reduce the strain placed on your forearm and tendon/s. Phonophoresis (use of ultrasound waves to move anti-inflammatory medication deeper into the affected localized tissues) and ice may be used as modalities to reduce the inflammation at the site, massage may be used to reduce tension in the affected muscles and increase circulation to the tissues for healing, while exercises and stretches specific to your condition will be prescribed and used to restore proper muscle balance and strength to reduce the strain placed on the tendon.

Video: What Is Tennis Elbow?

What it is: Radiculopathy is a term that describes symptoms that relate to nerves. Nerves branch out from the spine and send messages from the body to the brain and from the brain to the body. When something is not right with a part of the body, these messages are often felt as pain. When pinched, inflamed, or irritated, these nerves send signals of sharp, jolting, burning, or searing pain, tingling, and/or numbness.  If a nerve is pinched or inflamed in the neck, it is frequently felt in the arms and even down to the hands and fingers. When a nerve is irritated in the back, it is most frequently felt in the back, buttocks, and even down the legs and into the feet.

How we treat: The first step in addressing nerve symptoms is for your PT to evaluate the root cause of those symptoms so your plan of care can be tailored specifically to your condition and needs. Treatment can include such things as: cervical or lumbar traction, manual (hands on) joint mobilizations, nerve gliding techniques (to calm down angry nerves), massage, range of motion exercises and strengthening any supporting muscle groups to reduce tension or force placed on the nerve and restore normal motion of the affected area.

What it is: Any injury that occurs while on the job to any area of the body

How we treat: We accept workman’s compensation in order to get you the help you need to recover and get back to work. Your PT will perform a thorough evaluation and create a care plan to reduce your pain, help your injury to heal safely and effectively, and eventually build strength in exercises that mimic and prepare you specifically for your return to work skills.