Total Body Physical Therapy of Norwalk CT Points To Movement Health Assessment For Lower Risk of Back Pain

Assess Your ‘Movement Health’ to Lower Your Risk of Back Pain

Americans spend more than $87 billion each year on low back and neck pain treatment, according to a study in the Journal of American Medical Association. To prevent that figure from rising further, we must find ways to prevent the high rate of back pain incidences from occurring in the first place. And that means getting real about how we move during a variety of activities throughout the day, whether we’re working at a desk, tending to a garden or lifting a heavy object.

The path to better management of patients with back pain begins long before the first stab of pain, and that means getting to the root cause. How healthy are your movements? Physical therapy is one of the most effective ways to identify the movement patterns that put you at risk for back pain.

With the use of yearly screens and measures that are designed to assess how your body moves, such as the Functional Movement Screen™ , physical therapists can work with patients to prevent low back and neck pain and a variety of other degenerative conditions. And with eight in 10 people suffering from back pain at some point in their lives, preventing incidences all together could take a huge chunk out of the staggering annual costs associated with treatments like medications and surgeries.

Preventing more cases of back pain would also ease some of the burden on providers, as well as the entire healthcare system. In fact, a study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings identified back problems as the third most prevalent non-acute condition driving participants to see a doctor. By actively preventing back pain with the help of a physical therapist, you can save yourself a trip to the doctor.

During a movement screen, PTs observe how patients’ knees, hips, core, ankles, shoulders and back perform as they complete a series of movements. It helps the rehab professional to identify or rule out issues, uncover areas of strength and weakness, and determine whether any preventive steps need to be taken.

Think about making an appointment with your physical therapist to assess your “movement health.” You may just find that there’s something you can be doing—or not doing—today to prevent the limitations and costs of low back pain.

Total Body Physical Therapy of Norwalk, CT is available for questions and discussions at their location on 166 East Avenue in Norwalk, CT

They may be reached via phone at 203.957.8162

Website: http://www.totalbodyphysicaltherapy.com/

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Total Body Physical Therapy Provides Guidance for College Bound Residents of Fairfield County

As back-to-school season is upon us, once again, the owners and practitioners at Total Body Physical Therapy are often asked what should college bound students look for in school based physical therapy programs.

Here is some no nonsense guidance for students:

When speaking with a physical therapy clinic, whether on campus or independent, be sure to understand the size of the therapy clinic.  Inquire as to how many therapists are on staff and the hours of operation.

Be sure to find the right therapist who will provide one-on-one services that are necessary for successful outcomes.  Do not settle for centers that function like factories.  This may lead to poor results.

Patient load is absolutely crucial.  A physical therapy center that is overloaded cannot maintain the quality of service.

Proximity and location of the therapist should be convenient.  Is the center on school grounds or would the patient need to drive to the location?

Students need to ask what medical staff is already employed by the school and what their expertise is.  If any of the staff are physical therapists, ask about the services available and the opportunity to speak with a therapist.

If you are currently attending physical therapy, before leaving for school, be sure to speak with your existing physical therapist about coordinating the referral to a new clinic.  In most cases, a good physical therapy team will be able to communicate your needs to the other therapist.

Be sure to understand what the typical response time is for the new therapist.  Will the therapist respond to call or emails within 24 hours?  What is the availability of appointments?

Total Body Physical Therapy of Norwalk, CT is available for questions and discussions at their location on 166 East Avenue in Norwalk, CT

They may be reached via phone at 203.957.8162

Website: http://www.totalbodyphysicaltherapy.com/

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Recognizing Changes in Your Body After The Birth of a Child

Recognizing Changes in Your Body After The Birth of a Child

Some of the most important physiological and bio-chemical changes occur in the post-partum phase of a women’s life.  Yet, few women and their physicians know the proper way to respond to the changes.  The most commonly talked about elements and experiences discussed by many are post-partum depression.  While this is an absolutely vital and essential discussion point of the postpartum phase, many women experience a myriad of ailments that are infrequently discussed among women’s groups, physicians, and physical therapists.

Among the most common occurrences in post-partum women can be Diastasis Recti or abdominal wall separation.  The recti abdominis are vertical muscles that run alongside of the anterior wall of the body. The recti adbdominis has the job of holding in your internal organs and providing additional stability to your core.  During pregnancy, hormones have a role in relaxing these muscles to allow for the proper accommodation of the fetus.  After the birth of a baby, some women can experience this separation, while others do not.

For over 40% of women, the recti abdominis does not return to normal without proper treatment. Unfortunately, simple crunches will not work and are most often the cause of exacerbating the problem. Women who have approached physicians who do not specialize in women’s health issues may not get the necessary results for this to correct.

Before any treatment, we recommend you speak to a Women’s Health Specialty Physical Therapist.  It is important to discuss your individual history.  Too many women approach this problem without the full comprehension of the case and possible long-term impact of the problem.

If you are one of the many women who experience or think that you are experiencing Diastasis Recti, please feel free to reach out to us and Dr. Hope Bove will be glad to speak with you privately and discuss your options to find out if women’s health physical therapy is the right fit for your on your road to recovery.

Dr. Hope Bove may be reached directly at 203-957-8162.

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Total Body Physical Therapy Celebrates Two Years in Business

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Norwalk, CT : For immediate Release

This week marks a special time and an opportunity for Total Body Physical Therapy in Norwalk, CT to thank the greater Norwalk and Fairfield County community.  With a lifetime of medical experience and business acumen Hope Bove, MBA, DPT, Brian Elmo, MPT, ATC, CSCS and Alison Farrell, MS, ATC, LAT celebrate two years with their new venture in Total Body Physical Therapy.

With over 40 years in the Physical Therapy space and a solid base of referral sources, the vision of running a practice with dedicated partners and a supportive community is beginning to form nicely.  “Our goals from the start was to create an environment where the patient feels that our service is a one-to-one patient to practitioner ratio.  I think we have succeeded”, says Dr. Bove.

With a location in the heart of the medical community in East Norwalk, the business has already made great strides with medical professionals and patients.  According to Brian Elmo, one of the partners and therapists, “The support and referral sources we have built for the last 10 years have given us the sustainability and opportunity for growth in the coming years.  This has been a great venture and fantastic study in our own thesis and application of our talents”.

The acumen of the three partners is testament to their craft and respect in the medical community.  With a combined 40 years in the physical therapy field,  a slew of professional certifications, one Doctor of Physical Therapy degree , 3 Masters Degrees (MBA, Physical Therapy, and Sports Therapy), and three Bachelor’s Degrees (B.S., Sports Medicine, Exercise Science and Athletic Training) , the feedback to the functionality and fruitfulness of the physical therapy practice speaks volumes.  “The most valuable aspect of our business is the relationship we have built with our patients and our referring physicians.  The feedback we consistently receive is absolutely crucial to how our practice is run.  We are so proud to be able to deliver on our promise to this community”, said Alison Farrell.

All of the partners are proud to call Connecticut home for their practice and bring with them an awesome array of higher education.  Fairfield University, Sacred Heat University, University of Connecticut, and Southern Connecticut State University, Old Dominion University, Ohio University and Bryant College are among the alma maters for the three partners.  “ Not only are we graduates of these fine universities, we support the local colleges by offering internship opportunities to students in the area.  We are committed to giving back to the community both in the services we provide and giving opportunities to the next generation of students in this fast evolving science”, said Dr. Bove.

The field of service and expertise for the practice includes all aspects of sports injuries, pre and post operative procedure recoveries, pre-natal and post-partum care, post radiation, radical mastectomy and reconstructive surgeries, CRPS,  TMJ dysfunction, scoliosis, total joint replacements, balance problems, movement pattern syndromes, and Infants and children with muscular torticollis and plagiocephaly.   Patients that visit the practice range in age from infants to the elderly with varying sports including rowing, swimming, baseball, tennis, skiing running, yoga, and football.

When asked on how the next two years will be for the fast growing group, all responded with an assertive get-go attitude.  “With a sound foundation and solid expertise, we are committed to our community and providing outstanding service for our patients.  We have always believed that our ability to be successful and grow the business in this community has to begin and continue with great relationships with our patients and surrounding physicians and our steadfast commitment to delivering our one-on-one method,” said Alison Farrell.

The group may be reached in Norwalk at 166 East Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06851.  Appointments are required.  Contact Total Body Physical Therapy at 203.957.8162 or info@totalbodyphysicaltherapy.com.  You may visit the website at http://www.totalbodyphysicaltherapy.com/ .

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Pregnancy and Low Back Pain
Pregnancy and Low Back Pain
Physical Therapy Can Reduce Back and Pelvic Pain During and After Pregnancy

Experts estimate that anywhere from 24% to 90% of women experience low back or pelvic-region pain when they are pregnant. Many women find that this pain goes away when the baby is born. However, more than a third of women still have pain 1 year after giving birth. Physical therapy during and after pregnancy can help decrease low back and pelvic pain. Common treatment options include education, exercise therapy, manual therapy, braces, or a combination of these treatments. Learning new ways to per
form home and work activities as well as relaxation techniques can help ease the pain. A study published in the July 2014
issu eof JOSPT reviewed the best published research to better understand the benefits of physical therapy in treating women with back and pelvic pain during and after pregnancy
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