Living with Arthritis
How Dry Needling can help in injury recovery
What is Dry Needling?
Dry needling is a technique for the treatment of pain and movement impairments. The technique uses a "dry" needle, one without medication or injection, inserted through the skin into areas of the muscle. Sometimes the treatment may include electrical stimulation in combination with the dry needle technique.
Dry needling is not acupuncture, a practice based on traditional Chinese medicine and performed by acupuncturists.
What makes Dry Needling different from Acupuncture?
Dry needling relies on the practitioners knowledge of skeletal and neuroanatomy. This knowledge allows one to identify damaged and sensitive tissues, taut bands, and trigger points as well as injured and overused tissues. Physical therapists trained in this technique utilize an examination that includes movement analysis, orthopedic evaluation, and a neurological workup that includes myotomal and dermatomal testing.
Acupuncture is an ancient traditional Chinese technique that utilizes the knowledge of meridians. This focus allows an acupuncturist to work on a person's inner balance, energy, qi, and one's life-force. Work up and exam includes physical, tongue, and pulse examination. Traditional acupuncture has been widely studied and practiced for thousands of years.
What should be expected from Dry Needling?
Dry Needling is performed by a trained and certified physical therapist and is a safe treatment technique. After a thorough examination this treatment option may be discussed with patient as a viable treatment option.
The area of treatment is thoroughly sanitized and the therapist uses single use acupuncture needles. Depending on the area being treated the application of the needles may take 10 minutes and is applied in and around the affected treatment area. The treatment time is usually around 20 minutes.
Sometimes we add electrical stimulation or e-stim, an electrical current transferred through the dry needle that can help accelerate the pain-relief process.
What does Dry Needling treat?
Dry needling treats muscle tissue, and its goal is to reduce pain, inactivate trigger points and restore function. Typical conditions that can be treated by dry needling include:
Neck and back pain
Myofascial pain
Tendonitis
Tennis elbow
Plantar fasciitis
Trigger points
TMJ
Shoulder impingement
Joint problems
Headaches and migraines
Does Dry Needling hurt?
Dry needles are very thin, so the insertion of the needle into the skin is typically painless. The needle insertion into the muscle may cause an initial muscle twitch in the affected area which might cause some momentary discomfort. Once treatment begins the patient will feel no pain.
Due to the nature of the treatment and desired outcomes, a patient may experience some mild soreness after treatment. This is to be expected as part of the healing process. The soreness usually lasts only 24 hours.
Pritchette Physical Therapy has trained and certified Dry Needling physical therapists. If you would like to explore this treatment option, please contact our office at 480-785-5415 to schedule an appointment.
Great Stretch for Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar Fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. It involves inflammation and irritation of a thick band of tissue that connects the heel bone to the ball of the foot. An injury can occur when repeated weight bearing activities cause strain along the plantar fascia. It is an overuse injury that can happen to anyone but is more prevalent in runners or those who are on their feet for long periods each day.
Risk Factors that Contribute to Plantar Fasciitis
Poor foot and gait mechanics
Obesity
Age ranging from 40-60
Improper footwear or worn-out footwear
Tight Achilles tendon and Gastrocnemius/Soleus muscle
Prolonged standing on hard surfaces
How you can treat Plantar Fasciitis
Icing
Anti-Inflammatory medication
Physical Therapy
Orthotics
Night Splinting
Try this great Plantar Fascia Stretch
What to Expect with Total Knee Replacement Physical Therapy
Pritchette Physical Therapy treats many conditions related to the knee, this includes post-surgical total knee replacement surgery. Here is what to expect with total knee replacement physical therapy.
What is a Total Knee Replacement (TKR)?
A Total Knee Replacement (TKR), also known as knee arthroplasty, is a surgical procedure designed to replace the weight bearing surfaces of the knee joint to improve knee function and reduce knee pain. It is commonly performed when the knee joint experiences rheumatoid arthritis and/or some form of knee joint deformity.
Partial Knee Replacements (PKR) are performed when it is reasonable to achieve a positive outcome with addressing only certain knee joint surfaces.
When is a Total Knee Replacement Surgery Performed?
The surgical procedure is performed by an Orthopedic surgeon after more conservative forms of treatment have been explored. This includes physical therapy, oral anti-inflammatories, and injectables medication.
How should a person prepare for Total Knee Replacement Surgery?
Pre-surgical physical therapy is an excellent way to prepare for a Total Knee Replacement surgery. It helps address pain and improves strength and stability of the knee joint prior to the procedure. It also helps speed up the recovery process after the surgical procedure.
How long is the recovery process for a Total Knee Replacement?
Most procedures are performed in outpatient facilities, meaning the patient can return home same day. While recovery time is on a case per case basis, one can expect to expect significant return to function within 4-6 weeks and a return to full activity within 2-3 months.
What restrictions should one expect after Total Knee Replacement?
While this will be communicated to the patient by the orthopedic surgeon or physical therapist, most patients return to full activity with no restrictions. The patient should communicate what activities they would like to return to with their orthopedic surgeon and physical therapist to see if any precautions should be taken
What should be expected from physical therapy after Total Knee Replacement?
Most Total Knee Replacement surgeries are performed “outpatient” with a patient returning home that day. Outpatient physical therapy is scheduled usually about a week after the procedure.
For weeks 1 – 4, the goal is to reduce post-surgical swelling, increase range of motion of the knee, and begin light strengthening and stabilization of the knee.
For weeks 5-10, the goal is to achieve maximum range of motion of the knee, increase strengthening activities, and begin process to return to basic activity function.
For weeks 10 and on, the goal is to gradually return the patient to recreational activity function, maintain strength and endurance, and return patient to full function.
Aquatic Therapy after Breast Cancer
Aquatic Therapy has been shown to benefit in the recovery of post-mastectomy patients. Often after breast cancer treatment patients can experience muscle and tissue contracture and lymphedema.
Lymphedema is the swelling of tissues due to the build-up of lymph fluid in the body. This is a common side effect for many patients after cancer treatment and can lead to pain and potential infection. Physical Therapy, including aquatic therapy after breast cancer has been found to be a great treatment option to help reduce lymphedema.
Post-Mastectomy patients can experience significant muscle and tissue contracture. Aquatic therapy is a great option for breaking up tissue adhesions, increasing range of motion, and strengthening.
Why Aquatic Exercise after breast cancer/post-mastectomy?
Warm water provides resistance, assisting in venous return.
Hydrostatic Pressure provides compression which decreases edema
Muscle contractions improves lymphatic flow.
Exercises in the water help to improve ROM, posture, and endurance.
Pritchette Physical Therapy offers aquatic therapy after breast cancer. Contact our office at 480-785-5415 for more information and to schedule your appointment.
Now Open in Ahwatukee Foothills
Phoenix, AZ 9/14/2020 — Pritchette Physical Therapy is expanding and has now opened its second location at 1331 E. Chandler Blvd. #102-103, in the Ahwatukee Foothills on September 14, 2020 in order to greater serve the Ahwatukee community which they are so proud to be a part of for the past 11 years. This location serves to complement the flagship location at 4730 E. Warner Rd. #5, and will offer 5-star physical therapy and massage therapy care to residents of the Ahwatukee Foothills and the surrounding communities.
Pritchette Physical Therapy has proudly been serving the Ahwatukee community since 2009, during this time they have been awarded the Best New Business, Best Physical Therapy Practice, and Best Massage Therapy awards by the Ahwatukee Foothills News, as well as consistently placed in the top three annually for each category. Pritchette Physical Therapy has grown to not only provide exceptional orthopedic and sports injury physical therapy services, to offering sports performance training, personal training, massage therapy, and fascial stretch therapy services as well.
Dr. Sarah Thompson, PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS, who has been with Pritchette Physical Therapy since 2012, is the Clinic Director and Doctor of Physical Therapy for the Ahwatukee Foothills location. This location is now taking new patients, contact 480-371-1555 to schedule your appointment today!
“What an exciting time for Pritchette Physical Therapy! I started with this company as a student in 2011 and have watched it grow from a small outpatient clinic to a state of the art facility offering the wonderful people of Ahwatukee not only physical therapy services, but also massage therapy, personal training, and fascial stretch therapy. I have worked alongside Dr. Keith Pritchette for nearly 8 years and we share a passion for exceptional customer service and successful patient outcomes. I am honored to have the opportunity to represent Pritchette Physical Therapy in the Foothills and continue to provide the exceptional level of care that has made us a consistent Best of Ahwatukee! ”
“11 years ago I fulfilled my dream of offering physical therapy care to the Ahwatukee community that went above and beyond what patients’ expectations were. I wanted to not only provide quality care, I also wanted to provide a level of customer service which seems to have been lost in today’s world, a place where the patients felt heard and always felt welcome. I am so proud to have succeeded in achieving this dream and am extremely excited to expand and now offer the residents of the Ahwatukee Foothills, and surrounding areas, an additional and more convenient option for those in need of our services. This location will provide the same level of premium care and customer service which our clientele have come to expect from us. Dr. Sarah is an amazing physical therapist and I have the utmost confidence in her ability to make our new location a resounding success! ”
Welcome Back Dr. Sarah Thompson
We are very happy to have Dr. Thompson rejoin our team as we begin preparation to open our 2nd location. She has always been an important part of our family and know our patients will love having her treat them once again. She is currently seeing patients at our Warner location. Here is a brief interview we did with her.
How do you like to practice as a Physical Therapist?
I like to practice with the patient's chief concerns at the forefront of their care. Often times I think it is easy as a clinician to fall into a habit of treating similar cases in similar manners, but certainly we understand that if each person is different, each case and plan of care should be different as well. I also like to have fun while I treat. This makes the experience more enjoyable for everyone involved and helps address the emotional implications associated with injury. Laughter is the best medicine!
What makes Pritchette Physical Therapy different?
Pritchette Physical Therapy is family to me. I have known Keith since 2011, and in this time, I have learned a tremendous amount not only from him, but from my coworkers, and from my patients as well. The clinic always has a positive energy to it and is filled with laughter. Most importantly, Keith is very committed to and cares deeply for his patients and his staff. He is someone that I respect deeply and look forward to working with for many years to come.
What excites you about the new location?
The new clinic is going to provide the Ahwatukee Foothills community with the high-level physical therapy services that Pritchette Physical Therapy is known for in a location that is much closer to home. It is located an area that is very accessible to neighboring communities as well, thanks in large part to the expansion of the 202 freeway. As the area continues to grow and develop, we look forward to the opportunity to be the physical therapy provider of choice and become family to the community we serve.