How Physical Therapy Can Help Resolve Your Knee Pain
Walk, Run, And Jump Again Without The Nagging Knee Pain
Imagine struggling to climb stairs, play with your kids, or simply walk your dog because of nagging knee pain. It’s incredibly frustrating, isn’t it? Knee pain is a common ailment that affects people of all ages and activity levels. Whether it’s a dull ache or a sharp, debilitating pain, it can put a damper on your day and prevent you from enjoying the activities you love. Fortunately, physical therapy offers a proven path to resolving knee pain so patients can regain their mobility and quality of life.
Target The Knee Pain Right At The Source
Our physical therapists possess a deep understanding of how the body moves and can identify the specific factors contributing to your knee pain. Instead of just masking the symptoms, we take a personalized approach to each program that addresses the underlying causes of your knee pain for long-term relief and improved function.
Some common knee conditions we treat in our practice include:
Osteoarthritis
This is a degenerative joint disease that causes the breakdown of cartilage in the knee, leading to pain, stiffness, and swelling. Risk factors include age, obesity, previous knee injuries, and family history.
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
Pain around the kneecap is often caused by overuse, muscle imbalances, or poor tracking of the kneecap. This condition is more common in young athletes, women, and people with flat feet or weak thigh muscles.
IT Band Syndrome
This involves irritation of the iliotibial band (IT band), a thick band of tissue that runs along the outside of the thigh. It often causes pain on the outer side of the knee and is common in runners, cyclists, and those with tight IT bands or weak hip muscles.
Meniscus Tears
The meniscus acts as a shock absorber in the knee. A tear in this cartilage can cause pain and limited movement. Sudden twisting movements, sports injuries, and advanced age are common risk factors.
Sprains
Sprains occur when the ligaments that stabilize the knee joint are stretched or torn. This can happen due to sports injuries, falls, or sudden changes in direction.
Resolve Your Knee Pain With Atrium Physical Therapy
Our physical therapists are movement experts who specialize in evaluating and treating musculoskeletal conditions like knee pain. Every PT program at Atrium Physical Therapy is highly personalized, but you can expect to see a combination of strategies like:
Pain Management
We use a variety of techniques to reduce pain, including manual therapy (hands-on techniques) and therapeutic exercises.
Improved Mobility
Physical therapy helps restore a knee’s range of motion through targeted stretches and exercises to make everyday movements easier.
Strengthening Exercises
Strengthening the muscles around your knee provides better support and stability, reducing strain on the joint and preventing future injuries.
Return to Activity
Your physical therapist will design a personalized plan to help you safely and gradually return to your desired activities, whether that’s playing sports, gardening, or simply walking without pain.
Don’t let knee pain hold you back any longer. Schedule an appointment with our experienced physical therapists today and take the first step towards an active life without the pain.
Call today!
Get Back to Feeling Your Best
Return to Atrium Physical Therapy and Let’s Continue Your Journey to Wellness Together. Schedule Your Appointment Now!
July 4th Celebrations: Prioritize Health and Safety
July brings 4th of July celebrations, and while enjoying fireworks and picnics, it’s essential to prioritize safety. Here are some expert tips from Atrium Physical Therapy:
- Stay Hydrated: With the summer heat, dehydration is a concern. Bring plenty of water to stay hydrated during outdoor activities.
- Firework Safety: If you plan to handle fireworks, follow safety guidelines strictly. Mishandling can lead to burns and accidents.
- Healthy Picnic Choices: Choose nutritious picnic options like salads, grilled veggies, and lean proteins. Limit sugary drinks and snacks that can lead to energy crashes.
- Mind Your Posture: Whether watching fireworks or dining at a picnic, maintain good posture to prevent back and neck strain. Sit upright and use cushions for support if needed.
By focusing on safety and making healthy choices, you can have a memorable and healthy 4th of July celebration!
4th of July Word Scramble
cemarai
elidtrncoaa
orkrfsiwe
ddieceenpenn
uraeecbb
beiyltr
Answer Key
america
declaration
fireworks
independence
barbecue
liberty
Enjoy This Seasonal Recipe!
Red, White, & Blue Patriotic Popsicles
- 1 cup greek yogurt (substitute coconut milk, coconut cream, or coconut yogurt)
- 1/2 cup blueberries
- 1 cup strawberries
- honey, agave, or other sweetener (optional)
- popsicle molds (substitute small cups with flat bottoms), popsicle sticks & star ice cube mold
Make your white stars by making white, star-shaped “ice cubes” out of the greek yogurt (To avoid mess, use a syringe to easily fill the compartments). Meanwhile, make a puree with blueberries, adding optional sweetener if desired. Add a white star to the bottom of a flat bottomed popsicle mold or small cups with a flat bottom. Immediately cover them with your blueberry puree and freeze again. Once frozen, add a layer of yogurt or coconut. Place the popsicle stick into the yogurt layer. Use some aluminum foil to hold the stick up, and then place them into the freezer to freeze the stick in place. Puree the strawberries. When the yogurt layer is frozen, cover it with a layer of strawberry puree and freeze again. Follow the process with one more layer of yogurt and one more layer of strawberry puree. When ready to serve, ease the popsicles out gently by warming the sides of your cups with warm water while you gently pull on the stick.
Exercise of the Month
HEEL SLIDES LONG SIT
Sit with both legs extended on the floor. Slowly slide one heel toward your body, bending the knee while keeping the foot on the floor. Straighten the leg again and repeat to improve knee mobility.
Follow Us on Social Media!
Follow the buttons below to find Atrium Physical Therapy on your favorite social media sites and stay up to date with what happens around our clinic!
5 Pool Exercises For a Full-Body Workout
Exercising in water can provide a great full-body workout without some of the drawbacks of land-based exercises.
1. Walk in water. It targets your arms, core, and lower body. Keep your arms in the water and move them as you walk. Engage your core and stand tall.
2. Water arm lifts. Using foam dumbbells will help add more resistance. Stand in water up to your shoulders. Hold the dumbbells at your side, with your palms facing up. Draw your elbows in close to your torso as you lift your forearms to the height of the water. Rotate your wrists to turn your palms facedown. Lower your arms back to the starting position. Do 1-3 sets of 10-15 reps.
3. Lateral arm lifts. This exercise, which targets your upper body, is also best done with foam dumbbells. Stand in water up to your shoulders. Hold the dumbbells at your side. Raise your arms to the side until they’re level with the water and your shoulders. Lower your arms back down to your sides. Do 1-3 sets of 8-14 repetitions.
4. Back wall glide. This exercise helps to activate the muscles in your core and lower body. Hold onto the pool ledge, tuck your knees into your chest, and press your feet into the wall. Push off from the wall and float on your back as far as you can. Draw your knees into your chest, press your feet down to the bottom of the pool, and run back to the wall. Continue this exercise for 5-10 minutes.
5. Leg kicks. This exercise works the muscles in your core and legs. Use ankle weights to make it more challenging. Hold onto the pool ledge or hold a kickboard. Alternate flutter kicking, scissor kicking, breaststroke kicking, and dolphin kicking. Do each kick for 1-3 minutes.
Water workouts are an effective way to boost your cardio fitness while strengthening your major muscle groups, but as with any new exercise program, always speak to your physical therapist first. Contact Atrium Physical Therapy to see if aquatic exercise is right for you!
Meet Our Team
Dennis L. Prickett
PT, Owner, Chief of Operations
Anthony Apodaca
PTA, Clinic Lead
Jacob Robles
PT Tech
Anna Marie Robles
Customer Service Representative
Monique Montoya
Customer Service Representative
Leticia Guaderrama
Patient Account Specialist
Philip Montoya
Office Assistant
TJ Mallari
PT, DPT
