injury Archives - Profizjoclinic

Physiotherapist or Orthopedist? How to choose the right specialist?

Karolina — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 09:49:42 +0000

Choosing between a physiotherapist and an orthopedist can be a crucial to your health and well-being. Both professions focus on the musculoskeletal system, but their approaches to treatment and diagnosis differ. In this post we present, When to go to a physiotherapist and when to go to an orthopedist, and why cooperation of these two specialists can bring the best results.

Physiotherapist: Movement and rehabilitation specialist

A physiotherapist is a specialist who deals with restoring and improving the body's motor functions. He focuses on rehabilitation and manual therapy, helping patients return to full function after injury or surgery.

When is it a good idea to go to a physiotherapist?

Muscle and joint pains: A physiotherapist can help relieve pain caused by a strain or injury through manual therapy and exercise.
Limited joint mobility: Regular physiotherapy can improve joint flexibility and mobility.
Back pain: Special techniques and exercises can reduce spinal pain, especially in cases of discopathy or degeneration.
Prevention and correction of postural defects: Physiotherapists help correct postural defects, which is especially important in children and adolescents.
Post-operative rehabilitation: Physiotherapy plays a key role in restoring muscle and joint function after orthopedic surgery. It speeds up the return to daily activities, reduces the risk of complications such as adhesions or contractures, and aids the tissue healing process.
Tension pains and migraines: Relaxation techniques and manual therapy can reduce muscle tension, which is often the cause of headaches.
Dysfunctions of the organs of the pelvis minor: Specialized therapy helps with pain and dysfunction of the pelvic organs, including problems such as incontinence.
Numbness and tingling in the extremities: Muscle tensions and other musculoskeletal dysfunctions can lead to pressure on nerves, which a physiotherapist reduces through special manual therapy techniques.
Neurological diseases: Physiotherapists work with patients suffering from neurological diseases to help them maintain or improve motor function, proprioception and coordination.
Suspected deficits in an infant- Quantitative (developmental and sensory delays) and qualitative (asymmetry, muscle tone abnormalities, abnormal head shape)
Even in the absence of developmental abnormalities, the physiotherapist provides instruction in proper infant care, which is crucial for their proper development.

Physiotherapists use a variety of techniques, including manual therapy, therapeutic exercises, laser therapy, and kinesiotaping. Their goal is to Improving patients' quality of life by increasing their physical fitness and reducing pain. Learn more about physiotherapy at Profizjoclinic.

Orthopaedist- specialist in diseases and injuries of the osteoarticular system

An orthopedist is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating conditions of the skeletal system, joints and muscles. He is often the first specialist we go to after injuries.

When is it a good idea to go to an orthopedist?

Fractures and accidents: After any bone or joint injury, it is necessary to consult an orthopedist to assess the damage and implement treatment.
Infections in the joints and bones: An orthopedist diagnoses and treats infections that can lead to serious complications.
Metabolic diseases: Conditions such as gout affect the musculoskeletal system and require orthopedic intervention.
Chronic joint disorders: For arthritis and other chronic diseases, an orthopedist may prescribe appropriate drug or surgical treatment.
Selection of medical devices: An orthopedist selects appropriate orthoses, corsets and other supportive devices.
Sudden, strong Pain without a traumatic cause: Severe pain requiring immediate diagnosis and treatment.
Imaging diagnostics: An orthopedist orders and performs tests, such as ultrasound, to accurately assess a patient's condition.

The key to effective treatment: Cooperation between specialists

In many cases, the best results can be achieved with cooperation between physiotherapist and orthopedist. An orthopedist can diagnose the problem and plan treatment, while a physiotherapist supports the rehabilitation process, returning the patient to full function. That's why it's important to have people from both fields on the treatment team. Learn more about orthopedics at Profizjoclinic.

A physiotherapist and an orthopedist, working together, can manage the treatment process more effectively, leading to faster and more effective rehabilitation. When choosing the right specialist, it is worth keeping in mind their mutual role and the benefits of their cooperation.

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Why runners love laser therapy

Karolina — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 12:32:09 +0000

For many people, running is more than exercise - running is freedom. It's transcending one's physical limitations, giving great emotional satisfaction. It is an emotional and physical triumph for the human body. For some, it is the whole world. There is nothing else but it. Humans were born to run: we have large glutes that provide strength to our hips and a wonderfully built foot that can balance ground reaction forces.

Encountering difficulties

Unfortunately, running comes with risks. Injuries occur: hip, ankle, lower back and knee. Why? Just because we're made for running doesn't mean we do it well. We also sit more than we run, and the lack of movement throughout the day cannot be made up for by running for an hour.

There are also many impacts that transfer to the foot and send forces upward through the knee and hip. With each impact of the foot against the ground, even the 7 times body weight. Even with proper running mechanics, ground reaction forces cause micro-injuries and strain on some parts of the body, leading to injury.

It is an undeniable fact that if you run, sooner or later something will start to hurt. So what can you do to minimize the pain and heal quickly? In such a situation, deep tissue laser therapy proves beneficial.

Laser therapy - a simple solution

What is laser therapy? It is the use of Infrared light to stimulate the body's cells. The process of such stimulation is called photobiomodulation.

It leads to the healing of micro-injuries, minimizes pain and reduces inflammation.

Physical activity causes inflammation. This in turn, if prolonged, causes pain. To prevent and heal from pain when it does occur, inflammation must be reduced.

Runners who have tried laser therapy have come to love it. The reasons are explained below.

Achilles tendon and calf injuries:

Tension and tendonitis often occur in these areas. Stretching these parts of the body doesn't help for long when inflammation is at the root. The laser stimulates deep circulation and reduces inflammation, restoring mobility faster. Greater mobility means you can work harder, faster, stronger and longer. Using an applicator with a massage ball also helps reach the deep structures that control foot alignment.

TFL/IT compressionBS

Eighty percent of the gluteus maximus muscle (gluteus maximus) attaches to the broad fascia (tensor fascia latae). Fascial tensions in this area can lead to overuse of the patellofemoral band, resulting in knee sprain. Inflammation and restriction of slippage there affects the system of transferring forces from the ground to the hip and throughout the body. Carla Stecco says 40% force transmission through the muscles is mediated by the fascia. Applying the laser along the hip and thigh increases mobility. Treatment with it should be performed on both sides regardless of which side hurts. Both legs must work while running.

Runner's knee

The knee is a dependent joint - it only makes the movements that the foot will allow and that the hip can control. By working on the ankle, foot and hip, we are already having a positive effect on the knee. Applying the laser to the medial adductor tendon attachments and in the back of the knee will greatly facilitate recovery. The posterior part of the knee is where the gluteal muscle and the main lymphatic drainage point for the lower limb is located. If you want to recover faster, your body must be able to remove metabolic waste through the lymphatic system.

Maximize productivity, minimize downtime

Laser therapy is a necessity in the process of regeneration and treatment of injuries, but should also be used before and after running to improve performance, minimize muscle fatigue and reduce the risk of injury.

Deep tissue laser therapy allows treatment of multiple areas in a short period of time, so it can be performed as often as needed. Laser treatment applied before a run to the calves, quadriceps, glutes, hamstrings and lower back helps prepare the tissues for optimal contraction and control, and the blood vessels dilated by it speed up the warm-up.

The treatment, performed after a run, aids recovery and prolongs metabolic processes. It will also give you a reduction in delayed muscle soreness. The faster and more effectively your body recovers, the sooner you can get back to training. The more you train by moving properly, the better you will become at running. Just make sure you apply laser treatments to the same areas before and after the race. Being proactive in taking care of fitness Physical exercise can significantly reduce the risk of injury.

Bibliography

Perry Nickelston, Why Runners Love Laser Therapy, https://lightforcemedical.com/why-runners-love-laser-therapy/

The post Dlaczego biegacze kochają laseroterapię appeared first on Profizjoclinic.

How does laser therapy work in treating athletes' injuries?

Karolina — Mon, 27 Feb 2023 12:07:21 +0000

Treatment of injuries to athletes is extremely important. The speed and effectiveness of the therapy determine the results achieved throughout a season or even a sports career. Laser therapy is a solution that enables athletes to make a lasting return to full fitness after injuries. Many studies indicate that Laser therapy speeds up treatment and rehabilitation of athletes, which is of great importance to their careers. It is worth remembering, however, that although the article focuses on athletes, the benefits of a non-surgical form of treatment such as laser therapy apply to all physically active people.

Laser therapy in the treatment of injuries of athletes and physically active people

Professional athletes are subjected to tremendous physical stress. The large number of training sessions, matches and sporting events per season combined with little time for recovery leads to fatigue and a higher risk of injury. In such a situation, in many cases the use of classical rehabilitation treatments may not be sufficient.

However, it turns out that the way to deal with high physical strain in athletes is to laser therapy. It can help maintain health and improve sports performance throughout the season. After the season is over, on the other hand, it can be used to reduce pain (which occurs as a result of muscle strain during the season) And full tissue regeneration.

Studies show that laser therapy is effective, if only in faster muscle recovery.

This is evidenced by improvements in biomarkers related to inflammation or oxidative stress after laser therapy. In turn, other studies show that the use of laser therapy before a training session can contribute to performing more repetitions in an exercise And improve maximal strength and aerobic capacity.

Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) also makes it possible to return to full fitness and manage chronic pain even after a sports career has ended.

Athletes notice and feel after laser treatments greater range of motion In a given limb, pain reduction and lower voltage In individual muscle groups.

Laser therapy is therefore not only a way to treat injuries among athletes and a method of getting rid of pain, but also an opportunity to improve health in physically active people.

Can laser therapy affect athletes' mental health?

Kontuzje u sportowców oddziałują nie tylko na sferę fizyczną, ale również na psychiczną. Injuries and chronic ailments prevent regular training and participation in sporting events. This, in turn, can translate into a reduction in athletic level (e.g., through lack of training) and image losses (e.g., non-participation in important tournaments or matches makes it more difficult to build one's position in the sport and attract sponsors).

The consequences of the above situations can be loss of position in the club (e.g., in the case of football or basketball players, „dropping out” of the starting lineup), missed opportunities to perform in a major sporting event (e.g., in the case of athletes, failure to participate in the Olympic Games), or failure to realize athletic potential (e.g., many athletes never reached their maximum level through repeated injuries).

All the cases described undoubtedly do not have the best effect on the mental condition of athletes.

So if we consider that laser therapy is effective in treating and preventing injuries, we can conclude that laser therapy also indirectly improves and protects mental health.

Application of laser therapy in selected sports disciplines

The health-promoting properties of laser therapy are undeniable - Both in athletes and in physically active people. However, each sport has its own rules, including in terms of rehabilitation and injury prevention. Let's see, how laser therapy is used in athletes of particular sports disciplines using basketball, baseball and soccer players as examples. The facts presented below can be used by both professional and amateur athletes to protect their health and enhance their athletic potential in any sport.

Laser therapy in basketball players

The NBA is considered the best basketball league in the world, with 82 games in the regular season. There are still play-offs waiting for the best teams, involving the playing of several or more games. Basketball places very high demands not only on NBA players, but also on players in other leagues. It is worth recalling that the effort of playing for a club should also be added to the effort of playing for a national team, associated with international competitions (e.g., the Olympic Games, World Championships).

Laser therapy is often used in basketball - and with success.

A prime example is the U.S. national team, which used laser therapy at the 2012 London Olympics, where it won the gold medal. With the proper use of this form of therapy The players avoided serious injuries during both training and matches.

According to the information gathered, laser therapy was able to deal with any type of injury. In addition, the therapy was useful in alleviating the painful sequelae of acute injuries and had a positive impact on the rate of injury healing.

Laser therapy in baseball players

Baseball is characterized by an intense schedule of games. Teams must be ready for duels taking place almost every day from March at least until the end of September. Such a pattern of games involves intensity - not only of training, but also of life (e.g., traveling from place to place). So players are looking for ways to play without pain and in full health.

As a result, there are situations in which Laser therapy is given to the thrower arm. This warms up the shoulder joint, which prevents stiffness and thus optimizes performance on the field. Laser therapy is also used for acute conditions of certain injuries to reduce swelling, improve blood circulation and facilitate lymph drainage.

Treating baseball players' injuries with laser therapy

For what ailments and cases is laser therapy used in baseball?

Shin splints (tight fascial compartment syndrome of the lower leg muscle area) - mild improvement is seen after the first treatment, while significant improvement is observed after 3, 4 sessions of laser therapy.
Tendonitis in the shoulder - treatments help warm up the athlete before the throw and, compared to other treatments, reduce soreness and fatigue after the throw.
Rotator cone strain - anti-inflammatory effect of laser therapy reduces soreness, and increases range of motion in the early stages of rehabilitation, which speeds up the return to exercise.
Partial medial meniscectomy - Baseball players who have undergone laser therapy the day after surgery achieve full passive range of motion by the third day, and pain significantly decreases or disappears completely (without laser therapy, such a result was achieved no sooner than a week later).
Arthroscopy - Laser treatments reduce wound healing time and allow sutures to be removed in as little as 8 days (without laser therapy, sutures are usually removed after 10-14 days).
Reconstruction of the ulnar collateral ligament - The use of the laser reduces scar tissue and increases blood vessel activity in the area.
Zapalenie powięzi podeszwowej - For 70-80% patients, symptoms resolve after 12-16 laser treatments, which should be spread over 4-6 weeks (3 treatments per week).
Achilles tendonitis – w około 75% przypadków laseroterapia okazała się skutecznym sposobem leczenia tego urazu wśród sportowców; do osiągnięcia takich rezultatów potrzeba około 20 zabiegów (w ciężkich przypadkach nawet 30).
Morton's neuroma - 8 to 10 treatments guarantee a treatment success rate of about 85%.

Although the above data comes from the baseball community, laser therapy can be used in the listed injuries, trauma and ailments regardless of the physical activity practiced.

Toronto Blue Jays

Laser therapy is used in Toronto Blue Jays - a professional club that plays in the MLB (Major League Basketball). According to the information gathered Laser treatments have reduced the intensity of pain for a variety of injuries. The therapy has also helped shorten the period during which a player is out of the game due to injury. Thus, the treatments make the team has more healthy players at its disposal.

Laser therapy in football players

Laseroterapia jest skuteczna w leczeniu tendinopatii ścięgna podkolanowego, which is relatively common in soccer players. A study on athletes aged 18-36 years showed that high-power laser therapy reduced the pain scale by more than 60% while increasing isokinetic peak torque (ang. isokinetic peak torque - IPT) by 13,18%.

Tendinopathy of the popliteal tendon can also occur in long-distance runners, sprinters and hockey players. Although treatment and rehabilitation should be selected on an individual basis, laser therapy can be used to treat tendinopathy regardless of sport or physical activity.

Laser therapy is not only used to treat injuries in athletes, but is also used to improve muscle performance.

One study of healthy male soccer players found that high-power laser therapy can improve IPT, as well as functional test scores.

In contrast, another study, also performed on football players, observed a Increased aerobic capacity and reduced muscle inflammation after laser therapy before an intense running test on a treadmill. Levels of creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase in the blood and the inflammatory marker IL-6, among others, were also reduced.

A way to good health and better sports performance

Laser therapy provides athletes and professional teams with a guarantee that treatment of the injury will proceed effectively, quickly and efficiently.

Not surprisingly, more and more individuals and sports organizations are opting for this form of non-surgical treatment. After all, the undeniable benefits make it possible to achieve Better sports results, while maintaining good health and full performance.

However, it is worth remembering that professional athletes are not the only beneficiaries of laser therapy. Indeed, all people who suffer from a variety of musculoskeletal ailments will benefit from this method. After therapy, patients experience less pain and experience faster and more lasting results in the treatment of their injuries.In sports medicine, where they relieve pain, reduce inflammation and speed up recovery to full health. Among the advantages of laser therapy are not only high efficacy, but also non-invasive nature, which encourages many people to take advantage of this type of treatment.

Bibliography

Sachin Verma, Vandana Esht, Aksh Chahal, Gaurav Kapoor, Sorabh Sharma, Ahmad H. Alghadir, Masood Khan, Faizan Z. Kashoo, Mohammad A. Shaphe. Effectiveness of High Power Laser Therapy on Pain and Isokinetic Peak Torque in Athletes with Proximal Hamstring Tendinopathy: A Randomized Trial, BioMed Research International, vol. 2022, Article ID 4133883, 8 pages, 2022.
Gorji E, Mir SM, Bashardoust Tajali S, Malmir K. The Immediate Effect of High Power Laser on Quadriceps Muscle Performance in Male Football Players: A Single-Group, Pretest-Posttest Trial, Journal of Modern Rehabilitation, 2020;15(1):7-14.
Doctorpedia (2021). Laser Therapy and Sports Injuries, accessed: 12/12/2022. https://www.doctorpedia.com/channels/laser-therapy-and-sports-injuries/
Silverman, R. (2020). Get back in the game with laser therapy, access date: 12.12.2022. https://swm.vip/get-back-in-the-game-with-laser-therapy/
Smith, S. A Modality with Momentum Laser therapy brings power to the Major League Baseball lineup. ADVANCE for Physical Therapy & Rehab Medicine., 2014.
Frostad, M. Laser therapy provides non-invasive treatment for elite athletes and weekend warriors. ADVANCE for directors in rehabilitation, 2009, 18(6).

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