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Barbell Rehab Method: Physical Therapy

Barbell Rehab Method: Injury Rehab & Managing Chronic Conditions

Leave a Comment / Health & Wellness, Back Pain, Hips and Pelvis, Injury Assessment, Knee, Mobility, Pain Management, Shoulder, Sports Medicine, Treatments /

Barbell Rehab Method (BRM)

The Barbell Rehab Method is an approach to physical therapy that integrates principles from strength training and rehabilitation to help individuals recover from injuries or manage chronic conditions. It emphasizes using barbell exercises to improve strength, mobility, and function while addressing specific movement dysfunctions or imbalances. Barbell Rehab Method: Physical Therapy

Barbell Rehab Method In Action

The Barbell Rehab Method is typically used in physical therapy during:
  • Assessment: The therapist assesses the individual’s movement patterns, strength deficits, range of motion, and any specific impairments related to their injury or condition. This assessment helps tailor the rehabilitation program to the individual’s needs.
  • Exercise Prescription: Based on the assessment findings, the therapist prescribes specific barbell exercises designed to target areas of weakness or dysfunction. These exercises may include squats, deadlifts, presses, rows, and other compound movements that engage multiple muscle groups.
  • Technique Instruction: Proper technique is crucial to prevent further injury and maximize the effectiveness of the exercises. The therapist provides detailed instructions on performing each exercise safely and effectively, paying close attention to posture, alignment, and movement mechanics.
  • Progression: As the individual progresses in their rehabilitation, the therapist gradually increases the intensity, load, or complexity of the exercises to continue challenging their strength and mobility. This progressive approach helps promote ongoing improvement and prevents plateaus in recovery.
  • Individualization: The Barbell Rehab Method is highly individualized, considering each person’s unique goals, abilities, and limitations. The therapist may modify exercises or incorporate additional strategies, such as mobility drills or accessory movements, to address specific needs and optimize outcomes.
  • Education and Empowerment: Throughout the rehabilitation process, the therapist educates the individual on proper body mechanics, injury prevention strategies, and self-management techniques to support long-term health and wellness. The Barbell Rehab Method promotes independence and self-efficacy by empowering individuals to actively participate in their recovery.
The Barbell Rehab Method offers a comprehensive and evidence-based approach to physical therapy that integrates strength training principles with rehabilitation principles to promote optimal recovery and functional outcomes.

Barbell Rehab Method For All Ages & Activity Levels

The Barbell Rehab Method can be applied to individuals of different age groups and activity levels by tailoring the rehabilitation program to meet each individual’s specific needs, goals, and capabilities. Here’s how it can be adapted for different populations:

Young Adults and Athletes:

    • Young adults and relatively active athletes with a higher fitness level may focus on restoring strength, mobility, and function to facilitate a safe return to sports or other high-intensity activities.
    • The rehabilitation program may include more advanced barbell exercises and progressions, such as plyometric variations, dynamic movements, and sport-specific drills, to challenge their strength and athleticism.
    • Through targeted strength and conditioning protocols, emphasis is placed on optimizing movement mechanics, enhancing performance, and reducing the risk of future injuries
Barbell Rehab Method: Physical Therapy For Young Adults & Fitness Athletes

Middle-Aged Adults:

      • Middle-aged adults may benefit from the Barbell Rehab Method to address age-related changes, musculoskeletal issues, or injuries related to work, daily activities, or recreational pursuits.
      • The rehabilitation program focuses on improving functional capacity, reducing pain, and enhancing overall quality of life by targeting weakness, stiffness, or dysfunction areas.
      • Exercises are selected and modified based on individual capabilities and goals, emphasizing improving movement patterns, joint mobility, and muscular strength to support daily activities and maintain independence.
Barbell Rehab Method: Physical Therapy For Middle-Aged Adults

Older Adults:

    • The Barbell Rehab Method can help older adults address age-related strength, balance, and mobility declines and manage chronic conditions such as osteoarthritis or osteoporosis.
    • The rehabilitation program emphasizes safe and effective exercises that improve muscular strength, bone density, joint stability, and functional capacity to support healthy aging and prevent falls or injuries.
    • Exercises are selected and progressed cautiously, considering factors such as joint health, balance impairments, and mobility limitations. Modifications may include using lighter weights, incorporating balance training, and focusing on functional movements relevant to daily activities.
Barbell Rehab Method: Physical Therapy For Older Adults

Sedentary or Deconditioned Individuals:

    • Sedentary or deconditioned individuals may benefit from the Barbell Rehab Method to improve overall fitness, health, and well-being and manage chronic conditions such as obesity, diabetes, or cardiovascular disease.
    • The rehabilitation program focuses on gradually reintroducing physical activity, building foundational strength, and improving movement mechanics to support long-term adherence and sustainable lifestyle changes.
    • Exercises are selected and progressed based on individual fitness levels and tolerance, emphasizing gradual progression, proper technique, and personalized support to overcome barriers and build confidence in physical activity participation.
Barbell Rehab Method: Physical Therapy For Sedentary or Deconditioned Individuals The Barbell Rehab Method can be adapted to individuals of different age groups and activity levels by customizing the rehabilitation program to address their unique needs, capabilities, and goals. Whether recovering from an injury, managing a chronic condition, or striving to improve overall health and fitness, strength training and rehabilitation principles can be effectively applied to promote optimal outcomes and enhance quality of life across the lifespan.

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Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization

IASTM: Manual Therapy For Movement Restrictions, Tension, and Pain

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What is IASTM in Physical Therapy?

Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) is a type of manual massage therapy used by physical therapists. Commonly known as the Graston Technique, this type of treatment can be beneficial for many people with movement restrictions, tension, and pain.

The Taylor and Francis journal defines IASTM as “a skilled intervention that includes using specialized tools to manipulate the skin, myofascia, muscles, and tendons by using various direct compressive stroke techniques.”

Tightness, tension, and pain while sitting at office

What does IASTM Do?

Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization helps break down restrictions, reduce pain, and facilitate healing by addressing musculoskeletal problems at the cellular level.

At the musculoskeletal level, a facial restriction is often a combination of scar tissue and adhesions built up over time. Ortho Bethesda does a great job explaining that “Scar tissue and adhesions essentially act like superglue in your body. When scar tissue is created after injury, new cells are laid down excessively and in a disorganized manner. Scar tissue/ adhesions prevent the muscle or other tissues from lengthening appropriately.” 

IASTM is a way for physical therapists to use controlled microtrauma to stimulate a natural inflammatory response. When your body produces an inflammatory response, it triggers a series of events that include reabsorption of excess scar tissue and fibrosis that is causing restriction.

Additionally, IASTM also triggers a vascular response resulting in increased blood flow and improved healing. There is even a neural effect throughout pain receptors along the skin responsible for managing pain.

Who can benefit from IASTM?

IASTM treatment can be beneficial for a variety of impairments and conditions. It can be beneficial for many people undergoing orthopedic surgery, people that sit for long hours in an office, and athletes after intense training or injuries. Your physical therapist may provide you this manual therapy for impairments such as:

  • Limited mobility
  • Pain with motion
  • Loss of range of motion
  • Decreased muscle recruitments
  • Excessive scar tissue formation 

More specific conditions that benefit from the application of IASTM include:

  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Neck Pain
  • IT Band Syndrome
  • Heel Pain/ Achilles Tendinitis
  • Ankle Sprains and Strains
  • Back Pain
  • Shin Splints
  • Post Surgical Hip and Knee Replacements
  • Musculoskeletal Imbalances
  • Rotator Cuff Tendinitis
  • Myofascial Pain and Restrictions

Physical Therapy for Neck Pain

For certain conditions, instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization may not be recommended. These can include having:

  • Unhealed Fracture
  • Hematoma
  • Hemophilia
  • Uncontrolled Hypertension
  • Open Wound
  • Patient Hypersensitivity 

What to expect during and after an IASTM Treatment

IASTM treatments during physical therapy sessions are often paired with a warm-up such as heat, stationary bike, elliptical machine, or light jogging to make the tissue more pliable. After a warm-up, your therapist can begin working with stainless steel, plastic, or titanium instruments that contour to your body in order to find the specific tissue and muscles that are restricted.

Tools used by Physical Therapist for IASTM

Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization starts with gentle pressure and steadily increases in order to effectively treat the areas causing pain and movement restrictions. At Balanced Physical Therapy, we encourage open communication and let our therapists know when the pressure becomes too uncomfortable to tolerate.

After the IASTM treatment, most patients follow up with more exercise to help restore better movement patterns. Some soreness after treatments is considered normal; patients should not panic because it does go away and gets less severe with multiple treatments. If you are attending physical therapy anywhere from 2-3 times per week, a noticeable result can be felt by the 3rd or 4th appointment (sometimes even on the first treatment). When IASTM is combined with exercise, stretching, and a focused effort on home exercises, patients can progress reasonably quickly through their recovery.

If you would like to learn more about IASTM or are experiencing pain, tension and movement restrictions give us a call to speak with a therapist. Our team is always ready to help you make the best decision with regard to your overall health and wellness.

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Dry Needling Therapy

Dry Needling: Therapy for Pain and Movement Impairments

Leave a Comment / Treatments, Mobility, Pain Management /

Balanced PTs are licensed and certified to provide dry-needling treatment to help with neuromusculoskeletal pain and movement impairment. Learn more about the dry needling and which specific conditions can benefit the most from this treatment.

What is Dry Needling (DN)?

Dry needling is a safe and minimally invasive treatment used to help patients with neuromusculoskeletal pain and movement impairments(Mayo Clinic). Some benefits include decreased muscular pain, easing trigger points, and improved range of motion.

It is administered by certified and trained healthcare professionals such as physical therapists, medical doctors, and some chiropractors. Some other common names for dry needling therapy include trigger point dry needling (TDN) and Functional Dry Needling (FDN).

Difference Between DN and Acupuncture?

While DN stems from traditional Chinese medicine like acupuncture, it is a treatment that has evolved into a modern Western medicine treatment. Inserting needles into the skin is something both dry needling therapy and acupuncture share, but after that, the treatments are undoubtedly different (Denver Physical Medicine and Rehab).

Acupuncture treatments are more of traditional Eastern medicine based on restoring the proper energy flow throughout the body by inserting needles along meridian lines. 

DN therapy has been developing since the 1980s and focuses on relieving chronic and acute pain by inserting needles into trigger points to restore normal function. Many athletes and people with musculoskeletal conditions have turned to DN in the past several years to help alleviate pain, accelerate recovery, improve muscle function, and enhance overall mobility.

Will DN Work For Me?

Patients experiencing chronic pain are typically great candidates for dry needling therapy. Patients can expect to see the most significant benefits when DN is incorporated with exercise, manual therapy, stretching, and education. It is a low-cost, low-risk treatment that can help with conditions such as (Virginia Sports Medicine Institute):

  • Acute and Chronic Tendonitis/ Tendinosis
  • Athletic Overuse Injuries
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Frozen Shoulder
  • Muscle Spasms
  • Whiplash from auto accidents
  • Ehlers Danlos Syndrome
  • Fibromyalgia
  • IT Band Syndrome
  • Sciatic pain
  • Tennis and Golfer’s Elbow
  • Neck and lower back pain

Dry Needling Therapy

While DN can be beneficial to many different types of conditions, it is also essential to know when this treatment is not appropriate. DN is not suitable and potentially harmful (Cleveland Clinic) for the following reasons:

  • A patient with a needle phobia
  • Pregnancy (first trimester)
  • Patient with an allergy to metals
  • Patients who have an infection present
  • Needling over cosmetic implants
  • Patients with a heart valve replacement (endocarditis)
  • Patients with epilepsy (or other seizure disorders)

Suppose you are looking for natural pain management treatment options, and dry needling is not an option. In that case, we always recommend scheduling an appointment with your primary care physician, orthopedic surgeon, or physical therapist. They will be able to diagnose your pain and provide you with a list of safe treatments available near you.

How Does Dry Needling Work?

Multiple clinical studies show that dry needling works by restoring muscles to a normal resting state. We know that patients suffering from chronic pain, a traumatic injury, or overused muscles often develop trigger points (also known as knots) that cause pain and discomfort. 

Looking further into why this causes you pain, research shows that the trigger points form due to prolonged or abnormal muscle contraction where your muscle is not receiving enough blood supply. The lack of blood supply (filled with oxygen and nutrients required for healing) to an injured area will cause the surrounding tissue and nerves to become more sensitive.

By stimulating the trigger point with a sterile needle, dry needling therapy can help drive more blood to an injured area, release muscular tension, and help the brain release endorphins that promote healing.

Step By Step Treatment Review

Before administering dry needling therapy to any patient, your physical therapist will examine your past medical history to ensure the treatment is appropriate and safe. Part of the evaluation will also consist of your therapist using palpation skills to identify trigger points causing pain and limited motion.

Once you and your therapist agree that dry needling will benefit your recovery, the therapist will go over each part of the treatment in more detail (Verywell Health). Specific details that help patients understand dry needling can include:

  • How long does dry needling take? Typically, a single treatment can take anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes, which is most commonly a part of a total of 30 to 60 physical therapy sessions.
  • What to wear for a dry needling appointment: We recommend our patients wear the usual, comfortable physical therapy attire. Clothing that allows easy access for your therapist to administer the treatment is always a good idea. 
  • Insurance information and expected costs: Some insurances do cover DN, while others do not. It helps to know upfront what co-pay and out-of-pocket costs to expect.

Once an evaluation is complete, some patients can start dry needling therapy that same day ( others may need to wait until the second appointment; this varies from clinician to clinician.)

Your physical therapist will always begin the dry needling procedure by sterilizing the treatment area and preparing the needles in a private setting. After preparing the treatment area, the therapist will start inserting thin, dry needles (needles that do not contain medications or fluids ) into problem-causing trigger points. 

The dry needles are inserted directly into the skin at varying depths (depending on the DN technique). Oftentimes, patients will feel the physical therapist gently move the needle around to stimulate a local twitch response. A local twitch is good, as it signifies that a muscle is reacting to the treatment.

After 15-30 minutes, your therapist will carefully remove the dry needles. They will inspect the treatment area for bleeding and skin reactions before leaving for home.

What To Expect After Your Appointment

After a dry needling treatment session, patients often report decreased pain and increased range of motion. A patient will require more than one treatment to reach the desired results in more severe cases.

Muscle soreness and light bruising are common side effects of dry needling, for which your therapist may recommend rest, heat, or ice. These symptoms typically resolve themselves over a couple of days to a week.

If you are experiencing more severe side effects (these are considered rare), such as difficulty breathing or significant bleeding, we recommend contacting emergency medical services immediately.

Schedule Your Assessment Today

Balanced Physical Therapy is located in Royal Oak and Mt. Clemens, Michigan. Our patients enjoy working in one-on-one therapy settings with board-certified physical therapists. To schedule an appointment, call us at (586) 741-5806 or visit our Appointments page to schedule an evaluation.

 

 

 

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Balance Training For Seniors and Older Adults

Balance Training: A Better Way To Prevent Falls

Leave a Comment / Treatments, Health & Wellness, Mobility /

A balance training guide for seniors, older adults, and their family members. Learn what conditions affect balance and coordination, ways to identify a fall risk, and how physical therapy can improve everything from stability to sensory orientation.

Improve Balance and Coordination At Physical Therapy

 

Balance and coordination tend to decline as a person ages. Luckily there are things you can do to improve balance, reduce fall risks, and improve the overall quality of life. Being physically active is always a great first step when it comes to improving your overall health. It can also be necessary to seek specialized care for a custom balance training program as health declines.

Balanced Physical Therapy helps senior and older adult patients improve balance, control and coordination. Patients are less likely to fall and suffer from injuries when they have

  • Increased Overall Independence
  • Reduce Fear of Falling
  • Improved Coordination
  • Faster reaction Time
  • Stronger Bones
  • Increase Walking Speed
  • Improved Muscular Function
  • Improved Cognitive Function

Seniors and older adults often experience a decline in motor and cognitive functions. Balance is strongly affected and daily activities such as cleaning, exercising, and getting dressed can become more difficult in a short time.

Knee Stability Exercise

What conditions affect balance in seniors and older adults?

 

The American Family Physician attributes gait and balance disorders to seven different types of medical conditions including:

Affective Disorder and Psychiatric Conditions

    • Depression
    • Fear of Falling
    • Sleep Disorders
    • Substance Abuse

Cardiovascular Disease

    • Orthostatic Hypotension
    • Coronary Artery Disease
    • Congestive Heart Failure
    • Arrhythmias

Infectious and Metabolic Diseases

    • Diabetes Mellitus 
    • Obesity
    • Hyper and Hypothyroidism
    • HIV-associated neuropathy
    • Vitamin B12 deficiency

Musculoskeletal Disorders

    • Gout
    • Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
    • Osteoarthritis
    • Osteoporosis
    • Muscle Weakness and Atrophy
    • Podiatric Conditions
    • Cervical Spondylosis

Neurological Disorders

    • Dementia
    • Parkinson Disease
    • Stroke
    • Vestibular Disorders
    • Multiple Sclerosis 
    • Myelopathy

Sensory Abnormalities

    • Hearing Impairment
    • Peripheral Neuropathy 
    • Visual Impairment

Other

    • Other Acute Medical Conditions
    • Recent Hospitalization
    • Recent Surgery

How To Know If Someone Is a Fall Risk

 

A person who is a fall risk can often show signs and symptoms before having an accident. The best way to keep track of age-related balance issues is to be consistent and active when going for yearly checkups. It is extremely important to always report falls and near falls to your physician. Your primary care physician can help monitor your overall health and identify fall risks as they present themselves.

In addition to seeing your primary care physician on a regularly, it can be useful to know and watch out for some common signs of a balance deficit among friends and family. These include

  • A person having a difficult time getting up from a chair. This can indicate a weakness in the glutes, quadriceps, hamstrings, or hips.
  • A person who has a difficult time walking. Someone who tends to reach out for support on furniture or walls.
  • Near falls or someone who would have fallen if they had not caught themselves.
  • Someone taking pain medication or sleep aids. Some medications can cause dizziness, drowsiness, and balance issues.
  • Dizziness when standing up from a sitting or laying position.
  • Foot, knee, or hip pain that leads to an abnormal or shuffling type of walk.

Why Balance Training Is Important

 

People that fall once, have double the chance to fall again. Studies show that one out of five falls causes seniors injuries such as broken bones or head injuries. These falls can lead to long periods of pain, lower quality of life, disability, or even death. 

Balance training under the supervision of a physical therapist is a way to promote better overall health in a safe environment. A physical therapist can help improve balance and decrease your risk of falling by implementing a training program specific to your needs.
Patients can reverse the effects of physical inactivity and overcome the fear of falling. Patients can also benefit from additional education as well as emotional support from a healthcare professional.

Physical Therapy Program for Balance and Coordination

 

Patients who are unsure if they require specialized balance training should consult with their primary care physician. Your doctor can prescribe physical therapy to help improve balance and coordination. 

Once prescribed, your physical therapy program will always begin with an evaluation. A physical therapist will conduct a fall-risk assessment to better understand risk factors such as vision, mobility, transfers, daily activities, environment, and nutrition. Patients can also ask questions, discuss their goals, and express any concerns during the assessment.

Based on your current health your therapist will create a balance training program that is fit for your needs. Our therapists are experienced in modifying most therapy techniques to best suit your condition and to properly challenge you on a day-to-day basis.

Exercises For Balance Training

 

Physical Therapy exercises can be targeted to a specific physiological system or combine multiple systems to better simulate real-life activities. Certain parts of the balance training program will be geared towards motor function while other parts will focus more on cognitive improvements. Examples of these include

  • Increase stability limits
  • Improve anticipatory postural adjustments
  • Improve postural responses
  • Improve sensory orientation
  • Improve stability in gait

Yoga Ball Balance Exercise

Therapy sessions normally last about an hour and begin with a warm-up such as riding a bike, marching in place, or stretching. After warming up patients often train using therapy balls, uneven surfaces, body weight, and resistance training. A therapy session will conclude with stretching, massage, and a cool-down period. Not every appointment will be the same, in fact, they often differ to properly progress while keeping things interesting and fun.

At Balanced Physical Therapy, we pride ourselves on providing every patient with the expertise they deserve. Each patient is treated by a DPT for their entire session, avoiding any issues that may arise when working with assistants or techs. Your therapist will always be by your side and we encourage all our patients to ask questions and issue any concerns whenever at any point of your appointment.

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