After treating her mother for chronic low back pain, she decided to tackle her own long-standing back pain that had prevented her from participating in long walks, car travel, or heavy activities. She underwent back surgery about 6 years ago, with return of her pain on and off since then. [Read more…] about Physician with Chronic Low Back Pain
22 y/o College Athlete, Chronic Knee Pain
She suffered a season-ending knee injury injury in March, and started her rehabilitation elsewhere. Her recovery was very slow, and eventually came to a halt. She graduated, started her career, and came to us to attempt to complete her recovery. [Read more…] about 22 y/o College Athlete, Chronic Knee Pain
Male with Chronic Recurrent Low Back Pain
In this case, the back pain was chronic/intermittent, meaning that he has experienced severe pain on and off for decades. This episode was not clearing up like it normally does, and each episode was becoming more painful and lasting longer. [Read more…] about Male with Chronic Recurrent Low Back Pain
Male with Vertigo/BPPV
My first new patient of the week was one of the first I was able to discharge this week. Benign Paroxysmal Peripheral Vertigo (BPPV) can be a very disabling problem. There are many potential reasons for someone to be dizzy, but if BPPV is your problem, it can usually be fixed in one visit. Most of the evaluation is spent screening for other neurologic conditions that could be causing the dizziness, such as stroke. In his case, the problem was a posterior canalisthiasis, that was causing him to feel as though the room were spinning, set off by the position of his head. [Read more…] about Male with Vertigo/BPPV
Management of Stiff/Frozen Shoulder
Chronic or acute inflammation of the shoulder can result in stiffness of the shoulder capsule, severe pain, and occasionally severely limited motion. While treatment of a stiff/frozen shoulder can be very painful, it is generally not terribly complicated and improves in a reliable fashion. Physical therapy can also serve prepare the patient for consultation with an orthopedic surgeon, by restoring optimal shoulder flexibility, strength and function. Because normalized passive motion is a prerequisite to successful RTC repair, even patients with a diagnosed RTC will benefit from skilled physical therapy intervention. [Read more…] about Management of Stiff/Frozen Shoulder
Does Dad Really Have Medicare?
A son or daughter (or in-law) will frequently have to take over care for an elderly relative, without any advance notice. Due to the number of alternative plans available today, well-meaning relatives could easily find themselves buried by a mountain of medical bills. [Read more…] about Does Dad Really Have Medicare?