our specialties
Physical therapists indeed play a crucial role in addressing a wide range of conditions related to movement, neurology, and musculoskeletal health. At Unify PT, our expertise in rehabilitation and functional movement makes us invaluable in helping individuals recover from injuries, manage chronic conditions, and improve overall mobility and quality of life.
Neck
Neck pain is one of the most common conditions treated in an outpatient physical therapy clinic. While ‘neck pain’ is a broad term, this diagnosis is commonly seen on a written referral from a referring physician. Neck pain can be caused by a multitude of structures, with joints and muscles being the most common. Often, you will hear patients complain of a stiff neck or painful muscles without any specific injury. In Houston, patients frequently complain of a “crick” in their neck.
shoulder
Shoulder pain is another common injury most Americans will deal with at some point in their lifetime, and its prevalence increases as we age. Chances are you have a family member or friend who suffered a torn rotator cuff and subsequently had it repaired. Rotator cuff tears are the leading cause of shoulder pain and become more common as we age. Rotator cuff tendinitis (formally known as shoulder impingement) is another common source of shoulder pain. Fortunately, patients with rotator cuff tendinitis respond very well to physical therapy and do not need more invasive treatments. Shoulder dislocations and subluxations are common in younger, more active populations and can require surgery.
Elbow/Wrist
The elbow can present many challenges for a physical therapist due to the chronicity of some elbow-related conditions. Tennis elbow is one of the more challenging conditions to treat and is too common in the digital age. Though named after a popular racket sport, I can only remember two patients I have treated over 11 years who dealt with tennis elbow AND played tennis. This overuse condition can occur without ever picking up a racket and often occurs after a dramatic and sudden increase in repetitive gripping (i.e., painting walls or packing and moving boxes). Other common elbow conditions include fractures of the radius or ulna bones. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition we have seen the most in the wrist.
back
Back pain is one of the most common and debilitating reasons a patient will seek medical care. In the world of physical therapy, we often see patients with what is labeled as ‘acute low back pain,’ meaning the pain was recent and sudden. Like neck pain, there are many reasons why a patient can present with low back pain. Again, muscles and joints are the most common culprits, but a herniated disc can also be the source of pain.
hip
Another joint susceptible to various ailments is the hip. Generally speaking, hip conditions tend to fall into two categories based on age. Younger patients tend to have more tendon and muscle instability complaints, while more senior patients tend to have pain stemming from arthritic changes within the joint. Common hip issues seen are osteoarthritis (including total hip replacements) and a “catch-all” term, greater trochanter pain syndrome (GTPS). GTPS can include pain originating from inside the joint from degenerative changes of the labrum (a ring of cartilage that further stabilizes the joint) or one of many tendons around the hip.
knee
Knee pain is the third most common condition in a physical therapy clinic. Social media and news outlets have made ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) tears the protagonist, but frankly, this condition is less common outside the realm of competitive sports. There are between 100,000 and 200,000 ACL tears per year in the United States. Still, these injuries represent only a tiny fraction of those seeking the care of a physical therapist. Arthritis of the knee is one of the most common conditions treated, including patients undergoing a total knee replacement due to painful arthritis. Another catch-all term for knee pain is ‘anterior knee pain.’ It can include patellofemoral (i.e., kneecap) pain or tendinitis (i.e., jumper’s knee).
ankle & foot
For those of us who enjoyed chasing our friends when we were young or are fighting to stay in shape through exercise, a sprained ankle is something we are all too familiar with. Another common injury, especially in active populations, can result in a wide range of pain and limitations. In severe ankle sprains, a fracture can occur in the distal end of the fibula or, in extreme cases, both the tibia and fibula. Other common ankle injuries are Achilles tendinitis and a calf strain, both overuse-type injuries.
Running/Gait Analysis
Running is a fantastic mode of exercise that requires as much mental toughness as it does physical. The unfortunate truth about running is nearly 100% of runners will experience an injury significant enough to take them out of their sport for some time. Some of the more common reasons are hip and knee pain as well as calf muscle strains or Achilles tendinitis. A comfortable and well-fitting shoe goes a long way to keep runners running, which is something we look at during your treatments with Unify PT. The best form of prevention for running-related injuries is a comprehensive cross-training program (i.e. resistance weight training and utilizing our run coach).
Sports Rehabilitation
Sports rehabilitation focuses on the recovery and rehabilitation of athletes following sports-related injuries, surgeries, or performance-related issues. The goals of sports rehabilitation are to facilitate optimal recovery, restore function, prevent re-injury, and promote safe return to sports activities. You don’t have to be a professional athlete to receive sports rehab. Most of our patients are active adults who participate in Houston Community leagues.
Weightlifting
Weightlifting is another sport that often falls victim to over-training. In a world of moving heavy weights repeatedly, proper form is the best form of injury prevention. Muscle strains and tendinitis are the most common injuries, but in severe cases, muscle tearing and joint dislocations can result from a loss of control. As our population in the United States continues to age, weightlifting, or resistance training, has received a lot of publicity. Osteoporosis and sarcopenia are two conditions that affect our aging population. There are myriad risk factors associated with both osteoporosis and sarcopenia and resistance training is one of the most beneficial treatments for those conditions.
Post-Operative
Post-operative physical therapy aims to promote recovery, restore function, reduce pain, prevent complications, and facilitate a safe return to daily activities and sports tailored to the specific surgery and individual patient goals. We don’t stop at “functional” when most patients get discharged. We ensure that your mechanics, strength, speed, and power are back to 100% to prevent future compensations and injuries.
TMJ
Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) refers to a group of conditions that affect the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), jaw muscles, and surrounding structures, leading to pain, dysfunction, and discomfort in the jaw, face, head, and neck. We have seen this be the cause for headaches in some of our patients. TMD is difficult to treat and requires special attention, patience, and skill.
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