Greendale Physical Therapy will also open a second location in Worcester, Massachusetts
Greendale Physical Therapy on August 1 will open the first center in Central Massachusetts dedicated to vestibular, balance and neurological therapy and will also expand to its sixth location in the region with a new 5,000-square-foot physical therapy center on Gold Star Blvd. in Worcester.
The vestibular, balance, and neurological center will occupy the 3,000-square-foot space at 120 Gold Star Blvd. that formerly housed Greendale’s Worcester physical therapy center. The new physical therapy center, focused on orthopedic rehabilitation, is located in a 5,000-square-foot facility across the street in a newly constructed building at 137 Gold Star Blvd. The locally owned, independent physical therapy group also has locations in Shrewsbury, Clinton, Fitchburg and Marlborough, and now two in Worcester. In addition, Greendale provides aquatic therapy in the pool at the Central Community Branch YMCA in Worcester.
Vestibular and Neurological therapy
Vestibular rehabilitation therapy is an exercise-based program designed to help the nervous system compensate for inner ear deficits and balance impairments often caused by degenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and dementia as well as brain or nervous system injuries from stroke or accidents. People who experience dizziness, vertigo, or disequilibrium are good candidates for vestibular therapy. Some symptoms can be cured while others can only be controlled with a regular vestibular rehabilitation program, often including eye, neck and head coordination therapy, balance training, and targeted manual therapy. In addition to vestibular therapy the center will also focus treatment of patients with various neurological and balance disorders including Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and stroke.
“We work on somebody, for example, who needs to learn how to get up from a chair again, not because they have hip pain, but because they don’t have the program in their brain of how to actually execute that task,” said the new center’s manager, Pablo Maldonado Pinuer, PT, VRC, and a certified vestibular rehabilitation and concussion therapist.
“It’s a different type of approach. It’s a lot about patience and trying to figure it out.” The new vestibular and neurological center has been retrofitted with specialized equipment such as parallel bars, steps, video monitors and laser tracking devices.
Patient-centered approach
Greendale Physical Therapy’s tagline is “You don’t have to be an Olympic athlete to be treated like one.” That reflects the therapy practice’s commitment to personalized therapy that includes hands on manual therapy and often before and after heat and ice modalities, as well as the resources and expertise to treat a wide range of patients, from young high-performance athletes to older people with arthritis and other chronic conditions.
“Our team focuses on ‘Olympic athlete’ level care, which means we treat our patients with the utmost respect and provide the most competent and personalized care,” said Greendale’s founder and owner, Jon Dooley, PT, MSPT, who started the practice in 2002.
“For me, I know all my therapists’ names and I know their family and their kids. I am also on a first name basis with many of our patients. Our practice is more personal and family oriented. I feel that translates into better care and ultimately better outcomes.”
The new, larger physical therapy clinic at 137 Gold Star Blvd. is nearly double the size of the previous location and will enable Greendale to manage more patients while not needing to devote any of the space to balance, neurological, and vestibular therapy, which will be concentrated at the nearby center at 120 Gold Star Blvd.
“The great thing about it is right now we’re backlogged with patients and we’ll be able to accommodate people more readily,” Dooley said. “We’ll have two beautiful facilities. The therapists and our patients are going to be happy with all the new space and equipment.”
Greendale Physical Therapy employs about 25 physical therapists and 50 to 60 administrative and support team members. Its other locations are at 280 Boston Turnpike, Shrewsbury; 145 Church St., Clinton; 435 Lakeside Ave., Marlborough; and 28 Ashby State Road, Fitchburg.
Tendons and ligaments are like strong, stretchy bands in your body. The big difference between them is how they connect.
Tendons and ligaments help you move and keep your body steady. As we get older, both tendons and ligaments can get weaker and more prone to injuries. This article will help you understand the differences between them and what to do if they get hurt.
What Are Tendons and Ligaments?
Tendons and ligaments are thick bands made of a material called collagen. They do similar jobs, helping your body move and stay stable.
Here’s the main difference: tendons connect muscles to bones, while ligaments link bones to other bones. There are some smaller differences too.
Tendons have bundles of fibers, surrounded by something called endotenon, which lets the fibers move smoothly. This helps your muscles work properly.
Ligaments are more elastic than tendons. There are two types: white ligaments have sturdy collagen fibers and don’t stretch much, while yellow ligaments have elastic fibers, allowing more movement. Ligaments are mainly found at joints, while tendons connect muscles to bones.
Both tendons and ligaments can get injured easily, and their injuries often show similar symptoms.
Injuries That Affect Them
Tendon and ligament injuries are quite common, and a few things can increase your risk of getting hurt:
- Overuse: Doing sports or activities too much.
- Trauma: Getting a hard hit or fall.
- Twisting: Putting stress on tendons or ligaments in an awkward way.
- Weak Muscles: Not staying active can make your muscles weak and more prone to injury.
Some common injuries include:
Tendon Injuries
Tendon injuries are pretty common, especially in sports. About 30-50% of sports injuries are related to tendons.
- Strains: These happen when a tendon or the muscle it’s connected to gets damaged. Strains can be very painful and might take a while to heal.
- Tendinitis: It’s when a tendon becomes swollen and irritated, often from overuse. This can make the area painful, swollen, and warm.
- Tendinosis: Similar to a strain, but it happens over time due to overuse or incorrect sports techniques.
- Subluxation: When a tendon moves out of place, causing pain and weakness in the joint. This is more likely if you have certain body differences.
- Tendon Ruptures: These are severe injuries where the tendon tears, usually due to a mix of sudden and long-term stress.
Ligament Injuries
Ligament injuries, like sprains, happen when a ligament stretches or tears. The knees, ankles, and wrists are commonly affected, especially after a fall that puts stress on the ligaments.
- Grade 1: A mild sprain where the ligament stretches but doesn’t tear.
- Grade 2: A moderate sprain with partial tearing of the ligament.
- Grade 3: Severe sprains where the ligament completely tears, making the joint unstable and often needing surgery.
Some ligament injuries are more common than others, like a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the knee. After a ligament injury, the joint can feel unstable, especially in sprained ankles and knees.
Other Soft Tissue Injuries
In addition to strains and sprains, you can also bruise tendons, ligaments, and the surrounding tissue. Bursitis, which feels like a tendon or ligament injury, happens when small sacs near your joints become inflamed due to overuse or extreme joint stress.
Differences in Treatments
Treating tendon and ligament injuries is quite similar.
For minor injuries, doctors usually recommend the RICE method:
- Rest: Give the injured area a break.
- Ice: Apply ice to the affected area to minimise swelling and discomfort.
- Compression: Wrap the injury to reduce swelling and help it heal.
- Elevation: Keep the injury higher than your heart to ease pain and reduce swelling.
You can also take over-the-counter pain relievers for pain and inflammation. But remember, they don’t fix the injury, so don’t overdo it.
More severe injuries might need physical therapy, or in the case of a complete tear, surgery.
Tendinitis and bursitis often heal on their own, but sometimes they might need treatment, like corticosteroid injections or surgery if the problem is severe.
Summary
Tendon and ligament injuries can be really painful, and they can feel like a broken bone. It’s difficult to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone.
Even though many minor injuries can heal on their own, it’s crucial to get help if the pain is severe or doesn’t go away. A doctor can diagnose the issue and suggest the right treatment. Ignoring the pain can lead to more problems, so don’t hesitate to seek medical care.
Tendonitis, also known as tendinitis, is when the tissues that connect your muscles to your bones (tendons) become inflamed. It often occurs due to repetitive activities and can be quite painful. Tendonitis can affect various parts of your body, including the elbow, knee, shoulder, hip, Achilles tendon, and the base of your thumb. Rest and avoiding strenuous activities are essential for the healing of tendons.
Tendinitis Overview
What is Tendonitis?
Tendonitis, or tendinitis, is the swelling and irritation of a tendon, which is a connective tissue that links muscles to bones, enabling movement. It typically occurs after repetitive strain or overuse, commonly affecting the shoulders, elbows, and knees. Tendonitis can be either short-term (acute) or long-term (chronic).
Types of Tendonitis
Various types of tendonitis are named after sports and the specific body areas where injuries occur. The most common types include:
- Tennis elbow
- Golfer’s elbow
- Pitcher’s shoulder
- Swimmer’s shoulder
- Runner’s knee (also known as jumper’s knee)
Tendonitis is relatively common because people engage in activities or jobs that can lead to overuse or tendon injuries.
Symptoms and Causes
What are the Symptoms of Tendonitis?
Common symptoms of tendonitis include:
- Pain at the tendon site and the surrounding area, which worsens with movement
- Stiff joints or difficulty moving them
- The sensation of cracking or popping when moving
- Swelling, often with a change in skin color, appearing reddish, purplish, or darker than your natural skin tone
Tendonitis pain can develop gradually or suddenly and can be severe, especially when there are calcium deposits. Calcium deposits are accumulations of calcium in your tissues, appearing as firm, white to yellow bumps on your skin, potentially causing itching.
Where in the Body Does Tendonitis Occur?
Tendonitis can affect nearly any part of your body where a tendon connects a bone to a muscle. Common areas include:
- The base of your thumb
- Elbow (usually on the outer part of the forearm, near where the tendon attaches to the outer part of the elbow when your palm is up)
- Shoulder
- Hip
- Knee (typically just below the kneecap where the tendon connects to the lower leg)
- Achilles tendon (connecting your calf muscles to your heel bone)
What Causes Tendonitis?
Tendonitis can result from:
- Overuse or repetitive movements over time, such as running or throwing
- Strain from sudden, forceful movements
- Injury
- Medications, including cholesterol-lowering drugs (statins) or fluoroquinolone antibiotics
Some underlying medical conditions can also lead to tendonitis, including diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, gout/pseudo gout, osteoarthritis, and infections.
What Are the Risk Factors for Tendonitis?
Tendonitis can affect anyone, but it’s more common in people engaged in repetitive activities. Some risk factors include:
- Gardening/landscaping
- Woodworking
- Shoveling
- Painting
- Sports like tennis, golf, or baseball
- Poor posture
- Underlying conditions that weaken muscles
- Age: Tendons become less resilient and more susceptible to tearing after age 40
What Are the Complications of Tendonitis?
If left untreated, tendonitis can lead to:
- Chronic tendonitis (constant, dull pain during movement)
- Difficulty or inability to move the affected body part
- Torn tendons (tendon rupture)
- Muscle weakness
Diagnosis and Tests
How Is Tendonitis Diagnosed?
Healthcare providers diagnose tendonitis through a physical examination and tests. During the exam, your provider will take your medical history, ask about your symptoms, and order tests to confirm the diagnosis. Imaging tests, such as X-rays and MRIs, help providers visualize your tendons.
Management and Treatment
How Is Tendonitis Treated?
The treatment of tendonitis involves two steps:
- Initial Treatment:
- Applying ice to the affected area on the day of the injury
- Avoiding activities that cause symptoms
- Resting the injured area
- Taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications
- Additional Treatment:
- If tendonitis doesn’t improve within about three weeks, healthcare providers may offer further treatment, including:
- Corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation and pain
- Physical therapy, which may include exercises and splinting
- Surgery (rarely needed and reserved for severe cases that don’t respond to other treatments)
Are There Side Effects of Treatment?
Before starting treatment, discuss potential side effects with your healthcare provider. Possible side effects may include pain at the injection site with corticosteroid injections, soreness after physical therapy, and bleeding or infection after surgery.
How Long Does Tendonitis Take to Heal?
Tendonitis may take two to three weeks to heal with treatment. Severe cases may require a few months. Rest is crucial for a faster recovery. Avoid strenuous activities that could stress the healing tendon, and only resume your regular sports and activities when your healthcare provider gives the green light.
Prevention
Can Tendonitis Be Prevented?
To prevent tendonitis, consider the following tips:
- Avoid staying in the same position for extended periods; take breaks every 30 minutes
- For all activities, learn good posture and body postures.
- Use the correct technique for lifting objects
- Maintain a firm, but not overly tight, grip when working with or picking up objects
- Avoid carrying heavy objects with one hand
- Don’t sit with your leg folded under your bottom
- Stop any activity if you feel pain
How Can You Lower the Risk of Tendonitis?
Reduce your chances of acquiring tendinitis by taking the following precautions before beginning an exercise or sports activity:
- Stretch and warm up before your activity
- Use properly sized and fitted clothes, shoes, and equipment
- Begin gradually and increase your activity level slowly
- Stop any activity if you feel pain
Outlook / Prognosis
What Can You Expect if You Have Tendonitis?
Most people with tendonitis have a good prognosis after treatment and rest. Recovery may take a few weeks to a couple of months, depending on the severity of the injury. It’s important to wait for your healthcare provider’s clearance before returning to your regular activities to prevent recurrent tendonitis.
If you’ve had tendonitis and received treatment, you can reduce the risk of future tendonitis by following advice from your healthcare provider, sports medicine physician, or physical therapist.
When Should You See a Healthcare Provider?
Consult a healthcare provider if you experience:
- Fever (over 100°F or 38°C)
- Swelling, redness, and warmth
- General illness
- Pain in multiple areas
- Inability to move the affected area
These could be signs of another condition requiring prompt attention.
What questions should I ask my doctor?
- Do I have tendonitis or arthritis?
- When can I return to playing sports or exercising?
- Are there side effects of the treatment?
- Do I need surgery?
A note from Greendale Physical Therapy:
Tendonitis can be a frustrating condition. You’ll need to stop and rest for a few weeks to let your tendon heal after an injury that causes it to swell. This can be challenging if you’re an active person or you play sports. Don’t return to the track or field until your healthcare provider tells you it’s safe to do so. Follow your provider’s instructions to prevent injuries that lead to tendonitis.
Our tendons and ligaments are vital for everyday movement, supporting our active lives. What we eat plays a significant role in our well-being and performance. When striving to reach your health and fitness goals, a balanced diet becomes a critical part of your journey.
Tendons and ligaments are essential parts of our musculoskeletal system, made up of strong collagen and elastin tissues. They lack the elasticity of muscles and don’t stretch much. Tendons anchor muscles to bones, facilitating bone movement during muscle contractions, while ligaments connect neighboring bones, maintaining skeletal integrity. Think of them as the support cables that keep your body aligned and mobile. Every muscle has a tendon, and every joint has at least one ligament.
Your dietary choices influence the health and functionality of your tendons and ligaments. Several key nutrients are crucial for maintaining these vital tissues.
Essential Nutrients for Healthy Tendons and Ligaments
- Protein: The foundation of tendons and ligaments is protein. Collagen provides strength, while elastin contributes elasticity. Your diet supplies the protein your body needs to generate new collagen and elastin, ensuring the resilience of tendons and ligaments. Active individuals typically require 0.5 to 0.75 grams of protein per pound of body weight, and for serious athletes, this requirement may increase to 1 gram per pound.
Recommended Protein Sources: lean poultry, meat, fish, eggs, beans, lentils, and high-protein dairy products like Greek yogurt. To optimize amino acid absorption, distribute protein intake throughout the day in your meals and snacks.
- Vitamin C: Tendons and ligaments rely on vitamin C, which is abundant in vegetables and fruits, as they contain substantial collagen. Vitamin C plays a pivotal role in producing new collagen. Insufficient vitamin C can weaken these tissues by impeding collagen synthesis. Aim for at least 90 milligrams of vitamin C daily, easily attainable through a diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
Rich Vitamin C Sources: strawberries, red bell peppers, oranges, grapefruits, broccoli, and tomatoes.
- Vitamin E: Vitamin E is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and potential to reduce tendonitis.
Recommended Vitamin E Sources: wheat germ, fatty fish (e.g., salmon and tuna), nuts, olive oil, and eggs.
- Vitamin A: Vitamin A is essential for cell division, collagen renewal, tissue repair, and maintaining vision. It enhances collagen elasticity, ensuring the strength of tendons and ligaments.
Recommended Vitamin A Sources: eggs, fatty fish, leafy greens, yellow and orange vegetables.
- Minerals: Consuming mineral-rich foods also contributes to tendon and ligament health. Tendons contain trace amounts of calcium, manganese, and copper. Calcium not only supports healthy bones but also aids in preventing bone disorders that could affect tendon and ligament function. Aim for 1,000 milligrams of calcium, remembering that Vitamin D enhances calcium absorption. A well-rounded diet provides a range of essential minerals.
Good Mineral Sources: dairy products, dark leafy greens, fermented tofu, fortified products, lentils, chickpeas, pineapple, seeds, and nuts.
Meal Ideas
To support your tendons and ligaments, craft meals that incorporate foods rich in protein, Vitamin C, and essential minerals. Try a nutrient-packed salad by mixing lentils with chopped red peppers and tomatoes, and drizzling grapefruit juice vinaigrette. This combination provides Vitamin C, protein, manganese, and copper. Consider enhancing your calcium, protein, and Vitamin C intake by adding strawberries to your Greek yogurt as a simple yet nutritious snack.
If you’re interested in optimizing your health and fitness journey, feel free to reach out for guidance. We can help you achieve your goals while prioritizing the well-being of your tendons and ligaments.
The path to rehabilitation after an injury is difficult. Minor fractures and muscle rips are easy to bear, but significant injuries, such as an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL), need a considerably longer and more difficult recovery procedure.
There’s no magical cure or state-of-the-art technology to significantly accelerate recovery, but there are certain vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that can help to make it a bit faster.
Calcium
Calcium takes up roughly 99% of the body’s total mineral content. It’s known to play a key role in healing injuries like broken bones. On top of that, it assists in helping the brain to signal nerves and contract muscles properly. Should you incur a fracture, calcium can help you heal faster, and even make your bones much stronger.
However, it should be noted that calcium should be taken in moderation. Very Well Health underscores that taking excessive doses will not help you heal faster. Make sure that you are consuming the recommended dose, and if it all possible take more natural calcium, like those found in foods like milk, yogurt, broccoli, soy, and fortified cereals or juice.
Collagen
For repairing tendons and ligaments, collagen happens to be the most researched and recommended supplement simply because it’s a protein that’s an important building block for bones. Pretty Me’s review of frozen collagen products highlights how aside from reducing pain and speeding up the resynthesizing of tendons and soft tissue, the ingredient also has the capacity to eliminate free radicals in the body. It even has skin health benefits, like slowing down the signs of aging and reducing fine lines. Not only will it aid in your recovery, but it improves your skin and hair, too.
The good news is collagen isn’t hard to find. While you can always get your dose from readily available supplements, you can also get collagen from foods like fish, chicken, egg whites, citrus fruits, berries, garlic, and white tea. So long as you consume these on a regular basis, you can enjoy healthy joints and a clearer complexion.
Vitamin K
Doctors have long used vitamin K to help patients heal incisions after surgery and prevent bleeding issues in newborns, thanks to its blood clotting abilities. Research curated by Reader’s Digest also notes that the vitamin contributes to building strong bones, and may even be useful for fighting against the threat of osteoporosis, especially in older women.
A synthetic form of vitamin K1 called phytomenadione is present in many supplements, but it’s also found in many foods, typically in leafy green vegetables like cabbage and spinach. It’s also present in liver, cows’ milk, egg yolk, Brussels sprouts, tomatoes, lean meats, and cereals. The rest comes from bacteria that live naturally in the gut and produce menaquinones or vitamin K2.
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is one of those nutrients that are popular in the wellness space because of its capacity to naturally reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, but athletes are increasingly using it for pain relief and treating bone injuries. A molecule found in skin tissue, bones, tendons, and the synovial fluid around joints, its primary function is to lubricate the joints and cushion bones as a way of preventing wear, tear, and degeneration.
Today, hyaluronic acid injections are the preferred method for intake. Alternatively, you can obtain it from certain food sources, including root vegetables, soy-based foods, citrus fruits, bone broth, and animal skin.
Incorporating these essential vitamins and minerals into your diet can support and potentially expedite your recovery from injuries while offering additional health benefits. Don’t hesitate to seek professional advice tailored to your specific recovery journey.
An ACL injury isn’t just a strain on your knee; it can disrupt your entire routine. But fear not, because there’s a well-orchestrated path to healing – and it’s called physical therapy. This process involves distinct phases, each with its purpose of getting you back on your feet. So, let’s journey through what happens during physical therapy for an ACL injury, step by step.
Phase 1: Getting Acquainted and Managing Pain
When you begin your rehab journey, the first step is understanding where you stand. Your physical therapist will assess the extent of your injury and your overall health, crafting a custom roadmap for your recovery.
Right out of the gate, the focus is on tackling pain and inflammation. Gentle exercises and therapies like ice treatments step in to soothe the discomfort and reduce swelling. This phase sets the tone, prepping your knee for the journey ahead.
Phase 2: Rediscovering Motion and Freedom
As your knee mends, the spotlight turns to regaining the motion and flexibility that might’ve been compromised. This is where a mix of passive and active joint movements, coupled with hands-on stretches, enters the picture.
Working closely with your therapist, these exercises help your knee flex and extend more naturally. Gradually, you’ll sense your mobility improving, setting the groundwork for the next stage.
Phase 3: Building Strength and Boosting Stability
With improved mobility comes the need for strength and stability. Balancing those muscles around your knee becomes the priority to prevent future mishaps.
Your therapist will choreograph a series of exercises targeting your quadriceps, hamstrings, calf muscles, and the hip and core muscles. Think resistance bands, weights, and bodyweight moves – all coming together to fortify your muscles and ramp up stability.
Phase 4: Functionality Takes Center Stage
Stepping into the functional rehabilitation phase is like crossing a major checkpoint. Here, the focus shifts from isolated workouts to activities mirroring real-life scenarios. We’re talking squats, lunges, hops, and pivots – the building blocks of your everyday and athletic undertakings.
Your therapist customizes the exercises to match your lifestyle or sports involvement, making sure your knee is geared up to handle the rigors of daily life.
Phase 5: Mastering Balance and Agility
Ever heard of proprioception? It’s your body’s internal GPS, helping it navigate in space. And now it’s time to give it a workout. Welcome to the phase where exercises get more dynamic and demanding.
Balancing on wobbly surfaces, agility drills with ladder patterns, and one-legged challenges – it’s all about fine-tuning your knee’s ability to respond swiftly and gracefully. The aim? Reducing the risk of future tumbles.
Phase 6: The Return to Normalcy
The final chapter of your rehab saga is all about the triumphant return. Whether it’s returning to your sport or your day-to-day routine, this phase is about ensuring you’re ready to face the world with a confident knee.
Your therapist will evaluate your knee’s readiness, checking strength, flexibility, stability, and most importantly, your comfort. Athletes might get a dose of sports-specific training to ensure they’re back in the game. For everyone, it’s about getting back to life without hesitation.
In Conclusion
Physical therapy for an ACL injury is like following a carefully designed map to recovery. It’s about taking each phase – from pain management to regaining motion, building strength, and finally embracing normal life – one step at a time. With patience, determination, and the guidance of your therapist, you’ll not only heal but also conquer your comeback with confidence.
