I look forward to going to physical therapy all week – it took me forever to get around to looking into PT after my many running injuries, but just a minute on the phone with the front desk, I felt actually amped to get started. The entire staff immediately made me feel super welcome, and working with Chris has made me finally feel hopeful for my broken lil bod.
Overuse Injury Treatment and Prevention in Seattle, WA
Treating and Preventing Future Overuse Injuries in Seattle, WA
Overuse injuries are common among athletes, workers, and anyone involved in repetitive physical activities. These injuries occur gradually over time when repetitive stress is placed on muscles, tendons, bones, or joints without adequate rest or recovery.At Seattle Rehab Specialists, we specialize in diagnosing, treating, and managing overuse injuries, helping patients return to their daily activities and sports safely and effectively.
Common Types of Overuse Injuries
We treat a wide range of overuse injuries, each presenting unique challenges and requiring specific treatment approaches:
Tendinitis
Tendinitis is the inflammation of a tendon, often caused by repetitive strain or improper technique. It commonly affects the shoulder, elbow (tennis elbow), wrist, knee (patellar tendinitis), and Achilles tendon. Patients often experience pain, tenderness, and limited movement in the affected area.
Stress Fractures
Stress fractures are small cracks in bones, typically occurring in weight-bearing bones such as the tibia, metatarsals, or femur. These fractures are common among runners, dancers, and athletes who increase their activity levels too quickly without proper conditioning.
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis involves inflammation of the plantar fascia, the thick band of tissue running across the bottom of the foot. It is common in runners and individuals who spend extended periods on their feet, resulting in heel pain and stiffness.
Shin Splints (Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome)
Shin splints cause pain along the shin bone (tibia) due to repetitive stress on the lower legs, commonly seen in runners and dancers. The condition is often aggravated by sudden increases in training intensity or duration.
Bursitis
Bursitis is the inflammation of the bursae, small sacs of fluid that cushion the bones, tendons, and muscles near joints. It frequently affects the shoulder, elbow, hip, and knee, causing pain and limiting joint movement.
IT Band Syndrome
IT Band Syndrome involves irritation and inflammation of the iliotibial band, a thick band of tissue running from the hip to the shin. It is particularly common in runners and cyclists, leading to pain on the outside of the knee.
Rotator Cuff Injuries
Overusing the shoulder muscles and tendons that form the rotator cuff can result in pain and a limited range of motion. This injury is common among athletes in overhead activities like swimming, tennis, or throwing.
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (Runner’s Knee)
Runner’s knee involves pain around the kneecap due to improper tracking of the patella or muscle imbalances. It frequently affects runners, cyclists, and athletes engaged in jumping activities.
Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow is the inflammation of the tendons attached to the outer part of the elbow, often caused by repetitive arm and wrist movements. It commonly affects athletes, manual laborers, and individuals performing repetitive tasks, resulting in pain and difficulty with gripping or lifting objects.
Causes of Overuse Injuries
Overuse injuries often result from a combination of factors, including repetitive motions, improper technique, and inadequate rest.
If you are recovering from an injury or surgery, overtraining and insufficient rest contribute to overuse injuries. Additionally, weak supporting muscles are the root causes of overuse injuries because they do not offer the required support.
Regarding exercise and training, it is imperative to warm up slowly before the activity and stretch after you are done. Also, wearing the proper footwear will reduce the chances of overuse injuries.
Treatment Options for Overuse Injuries
After learning the specific cause of the injury from a full evaluation and review of medical history, we will diagnose your injury and move forward with treatment. Our rehab center offers a comprehensive range of customized treatment options:
Manual Therapy
Techniques such as soft tissue mobilization, joint mobilization, and myofascial release help alleviate pain, improve mobility, and address soft tissue restrictions.
Mobility and Flexibility Exercises
These exercises focus on restoring the range of motion and reducing stiffness in the affected joints or muscles.
Strengthening and Conditioning
Targeted exercises are designed to improve stability, correct muscle imbalances, and enhance overall function.
Specialized Interventions
We offer additional treatments such as cupping, dry needling, EMG biofeedback training, and blood flow restriction training to address specific injury needs.
Education and Prevention
Patients receive education on proper technique, training progression, and injury prevention strategies to reduce the risk of future injuries.
How Physical Therapy Helps
When you seek help from a physical therapist, you can expect targeted and expert treatment of your overuse injury. Your appointments will focus on pain management, reducing inflammation, restoring range of motion, strength and conditioning, and improving posture.
With the help of our therapists, you can return to activity stronger and better than ever. We support a progressive loading program that gradually increases intensity in your exercise routine to rebuild strength. If you are an athlete, we implement sport-specific training through functional rehabilitation.
Testimonials
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