PEAK Physical Therapy & Sports Rehab May newsletter

Do Life Better.®

helenapt.com

1302 Prospect Ave., Ste C.
Helena, MT 59601
(406) 502-1900

Hand, wrist,helenapt.com
HOW

& elbow pain PHYSICAL
THERAPY
CAN HELP

WRIST & HAND PAIN icans. Fortunately for most people Often the symptoms are more notice-
who develop CTS, physical therapy able during the night, and individuals
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is treatment can often relieve pain and often report being wakened with
a common condition of the wrist numbness and restore normal use of symptoms. Many people feel the need
and hand that can affect the use of the hand, wrist, and arm without the to “shake out” their hands to try to
the whole arm. It is caused by pres- need for surgery. relieve the symptoms.
sure on the nerve at the base of the CTS usually starts gradually, with As the condition progresses, the
palm (median nerve). Because of the symptoms such as burning, tingling, symptoms are noticed during the
demands that people place on their “pins and needles,” or numbness in daytime and are often worse when
hands and wrists, CTS is a common the palm of the hand and fingers. holding items such as a heavy book
condition affecting 1 out of 20 Amer- or a hairbrush. Weakness of the hand
and more constant numbness may
occur if the pressure on the nerve
continues. You may find that you
drop objects unexpectedly or have a
weakness in your grip.

The goals of physical therapy are to
reduce your symptoms without the
need for surgery, to enable you to be
as active and functional as possible,
and to help you resume your normal
work, home, and leisure activities.
If surgery is needed to release the

cont. on pg 2

HAND, WRIST & ELBOW PAIN, CONT. from page 1

band of tissue that is causing p Stiffness in the elbow. so that you use them properly
pressure on the median nerve, p Difficulty doing common tasks, and help you remain active by
physical therapy treatment after teaching you how to modify your
surgery will be important to such as turning a doorknob or daily activities to avoid pain and
help restore strength to the wrist holding a coffee cup. further injury.
and to teach you how to mod- p Difficulty with gripping activities.
ify habits that may have led to p Increased pain when you use your Medial epicondylitis (commonly
symptoms in the first place. wrist and hand for lifting objects, called golfer’s elbow or throw-
opening a jar, or gripping something er’s elbow) is a condition that
ELBOW PAIN tightly, such as a knife and fork. develops when the tendons on
It’s important to treat tennis elbow as the inside of the forearm become
Tennis elbow is a painful con- early as possible. Left untreated it may irritated, inflamed, and painful
dition caused by overuse of the become chronic and last for months due to repetitive use of the hand,
“extensor” muscles in your arm and sometimes even years. This is wrist, forearm and elbow. It is
and forearm, particularly where especially true if treatment is focused often diagnosed in people who
the tendons attach to rounded only on relieving pain and not on cor- perform repetitive motions, such
projections of bone (epicon- recting the muscle weakness and bad as swinging a golf club or tennis
dyles) on the outside or lateral habits that might have led to your con- racket, or activities requiring
aspect of the elbow. The muscles dition in the first place. Your physical gripping, twisting, or throwing.
you use to grip, twist, and carry therapist can design a specific treat- Even using a computer or per-
objects with your hand all attach ment program to speed your recovery forming yard work can cause the
to the “lateral epicondyle” at the by helping you retrain your muscles condition. It is most common
elbow. That’s why a movement of the in men over the age of 35. A physical
wrist or hand can actually cause pain therapist can help decrease the pain
in the elbow. caused by medial epicondylitis, and
Prolonged use of the wrist and hand, improve the affected elbow’s motion,
such as when using a computer or strength, and function.
operating machinery —and, of course,
playing tennis with an improper It is important to get proper treatment
grip or technique—can lead to ten- as soon as pain occurs, as tendons
nis elbow. It can happen to athletes, do not have a good blood supply. An
non-athletes, children, and adults. It inflamed tendon that is not treated can
occurs more often in men than wom- begin to tear, causing a more serious
en, and most commonly affects people condition. Work with a physical ther-
between the ages of 30 and 50. apist to devise a treatment plan that is
Your symptoms may include: specific to your condition and goals.
p Pain that radiates into your forearm
If you are having pain in your hand,
and wrist. wrist, or elbow, get a FREE CONSUL-
p Weakness in the forearm, wrist, TATION and see how we can help you
Do Life Better at PEAK Physical Thera-
or hand. py & Sports Rehab.

helenapt.com

Do life better.® 1302 Prospect Ave., Suite C | Helena, MT 59601

FREE CONSULTATIONS

Call 406-502-1900

OUR PATIENTS’ SUCCESS

“

When I first came to Peak, I had problems with my
neck including postural issues. In addition,

I had pain, numbness, and tingling in my arms,
hands, and fingers. The mobility that I am now
experiencing in my hands and thumb is something

I haven’t experienced in many years.
It has saved my career and I am forever grateful

to Noah and the entire staff at Peak. – F.H.

”

MEET OUR STAFF
Physical Therapist

Dr. Noah Eshleman PT, DPT, AT, CSCS, Cert DN

Physical Therapist
Dr. Noah Eshleman completed his Doctorate of Physical Therapy at the University of Mary in
Bismarck, ND where he also earned a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training. Noah worked as
an Athletic Trainer at the University of Mary and Sanford Health working with baseball, foot-
ball, and track athletes. Noah also spent time as a strength and conditioning coach for Sanford
POWER in Bismarck.
Noah has special interests in Sports Injuries, Orthopedic Rehabilitation, Manual Therapy, Sports
Performance, and Vestibular diagnoses. His certifications include:
• Athletic Trainer Certified (ATC)
• Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)
Noah enjoys filling his free time with outdoor activities and practicing Judo.

FPAREINE 3 Simple Hand & Wrist
Stretches
CONSULTATION
Your hands perform a variety of tasks every day, from gripping a steering wheel to
Are you or someone you know: typing on a keyboard. These repetitive motions can create weakness and stiffness
m Having aches and pains and in your wrists and fingers.

want answers? Practicing simple exercises can help prevent injury. Exercises can strengthen your
m Noticing the body not work- wrists and keep hands and fingers flexible. Here are some easy wrist stretches you
can do at home or at your desk at work.
ing like it used to and you’re
less active? 1. Praying Position Stretch
m Suffering from sprain, strain,
or recovering too slowly from While standing, place palms together in a
surgery or an accident? praying position. Have your elbows touch
m Wondering if physical therapy each other. Your hands should be in front
can work for you? of your face. Your arms should be touching
each other from the tips of your fingers to
CALL TODAY FOR YOUR your elbows.
FREE CONSULTATION!
With your palms pressed together, slowly
$70 spread your elbows apart. Do this while
lowering your hands to waist height. Stop
VALUE when your hands are in front of your belly
button or you feel the stretch. Hold the stretch for 10 to 30 seconds,
then repeat.

2. Extended Arm Stretch

Extend one arm in front of you at shoulder
height. Keep your palm down, facing the floor.
Release your wrist so that your fingers point
downward. With your free hand, gently grasp
your fingers and pull them back toward your
body. Hold for 10 to 30 seconds.

To stretch in the opposite direction:
Extend your arm with your palm facing toward
the ceiling. With your free hand, gently press
your fingers down toward the floor. Gently pull
your fingers back toward your body. Hold for 10 to 30 seconds.

Repeat both stretches with the other arm. You should cycle through
stretches two or three times with each arm.

1302 Prospect Ave., Ste C. in Helena 3. Clenched Fist Stretch

406-502-1900 While seated, place your open hands on your thighs with palms up.
Close your hands slowly into fists. Do not clench too tightly. With your
forearms touching your legs, raise your fists off of your legs and back
toward your body, bending at the wrist. Hold for 10 seconds.

Lower your fists and slowly open your fingers wide. Repeat 10 times.

Do Life Better.®
FAMILY EDITION

Making a commitment to be physically active is one of the best The following tips are recommended by our physical therapists
ways families can prevent or combat obesity and its consequenc- to help families stay active and incorporate physical activities
es. Physical therapists support the Department of Health and Hu- into their daily lives:
man Services' Physical Activity Guidelines, which states:
4 Children should get 1 hour or more of physical activity a day. o Plan weekend family activities involving physical activity, such
4 Adults should do 2 hours and 30 minutes a week of moder- as hiking, swimming, bicycling, mini-golf, tennis, or bowling.
ate-intensity, or 1 hour and 15 minutes a week of vigorous-inten-
sity aerobic physical activity. o Help your child plan activities with friends and neighbors,
Physical therapists' extensive knowledge of pre-existing condi- such as skating or basketball.
tions (such as type 2 diabetes and obesity) allows them to help
people of all ages and abilities establish life-long patterns of phys- o Your family does not need to join a health club or buy fancy
ical activity. For those who already are obese, physical therapists equipment to be active. Walking isn't costly and it's easy. So is
can devise safe exercise programs that designing a backyard obstacle course. Weights can be made from
4 reduce pain, 4 restore flexibility, and 4 increase strength & milk or detergent bottles filled with sand or water!
cardiovascular endurance.
For people with type 2 diabetes, they can: o Provide positive rewards for your child when he or she engages
4 design and supervise exercise programs that reduce in physical activities, such as workout clothes, a new basketball,
or an evening of roller-skating.
the need for medications,
4 lower the risk of heart disease and stroke, and o Provide positive feedback about your child's lifestyle changes.
4 help manage glucose levels, among other benefits. Remember not to focus on the scale (for you or your child).

o Be your child's "exercise buddy." Plan daily walks or bike rides
and set goals together for increasing physical activity rather than
for losing weight. It's also great "bonding" time!

o Plan time for exercise and activity as a priority for the entire
family. Don't just "squeeze it in."

o Encourage children to try individualized sports such as tennis
and swimming. Studies show such activities are the basis of life-
long fitness habits.

o Parents and children can do exercises while watching televi-
sion (or at least during commercials), such as sit-ups, push-ups,
or running in place. Discourage snacking or eating meals while
watching.

Physical family fun keeps everyone active and healthy!

helenapt.com

Do life better.® 1302 Prospect Ave., Suite C | Helena, MT 59601

FREE CONSULTATIONS

Call 406-502-1900

1302 Prospect Ave., Ste C.
Helena, MT 59601

helenapt.com

Tennis elbow?
Golfers elbow?
Pitchers elbow?
Carpal tunnel?
Cubital tunnel?

PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN HELP!