What We Treat
ACL Injury
After diagnostic tests and physical examinations are complete, our Chicago physical therapists will design a specialized...
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Back Pain & Sciatica
Recovery from sciatica or other types of back pain is possible with the help of physical therapy. Your course of treatment...
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Balance & Gait Disorders
A comprehensive physical evaluation in which our physical therapist studies your stance, gait, balance, and medical history,...
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Elbow Wrist and Hand Pain Relief
To create an individualized course of therapy to treat your elbow, wrist, or hand pain. This can include a wide range of...
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Foot and Ankle Pain Relief
If you've sustained an acute injury, we will probably prescribe the R.I.C.E. treatment protocol (rest, ice, compression,...
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Headaches
Physical therapy can relieve chronic headaches in a number of ways. Exercises to loosen, lengthen and relax the muscles of...
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Hip and Knee Pain
Physical therapy can often relieve (or greatly reduce) hip and knee pain, sparing you the need for medication or surgical...
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Motor Vehicle Accident Injuries
Physical therapists can even treat vertigo due to a car accident. In as little as one treatment, they can fix a dysfunction...
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Neck Pain & Headache
Treatments for neck pain will likely include manual therapy, a type of massage designed to reduce stiffness in the neck and...
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Pain Relief for Arthritis
The goal is to reduce stress on the joints with arthritis, so you can enjoy a better quality of life. Your physical therapist...
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Pediatric Sports Injuries
Our treatments for pediatric sports injuries are conservative and non-invasive, aimed at relieving pain and promoting healing....
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Pelvic Pain Relief
Chronic pelvic pain, urinary incontinence, and pain after abdominal surgery is just a few of the problems that can be treated...
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Post-Surgical Rehab
Individualized post-surgical rehab with a physical therapist not only minimizes your pain but also accelerates your rate...
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Pre & Post-Surgical Rehab
Being physically strong, flexible, and as healthy as possible will help you quickly regain normal function following the...
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Pre/Post-Natal Pain Relief
Our practice uses specific myofascial and scar-release techniques to eliminate these restrictions and prevent your myofascial...
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Rotator Cuff Injury
Rotator cuff injuries sometimes require surgery if they are severe enough, there are several cases where physical therapy...
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Shoulder Pain
Our natural and non-invasive methods can help relieve your shoulder pain and heal your rotator cuff injury. While rotator...
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Sports Injuries
The key to proper recovery is receiving appropriate treatment as soon as possible. The type and duration of your treatment...
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Stress Fractures
Your treatment plan will consist of passive therapies to relieve pain and promote healing, in addition to active muscle-strengthening...
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TMJ Dysfunction
To restore the interaction of the muscles and joints and to restore normal function. Treatment may consist of different modalities....
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Work Injuries
Methods may use include heat and ice therapy, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, and laser technology. A physical therapist...
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Work Injuries
Have you been suffering from a work-related injury? Missing time from work can be both emotionally and financially devastating. It’s crucial to make a speedy recovery and get back to a regular routine as quickly as possible. Physical therapy can play an important role in recovering from work injuries and managing pain. It’s important to note that work injuries are often covered under workers’ compensation insurance. Contact PREP Performance Center in Lincoln Square, Irving Park, Lakeview, Horner Park, Roscoe Village & Ravenswood Chicago, IL today to learn more about how physical therapy can help you recover.
What is a work injury?
A work injury is considered any illness or injury a person may have that is work-related. Several occupations, including nursing, construction, and police work, often involve hard physical work or dangerous situations that can lead to serious injuries. Office work, however, can also cause injuries due to sitting in the same position for prolonged periods of time. Office or factory work may also cause repetitive motion injuries. It’s important to seek out treatment for an injury as soon as possible. If left untreated, almost any type of injury may become more severe over time.
Causes of work injuries
There are several specific causes and types of work injuries.
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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome — Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve in the wrist is compressed. This is often caused by repetitive motions such as typing or working on an assembly line. Everyone from office executives to factory workers can experience carpal tunnel syndrome. According to Harvard Health, it’s necessary to get treatment for this condition as soon as possible to avoid long-term nerve damage. A physical therapy program may include stretching exercises to improve flexibility and exercises to strengthen the muscles in your hand and wrist.
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Tendonitis — Tendonitis can also be caused by repetitive motions and overuse. Symptoms normally include swelling, tenderness, and pain. Over time, tendons can become inflamed as a result of overuse or possible infection. Tendonitis can occur in the elbows, shoulders, and knees.
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Back pain — Back pain can be caused by several activities related to work. Long periods of inactivity, such as sitting at a desk in the same position, can cause back pain. Sometimes, too much force on your back or lifting items incorrectly can cause severe pain. Back injuries can also be caused by repetition, such as rotating or twisting in certain ways.
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Auto accidents — Many employees work in a job that requires them to drive a vehicle. Work-related automobile accidents can result in injuries ranging from mild cuts and abrasions to broken bones and severe whiplash. Physical therapy can help you recover from a variety of injuries sustained in an auto accident. Therapy can reduce inflammation, pain, and restore range of motion.
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Sprains and strains — Sprains and strains can occur throughout the body in the muscles and ligaments. You might sustain these types of injuries from repetitive motions or from falling at work. They might also occur because of improper use of equipment on the job. Physical therapy can help you reduce or even eliminate the pain from an injured muscle or ligament.
How physical therapy helps
Physical therapy is ideal for quickly and effectively treating work injuries in people of all ages. A physical therapist uses the most advanced treatment methods to reduce your pain, improve mobility, and help your body heal faster. A few of the specific treatment methods a physical therapist may use include heat and ice therapy, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, and laser technology. A physical therapist can also teach you ways to perform your job to avoid repetitive injuries in the future.
A physical therapist can complete a personalized evaluation and create a customized therapy plan that meets your specific needs. Physical therapy is a safe and effective way to potentially avoid invasive surgery and long-term use of prescription drugs. Contact PREP Performance Center in Lincoln Square, Irving Park, Lakeview, Horner Park, Roscoe Village & Ravenswood Chicago, IL to schedule an appointment today.
Read More Article: Back Pain & Sciatica
Stress Fractures
Stress fractures refer to tiny cracks in bone that typically develop as a result of excessive repetitive activity. They most commonly occur in the lower extremities (legs and feet) but it is also possible for them to occur in the upper extremities (arms and hands). Over time, repetitive activities can impact the bone by altering the ways in which it breaks down and reforms. If you are feeling pain or discomfort from stress fractures, contact PREP Performance Center today to schedule an appointment with a Chicago physical therapist.
How do stress fractures occur?
Before you can work on preventing stress fractures, it is important to understand what types of activities are at higher risk. Athletes in particular are at a higher risk of developing stress fractures, due to the amount of stress that is put on their lower extremities through running, jumping, leaping, dancing, tumbling, or excessive movement in general. Also cited by WebMD, is that these activities may cause fractures in the legs or feet. Some occupations may be higher risk factors for the development of stress fractures as well, such as those that require prolonged periods of time walking from place to place or spending time on ones feet. This is especially true if the workday is spent walking or standing on hard surfaces, such as concrete.
How can I find relief for stress fractures?
Stress fractures can be successfully treated through physical therapy. Our Chicago physical therapists will conduct an initial evaluation that will include a physical exam, a review of health history, and an analysis of symptoms. If needed, additional diagnostic tests (such as an MRI scan) may be conducted. Your treatment plan will consist of passive therapies to relieve pain and promote healing, in addition to active muscle-strengthening exercises and stretches to increase strength, improve your range of motion, and prevent further injury from occurring. Our Chicago physical therapists will also provide activity-specific training, in order to help you perform at optimum levels in your sport or work.
What is the fastest way to heal a stress fracture?
If you’ve sustained a stress fracture, contact PREP Performance Center at Lincoln Square, Irving Park, Lakeview, Horner Park, Roscoe Village & Ravenswood Chicago, IL, centers today. PREP Performance Center will help you recover quickly and will get you back to your daily lifestyle in no time!
Pediatric Sports Injuries
Pediatric Sports Injuries – Is your child an athlete? It is estimated that there are approximately 60 million youths, aged 6-18, who participate in organized sports. Of those 60 million, approximately 45.9%-54% will sustain some form of sports injury. If your child is feeling pain due to a sport, PREP Performance Center can help provide relief and a speedy recovery – so your child can get back to doing the sport he or she loves!
Sports injuries can typically be placed into two categories: acute or overuse. Acute injuries are caused by a single specific incident, such as a sprain, strain, fracture, or tear. Overuse injuries are caused by excessive repetitive movements over time. Some examples of overuse injuries include frozen shoulder, flexor tendinitis, shin splints, tennis elbow, and golfer’s/Little Leaguer’s elbow.
At PREP Performance Center, our treatments for pediatric sports injuries are conservative and non-invasive, aimed at relieving pain and promoting healing. Our highly trained Chicago physical therapists incorporate specialized methods into their treatment plans as needed, such as manual therapy, ice and heat therapies, or ultrasound. They also provide patients with light stretching and exercise plans, in order to improve their range of motion and overall function in the affected area.
It is important to note that pediatric treatments are not the same as adult treatments. Children have different biomechanics than adults because they are still growing – both physically and mentally. Each pediatric sports injury treatment plan is unique, taking into account the child’s age, level of physical activity, and their continuing physical and mental development.
The overall goal of physical therapy is healing and prevention. In addition to treating the injury, our Chicago physical therapists will help strengthen the affected area, in order to prevent additional injuries from occurring. Our Chicago physical therapists will also provide your child with helpful warm-up and cool-down techniques for his or her sport, in order to lower their risk of sustaining another injury.
If your child has sustained a sports injury, schedule an appointment with PREP Performance Center at Lincoln Square, Irving Park, Lakeview, Horner Park, Roscoe Village & Ravenswood Chicago, IL centers today. Our physical therapist will help diagnose the issue and get your child started on the path toward recovery and returning to sport!
Sports Injuries
Sports Injuries – You don’t have to be a pro to be an athlete. If you run, you’re a runner. If you swim, you’re a swimmer. Whether you train to compete or simply train to be strong, there is nothing more devastating than an injury. Fortunately, our physical therapy team understands your unique needs and can help you recover from your sports injury as soon as possible. Contact Prep Performance Center in Lincoln Square, Irving Park, Lakeview, Horner Park, Roscoe Village & Ravenswood Chicago, IL to find out how.
What is a sports injury?
A “Sports injury” is an all-encompassing term for an injury that happens during an athletic activity. You don’t have to be a professional or even a competitive athlete to develop a sports injury. Lifting heavy weights, running in ill-fitting shoes for too long, swinging a racket or golf club for years on end, or rolling your ankle on a soccer field can all lead to injury. The key to proper recovery is receiving appropriate treatment as soon as possible. The type and duration of your treatment will vary with how severe the injury is, your current health, and whether surgical intervention is required.
Types of sports injuries
While the type, location, severity, and cause of sports injuries are as varied as the sports themselves, the seven most common injuries which also cited by Healthline are:
How physical therapy helps recovery after a sports injury
Think of a physical therapist as a movement specialist. These highly trained medical professionals can look at how you are moving your body and prescribe manual therapy, strengthening exercises, and stretches to help recover after or even prevent a sports injury. First, our physical therapist will take a detailed medical history including any prior surgeries, your current activity level, and any conditions that may have contributed to your injury. Next, they will do a thorough examination that may include X-rays, an MRI, or an ultrasound. Once our physical therapist has developed a treatment plan that is right for your injury, your physical fitness, your lifestyle, and your ability level, you will begin physical therapy.
Your treatment plan may include manual therapy to reduce scar tissue and increase range of motion, strengthening exercises to enhance not only the area that was injured but also the areas around your injury, stretches to improve mobility and balance, and pain management techniques. While physical therapy often begins and ends at PREP Performance Center in Chicago, IL, you will be given exercises, stretches, and exercises to do at home to enhance your recovery. Curious about whether or not physical therapy is right for your sports injury? Contact Prep Performance Center in Lincoln Square, Irving Park, Lakeview, Horner Park, Roscoe Village & Ravenswood Chicago, IL, today to speak with our Chicago physical therapists and start on the road to recovery as soon as possible.
Rotator Cuff Injury
Your rotator cuff is comprised of the muscles and tendons surrounding your shoulder joint. Sometimes, the rotator cuff can become torn or injured, due to repetitive overhead motions performed in sports (such as tennis) or jobs (such as carpentry.) Those who experience rotator cuff injuries or “torn shoulders” generally report a dull ache deep in their shoulder, arm weakness, difficulty reaching behind their back, and disturbed sleep due to pain. While the most common complication according to Healthline is re-tearing the rotator cuff after it’s healed. The larger the original tear, the higher the risk of a re-tear. At PREP Performance Center, our natural and non-invasive methods can help relieve your shoulder pain and heal your rotator cuff injury.
Rotator cuff injuries sometimes require surgery if they are severe enough, there are several cases where physical therapy treatments can work just as well (if not better) than surgery. According to the American Physical Therapy Association, “A recent study from Finland asserts that when it comes to the treatment of nontraumatic rotator cuff tears, physical therapy alone produces results equal to those produced by arthroscopic surgery and open surgical repair.” In this same study, a follow-up on 167 patients receiving physical therapy alone for their rotator cuff injuries, demonstrated that conservative treatment, such as physical therapy, should be considered the primary treatment for this condition.
At PREP Performance Center, we will conduct a physical evaluation and diagnostic tests to determine if you do indeed have a rotator cuff tear, and we will design a personalized treatment plan based on the needs of your diagnosis. Specialized techniques, such as ice and heat therapies, manual therapies, or ultrasound may be used to relieve pain, reduce swelling, and enhance function. Gentle stretches and exercises may also be prescribed to improve your posture and the range of motion of your shoulder.
If you are suffering from a rotator cuff injury, contact PREP Performance Center in Chicago, IL today. Our dedicated Chicago physical therapists will provide you with some much-needed relief and get you started on your path toward recovery!
Read more article: TMJ Dysfunction
