Ride On: 10 tips for a safe winter bike commute

Published at January 11, 2017October 2, 2019 In Category Bike, Physical Therapy Tags: bike portland, physical therapy, physical therapy portland, therapydia lake oswego, therapydia portland, winter sports

Posted by: Jen Craft PT, DPT

Though the weather outside is frightful, there’s no reason to place your bike in storage for the winter and give up on your commute. With a little bit of prep work and extra considerations for safety you can absolutely stay on two wheels this winter. Below are 10 tips to help you have a successful bike ride this winter season:

Bundle up. Wind chill has a sneaky way of making it feel a whole lot colder than it is outside. For example, the thermometer might read 32 degrees but a cold front of wind can make the air feel 10 degrees colder. It’s best to dress in layers and be overdressed rather than underprepared (and frosty!).
Pack an extra set of dry clothes. Dry socks, underwear and pants will mean the difference between being cold and soggy or dry and comfy all day.
Cover your eyes. If you wear glasses you already know how annoying it can be when raindrops cover your lenses and blur your vision. A brimmed running or cycling cap under your helmet can keep the flurries out of your eyes so you can focus on the road. To prevent your glasses from fogging apply a layer of anit-fog or make your own with toothpaste or dish soap (the internet has a plethora of DIY suggestions).
Gloves are a must. Two pairs of gloves are even better. Heavy, warm ski gloves are great for keeping your knuckles warm while you ride but warmth usually also comes bulk. If you need to change a tire or make any other adjustments to your bike during your ride you’ll be thankful for packing a thinner spare pair of gloves for fine tuning.
Consider your tires. Riding with mountain bike or studded tires will provide you with more traction on slick roads. There are even tire chains that you can purchase for your bike, much like the ones you put on your car tires. Another option is to slightly under inflate your tires to increase the surface area contact with the road. Be careful not to lower the pressure so much that you’re at risk of a pinch flat.
Shine on. Remember that it gets dark much earlier this time of year. In July it’s easy to enjoy the daylight into the early evening hours but in the winter it starts getting dark after 4pm. Don’t forget both your front and rear lights so you can safely be seen!
Fenders are your friends. Fenders over your tires will prevent the icky street slush from splashing up onto you as you ride and are well worth the investment.
Mind the rails. Snow and slush on the roads can make streetcar and train tracks less visible after a storm. As always, approach the tracks at an angle but also be mindful that the metal of the rails can be slippery. Try keeping your bike as upright (vs angled) as possible when crossing the tracks to avoid wiping out.
Stay hydrated. Just because you’re cold doesn’t mean that you’re not thirsty. Remember to rehydrate after your ride just as you would any other season.
Be aware and enjoy yourself. Confidence and awareness of your surroundings go a long way towards keeping you safe on the road. Enjoy the fresh air and rush of adrenaline that a bike ride can give you and don’t let the weather get you down!

Crash Course: Physical Therapy after a Motor Vehicle Accident

Published at December 16, 2016October 14, 2019 In Category News, Physical Therapy, Uncategorized Tags: car crash, chiropractic, crash, motor vehicle accident, physical therapy, physical therapy portland, physiotherapy, portland, prevention, therapydia portland

Statistically speaking, every person traveling in a motorized vehicle will be in an accident at one point in their lifetime. On average, there are more than 6 million car accidents on the roads annually (1). According to the 2015 census, there are approximately 2.4 million people in the Portland region (2). That is a lot of impending injury! Post-accident care for non-fatal crash injuries can range from a same day ER visit to a primary care physician visit a week later with medications, Xrays or MRIs frequently prescribed. This initial medical care to rule out red flags is important especially considering advanced age, high speed collision, paresthesias or numbness/tingling, and if mobility is extensively limited. Though, this is often the end point of treatment for most individuals and they are left to guide their own care. Typically, massage and chiropractic treatment is the duo of care accessed, yet more and more people are realizing that there is something missing in their recovery and that is the restoration and rehabilitation of functional strength that was lost after the accident. Without functional strength retraining under the guidance and expertise of a physical therapist, healing can be severely delayed and result in, among other issues, loss of job attendance and revenue. In 2010, motor vehicle crashes in the United States equated to almost $1 trillion in productivity loss (3). Yet, a lot of physicians do not prescribe physical therapy, especially for the “minor injuries” with little to no pain at all.

Say what?

You might be surprised to have just read that I suggested physical therapy for “no pain at all” after a motor vehicle accident. Pain is a peculiar thing. Initial pain from an injury can be present or not depending on inflammatory processes ignited, pain processing per individual, and sometimes severity of injury. I am eluding to the idea that the absence of pain does not equate to non-injury. There is research that demonstrates decline in muscle activity post MVA resulting in diminished muscle bulk over time and this almost always leads to significant dysfunction and pain down the road with additional loss of productivity at work, participation in recreational activities, and altered daily lifestyle. In the neck, for example, post MVA MRI assessments of injury to the cervical spine in relatively “injury-free” individuals revealed swelling in the major deep cervical flexor muscle (4). Swelling within a muscle renders it dysfunctional and muscles so close to the spine have basically ZERO leverage to be able to just “come back on their own” with daily movement and typical exercise approach. The longus colli muscle is responsible for supporting the neck the way the abdominal core supports the trunk. It provides crucial stability for the cervical spine to disallow shearing forces with the day to day insults, let alone more aggressive endeavors in recreation like running, soccer, crossfit, and yoga, to name a few.

Baby Bye, Bye, Bye.

Without proper rehabilitation of these deep neck flexors and core musculature, they will remain inhibited and atrophy as a result. Say goodbye to these deep, small, essential muscles and prepare to welcome the beast that is pain. Or…. seek the care that you need. An orthopedic physical therapist is trained to screen for red flags that would prevent one from being able to participate in a rehab program at that current time and help get you the right care. They will examine the pathoanatomical causes of symptoms and are uniquely trained to tease out the impairments and dysfunctions from the crypt! The sooner one seeks treatment, the less underlying dysfunctions that set in and cultivate. This equates to less down time from life, less $USD spent on playing catch up in care, and happier, pain-free people in the long run. If you have or know someone who has had a motor vehicle accident, we at Therapydia would be happy to help with an assessment and treatment as needed. Give us a call or email us to get started.

http://www.rmiia.org/auto/traffic_safety/Cost_of_crashes.asp
Deepak Takhtani, Eduardo Scortegagna, Oguz Cataltepe and Sathish Dundamadappa. MRI Findings of Injury to the Longus Colli Muscle in Patients With Neck Trauma. Neuroradiology/Head and Neck Imaging, August 2016, Volume 207, Number 2.

Toilet Ergonomics: Posture Matters In Places Other Than The Office

Published at March 17, 2016October 14, 2019 In Category Physical Therapy, Uncategorized Tags: ergonomics, health, pain, physical therapy, physiotherapy, portland, prevention, therapydia portland

Written by Dr. Emily Melzer, DPT

For centuries, humans have squatted to defecate, but due to 19th century advancements of the sewer system and sanitation, the porcelain throne we sit on today was born. However, in that moment of history, society was unaware of the dysfunction they were setting us all up for.

Real Potty Talk

The dysfunctions I am alluding to are hemorrhoids, constipation and diverticulitis. Not to mention increasing our risk of syncope (fainting), deep vein thrombosis and stroke. You may wonder why simply sitting to defecate would put you at risk for these complications. As you hear quite regularly in regards to the office, there is a certain posture to help you work most efficiently, that is commonly referred to as ergonomics. Ergonomics are important in places other than the office, for instance in your bathroom. Research has sought out and proved the most efficient, effective and proper way to defecate.

And that position is, drum roll…SQUATTING.

The reason squatting is effective when defecating is due to the function of the puborectalis muscle. The puborectalis is responsible for keeping your rectum closed off, increasing the angle between the colon and rectum. Research demonstrates that the angle decreases when obtaining a full squat to defecate, easing the release of contents. This body mechanism reduces the need to strain, in turn eliminating the risk of hemorrhoids, syncope and stroke. It also better allows the release of all content, decreasing the risk of constipation.

Improve Your Toilet Ergonomics

Eliminating the toilet all together seems like a drastic, and let’s face it, unrealistic goal for the United States, but simply adding a small stool underneath our toilet, is a feasible change you can make today. One research study looked at defection while seated, seated with knees raised 60 degrees and a full active squat to 60 degrees. While the full active squat demonstrated the least angle and the quickest time for release of content, the passive squat achieved by placing a stool under the feet was a close second.

I personally have a Squatty Potty in my home, and I can provide consumer feedback of the improvement in efficiency, effectiveness and overall improved bowel health with the addition of this product into my life. I will never be without a squatty potty under the porcelain throne in my home. I may even consider purchasing the travel version (that’s right, there is an inflatable squatty potty!).

Give us a call today and we would love to help you with your mobility and strength to help in this everyday daily activity!

1. Dov S. Comparison of Straining During Defecation in Three Positions – Results and Implications for Human Health. Digestive Diseases and Sciences. 2003; 48: 1201-1205.
2. Sakakibara R, Tsunoyama K, Hosoi H, et al. Influence of Body Position on Defecation in Humans. LUTS, 2010; 2: 16-21.

Why Do Joints Hurt More In The Winter?

Published at January 5, 2016October 2, 2019 In Category Physical Therapy Tags: arthritic, arthritic joint, arthritis, joint, joint pain, joints, pain, physical therapy, physical therapy portland, physiotherapy, therapydia portland

WHY DO JOINTS HURT MORE IN THE WINTER?

MOM’S ARTHRTIC KNEES FORECAST RAIN

You have probably heard it before: those with arthritis claim they can predict the weather, especially if it is going to rain. I am sure everyone has a self-proclaimed meteorologist in his or her family. Researchers have looked into this phenomenon over the years to determine if weather is to blame for some of the surges in pain in people with arthritis during the winter. While some studies are inconclusive, several suggest a definite relationship between pain and both the change in barometric pressure and ambient temperature.

UNDER PRESSURE (cue Queen)

Barometric pressure is the amount of pressure our atmosphere exerts on us at a given point in time. It is constantly changing and has a big effect on the weather we experience. A drop in pressure is associated with rainfall and colder weather. There is a lot of info and several blogs on the internet that say the decrease in external pressure to our bodies allows the internal pressure to rise and this results in swelling and pain. It seems to make sense but the research doesn’t consistently support this. Some studies find that the increase in barometric pressure results in increased pain. They acknowledge the flaws in their own study but seem to find more flaws in the studies that suggest the opposite. The common denominator is that the change in pressure seems to affect what we feel in our joints that exhibit osteoarthritis.

THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING….OR PHYSIOLOGY.

Cadaver studies¹ have found that the hip joint gets a healthy dose of stability from the atmospheric pressure. The change in atmospheric pressure affected the hip joints in the study such that there was a slight loss of joint stability, which caused a very mild (8mm) shift of the joint and could potentially be a reason for pain. Pressure changes external to our bodies have also demonstrated, in the lab, alterations in cellular processing of little pain signaling proteins.

Another reason our less than perfect joints feel more pain around this time of year could be the effect that the cold temperature has on blood vessel dilation/constriction and changing the flow of inflammatory cell production and transport and the overall healing processes.

Also, research² suggests increases in pain with the colder temperature could be related to a change in viscosity of the joint fluid, which lubricates many of the body’s joints much like oil lubricates a car’s engine. A car takes longer to “warm up” when driven in the Pacific Northwest in January vs Southern California in August.

It is helpful to know that there are reasons for increased pain we may be feeling with the change in climate but it is even more helpful to know what to do about it! As physical therapists, your gurus in movement efficiency and functional wellness, we can work with you physically and provide education that can help ease your pain this winter. Give us a call or schedule an appointment online with us at your convenience.

1 Wingstrand H, Wingstrand A, Krantz P. Intracapsular and atmospheric pressure in the dynamics and stability of the hip: A biomechanical study. Acta Orthop Scand. 1990;61(3):231–5. doi: 10.3109/17453679008993506.

2 Laborde JM, Dando WA, Powers MJ. Influence of weather on osteoarthritis. Soc Sci Med. 1986; 23(6):549-554.

Are you contracted with my insurance company?

Published at December 1, 2015October 2, 2019 In Category Physical Therapy Tags: health insurance, in-network, out-of-network, physical therapy, physical therapy portland, physiotherapy, portland, prevention, sports rehab portland, therapydia portland

health insurance policy and piggy bank

Are you contracted with my insurance company?

This is a question we get all too often. It is often thought that if a physical therapy clinic you want to go to is not in-network with your insurance, you cannot use your insurance to receive care there. In actuality, most insurance plans have out-of-network reimbursement. While the details of deductible and coinsurance may be different, you can still come to our clinic and receive the therapy you deserve.

The most important point is that you can still come see us!

Why go out-of-network?

To be in-network, it means the physical therapy clinic has a signed contract with a health insurance company. The downfall of this contract is that it allows the insurance company to dictate the kind of therapy you receive. And the truth is, not all therapy is created equal. At Therapydia, we customize your treatment, we individualize programs, we work one-on-one with you. At Therapydia our therapists keep up to date with the latest techniques and strategies to deliver the most effective treatments, techniques and strategies.

Our 45-60 minute one-on-one treatments with a doctor of physical therapy will often expedite your treatment as it allows us to address multiple components of your body mechanics and movement. We do not follow standard guidelines; we use our solid platform of education, clinical experience and learned skills from continuing education to provide therapy appropriate for you and you specifically.

Receive the care you deserve

Receiving therapy using out-of-network coverage at Therapydia Portland will get you a higher quality of care as we dictate how your treatment is given, not your insurance company. We will form a caring relationship and will be available to encourage you and offer support through your recovery. Your PT will be available to you via PT Anywhere, our exclusive online patient portal, to answer any questions and/or concerns in order to keep your rehabilitation on track.

While out-of-network benefits vary, we have discovered that out-of-network reimbursement is often comparable to in-network coverage. Please feel free to contact us so we can help you learn more about your physical therapy benefits; we will gladly call your insurance to verify your coverage and provide you with the information we receive. We look forward to helping you on your path to recovery!

Cool Down For What?

Published at July 14, 2015October 9, 2015 In Category Physical Therapy Tags: physical therapy, physical therapy portland, physiotherapy, portland, prevention, running, sports, therapydia portland

Cool Down For What?
Don’t leave your exercise routine hangin’!

Cooling Down – the most underrated and ill performed part of a work out. Most don’t consider it a necessity let alone even part of a work out. In reality, it is equally as crucial as the warm up and main event. A patient at Therapydia Portland had a revelation when we were wrapping up our session last week and felt armed with new knowledge of what a real cool down entailed. He inspired this blog.

For those that include a cool down in their exercise or sport repertoire, congratulations, but you’re not off the hook yet. I’ll bet the majority take the last 5 minutes of their run, for example, and slow it down a bit and call it a cool down. This should be considered maybe a start to the cool down process but let us dissect the pieces of a proper cool down and then package it up in a savory morsel for you to enjoy, reflect upon, and crave.

Step One: Ramping Down Your Heart Rate for Homeostasis.

Depending on the intensity of the exercise, this could take a few to several minutes. You can use the latest technology to monitor your heart rate or the good old-fashioned two-finger pulse check on the carotid artery along the side of the neck (press gently). Reduce the intensity of movement or exercise and monitor your pulse for baseline rate. Normal baseline heart rate will fall between 60 and 100 beats per minute. Practice taking your heart rate often when at rest to determine your average resting rate and aim for this at cool down.

Step Two: Soft Tissue Restoration.

After exercise, your muscles and fascia (connective tissue, see previous blog on Graston Technique® for loads of info on fascia) have taken a toll and need some attention in order to restore flexibility and proper length tension relationships to be ready to perform for you again in exercise or general daily life tasks. All the contraction-relaxation of muscle during exercise builds tension in the muscle and its surrounding fascia (excellent! this is part of what nourishes muscle). If muscle and fascia are allowed to remain constricted, they will not be able to perform at 100% capacity for you in other tasks, which reduces your performance potential. This cyclic malpractice can also amount to injury in a short period of time. Bad news!

The soft tissue restoration routine should include self-massage and stretching. I am a huge advocate for the foam roller! It is a beautiful piece of equipment – cheap and effective – and it should be in every person’s house. My green dude is a staple in my living room and he keeps the side of my couch company when I’m away. If shoulder injury or stability is an issue and you cannot perform self-massage by supporting yourself over a foam roller, you can easily convert this method to handheld roller and apply the same principles. Rolling your body over the foam roller (most of the body is accessible for this technique) in multiple angles will, in a sense, “iron” out the “wrinkles” in the fascia and muscle. Points of significant restriction will be very tender and you want to be sure not to hold your breath or tense up over these spots. If too painful, work adjacent to these areas first and use limbs not currently being massaged to support yourself to take a little more weight of your body off of the foam roller.

Stretching is last and this is a great time to perform static stretching; whereas dynamic stretching (stretching through movement) is awesome for a warm up to prep the tissue to accept increased loads. Static stretching is holding a stretch posture for an increased length of time. The traditional hamstring stretch and runner’s calf stretch are examples.

Simply put, the recipe for a cool down is 1 part heart rate resolve, 1 part foam rolling, 1 part static stretching. We at Therapydia Portland want to be your go-to resource for specific routines that complement your fitness style. We know there are many ways to stretch and foam roll, which can be daunting to sift through all the information on the web. Schedule an appointment with us at your convenience and let us guide you to keep you healthy and injury free.

Breaking Down The Graston Technique®

Published at June 19, 2015October 2, 2019 In Category Physical Therapy Tags: physical therapy, physical therapy portland, physiotherapy, sports, sports rehab portland, therapydia portland

Breaking Down The Graston Technique®

Summer is officially here and outdoor activities are calling. However for anyone who is suffering from an injury, the longer daylight hours means you’re missing out on even more fun. If resting and icing hasn’t helped you heal as quickly and effectively as you would like, you may want to consider the Graston Technique to help you find relief and get you back out there.

The Graston Technique® is an evidence-based form of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) that enables clinicians to effectively assess and treat restrictions of scar tissue, muscle, and fascia that contribute to dysfunctional movement of the kinetic chain. The technique involves the use of hand held stainless steel instruments applied to the body’s soft tissue in various sophisticated strokes to release or unlock areas of pain and poor function. No treatment is complete without being coupled with an appropriately designed therapeutic exercise program to restore the normal functional movement of the treated tissue.

Set Your Fascia Free

Luke, I am your fascia…. Star Wars puns aside, fascia is a very important part of the human body that I think doesn’t get a lot of credit and definitely not a lot of attention. Shameful! This beautiful tissue, also referred to as connective tissue, exists all over the body! Think of it like an internal webbing that provides dynamic internal structure by supporting and connecting all your moving parts. It is 3-D in nature and thus is not always addressed adequately by your weekly or monthly massages when lying on the table passively. Within the fascia live important cells called fibroblasts that are precursors of collagen production, super important for injury healing or recovery from regular daily abuse that results in normal break down. When there is any restriction of this fascial tissue, from injury or daily wear and tear, the fibroblasts can be left unable to do their jobs, especially if they can’t get their nutrition and hydration as a result of what can be considered a tissue traffic jam (thoughts of Oregon 217 South at 5pm, shudder!).

Living within the superficial fascia are the majority of your sensory nerve endings that transmit messages of pain. Treating this fascia and increasing regular functionality of this tissue can help mitigate pain. Bye bye pesky pain!

What Does Graston Technique® Feel Like?

Well, have you ever had a massage that in some places it feels good and others it is uncomfortable as it is happening but afterward there is this sense of “hey! I’m able to move better! And that original pain is gone!” It is much like that. Sometimes there is reddening of the skin that lingers for a day or two; this is the result of scar tissue or adhesion break down and allows for new healthy blood vessels to regenerate and allow increased healing potential.

You might be thinking that if Graston Technique® is like massage, then what is the difference? During a typical treatment, a patient should expect to be positioned in various postures, particularly the posture that is dysfunctional. The tissue is 3-dimensional and thus is treated in this manner including through movement. If adequately applied, this technique should allow the patient to see a difference in his or her movement and capability straight away!

So one or more of these six stainless steel Graston instruments can be used to restore adequate mobility of this tissue network under the skin and result in faster recovery time, reduced overall treatment time, result in less need for anti-inflammatory medication, and resolve chronic conditions not adequately addressed by other treatments. As an adjunct to a physical therapy regimen, Graston Technique® should be considered! Schedule your appointment at Therapydia Portland and try out Graston with our certified provider. GT_Provider_Logo_RGB-2

WELCOME!

Published at June 1, 2015October 2, 2019 In Category Uncategorized Tags: health, physical therapy, physical therapy portland, portland, therapydia portland, wellness

We are so thankful for the support that we have received in the past 6 months! Health care providers, community members and their family and friends have come to receive our quality care. The testimonials, verbal support and feedback have been amazing and we are so thankful for the kind words. Word of mouth has really spread what we are doing in our clinic and for our community. With the increased awareness of our services our clinic is definitely growing! In the past 2 months we have added Abbie and Nikki joining our office as support staff and we couldn’t continue to provide quality service without them supporting our clinical growth. Their hard work and contributions drive our quality of care and we are so lucky to have them on our team. In addition to adding support staff we are very excited to bring on another health care provider Sabrina Seraj-Villaneuva starting in June. Sabrina and Jason have known each other for the past 12 years starting back to grad school days back at USC. They are looking forward to working together and continuing to provide quality care for all of the Therapydia patients. Sabrina has lived in the Portland area for the past 2 years splitting her time working at OHSU and Therapeutic Associates in Clackamas. For more information about our staff please check out our team page where you can click on everyone’s bios. Once again thank you for all the support and we look forward to continuing the quality care we provide at Therapydia Portland.

Get a Proper Bike Fit to Cycle with Confidence

Published at May 5, 2015October 16, 2019 In Category Bike Tags: bike, bike fit, bike to work, physical therapy, physical therapy portland, physiotherapy, portland, prevention, sports, therapydia portland

Get a Proper Bike Fit to Cycle with Confidence

Bike to work

Did you know Bike To Work Day is happening next Thursday? Whether this is your first biking or your hundredth, a proper bike fit assessment can help you prevent injury and improve performance. No more neck pain, lower back aches and hand numbness. Learn about the benefits of a bike fit and top things to look for when optimizing your bike to meet your biomechanics.

Benefits of a Proper Bike Fitting

Lower back pain and knee pain are the most prevalent injuries with cycling. A comprehensive bike fitting will take into account your individual biomechanics to prevent injury and aid you inreaching your peak performance.
Prevent Injury by establishing neutral positions that reduce stress on your body. This is especially important if you have recurring injuries.
Improve performance by finding comfortable positioning that will allow you to exercise more effectively and build strength.
Master your technique by making sure all of your body is working in sync for a more seamless ride.
Experience a more enjoyable ride because you will have peace of mind, you will be comfortable and will start feeling improvements, which will help motivate you.

Image take from http://www.jimlangley.net/wrench/bicycleparts

Mechanics of a Bike Fitting

Even with small changes in your bike fit, you can expect exponential changes biomechanically. There are multiple parts of a bike fit and depending on your pre-existing areas of pain, you can ask your physical therapist to hone in on those areas. Below are common pointers we give to cyclists of all levels who are looking to improve their cycling posture. Before making multiple changes, please talk to a professional to get their insight on how to better optimize your bike fit.

Bend your elbows. Having bent elbows will help absorb shock through your upper extremities and reduce stress on your cervical spine.
Maintain a neutral spine. This helps keep you from hyperextending your neck by trying to maintain an upward glaze. Without proper trunk alignment or thoracic spine extension riders often experience hyperextension injuries in the head and neck region from trying to maintain an upward gaze without proper upper back mobility.
Find your handlebar sweetspot. Poor handlebar positioning may cause stress on your spine as you try to sustain a proper position. It may also result in hand pain or numbness due to your grip.
To keep a neutral pelvic alignment, don’t tilt your saddle downward. A downward tilted saddle may put unnecessary stress on your wrists. It may also impact your erector spinae, multifidus, obliques and quadratus lumborum if your muscles have poor endurance.
Find your saddle sweetspot. Oftentimes riders change the angle of the saddle for comfort rather than actually assessing if you have the right saddle fit for your body type. Before changing the position of your saddle we recommend finding the right saddle fit first. When you ride your knees constantly maintain a semi-flexed or mid-range contraction, which can put stress on your hamstrings. When a saddle is placed too high often times this places the pelvis in a posterior tilt creating a biomechanical shortening of the hamstrings. This can lead to muscle strains or even numbness and tingling in your legs during long rides.
Wear padded gloves and proper shoes. During long rides you may grip more tightly or apply more pressure with your feet while pedaling. Wearing the proper gear is just as important as your position on your bike to reduce stress and let you enjoy your ride.

Get a Bike Fit Today From Your Physical Therapist
Physical therapists are biomechanical experts and look at your movement from a holistic view. They will be able to analyze your bike fit and how you fit on your bike keeping in consideration any previous or recurring injuries you may have to get the most out of each ride. Our physical therapists will work with you one-on-one to make adjustments as needed to improve and build strength.

Postpartum Incontinence Case Study

Published at April 9, 2015October 2, 2019 In Category Physical Therapy Tags: crossfit, incontinence, physical therapy, prevention, running, therapydia portland

Patients come to physical therapy for a variety of treatments from post-surgery rehabilitation to balance improvements. We at Therapydia Portland are happy to share a patient’s experience with postpartum incontinence on her behalf to educate our community on what this means and to eliminate any taboos around this issue.

First, what is incontinence? Here is a link that defines the basics about incontinence.

Understanding Postpartum Incontinence Treatment Methods

LK drove by our clinic one day and came in to inquire if we provided postpartum incontinence physical therapy. This category of physical therapy incorporates a lot of different solutions for healing and depending on the patients needs. Some patients just need proper hands-on interventions and exercises to improve their functional limitations while others need internal biofeedback and other internal techniques performed by pelvic floor specialists. For LK, she wanted to see if she could be treated without a non-invasive approach first and if required, we would refer her to the appropriate specialist to continue her care.

Living Accident-Free

Within two physical therapy sessions, LK’s associated low back pain and complaints of incontinence had decreased significantly. Being able to lift her two sons without experiencing accidents was a big improvement in just the first two sessions. LK was seeing improvements and was closer to reaching her ultimate goal of becoming physically active again and to play with her kids and being able to jog without incontinence accidents. We continued to see LK 1x/week for the next few weeks each time seeing marked improvements with pelvic floor control, decreased accidents and improved flexibility and strength. Within 1 month LK was able to squat, lunge, perform some agility drills and was able to jog on a treadmill up to 5 minutes without any accidents!

LK reports 80% return to her prior level of function and even states that she feels stronger than before having her two children. LK plans to come in for 1-2 more sessions to progress her functional mobility and strength and we will emphasize a proper home exercise program for her to keep moving towards 100%.

Thanks LK for letting us share your story! If you or someone you know is experiencing postpartum incontinence problems give us a call and let us help you get these issues back to normal.

For more information on what physical therapy can do for incontinence here is a great link defining the role of physical therapists in regards to incontinence.