The physical therapists and athletic trainers at OSTC are dedicated to providing our patients with the best care possible.  As part of that commitment, we believe it is important to provide you with the most current information regarding physical therapy and other programs available at OSTC.  Our new Therapy Newsletter is OSTC's way of reaching this goal.  We hope that you will find this information helpful and relevant to your physical therapy and wellness needs.

Do you want to give your athlete the winning Advantage?  Sign them up for one of OSTC's Athletes' Advantage programs.  Our summer strength and conditioning programs are lead by highly trained and experienced Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialists.  Athlete's Advantage begins June 19th, and meets Monday through Thursday for six weeks.  Athletes will work on strength, conditioning, agility, footwork and athletic performance.  We offer several sessions to accomadate athletes of different ages and sports.  To learn more about Athletes' Advantage, please contact us at therapy@ostcwf.com or 940-692-4688

Technology has provided new medical treatments, ways to communicate, and entertainment options, but it’s also taking a toll on the bodies of those who use it. Squinting at small screens, selfie-induced tennis elbow, and sitting hunched over computer keyboards, tablets, and video game systems are just some of the ways in which people are causing injury to themselves.

An increasing number of people are seeking physical therapy to relieve pain, tension and injuries involving the neck, shoulder and back, along with stress-related conditions that include migraines.

Problems with the spine, wrists and palms of the hand are common among those who spend an excessive amount of time playing video games, using computers and talking on cell phones. “Trigger thumb” is the result of tightly gripping video game controllers and smartphones.

Carpal tunnel and repetitive motion injuries are occurring in individuals who text (texting thumb), use keyboards, play video games and take a lot of selfies (selfie elbow). It causes injury to muscles, nerves and tendons that produce pain, tingling and numbness.

The popular names of the injuries may change, but the established treatments of physical therapy can treat, correct and heal all the injuries that technology engenders. Physical therapy treatments are effective for:

• Relieving pain
• Improving posture
• Relaxing tensed muscles
• Relieving pressure on the neurological system
• Addressing migraines
• Avoiding surgery

One of the best ways you can improve your quality of life is by reducing nagging neck or back pain.  It is estimated that 90% of people experience some type of neck or back pain in their lifetime, and most of the time physical therapy can reduce or relieve this pain. Your physical therapist will make adjustments that place the spine in the correct position to relieve pressure on soft tissues and the neurological system.

Exercise may seem counter-productive for a body that’s already in pain, but your physical therapist can create a custom program of exercises that will help reduce the risk of injuries. If an injury has already occurred, your physical therapist can provide treatment to relieve pain and help you heal.

Heat, cryotherapies, electro-stimulation, and therapeutic massage are effective for reducing swelling, inflammation and pain from a wide range of tech-related injuries. Acupuncture and dry needling may also be employed and the therapies have the advantage of being equally applicable for multiple areas of the body.

If you find yourself tensing up while talking on the phone, playing video games, or using your computer or phone, you may be among the thousands of people that suffer from migraines.  Your physical therapist can provide suggestions and recommendations on adaptive aids and ergonomic accommodations at home and work to mitigate the risk of injury and pain. If you’re suffering with carpal tunnel syndrome, physical therapy can be an effective treatment inreducing those symptoms and potentially avoiding surgery.

Physical therapy is beneficial for helping reduce the risk of sustaining an injury from a tech-related source and healing any existing injury you may already have incurred. Technology is a fact of life, but there’s no reason to live with the pain of using it when relief is so easily available.