Physical Therapy

How To Maintain Progress After Physical Therapy Treatment

If you’re an active individual who loves to stay active in any way possible, we understand how frustrating it can be to deal with chronic pain or an injury that just won’t go away. 

Ever since the pain started, you haven’t been able to feel like yourself and live life how you truly want to. Instead, you’re stuck trying to find ways to find relief that never end up giving you the long-term relief you desire. 

So, you seek physical therapy for your condition. Through treatment you realize that PT was the solution for you ALL along…but now, your treatment sessions are coming to a close and you’ve found yourself wondering: “How am I going to maintain progress?” 

In this blog post, we’re giving you 5 ways to maintain progress after your PT sessions have come to an end. 

1. Follow Your Physical Therapist’s Instructions

This follows closely with the PRO-TIP I gave you at the beginning of this blog—The first and most important step to maintaining progress after physical therapy treatment is to follow the instructions of your physical therapist. Typically, your PT will provide you with a detailed home exercise program that will help you keep up the progress you’ve already made during your in-clinic sessions. Make sure you take your PTs advice to heart and perform your exercises at home regularly and correctly to avoid any negative setbacks—the last thing you want is to be right back where you started before you made all of this glorious progress throughout your sessions. 

2. Stay Active 

Regular exercise is essential to maintaining your progress after physical therapy sessions (during and after). Not only that, but it’s always a good idea to prioritize physical activity for your overall health and wellness. When you do so, this can help you maintain flexibility, strength, and endurance. Whether it’s taking a walk around the block, swimming a couple of laps, bike rides with a friend, or even yoga—simply just making sure you prioritize movement is a great way to maintain progress. Just be sure to avoid activities that could aggravate your condition or cause further pain and/or injury. 

3. Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is crucial for keeping progress after physical therapy treatment. This means eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep every night, and avoiding unhealthy habits like smoking, too much sugar and/or fast foods, etc. When you avoid unhealthy habits, you’re actively maintaining your overall health and well-being. When we take care of ourselves, it reduces the possibility of further injury or chronic conditions from occuring in the future. 

4. Find Positive Ways To Manage Your Stress

Stress—as we know—can have a negative impact not only on our mental health, but our physical health, as well. Finding positive ways to manage your stress and prioritize self-care is a great way to continue to maintain progress after your PT sessions. You can practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or meditation. You can also engage in self-care activities that help you feel more connected to yourself such as reading, journaling, listening to music or your favorite podcasts, and spending quality time with people that make your life better. 

5. Continue to Monitor Your Condition

Monitoring your condition, even after treatment has ended, is essential for maintaining the progress you’ve made. Pay attention to any changes in symptoms, such as pain or weakness, and report them to your physical therapist so you don’t accidentally make your condition worse. If you do notice any changes, your PT may need to adjust your treatment plan (which they’ll be happy to do so—your success is our number one priority!) 

In conclusion, maintaining progress after physical therapy treatment is crucial for long-term health and wellness. By following your PT’s instructions, staying active, prioritizing healthy living, positively managing your stress, and monitoring your condition, you can maintain progress and prevent future injuries or chronic conditions. 

Remember, here at Progressive Edge Physical Therapy in Union, NJ your physical therapist’s number one priority is your success. We will be with you every step of the way to ensure you’re making the progress needed to finally feel like yourself again and reach your goals. Your PT is your partner in your physical therapy journey and they are always available to help you find ways to maintain your progress. 

5 Ways To Stay Active & Healthy

When it comes to our busy lives and schedules, sometimes it’s hard to prioritize your health and fitness. We try our very best to work it into our day, but sometimes it’s hard to find the time for that Yoga class you’ve been always wanting to try or to commit to signing up for a gym membership when you don’t know if you’ll be able to use it often. That’s why we have to find ways to stay active and healthy and make it convenient for us. 

Staying active and healthy can be a challenge, but we’re here to tell you that it doesn’t have to be! In fact, following these five simple tips are a sure way to help you prioritize your health and fitness in your everyday life. 

  1. Eat a Nutritious and Balanced Diet

While you may have heard this tip a hundred times before — there’s a reason for that. This is because eating a variety of healthy foods will give your body the proper energy and nutrients it needs to stay healthy. A way to prioritize this is to meal plan for each week. That way, you know what you need to get and you take the stress of trying to plan out a meal every single night. This will cut time in preparation while simultaneously prioritizing your health and fitness. 

  1. Exercise Regularly

Your exercises don’t have to be anything fancy. It’s important to prioritize exercise however that may look for you and your busy schedule. Some people have time for intensive workouts, some just have a few minutes to lift some weights. It could be a few energizing stretches in the morning, a brisk walk around the block, or taking an exercise class weekly. Whatever it may be, make sure you are taking the time to incorporate some kind of physical activity into your daily routine. 

  1. Get Adequate Sleep 

This one is essential. Without good sleep, you can’t be as productive as you’d wish during the day, leaving you feeling sluggish, irritable, and tired. It’s important to aim for 7-9 hours of sleep each night to be rested and prepared for the day ahead. 

  1. Practice Stress Management 

It’s important for us to try our very best to find ways to manage our stress. Stress can take a toll on your body, so it’s essential to take time to relax and unwind in whatever way you sit fit for you. Schedule time to relax. It might feel silly, but it’s a great way to ensure that you take the time needed to relax so you don’t burn yourself out. It’s important for your productivity to schedule in those breaks so you can perform your very best mentally and physically. Take your shot at activities such as meditation, yoga, going for walks, or journaling to help manage stress effectively. 

  1. Drink Plenty of Water

Staying hydrated is immensely important when it comes to keeping your body healthy and performing at your very best. Without staying hydrated, you run the risk of dehydration which can have physically healthy effects and heavily impact your productivity. Grab a water bottle and carry it with you throughout the day to make it convenient for you. 

These five tips for prioritizing your health and staying active are great ways to make sure you’re taking proper care of yourself. You want to work toward being the best, healthiest version of yourself and these tips are a great place to start. 

If at any time while staying active you become injured or you’re dealing with any type of chronic pain, be sure to contact us here at Progressive Edge Physical Therapy. Here, we prioritize our patients and their health because we believe that you deserve to live life on your own terms — which is hard to do when dealing with constant pain or an injury. 

Don’t waste any of your time suffering and missing out when we have real solutions that can help you. Make sure to contact us TODAY and we’ll be happy to talk to you about how we can help you win your life back so you can continue to prioritize your health and stay active. 

How Do I Find The Right Physical Therapist? 

How Do I Find The Right Physical Therapist? 

Finding the right physical therapist can be a challenge. With so many different options available, it can be difficult to know which one is the right choice for you. You know that you want a provider that specializes in the issue that you’re currently dealing with and you want to feel confident in the decision you make so you know you’re not wasting your time or your money. 

In this blog post, we’ll explore some tips and tricks to help you find the right physical therapist for your needs so you can find the relief you’re looking for and get back to living life on your own terms. 

Do Your Research 

The first step in finding the right physical therapist is to do your research. The best way to start is by looking up physical therapists in your area and reading reviews from past patients. Doing so will give you a firsthand look at past or current patients’ take on their experience and interactions with the physical therapy clinic and the staff. This will give you a better idea of the quality of care they provide and what you can expect from them. Additionally, you can ask your primary care physician for some recommendations or check with your insurance provider to see which physical therapists are covered by your plan if you’re unsure of where to start. Then, with the recommendations, you can do your research and decide which ones you’d like to contact for more information. 

Ask Questions

Once you’ve narrowed down your list of potential physical therapists, it’s time to start asking questions. You want to make sure that your PT understands the problem you’re dealing with and knows how to get to the root problem so you can get back to enjoying your life without pain or limitations. Make sure to ask about their experience and qualifications, as well as any specialties they may have. Additionally, ask about their treatment methods and whether they offer any additional services, like massage therapy or acupuncture.  A physical therapist may offer a service you’ve never even heard of that could help you in ways you couldn’t imagine. It’s also important to inquire about their rates and payment options before making any commitments. Sometimes, it’s possible that a PT could have a free consultation available — so be sure to ask! 

Schedule An Appointment 

Once you’ve found a few physical therapists that you’re interested in, it’s time to schedule an appointment. This will give you the opportunity to meet the physical therapist in person and get a better sense of their personality and approach to treatment. During the appointment, be sure to ask any additional questions you may have thought of and clearly outline your goals for physical therapy. Not only will this help you, but it will help them in knowing how to correctly treat you and get to know you better. You’ll be able to tell during your first meeting or consultation if said physical therapist is a good fit for you or not. If you like the PT after the first visit, talk to them about setting up appointments for the future! 

Follow-Up

After your initial appointment, it’s important for you to follow up with the physical therapist to ensure that you’re getting the care you need to finally feel good again. It’s always a good idea to be knowledgeable about how they’re treating you so you can continue to stay in tune with your mind and body. Make sure to keep track of your progress and ask questions if you have any concerns as they arise. Additionally, if you’re not satisfied with the care you’re receiving and feel as though you’re not making the necessary progress, don’t be afraid to look for another physical therapist. 

Finding the right physical therapist can be a challenge, but with the right research and questions, you can easily find the perfect fit for your needs. Do your research, ask questions, schedule an appointment, and follow up to ensure that you’re getting the best care possible. And if you want to learn more about how Progressive Edge Physical Therapy can help you, be sure to contact us today for more information. We’d love to discuss options with you! 

Is Physical Therapy Right For Me?

When it comes to an injury or experiencing any kind of chronic pain, usually the first thought that comes to mind is: 

“I need to make a doctor’s appointment” or “I need to visit the chiropractor” or “Maybe a massage will help loosen my tense muscles.”

To most of us, it makes sense that if we’re hurt or experiencing any kind of pain (depending on the severity) our first choice is, usually, to pick up the phone and schedule an appointment. 

Then, you’re on the phone waiting to see if your doctor has any availability soon. Turns out — they can’t get you in until next month. This is frustrating to you because you were looking for a quick way to figure out what’s happening to your body and find a solution so you can get back to living life on your own terms. 

Here’s the thing. Even if you did get in on a doctor’s appointment the next day — I could probably tell you the solutions they’d give you…

  • They’ll prescribe you some pain medications 
  • Depending on the pain, they’ll either tell you that it’s a natural part of aging or it comes with an active lifestyle and that you should probably give up the activity that’s causing you chronic pain 
  • Refer you to a specialist to see if that’ll help — which means making another appointment that you don’t even know how long you’ll end up waiting for… 
  • Or they offer you the options of surgery — which is not something you had in mind. 

Of course, depending on your condition and your pain — results vary, and sometimes the doctor is necessary. 

It’s when you feel like you’ve tried everything to find relief — only to be met with disappointment. That’s when you start to wonder what the solution must be. 

Here’s the thing — when experiencing pain, sometimes it’s hard to know what your best option is. You try multiple different solutions only to be met with constant disappointment. Why? Because the moment you’re active again — somehow, the pain always finds a way to return — just when you thought you’d finally seen the last of it! 

It’s never a good idea to become reliant on pain medication — although it can help with short-term relief. When you’re experiencing body pain, it’s important for you to get the correct and proper care and attention to make sure the pain doesn’t get worse or you become injured. 

You’re feeling disappointed. You’re unable to find the relief you’re searching for and you’re about to give up when venting to a friend about your pain. All of the sudden, they suggest physical therapy.

When To Know It’s Time For Physical Therapy 

Your next question may be — when do I know I need physical therapy? How am I supposed to be able to tell? 

Here’s the biggest hint that physical therapy may be the answer you’re looking for: When you’ve tried everything and are still left with pain that doesn’t seem to go away.

That’s when you know it’s time for physical therapy.

I know, trying anything new can be scary. But what’s important to know here is that when looking for the best physical therapy clinic in your area — don’t just book an appointment. Request more information! Give them a phone call! This is an important step for you so you make sure that the clinic and physical therapist you choosing are able to help you correct the current pain problem you’re dealing with. 

Here at Union, NJ, we’re ready to answer any and all questions before booking an appointment! We’re happy to talk to you and get the conversation started about the pain you’re experiencing and how we can help you reduce that pain so you can get back to living your life without worry. We want to make sure we’re the perfect fit for you before booking an appointment and setting up PT sessions. 

Don’t be afraid to ask questions — physical therapists love that! We want to get to know you just as much as you want to get to know us — it helps us know exactly what you need in order to feel the relief you’re looking for! 

While you may be skeptical, take the time to ask questions, do your research, and talk to a physical therapist and soon you’ll find that they can help you with your problems, starting your journey towards feeling good again! 

To learn more about us here at Union, NJ, be sure to ask us for more information on how we can help you! 

How To Find The Best Physical Therapist In Union, NJ

You’ve finally decided that physical therapy is the best option for you and your health and you’re ready to take the next step to improve your quality of life.

As you start your search for the best physical therapy clinic, you begin to wonder what it is you’re looking for. 

Questions start to form in your head — 

❔What makes a physical therapy clinic better than the rest?

❔How do I know that a certain clinic will be able to help me with my problem?

❔What ideal qualities should I be looking for in a clinic?

To ensure you’re making the best decision for you and your health — here are a few tips and things to think about before booking a physical therapy appointment with a clinic in your area.


🔍Search For “Best Physical Therapist Near Me”

It’s important that before you book an appointment, you make sure you’re finding the best physical therapy clinic that specializes in your specific problem area.

This means that if you’re experiencing neck pain that just won’t go away — you need to make sure the physical therapy clinic you’re interested in specializes in helping patients resolve their neck pain. 

If you book an appointment with a clinic that specializes only in pelvic health — then you’ve now wasted your time when you could’ve prevented this with a little research beforehand. 

Once you do your research and find out that a certain clinic specializes in your area, then you can take comfort in the fact that when you book with them, they will have the proper, specialized care to get you feeling better. 

🗨️Inquire For More Information Before Booking

Before booking or making an appointment, prepare some questions for the physical therapist. Really dive deep into your goals, and what you want to achieve, and be ready to tell the physical therapist when inquiring about possibly booking sessions with them. 

It’s important to tell the physical therapist all about your pain, how it started, and what you’ve tried before to get rid of it. This will allow him or her to let you know how they can help you. Once you hear what they have to say, then you can make a decision on whether you want to move forward or if you want to look for a different clinic. 

Clinics always appreciate when a patient comes with questions ready to be answered and motivated to start their journey. Knowing exactly what you want from physical therapy will only help you narrow down the decisions and find a physical therapist that promises to help you reach your goals. This helps you eliminate physical therapy clinics that don’t align with your needs, wants, and goals. 

✔️Choose a Physical Therapist That You Feel Comfortable With

It’s important that you choose a physical therapist that you feel respects you and your goals, is communicative, motivating, and actually listens to you. 

There are some clinicians out there who will just schedule an appointment with patients only to give them a few stretches to try at home — which isn’t solving the problem at the end of the day. 

You need a physical therapist who will work with you, explain to you what needs to happen during your sessions for you to reach your goals and someone who you can have open communication with during your time there. Without that, you’ll start to dread coming to your sessions and you will wish you had found a different physical therapist. 

Ask the right questions, tell them your goals, and with the first conversation you have with a clinic, you’ll be able to tell if they align with your vision and can help you. 


When experiencing pain that interferes with your daily life or recovering from an injury or surgery — it’s important for you to have the best physical therapist on your side, helping you get back to living life your way.

Without it, you won’t get the results you were hoping for.

That’s why here at Progressive Edge Physical Therapy we prioritize our patients and let them know from the beginning that they’ll be receiving quality care for the pain and issues they are experiencing. 

While finding the best physical therapist for you can be a challenging experience, the best way to find your ideal clinic is to do your research, know what you want, outline your goals, and be openly communicative. 

If you follow these tips when searching for the best physical therapist for you in your area — you’re sure to come up with amazing results.

Physical Therapy vs. Massage Therapy — What’s The Difference?

When you’re first met with a pain problem or injury – you immediately try to figure out the best way to solve your issue so you can get back to feeling good again.

Whether the problem has gone on for a long time or you feel you’ve exhausted your options – it’s common for a lot of people to try a lot of ways to get rid of the pain…

➡️Maybe you’ve tried icing or applying heat to the painful area after reading an article or talking to a friend about the pain.

➡️Maybe you’ve been advised that pain medications will help for now and then the pain will disappear on its own, depending on the severity or the type of pain.

➡️Maybe you’ve tried putting exercising on pause in hopes that your pain will go away during the downtime.

While these options seem like they can provide the relief you’re looking for — sometimes the problem is a little deeper than that. You feel like you try solution after solution only to find that the pain comes back and you just can’t seem to figure out why.

After doing research and trying multiple solutions – massage and physical therapy are some of the only options left.

Both have similar goals for patients — to help restore some sort of regular function and/or mobility and relieve pain. But, what’s the difference between the two?

Better yet — which one is the better option when it comes to relieving your pain?

Do Physical Therapists Do Massage?
As mentioned before, while both therapy practices have similar end goals for the patient — it’s important to note the differences between the two. Knowing the difference between the two types of therapy will allow you to make a proper decision on what can help fix your pain problem.

Massage Therapy
The main goal of massage therapy is to target the painful area and work using massage techniques to release tension and increase flexibility. What this does for the patient is help you feel more relaxed, relieve stress, and even reduce pain.

That being said, massage therapy has its benefits. If you’re someone who is looking to release tension and relax — massage therapy is perfect for you.

But if you’re someone experiencing shoulder, knee, or back pain that just won’t go away no matter what you try – there might be a deeper issue that a physical therapist can help you fix.

Physical Therapy
Physical therapy works to provide rehabilitation and improve strength and mobility to those who have experienced pain or an injury due to physical activity or other factors.

It helps people with pain problems such as neck pain, shoulder pain, back pain, knee pain, foot/ankle pain, and similar issues. Some physical therapists help athletes with sports injuries, as well – all you have to do is find a physical therapist in your area that will treat the specific issue you’re having trouble with.

Physical therapy is usually necessary when there needs to be specialized care based on the patient and the pain problem they’re currently experiencing. Then, the physical therapist works with them to devise a treatment plan to get them back to feeling normal again with reduced pain. This provides long-term pain relief and real results that won’t leave you feeling frustrated that you can’t seem to find a way to fix the pain problem you continue to experience.

That’s why here at Progressive Edge Physical Therapy we help our patients find the relief they’re looking for by using physical therapy techniques to help them win their life back.

No matter what kind of pain problem you’re experiencing – we’ll help you reach your goals and figure out a way to get you back to living life to the fullest.

Now You Know
Now you know the difference between massage and physical therapy. Hopefully, this gives you a little insight into what each therapy can help you with and why. Depending on what you’re experiencing and what issues you’d like to have resolved — there are solutions out there waiting for you.

Whether you’re looking to relieve some pain with massage therapy or looking to heal an injury that’s left you feeling frustrated — knowing the difference between each therapy can help narrow down your decision-making and trust that you’re making the best choice for you and your health.

How To Get The Most Out Of Physical Therapy

After going through the process of searching for the right physical therapist — you’ve chosen  Progressive Edge Physical Therapy and booked your first session. While you may be feeling excited to get started on your journey to recovery – you may not know what to expect. 

It’s common to be nervous before your first session. The unexpected can make us feel uneasy. Especially when you’re dealing with nagging pains or surgery recovery. Whatever the reason — keep reading to find out how you can get the most out of your experience here at Progressive Edge Physical Therapy. 

How To Get The Most Out Of Your Sessions

While you have goals in mind and know what you want to achieve, here are some extra tips to make sure you get the most out of your physical therapy experience. 

Mindset matters in physical therapy – just like in every aspect of life. When you come motivated and ready to work with us during treatment — you are actively setting yourself up for success. Not only does it help your mood, but it also helps your performance. When you are in a motivated mindset and come ready to achieve your goals — this helps you feel energized which allows you to perform better during your sessions. Making sure you have a positive mindset during PT is one of the best things you can do for not only your body but yourself – allowing you to get the most out of your experience. 

Commit to the work. While sometimes staying motivated can be difficult and challenging — committing to the work and the appointments you make is essential to your recovery. It’s possible there are going to be days when you don’t feel motivated to come to your appointment – you’d rather just stay at home on the couch. What makes the difference is showing up anyways, and staying committed, even when you feel like doing the opposite. We know recovery can be a long process for some — but we’ll be there with you every step of the way. Committing and showing up is a great way to ensure you’re making the most out of your experience. 

Keep the end goal in mind. Remember why you started in the first place. There’s so much you’ve had to miss out on due to your pain — and you’re finally taking the necessary steps to get back to the life you’ve been missing. 

It’s likely that the pain you’re experiencing has held you back from certain areas of your life. Maybe you’ve had to hold back during your workouts and modify your intensity. Maybe you can’t play and keep up with your grandchildren like you’d wish to. Maybe it’s simple activities that have become difficult, like going up and down the stairs or walking around the grocery store. Reasons like this are why you started – because you’re not able to live life YOUR way. 

So, when times get tough and motivation is low — remember why you started. Remind yourself of all the things you want to get back to. Keeping a list of goals and reasons, whether it’s in a journal or on your phone, can be an excellent reminder to keep going when you feel like quitting. 

Ask questions. Your PT is there to help. If there is anything you are concerned about or there’s just a simple question you’d like answered – don’t be afraid to ask. Your PT is there for YOU. Their job is to make sure you feel comfortable during your sessions. Asking questions shows that you care and will help you get a clear understanding of what you’re going through – allowing you to continue your sessions with clarity and peace of mind. 

Hopefully, these tips have helped you prepare and set you up for success during your physical therapy sessions. When you keep a positive mindset and come motivated – you can be sure you’ll be getting the most out of physical therapy. 
If you’re interested in finding out more about our physical therapy services and how we can get you back to the life you’ve been missing, be sure to 201-563-8418 to find out more.

Physical Therapy for Carpal Tunnel

You likely use your hands for most daily activities. If you have a hand condition like carpal tunnel syndrome, it may not be easy to look after yourself, your home, and others in your care. Whether you’re interested in learning more about CTS or a physical therapy regimen to alleviate symptoms, we at Progressive Edge Physical Therapy in  Union, NJ have the answers.

What Happens to Your Carpal Tunnels With CTS?

Your carpal tunnel runs along the inner part of your wrist, enveloping the finger tendons and median nerve. While the tunnel is typically dime-sized in width, multiple conditions may vary its size, affecting your mobility. 

How Do You Get CTS?

A hand injury or condition like rheumatoid arthritis can cause the passageway to become smaller, rubbing uncomfortably against the nerves. Inflammation creates the same friction by causing swelling in the nerves and joints. Other factors that contribute to carpal tunnel syndrome and may require physical therapy in the long run include:

  • Pressure on your hands, wrists, or fingers, leading to inflammation
  • Repetitive movement of your fingers during activities like computer typing or piano playing
  • Outwardly extending your wrists for long periods
  • Excessively clutching items like video game controllers, rackets, smartphones, or instruments
  • Overworking your hands, such as while on an assembly line
  • A medical history of inflammation, fluid retention, or diabetes
  • Hormone changes and medication use, including steroids

What Symptoms Accompany Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Like arthritis, you may notice pain and stiffness in the joints. At first, your ability to move regresses after waking. Shaking your hands for a few seconds temporarily alleviates the problem, but if a physical therapist doesn’t see you immediately, it can drastically affect your quality of life. 

You’ll notice more symptoms without physical therapy, such as numbness and tingling. You’ll also feel symptoms more times throughout the day. These symptoms usually run through all fingers outside the pinky, primarily affecting the most-used digits, including the thumb, pointer finger, and middle finger. 

You’ll also notice weakness in your fingers that causes you to drop things abruptly and reduce your ability to lift heavier objects.

How Does Physical Therapy Assist With CTS?

Diagnosing Your Condition

During physical therapy, your therapist begins by conducting a physical examination and asking about your condition. They will also want to know how or when the symptoms began, including:

  • If and when you sustained an injury
  • If you regularly make repetitive motions with your hands or fingers, such as in the packing industry or during sports
  • If a healthcare provider has seen or treated your condition before
  • If you have pain or other symptoms 

After the interview, your physical therapist may want to observe your motor skills by asking you to reach for or grip objects of different sizes and shapes to diagnose and treat your condition. They’ll then visually examine and feel from the fingertip to the forearm to determine painful spots. Your physical therapist may also conduct any of the following:

  • A Tinel’s Sign test that uses a reflex hammer to uncover tingling in the joints
  • Nerve studies with an electromyogram test
  • X-rays to evaluate trauma to joints or bones

Finding the Right Treatment Plan 

Next, your physical therapist relays ways to lessen daily symptoms by exercising and stretching your joints. Some examples include altering your wrist positions, doing full-body stretches, and fixing your posture. Whether you’re an avid texter or use a keyboard throughout the workday, abstain from these activities to avoid worsening your condition by neglect. 

Other treatment plans include using equipment like ultrasounds to release light pulsations along the affected area, a traction device that strengthens the carpal tunnels, or a splint for nighttime relief. 

Grasp on to a Healthier Future 

No one wants to slow down during a busy day, especially for pain. If you’re noticing any abnormalities in your finger movements or wrists or general ailments in your hands, don’t hesitate. Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome only worsen with time, leading to more numbness and pain. 

Get back to feeling like yourself with physical therapy in  Union, NJ. Our professional and experienced physical therapists have seen all sorts of conditions, and we’ll begin treating you immediately. Call Progressive Edge Physical Therapy at 201-563-8418 for relief today!

Physical Therapy: Is Feeling Pain After an Evaluation Normal?

Physical therapy helps people recover from traumatic injuries and conditions, allowing them to live a healthy and more active lifestyle. However, some people experience slight pain after their therapy session, making them hesitant to attend future treatments. That’s why Progressive Edge Physical Therapy constructed a guide to help you better understand physical therapy and why it’s normal to experience slight discomfort after completing a therapy session.

Progressive Edge Physical Therapy is a trusted physical therapy center dedicated to helping people overcome chronic and debilitating pain. We specialize in constructing effective physical therapy treatments that improve our patients’ quality of life. Our team has helped countless patients recuperate from their physical ailments and injuries, and we can do the same for you at a price you can afford.

What is Physical Therapy?

Physical therapy is a specialized practice that helps people eradicate pain due to injuries, pre-existing conditions, and other physical ailments. It provides numerous health benefits, including, but not limited to:

●        Improved flexibility and mobility

●        Enhanced balance

●        Future injury prevention

●        Stroke rehabilitation

●        Childbirth recovery

●        Improved posture

●        Pain relief

●        Injury recovery

Physical therapists undergo extensive training and must pass rigorous tests to become licensed in the physical therapy field. Their training allows them to develop personalized treatment plans specifically designed for their patients’ unique injuries or ailments. They work with you to find the root cause of your pain and the best recovery regimen to improve your quality of life.

Does Physical Therapy Worsen Existing Pain?

Many people believe physical therapy will elevate their pre-existing pain. However, this is not the case.

Although it’s common for people to experience slight discomfort after completing a physical therapy session, it shouldn’t feel overbearing. Physical therapists often develop exercises and workout routines such as running or elliptical usage to increase your range of motion and strengthen an area affected by an injury or ailment. They construct your treatment regimen by examining your injury, medical history, and physical limitations.

For example, if you suffer from a spinal cord injury, your physical therapist will assign various stretches and motions to aid recovery. You will likely feel slight discomfort or pain while performing the assigned exercises, but it will diminish over time.

Think of physical therapy pain like soreness after a strenuous workout. Although your muscles feel sore after lifting weights, it’s a necessary discomfort that is exceedingly beneficial to your overall health. As you continue physical therapy, the pain begins subsiding, allowing you to heal from your injury over time.

What To Do After Experiencing Pain During a Physical Therapy Session

Although physical therapy treatments often teeter the line between pain and discomfort, they shouldn’t cross your personal pain threshold. The physical therapist will closely monitor your pain limitations during the session and won’t push you past your abilities.

Physical therapists often call recovery discomfort “good pain” since it benefits rehabilitation. As you grow stronger, the pain will diminish and eventually vanish entirely.

If you experience moderate to severe pain during your sessions or while performing the assigned exercises, you must tell your physical therapist immediately. They will modify your treatment to better suit your physical abilities. You must communicate with your doctor and alert them whenever you feel like an exercise surpasses your personal limitations.

However, you must push your body as much as possible to overcome your ailment or injuries efficiently. It’s crucial to put forth your best effort and overcome “good pain” to recover and grow stronger. Although dealing with discomfort isn’t easy, it’s a necessary evil that will pay off in the long run.

Contact 201-563-8418 for First-Class Physical Therapy and Related Services

If you suffer from chronic pain due to a physical injury, ailment, or condition, contact Progressive Edge Physical Therapy for physical therapy and related services. Our team has vast rehabilitation experience and can help you overcome your condition while providing outstanding customer service every step of the way. We will help you recover swiftly and efficiently so you can live a more fulfilling and active life.

Whether you need running therapy, physical therapy, or just want to learn more about sports medicine, Progressive Edge Physical Therapy team is here for you.

If you want to take back your life from chronic pain, contact Progressive Edge Physical Therapy at 201-563-8418 and see what our experienced physical therapists can do for you today!

Are You Being Heard, or Are You Just Part of the Herd? Big Box vs. Personalized Care and Its Value

If you’re seeking physical therapy, you’re usually motivated by a desire to get rid of aches, pains or getting back to living your life and doing the things you love. . Maybe you’re even looking for an alternate route than surgery.

Your problem could be due to an accident, illness, injury, or recovery from surgery. Regardless of the cause, your number one goal is to get back to “normal.” You want to feel like you did “before.”

But what happens if your experience at a physical therapy clinic doesn’t meet your expectations? As you probably guessed, it can adversely affect your healing process. This situation often happens in a “big box” practice where physical therapy involves offering patients a one-size-fits-all treatment plan instead of individual and personal care.

In this article, we’ll outline what’s common in the industry and why seeking out personalized physical therapy is a better option for your recovery. Understanding personalized PT and its value in five key areas can help you make the best choices for your health.

Difference 1: The Amount of Time Spent with Patients

It seems like health care providers across the board are looking to cut costs, starting with the amount of time spent with a patient. Personalized physical therapy can’t be done if you only interact with the physical therapist for 10 minutes.

In order to truly discover what problem you have, why it’s going on in the first place, and create a plan to keep it from coming back, you’re going to need more time with your physical therapy provider. 

Difference 2: The Appointment Agenda

A physical therapist who lacks skills or is being pressured to boost the bottom line of a practice may give you the same set of exercises week in and week out, leaving you alone to do them while they assist other clients.

In the personalized physical therapy space, this is a no-no. It is not helpful for you to sit by yourself in a room and do exercises that could be done at home. Rather, a professional physical therapist will ensure that your appointment is focused on your treatments.

Your physical therapy appointment could include a combination of the following:

–   A discussion of your health history and goals

–   Demonstrations of how to do specific movements

–   Advice on lifestyle accommodations and strategies to prevent injuries

–   Hands-on assistance

–   Situation-specific exercises

Difference 3: The Focus of the Appointment

A rushed physical therapy provider in a big box setting may be singularly focused on addressing your pain symptoms only.

The problem with this approach is that it lacks a holistic strategy to improve your overall life. Are you trying to strengthen a muscle group for a specific reason? Is there an event coming up that you’d like to attend, but you’re currently unable?

In addition to shifting the focus of the appointment to you, the patient, the best clinicians realize the importance of treating you like a person with real goals and desires, not just a person in pain.

Difference 4: The Ability to Change Course

A big box clinic usually has specific treatment plans in mind, and those plans tend to be unwavering. With personalized physical therapy, the patient experience is the top priority. Instead of digging right into what’s on the agenda, a therapist might ask you questions like:

–   “How are you feeling today?” (And they’ll genuinely mean it!)

–   “Has anything changed since your last appointment?”

–   “Is there anything you feel that we could be doing better?”

–   “Do you feel like you’re making adequate progress and your goals are being met?”

Though having a detailed plan is a must, it’s also important to be able to recognize when things need to shift to give patients the best possible chance of a full recovery.

Difference 5: The Commitment to Educational Excellence

Physical therapists are all required to engage in continuing education to maintain the licenses of their profession. However, those who are passionate about their calling take CE hours because they want to, not because they have to.

Staying up to date on the development of new treatment and therapy options is the goal of continuing education, but physical therapists can also dedicate time to learning about the latest health care research. They may choose to gain further knowledge and training about patient communication and innovative approaches to dealing with pain.

Choosing the Right Physical Therapist

Now that you know the signs to look out for, you’ll be better equipped to choose a physical therapist who is best suited to address your injury. And, if you’re already a physical therapy patient, you’ll understand what red flags might prompt you to find a new clinic.

To get in touch with a specialized physical therapist that puts your needs first, contact Progressive Edge Physical Therapy at 201-563-8418 to schedule an appointment.