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Physical Therapy Associates
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Did you know that there several documented side effects of long term NSAID use?
Some of these include GI bleeding and ulcers, liver damage, and kidney failure. Something to think about if you regularly use NSAID's prior to activity or sport.
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Office Locations
Schenectady
1533 Union Street
Schenectady, NY 12309
(518) 381-9166
Scotia/Glenville
42 Saratoga Rd.
Glenville,NY 12302
(518) 399-6861
Rotterdam/Guilderland
3434 Carman Rd.
Schenectady, NY 12303
(518) 356-7445
Clifton Park
17 Halfmoon Executive Park Dr.
Clifton Park, NY 12065
(518) 371-6777
Latham
1182 Troy Schenectady Rd
Suite LL02
Latham, NY 12110
(518)220-9705
Troy
1 Conway Court
Troy, NY 12180
(518) 273-2715
West Sand Lake
43 Mall
West Sand Lake, NY 12196
(518) 674-1744
Amsterdam
178 Clizbe Ave
Amsterdam, NY 12010
(518) 842-1425
Tamarac
Tamarac Plaza
PO Box 118
3991 State Rte. 2
Cropseyville, NY 12052
(518) 279-4610
Ballston Spa
220 Church Ave.
Ballston Spa, NY 12020
(518) 885-1541
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Hand Therapy at Guilderland Accepting New Patients
Located within our Rotterdam/Guilderland office is Hand Therapy at Guilderland. Sheryl Sturn OTR/L, CHT is available for all hand therapy needs.
Call 630-6167
to schedule an appointment.
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What Is Inflammation?
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Inflammation is a common term that is often associated with a majority of diagnosis seen in our clinics. Frankly, it is a word that gets a bad rap. Tendonitis, bursitis, synovitis, and arthritis are all conditions associated with inflammation. But what exactly is inflammation? By definition, inflammation is part of the complex biological response of vascular tissues to harmful stimuli, such as pathogens, damaged cells, or irritants.  The classical signs of acute inflammation are pain, heat, redness, swelling, and loss of function are a result of the inflammatory exudate. Inflammation is a protective attempt by the organism to remove the injurious stimuli and to initiate the healing process. (Wikipedia) The heat, redness and swelling are the byproducts of the vascular activity. Pain is a result of the presence of noxious inflammatory chemicals and heightened mechanical sensitivity (McKenzie)
Inflammation is a vital part of the overall response necessary for healing. The other stages of healing are the tissue repair phase and the remodeling phase. Without the inflammatory response taking place these last two stages cannot be completed and injured soft tissue cannot heal properly. Pain as a result of inflammation is fairly constant until the body has reduced the concentration of the noxious stimulants. By about 3 weeks post injury inflammatory cells are no longer present. Pain at this point is intermittent and caused by stress on repairing tissue.
During the initial 2-3 days (up to a week at most) after an injury researchers feel taking NSAIDSs (such as Ibuprofen) can help with the healing process.
 After that it is recommended that you let the body do what it does naturally on it's own. One study actually found that the prolonged use of NSAIDs before exercise can actually delay or slow the healing process in skeletal tissue. (BJSM) Taking NSAIDs regularly even when symptoms are not present is detrimental to healing. Physical therapists are well experienced in dealing with acute injuries and helping patients manage the symptoms of inflammation.
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How Physical Therapy Can Help to Treat Inflammation
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After an acute injury the role of a physical therapist is paramount for proper healing to occur. Our job early on is focused as much on the treatment of inflammation as it is on educating the patient on the importance of the inflammatory response.
During the first 5-7 days the patient should be using ice and resting the injured area. After the 5t h day gentle movement and range of motion is necessary to allow the injured tissue to heal properly. Overly aggressive use of the injured tissue too soon after injury can delay healing or even re-stimulate the inflammatory response. Often times patients are afraid to move because of pain and they develop fear avoidance behaviors that can delay healing or lead to incomplete healing of the injured tissue.
Physical Therapists often use modalities such as ice, whirlpool,  electric stimulation, and/or manual therapy techniques to treat inflammation and reduce swelling and to manage pain. Gentle range of motion exercises will also be prescribed in order to encourage good quality 
repair. As you progress through the healing process your treatment plan will change to reflect the needs of the healing tissue.
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| We Want To Hear From You |
We want our newsletter to be specific to the needs of our clients. We would like your help to do this. Please feel free to email any requests for specific topics to be addressed or questions you might have regarding physical therapy and we will do our best to address them in upcoming newsletters. Email requests to ptrotterdam@aol.com attn. Kevin.
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