Category: Pain Management
My tailbone hurts. What can I do to relieve the pain?
Sometimes, people think it is funny to pull a chair out from under someone as they sit down. If this prank has ever happened to you, you know too well what tailbone pain feels like.
These compression injuries cause pressure on the coccyx or tailbone. At best, the injury is a bruise. Other times it’s a more serious fracture. Since you cannot put your tailbone in a sling, it often hurts to walk, sit, or lift for four to eight weeks after an injury.
What is the tailbone?
The coccyx, […]
Meet Lisa Machotka, DPT
Lisa Machotka, DPT, is a Doctor of Physical Therapy at Bone & Joint’s physical therapy center in Plover.
Lisa helps people of all ages overcome muscular imbalances and motor impairments that affect their ability to work, play sports, or enjoy life. She helps people continue their best quality of life by helping to minimize the effects of limiting spinal conditions.
Physical therapy helps people dealing with complex conditions
When asked why she chose the physical therapy field, Lisa said, “I wanted to be involved in helping clients not just recover from an injury or surgery but to make improvements in their mobility and return […]
Stay pain-free while traveling
Traveling. Some people love it . For other people, traveling is something to endure until they reach their destination. No matter how you feel about traveling, there are a few tips to keep in mind to stay healthy while on your way.
As you think about masks and keeping your hands clean, you might want to consider your joints and […]
Meet Lester Owens, DO
Lester A. Owens, DO, PT, FAAPMR, is a board-certified non-operative orthopedic, neuromuscular, and pain management specialist at Bone & Joint.
Dr. Owens treats headaches, neck and back pain, myofascial pain syndrome, herniated disks, neuralgias, spinal pain disorders, and arthritis. He performs BOTOX injections, electro diagnostics, radiofrequency neurotomy, and spinal interventional techniques to diagnose and treat his patients’ conditions.
Dr. Owens, who was a physical therapist before becoming a doctor, uses a variety of non-surgical treatments to help people of all ages reduce pain, increase movement, and improve the quality of their lives. He wants his patients to […]
Why does my forearm hurt?
Kelly woke up on Saturday morning with a ripping, tearing feeling in her left forearm. She didn’t remember hitting or straining her arm in any way that would cause intense pain
To relieve her discomfort, Kelly moved her arm into different positions. But the sensation continued. Whether she held her hand at her side or put it over her head, the ripping ache did not stop. Later in the day, Kelly realized her arm the pain increased when she typed or drove her car.
According to Dr. Pamela Glennon, one of the hand-and-arm experts at Bone & […]
What are bone spurs?
You’re reading your X-ray results, and you see,” Enthesophyte seen at the plantar fascia region.”
Of course, you immediately boot up your computer and search the Internet to find out what an “enthesophyte” is. You find that it’s a type of bone spur.
These small bony calcium growths can occur anywhere in the body but are most common in the feet, spine, fingers, hips, knees, and other joints. Since most bone spurs form in response to osteoarthritis, they are more common in people who are 60 years old or older.
But bone spurs also grow in response to […]
How do I know if my physical therapy is working?
That’s a great question. We are glad you asked.
There are three areas to consider when you are assessing the success of your physical therapy program:
- Your movement
- Your working relationship with your therapist
- Your progress.
You know your body better than anyone else. Your physical therapist is a body movement expert. By combining your knowledge with your therapist’s expertise, you can get your body moving at its best.
Know your starting point, your current range of motion and your movement goals.
During your first appointment, your therapist will look at your medical file or your initial patient questionnaire. […]
Do your joints need an oil change?
Your body needs healthy levels of good fats to work properly – and healthy oils in your diet are the best source.
Healthy oils help your brain, nerves, and your major organs. Good fats also help your body absorb necessary fat-soluble vitamins and minerals, like vitamin D, to help build strong bones.
The challenge is to figure out which types of oils are good for you and which ones might cause more harm.
So, which oil is best for your bones and joints?
The best oil for your joints, bones, and muscles is a minimally processed oil, lower in […]
What is Kinesio taping therapy?
Kinesio Taping is a technique designed to work with the body’s natural healing process while providing rehabilitative support and stability to muscles and joints. It can be used to decrease pain, reduce inflammation, and relax overused or tired muscles.
What is Kinesio tape?
Kinesio (Ka knee see o) tape is a flexible tape that supports and stabilizes joints, muscles, and ligaments as they bend, contract, and extend. You may have seen athletes at sporting events wearing long strips of brightly colored tape strategically placed on or near their joints.
Unlike, bulky, elastic bandages, Kinesio tape is not used […]
Meet Stephanie Kniech, PA-C
Stephanie Kniech is a certified physician assistant who provides general orthopedic and sports medicine care to patients of all ages at Bone & Joint’s Merrill and Wausau locations.
Stephanie joined Bone & Joint in October 2020 to care for people who suffer from fractures, orthopedic trauma, and arthritis. She also helps people recover from surgical procedures. Stephanie has a special interest in fracture management, hand, arm, and shoulder surgery, sports medicine, and joint replacement care.
Stephanie earned her Master of Science degree in physician assistant studies from St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa. She received a Bachelor […]
