The Jackson Clinics

I just successfully finished my hand therapy (Shirlington branch) and I would like you to know how grateful I am to your professionals at this location: Rob Sigler, Dan Jones, and Ryan Battisti. I felt they should be recognized at some point…

Broken right arm at an advance age (for the first time & hopefully never happens again) was a very unsettling experience for me — and I consider myself “a toughie”…my tolerance for pain is high; but, I was in great pain. Rob and Dan worked with me most of the time; Ryan worked with me a couple of times…the whole staff from Jacquelyn Andres to the admin people were accommodating and welcoming. (more…)

TJC is pleased to offer Custom Footwear by Sole.

This year’s launch will include a SPRING SALE on 2011 and 2012 colors and styles!

Prices will be as much as $20 OFF retail price!

Offer is for a limited time only so make sure you take advantage of the discount while it lasts! (sale ends May 31st)

Ask our office staff for more information.

Golfer’s or pitcher’s elbow, also called medial epicondylitis, causes pain on the inner side of the elbow, and weakness and tingling in the forearm and hand. But the condition is not limited to athletes. It is actually more common in people who smoke, operate vibrating equipment or engage in manual labor frequently requiring the lifting of more than 25 pounds. Unfortunately, for many of these people, elbow pain can, in fact, be related to a pinched nerve in the neck, technically called a cervical radiculopathy. (more…)

Many people never give a second thought to their balance, but once it starts to suffer, the effects can be significant. Age or a variety of health conditions can affect your balance, making walking a challenge. Furthermore, the likelihood that elderly people have osteoporosis can mean that a simple fall can result in a break and disability. In fact, each year, hundreds of thousands of adults in the United States are admitted to hospitals for broken hips—with falls a common culprit. (more…)

A dislocated shoulder is a tricky opponent, and the younger you are, the trickier it can be. When a dislocation occurs (often from falling at on your hand or from high-impact sports), shoulder ligaments are injured in the process. Unfortunately, these ligaments do not heal well, often leaving you at high risk for future dislocations. Even worse, with every dislocation, indentations on the shoulder bone may develop, contributing to further shoulder instability. (more…)

Can you return to golf after having your hip replaced? The good news is, yes, you can. In fact, Jack Nicklaus played in a Senior PGA tournament four months after his hip replacement—after an initial no-golf period of two months following the surgery. And most orthopedic surgeons and physical therapists give that general advice to their patients.

Depending on how well your overall recovery is progressing, it is best to wait one to four months before picking up a club. Then, ease back into the game. Start by practicing chipping and putting before trying full swings again. At that time, we can advise you about adjustments to your swing that will avoid placing undue stress on the replacement joint. Modifications will depend on whether you are right- or left-handed and which hip has been replaced.

It is also important that you wear rubber-soled athletic shoes, rather than shoes with golf spikes. With spikes, your stance is fixed during your swing, allowing for no accommodation to protect your hip from excessive twisting.

After several weeks, walking the course should not be a problem. Lace up your spikeless shoes, begin with a 9-hole game and later tackle an 18-hole course. On the links,

• use a golf cart, at least at first, so you don’t have to carry your bag
• alternatively, employ a caddy or use a wheeled bag
• avoid damp or rainy weather to lessen the chance of slipping and falling on wet grass

Recovery from hip replacement surgery can be extensive, but you will achieve the best results from your surgery by following our suggestions and committing to our rehabilitation process. Chances are excellent that once you start to play golf again, your hip will feel much better than it has in years. Maybe you will even shave a few strokes o your game!

Yoga has become a daily activity for 20 million Americans. Physical therapists trained in yoga are using yoga poses and breathing exercises to relieve pain, strengthen the cardiovascular system, and manage anxiety and depression.

In 2004 the American College of Sports Medicine noted that physical activity can increase and maintain bone density mass in children and adults, as long as the body gets enough calcium to start with. With decreased bone mineral density, the vertebrae weaken and become vulnerable to collapse. Add poor posture to a weakened spine, and the likelihood of vertebral fracture increases. The weight-bearing exercises of yoga therapy can address this problem.

As in traditional physical therapy, therapists can design an exercise program tailored to your age and flexibility that incorporates yoga poses and breathing exercises. Practiced with awareness and caution under the guidance of a trained professional, this therapy also

• promotes good posture and coordination through weight-bearing poses—including arm balances, inversions and standing poses
• enhances bone strength (weight bearing on a single limb)
• improves muscles’ endurance, elasticity and stamina
• increases blood flow to promote healing, relieve pain and decrease inflammation
• increases flexibility
• improves balance
• restores range of motion and function

Yoga no longer involves just stretching, either; new versions of “power yoga,” derived from ashtanga yoga, can give participants quite a workout. To avoid injury, do not try yoga without professional guidance or push yourself too zealously.

Yoga is a tool used by physical therapists to treat a variety of musculoskeletal conditions. A physical therapist trained in yoga therapy can show you what this ancient form of exercise can do for you.

March is National Athletic Training Month and
TJC is celebrating!

Ask your Gym Specialist how you can earn a color changing stress ball!