Annie MSOT, OTR

   

 Hi all-

What is Shoulder Impingement?
This happens when certain ligaments and muscles become encroached in the joint due to:
- a hooked or thick acromion bone (at the tip of the shoulder)
- an imbalance of ratoator cuff strength
- Flexibility limitations in the shoulder joint or muscles that cross it
-Degenerations in the shoulder joint (sometimes associated with aging)
-Malunion of previous fractures at the top of your shoulder (proximal humerus) and incorrect positioning of the shoulder blade (scapula) which can lead to forward head posture

Signs and Symptoms:
- Pain at your shoulder when flexing it forward
- Pain with raising your arm out to the side

Activities that may become difficult:
- Any overhead activities
- Dressing, bathing/showering
- Driving (when shifting gears)
- Exercises such as weight lifting, swimming, running

What do you do?
Conservative Treatment options:- Talk to your doctor about visiting an orthopedic occupational therapist (or physical therapist) to start on a home exercise program and treatment to decrease swelling and increase range of motion.
- Some people may be candidates for surgery, but always ask your doctor about the right decision for YOU.

What the OT does for you:
(Note: an initial evaluation is always necessary to determine what method of treatment is appropriate for you)
- Use of modalities such as ultrasound, electrical stimulation, soft tissue massage, hot/cold packs (for appropriate candidates)
- Manual therapy techniques
- Provide a home exercise program

*YOU CAN ALSO RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION* (ie: Google.com)

Please check back in a few days for my next posting.   

Thanks for visiting my blog!

Annie Barnett, MSOT, OTR

 **TERMS AND CONDITIONS.  The contents of the OccupationalTherapist.com Site, such as text, blogs, graphics, images, and other material contained on the OccupationalTherapist.com Site (”Content”) are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the OccupationalTherapist.com Site!   Reliance on any information provided by the author(s) of this blog is solely at your own risk.**

           

Hi all-

CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME (CTS):

CTS is caused by compression of the median nerve as it passes through the tunnel in your wrist.(Some women- may experience CTS when they are pregnant)

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS COMMONLY ASSOCIATED WITH CTS:

- sensation of tingling, numbness and sometimes pain in the fingers of your affected wrist.
These sensations are dominantly in your thumb, index, middle and half of your ring finger.  If you allow this compression of the nerve to continue without conservative treatment (occupational therapy) you may experience:

- weakness in your thumb
- difficulty manipulating objects (clumsy with dropping things)
- overall diminished strength in your hand

WHAT DO YOU DO?

CONSERVATIVE TREATMENT:

- Talk to your doctor about purchasing a “prefabricated carpal tunnel splint”, or….
- Visit your local occupational therapist to fabricate this splint for you (custom made)

ACTIVITIES THAT MAY EXACERBATE THE SITUATION:

- repetitive motions such as extreme flexion and extension of your wrist
- exposure to vibratory equipment

WHAT THE OT CAN DO FOR YOU:

- Modalities such as ULTRASOUND, ELECTRICAL STIMULATION and PARAFFIN BATH are beneficial for people with CTS
- soft tissue/retrograde massage
- Manual therapy techniques

*YOU CAN ALSO RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION*
(ie: Google.com)

Please check back in a few days for my next posting.  Thanks for visiting my blog!

Annie Barnett, MSOT, OTR

**TERMS AND CONDITIONS.  The contents of the OccupationalTherapist.com Site, such as text, blogs, graphics, images, and other material contained on the OccupationalTherapist.com Site (“Content”) are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the OccupationalTherapist.com Site!   Reliance on any information provided by the author(s) of this blog is solely at your own risk.**

Welcome to my blog!

My name is Annie Barnett, and I am an occupational therapist. I will tell you a little about myself and where I work.

I have been working as an occupational therapist since May, 2007. My undergraduate degree in communication is from “The University of Scranton” in Scranton, PA. I went on to get my second bachelor’s degree in Health Science as well as my Master’s in Occupational Therapy both from “Mercy College” in Dobb’s Ferry, NY.

I work at suburban therapy center in Cedar Grove, NJ. For 30 years it was a private outpatient practice for physical therapy only. I started the OT program at this facility, and where it was hard in the beginning, I feel I am finally in my groove and doing well. The PTs in this clinic are wonderful to work with, contrary to popular beliefs about OTs and PTs.

I mainly work with orthopedic populations (shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand injuries) secondary to surgical repairs, fractures, overuse syndromes, etc…. I am also making static splints for my appropriate patient candidates.

I am looking into refining my skills in splinting (inlcuding dynamic splinting) by attending courses, and researching with books and the internet. So far, I have attended 4 continuing education courses, and I have 2 more I am registered for these next few weeks.

Suburban offers an inservice every week, given by Peter Barnett, PT, DPT, OCS (the owner) on different topics. We practice using PNF patterns (proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation), and many techniques started by Brian Mulligan. It is a fantastic learning opportunity for manual therapy.

Please visit back…as I am going to dicuss orthopedic conditions, handled by occupational therapists, on my blogs on a weekly basis.

Good luck to all of you who are studying to become occupational therapists. It is a wonderful profession!

Sincerely,

Annie