Overuse is one common cause.  You should never ignore pain if it is consistent and persistent.  It is easier to treat an acute injury completely than it is to treat a condition once it becomes chronic.

Foot mechanics play a heavy role in why some people develop Achilles tendonitis.  When the sub talar joint in the ankle is functioning in neutral you are less likely to develop an Achilles tendon injury when running or cycling.  If you pronate and your sub talar joint turns medial with heel strike to toe off, it creates friction of the tendon.  Overuse of that improper mechanics leads to inflammation, micro-tears and continuous thickening of the sheath.

To treat Achilles tendonitis, you have to have your foot mechanics evaluated by a health care professional.  Ice, rest and the use of modalities i.e. cold laser and or ultrasound,  can significantly reduce your pain.  To prevent Achilles tendonitis, ensure you have proper sneaker wear when running and proper running mechanics.  Additionally, if you are found to pronate, you may benefit from a custom made orthotics to be worn in your sneakers or shoes.

Launching our Upper East Side location:  Cynergy East Physical Therapy – 160 East 93rd Street

Please stop by to check out our new office servicing the upper east side with personalized one on one care.  Our therapists are all endurance athletes and understand the need to get back to your training program ASAP.  Don’t avoid a nagging pain because you think it will get better, treating injuries when they first occur expedite the rehab time and get you back to training faster.

Open House October 26^th at 7 p.m. Cynergy East 160 E93rd Street, 212-996-9700

Core Gym Ball

Clam Shells

Bridge

Core Strengthening: Have you been strengthening your pelvis and core?  If you are running for the first time or for the tenth time, you should not neglect the pelvis and core as it provides stabilization to the extremities.

A few good quick tips:  Bridging with both knees bent or single leg at a time and clam shells to keep the gluteus medius muscle (which helps stabilize the pelvis) strong.

We are proud to announce the expansion of Cynergy Physical Therapy to the East Side!

Lynn Berman and Cynthia Gormezano have joined together to form Cynergy East Physical Therapy.  It is located at 160 E 93rd street, NY NY 10128.  Appointments are now available and we look forward to providing personalized one on one physical therapy services to the Upper East Side.

212-996-9700

I was interviewed for Fitness magazine because of the work I have done with Team in Training.  Who knew having cancer a few times and completing a bunch of endurance of events was so interesting?

My family and I went to the FDR with bikes on a bright sunny day. We met photographers and a hair and makeup stylist and hung out taking pictures in the park.

As a physical therapist, endurance events were always intriguing,  but after having Hodgkin’s the first time, I joined TNT and did my first century ride. It was so exhilirating I got hooked. I found that overcoming Hodgkin’s lymphoma and also completing these events gave me a confidence and sense of accomplishment that no other expereince had given me.

- Cynthia

In some cases, neck pain can be the result of a herniated disc in the cervical spine, from poor posture or from improper head support while sleeping.  Proper ergonomics are integral in treating and avoiding neck pain.  Faulty biomechanics when lifting or pushing heavy objects can also contribute to neck pain. The muscles and ligaments in the neck are tough and flexible but like many things, they have their limits. Stretching the neck too far or twisting it too quickly may lead to strains, sprains, and other injuries to the muscles and ligaments. Intense pain upon waking up may indicate strains that are developed while sleeping. Sprains and strains are common among individuals who experienced car accidents and falls. In addition to these factors, common activities that may cause injuries to the neck may include the following:

• Holding the head in a forward position while engaging in activities like typing, watching television, or reading.
• Spending too much time resting the forehead on the upright fist or arm.
• Improper work or exercise routine that uses the upper body and arms.

Neck pain is effectively treated through joint mobilization, soft tissue mobilization, postural retraining and a supervised stretching and strengthening program.

With a full evaluation, we can identify the cause of pain. Once identified, treatment will address those impairments. As a team, you and one of our physical therapists can get you back to being pain free and return to function.

Ergonomics, lifting and twisting techniques, and postural retraining are all part of a thorough physical therapy program.  Each person comes with a unique set of circumstances and requires an individualized program that can be tailored as progress is made.

Physical therapy for the elbow can include stretches and pain free strengthening. Modalities like heat, ultrasound and or laser are also used to reduce inflammation.  Most importantly, people with elbow pain should avoid the activities that cause forearm pain (e.g., playing tennis) until the injury heals.  Wearing an elbow and forearm brace can help rehabilitate the elbow and prevent recurrence once it has healed.  We offer several different options for braces here at Cynergy physical therapy once a specific diagnosis is identified.

Wearing improper footwear, weakness in the hips and or knees, overuse and trauma caused by accidents can all be causes for complaints of ankle and foot pain. Ankle injuries can happen to you whether you are an athlete, a weekend warrior, a sales person required to stand for long hours or if you simply tripped while walking.

Ankle physical therapy helps manage pain, reduce inflammation, improve flexibility, and strengthen the muscles in your ankle. Ankle physical therapy begins with a thorough evaluation of your ankle as well as an entire lower extremity screening to identify any weakness in the pelvis, hip, knee or calf while also assessing the flexibility of the entire lower extremity and low back.   The physical therapists here at Cynergy Physical Therapy perform a thorough medical history to rule out potential mitigating medical factors.  Video gait analysis is performed to further examine your gait and understand the mechanics of your lower extremity.

Range of movement and strength of your ankle as well the blood circulation and sensation in the injured area are assessed. An effective ankle physical therapy program incorporates strengthening, balance, stretches as well as joint mobilizations, taping, ultrasound and or laser.  A through home exercise program is always tailored to every individual’s needs.

Our physical therapists can make custom orthotics when deemed necessary