The statistics on falls for patients over 50 show that for falls that result in hip fractures, 25% result in death after a year! Prevent falls with good balance! Use the simple and quick Unilateral Stance Test, also known as “balancing on one leg.” Do it alone or try it with friends of the sameContinue Reading »
"Almost Daily Health Tips From Physical Therapist Tom Willemann..."
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Author: Tom Willemann
Tom Willemann is a premier physical therapist based out of Bergen County, New Jersey. He holds an MS in physical therapy from the University of Miami, is credentialed in the world-renowned McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT), and holds an OCS (Orthopedic Clinical Specialist) certification. As of 2018, there are approximately 14,000 ABPTS certified specialists in the nation and less than 400 of them are located in the state of New Jersey.
Tom is the owner and director of Apex Orthopedic Rehabilitation in Paramus. He opened the clinic, which specializes in spine and sports injury prevention, in 2004 after many years of experience in the field. Tom’s caring interest in others and his strong belief in continuity of care, combined with his clinic’s ability to find solutions for the most difficult orthopedic problems, have earned Apex Orthopedic Rehabilitation its excellent reputation with patients and medical professionals in northeastern New Jersey and beyond. A true “family man,” Tom takes pride in his clinic’s warm and welcoming environment.
Biker with a hamstring and calf strain
History of a problem is often the key! When did it start? What changed around that time? This information is critical to a therapist’s understanding the origin a patient’s problem. One of our patients suffered a fall that resulted in repairs to his bike. Soon after receiving his bike back he reported pain in theContinue Reading »
Ankle pain and shoelaces—an unexpected connection
We recently had a patient with chronic insertional achilles tendinopathy and anterior distal tibiofibular joint sprain. We looked at his footwear and all seemed to fit well. After trying many types of taping techniques (ie mulligan and kinesio taping) with no decrease in his pain. Finally we had him bring in his boots again andContinue Reading »
Balance Extraordinaire
At Apex Orthopedic Rehabilitation in Wyckoff, NJ we consistently improve our patient’s ability to function in both the athlete and non-athlete. Once an awhile I like to highlight the combination of an individuals unique skills of speed,agility, balance,and coordination. Follow this video of an incredibly talented Scotish trick biker named Danny MacAskill!. As anContinue Reading »
Painful shoulder exercises–are they safe?
The exercises your physical therapist prescribed are causing pain. Could that be recommended practice? Recent studies suggest it may be. Eccentric strengthening in the moderately painful range may blunt pain fibers’ signals to the brain leaving you with decreasing pain as the muscles strengthen. Such strengthening may also assist in stimulating improved tissue repair. EvaluationContinue Reading »
Where is my shoulder pain coming from?
It could be coming from your neck or your shoulder? Unfortunately, I have treated patients that have had shoulder surgery for a fracture, rotator cuff repair, stabilization procedure for shoulder instability or a total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) that didn’t make enough progress. Only later found to find out a portion of their shoulder pain was coming from theirContinue Reading »
Regain Mobility After a Patellar Fracture
A patellar fracture affects the kneecap, which can be easily broken, and often occurs from a fall directly onto the knee. They are most common in people 20 to 50 years of age and affect men twice as often as women. One of three bones making up your knee joint, your kneecap serves as aContinue Reading »
Direct Access In New Jersey
In the state of New Jersey patients have Direct Access to Physical Therapy care. What does Direct Access mean? The Direct Access Law, signed into law in 2003, allows patients to receive care from a licensed physical therapist without seeing a physician first. Insurance is recognizing and covering patients for care received by a physicalContinue Reading »
Synvisc Injections for Osteoarthritis- Why do they work?
For over 10 years patients with osteoarthritis of the knee and shoulder have had an alternative to oral medication for controlling knee or shoulder pain. The advent of the use of an intra-articular injections of mostly known as there brand name Synvisc or Hyaluranon that serve to lubricate the joint surfaces can provide significant painContinue Reading »
Preventing Or Reducing Your Low Back Pain
In my paramus physical therapy practice we discuss key components for those recovering or trying to prevent another episode of low back pain. Here are a few key points: Don’t SIT for greater than 20 minutes at a time Walking program 3x/week for 20-30minutes Make sure your computer work station is ergonomically safe Use aContinue Reading »