5 questions about preventing common injuries

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on May 27, 2010 at 12:00 AM

JosePic.JPGPhysical therapist Jose Dominguez talks about help for common injuries.JOSE A. DOMINGUEZ
Physical therapist
Company: Cumberland Physical Therapy
Years in Field: 18

Q: What are the most common injuries that you treat?

A: The most common injuries that we treat in our facilities are related to the lumbar spine (low back) or cervical spine (neck) followed by the shoulder and knee.

Q: Who is usually affected?

A: Anyone is susceptible to suffering from a musculoskeletal injury. Usually injuries are related to the type of activity the person is involved in on a regular basis.

Often, the individual may overuse an area of his or her body by performing an activity repetitively with poor mechanics or without proper training or conditioning to perform that particular activity. In that case, the tissues in a particular area of the body can break down and start a process of pain and inflammation.

At other times, a traumatic injury can take place while the individual is performing a sport, work activity or activities around his/her house.

Q: What therapies are available to deal with the pain?

A: There are numerous approaches to treating musculoskeletal injuries. Based on our evaluation of the patient, we design a program specifically tailored to the individual’s needs.
Therapy techniques to decrease pain and inflammation may be necessary, followed by a progression into a program designed to restore normal mobility and strength of the involved area. Manual techniques, strengthening/stretching programs, aquatic therapy, balance/propioception training and modalities may be utilized as part of the rehabilitation process.

Ultimately, the goal is to return the individual to his/her pre-injury condition as well as to educate him/her in how to prevent future injuries.

Q: What advice do you offer your patients to avoid reinjury?

A: As the patient recovers from the injury, we are constantly educating him/her on how to prevent future injuries through instruction in proper posture and body mechanics, making ergonomic adjustments at home and/or work, teaching proper sports mechanics and training regimens for safe participation in sports. We also encourage our patients to continue the program that we design for them so that their musculoskeletal system is prepared to meet the demands of their work, daily activities or sport.

Q: Are there any ways to prevent the injury in the first place?

A: Basically, the tissues of the body can withstand a certain amount of stress before they break down from repetitive use or from a traumatic force placed upon them. Having the proper fitness level, including good strength, flexibility, balance and posture, can prepare the body to take on any of the challenges brought about by specific work, daily activity or sport.

Additionally, learning to make modifications as necessary to the environment around you in order to minimize those stresses can help prevent injuries in the first place. With each of our patients, we take the time to address any musculoskeletal deficits as well as any external factors that may predispose the patient to an injury. Prevention is critical.

Interview conducted via e-mail by Patriot-News staff.