Author Archives: Emily Jones

Michael and I have been working together for the past couple of years, and while speaking with each other about my March HCP article, we thought that doing a question-and-answer article would be interesting. Michael would ask me 5 questions, and I would ask him 5 questions. We hope that…

Dry needling has been a popular treatment in the world of physical therapy for the past few years and is continuing to gain popularity with more research being performed. There are many different reasons to use dry needling to improve your patients’ function, with the main reason being to relax…

Transitioning from one wheelchair to another can be especially difficult for people with SMA. Most of the time, it is suggested that you receive a new wheelchair approximately every five years. As for my patient who has SMA, he has been in the same wheelchair for nineteen years. There have…

Even though physical therapy focuses on the physical state of a patient, it can also act as an emotional relief for some patients. Our patient with SMA, Michael, is not able to get out of his house very much during the week, as he works from home and requires a…

During physical therapy, there are many different techniques that can be utilized to maximize the patient’s care. Some of these can include different manual techniques such as soft tissue massage, edema reduction massage, and manual stretching to increase the comfort and functional mobility of the patient. As we have previously…

Balance is typically a part of everyone’s treatment plan during physical therapy. Whether you have back pain or ankle pain, improving your balance carries over to an increase in functional mobility that will in turn improve your functional strength and increase your safety, typically assisting to improve the ailment you…

In previous articles, we have discussed different techniques for manual stretching to improve functional mobility and range of motion for Michael, my patient with SMA. We have discussed the importance of maintaining and increasing range of motion in joints such as ankles, knees, hips, elbow, hand, and cervical spine. These…

As we’ve discussed in previous articles, most patients with SMA sit in a wheelchair all day, therefore increasing the likelihood of experiencing increased swelling in their feet and ankles. For able-bodied individuals, when they walk, their legs are in a gravity dependent position, and there is a natural…

As we have previously discussed in earlier articles, wheelchairs play a main role in the daily lives of many patients with SMA. Over the past ten years, wheelchairs have changed for the better, and now have many customizable options available that can very much benefit the patient. Things such as…

Before meeting Michael, my patient with SMA, I had a lack in knowledge of what SMA really was, and what kind of goals were realistic to set for him to meet. I had no idea what my expectations should be regarding his progress and how to meet those expectations. I…