Physical Therapists News

Physical therapy looks different for every patient with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) because treatment changes throughout their life as the disease progresses and different medications become available. With Michael, a patient I work with who has SMA, we’ve had many changes in our goals and approaches throughout the…

Coccyx, or tailbone, mobilization, internal and external, has been a helpful treatment for one of my patients, reducing  tailbone pain. For Michael, who has spinal muscular atrophy, treatments change as his body and other therapies evolve and as his disease progresses. Recently, we scheduled an…

One of my patients, Michael, who has spinal muscular atrophy, has continued to experience increased pain and pressure along his coccyx and into his right hip while sitting in his wheelchair all day. He is unable to move his lower extremities independently and is reliant on sitting in…

A patient I work with who has spinal muscular atrophy, Michael, continues to experience pain in his right hip with prolonged sitting since moving to a new wheelchair earlier this year. He has continued to lose muscle mass in his hip, leading to increased pressure on his sciatic…

As previously discussed, Michael, our patient who has spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), spends all of his time sitting in his wheelchair or laying in his bed. With the lack of mobility and change in positions, he experiences a significant amount of stiffness in multiple joints and areas of his…

I’ve been on leave for a few months, while Michael, a patient I work with who has spinal muscular atrophy, has been working with other therapists at my office. Over the next few weeks, I will be returning as Michael’s primary physical therapist. My plan is to meet…

When a person lives in a home where they need help with everyday activities, they usually have an in-home caregiver or live in an assisted community. It is preferable that they are able to live in their home with help, as it increases comfort and a sense of independence,…

Prior to any planned break, a therapist should have a plan for their patients while they are gone, who will work with them, and coordinate with the new therapist to ensure all of the patient’s information is passed along correctly. This is especially true for a patient like Michael, who…

I’ve been working with a patient, Michael, who has spinal muscular atrophy. Michael uses a motorized wheelchair, and recently moved to a new chair. Since then, he has experienced increased right hip and tailbone pain off and on with numbness down his right leg as he’s tried to get…

It is important to reach out to other healthcare professionals if you are working with a patient who has a long-lasting complaint you are not able to fully solve. Michael, a patient I work with who has spinal muscular atrophy, has continued to experience increased tailbone pain since…