ACTIVECARE PHYSICAL THERAPY ®

Heal Yourself With the Best!

About ActiveCare Physical Therapy®

The Best Physical Therapists in NYC

  • Our therapists are licensed in New York State and active members in the American Physical Therapy Association. We have advanced training in joint mobilization and myofascial release techniques.
  • We are dedicated practitioners with a passion for the profession and a comprehensive, holistic approach to treatment and healing. We treat each patient as an individual and treat the whole person, with a plan of care designed to meet the patient’s set goals for health, functionality and a return to work, tasks and activities. We network with a team of physicians, chiropractors, acupuncturists and massage therapists in order to provide guidance to other modalities that may be effective in the patients’ care. We also offer superior Telehealth services for physical therapy.
  • Physical Therapist and owner Dr. Karena Wu PT, DPT, OCS is a graduate of the Program in Physical Therapy at Columbia University and is affiliated with several healthcare organizations in New York City. She is certified as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist, Kinesio Taping Practitioner and Pilates Instructor, and uses SpiderTech Taping. She is also a Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist, Strength and Conditioning Specialist, Graston Technique Specialist and Pilates Instructor. She holds LSVT BIG, FMS and SFMA Level 1 certifications as well. Dr. Wu also specializes in vertigo and temporomandibular joint disorders.
  • ActiveCare is primarily an out-of-network facility. We accept all insurance with out-of-network benefits and file for most major insurance plans. We work with all prospective patients to create workable payment plans regardless of insurance coverage.
  • ActiveCare accepts Medicare, No-Fault and Workers’ Compensation patients depending on schedule availability.
  • ActiveCare’s administrators provide seamless and efficient concierge-style client service to all of our patients. And the whole ActiveCare team makes sure your time with us is a beneficial, productive and enjoyable experience.

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Category Archives: Uncategorized

Volleyball Shoulder Injuries: Causes, Prevention, and Treatment

In this post, we’ll explore the causes of volleyball shoulder injuries, strategies for prevention, and the role of physical therapy in treatment. Volleyball is an exhilarating and physically demanding sport that requires agility, power, and precise coordination. While it’s a fantastic way to stay active and enjoy camaraderie with teammates, volleyball can also put players at risk for various injuries, particularly in the shoulders. Shoulder injuries are quite common among volleyball players due to the repetitive overhead motions involved in serving, spiking, and blocking.

Common Causes of Volleyball Shoulder Injuries

Volleyball shoulder injuries can result from various factors, including:

1. Overuse

Repetitive overhead movements can strain the shoulder muscles and tendons, leading to overuse injuries like tendinitis and bursitis.

2. Poor Technique

Incorrect serving, spiking, or blocking techniques can place excessive stress on the shoulder joint and muscles, increasing the risk of injury.

3. Muscle Imbalances

Weakness or imbalances in the shoulder muscles can affect stability and lead to injuries.

4. Fatigue

Fatigued muscles are more susceptible to injuries. Long volleyball matches or rigorous training sessions can contribute to shoulder issues.

5. Lack of Warm-up and Stretching

Failing to properly warm up and stretch before playing can leave the shoulder muscles tight and prone to injury.

Preventing Volleyball Shoulder Injuries

Prevention is key when it comes to shoulder injuries in volleyball. Here are some strategies to reduce the risk:

1. Proper Technique

Work with a qualified coach to ensure your serving, spiking, and blocking techniques are correct to minimize stress on the shoulder.

2. Strength and Conditioning

Incorporate shoulder-specific strength training exercises into your fitness routine to build muscle strength and stability.

3. Warm-up and Stretch

Always warm up before playing and include dynamic stretching exercises to prepare your shoulder muscles.

4. Rest and Recovery

Allow your body adequate time to recover between matches or training sessions. Fatigue increases injury risk.

5. Listen to Your Body

Pay attention to any signs of discomfort or pain in your shoulders. Rest and seek medical attention if needed.

Treatment of Volleyball Shoulder Injuries

Shoulder injuries should be addressed promptly to prevent further damage and expedite recovery. Treatment may include:

1. Rest

Resting the affected shoulder is essential to allow it to heal properly.

2. Physical Therapy

Physical therapy can help restore strength, flexibility, and range of motion in the shoulder. Therapists use various techniques, exercises, and modalities to facilitate recovery.

3. Anti-Inflammatory Medications

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be prescribed to reduce pain and inflammation.

4. Injections

In some cases, corticosteroid injections may be administered to alleviate pain and inflammation.

5. Surgery

Surgery may be necessary for severe shoulder injuries, such as rotator cuff tears or labral tears.

How Physical Therapy Can Help

Physical therapy plays a crucial role in the recovery process for volleyball shoulder injuries. A physical therapist will create a personalized rehabilitation plan tailored to your specific injury and needs. This plan may include:

1. Range of Motion Exercises

Gentle exercises to improve shoulder flexibility and mobility.

2. Strengthening Exercises

Targeted exercises to rebuild and strengthen the shoulder muscles.

3. Manual Therapy

Hands-on techniques to alleviate pain, improve circulation, and enhance tissue healing.

4. Functional Training

Training to regain functional strength and stability for volleyball-specific movements.

5. Injury Prevention Strategies

Education on proper techniques, warm-up routines, and exercises to prevent future injuries.

Conclusion

Volleyball shoulder injuries are a common occurrence among players, but with the right prevention strategies and timely treatment, they can be effectively managed and overcome. If you’ve experienced a shoulder injury while playing volleyball, consider seeking the expertise of a physical therapist, such as those at ActiveCare Physical Therapy™. Our team can provide specialized care and guidance to help you return to the sport you love safely and with confidence.

Dr. Karena Wu, owner of ActiveCare PT is the AVP Medical Director and Alexandra Corinaldesi, PT is a seasoned volleyball player. She was a libero for indoor volleyball! Our team has the background and experience to provide specialized care and guidance to help you return to the sport you love safely and with confidence.

Contact Information

ActiveCare Physical Therapy™
29 West 38th Street, Suite 601
New York, NY 10018
Phone: (212) 777-4374
Email: staff@bestptnyc.com
Website: https://activecarephysicaltherapy.com/

Dr. Karena Wu has joined the esteemed Maitland Australian Physiotherapy Seminars (MAPS) Faculty

Dr. Karena Wu has joined the esteemed Maitland Australian Physiotherapy Seminars (MAPS) Faculty and finished her Fellowship in Orthopaedic Manual Therapy through MAPS and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists (AAOMPT).

MAPS is the worldwide leader in Maitland education for physical therapists/physiotherapists. MAPS is accredited in the US and exceeds the IFOMPT International Standards and grants reciprocal recognition in 24 Member Countries of IFOMPT (www.ifompt.org).

Karena Wu MAPS fellowship

7 Signs That Your Joint Pain Is Serious

ActiveCare Physical Therapy participates with the Arthritis Foundation to promote awareness of how to take care of your joints. Dr. Karena Wu describes some joint signs that should be a warning for you to get your joints checked. The physical therapists role in rehabilitation is to help reduce pain and inflammation in the body and recover the best quality of living. To see her comments, click here.

Got Neck Pain? Here’s How to Treat It

To continue on causes and treatment for neck pain, ActiveCare Physical Therapy owner, Dr. Karena Wu contributes to another article on neck conditions. She has treated spinal pain for almost two decades. A lot of aches and pain can be treated at home with self-management techniques. In this story, she discusses the causes and some treatment options for your neck pain. Hint: it might be the phone or tablet you are looking at right now.

https://aaptiv.com/magazine/neck-pain

MINIMIZE POST-WORKOUT SORENESS WITH THESE TRAINER-APPROVED TIPS

It’s the weekend and it’s time to get a longer workout in! NYC Best Physical Therapist Dr. Karena Wu discusses the importance of stretching after those workouts. Physical therapists guide their clients in proper activities of daily living as well as recreational activities during rehabilitation but to minimize soreness after a good workout, it is important to understand why to stretch. To read her comments, click here

13 tips to help you get back into a fitness routine

It’s raining and it’s cold but it’s not too late to continue your fitness regime. NYC’s Best Physical Therapist Dr. Karena Wu and her offices in NYC and Mumbai work with both patients that are injured and wellness clients for maintenance. The ActiveCare Physical Therapy staff is always giving advice on gradual return to sports and recreational activities.

To avoid injuries this weekend, it is important to follow these tips to get back into your fitness routine. To read the story, click here.

 Click for Business Insider Malaysia story.

Try these tips for enjoying the best sleep during a flight

Thanksgiving week is here! And travel knows no bounds with the holiday travel season upon us. Pulse Nigeria picks up on the travel story NYC’s Best Physical Therapist, Dr. Karena Wu contributed to. As a business traveler, she has experienced and watched travelers do good and bad things. Read the story again to learn the best airplane travel tips during your next flight to see the family. To see the story, click here: Pulse.ng

Thanks Jorge!

Dr. Karena Wu in Maitland-Australian Physiotherapy Seminars

Dr. Karena Wu is participating in a fellowship program in orthopedic manual physical therapy through the Maitland-Australian Physiotherapy Seminars (MAPS). Her research commentary was published by MAPS in July 2018 regarding the use of NSAID’s and muscle healing. This work reviews a published article. It discusses the use of non-steroidal and steroidal anti-inflammatory medications in acute and chronic musculoskeletal injuries. It gives important advice for treatment after injuries. ActiveCare Physical Therapy, PC promotes education and is a host facility for MAPS continuing education seminars. To read the article, click here.

American Volleyball Professionals Medical Director, Physical Therapist Karena Wu.

The Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) officially wrapped up its 2018 season with a grand finale partnership with King of the Court in Huntington Beach, California on September 22-23, 2016.

AVP Medical Director, Dr. Karena Wu went on AVP sponsor Amazon Prime to discuss what goes on in the medical tent at each of their tournaments. The multi-disciplinary medical tent offers medical services for the athletes to keep them in good health and help them continue on their quest to compete to win.

24 Fitness Myths to Debunk for Your Next Workout

Dr. Karena Wu was asked to debunk fitness myths as the weather finally warms up. Physical therapy always includes guidance to the patient on their gradual return to their recreational activities. The best advice, just get your workout in! This article features her comments on slides 4, 7, 11, 13 and 15. To see the full article, click here.

 

3 major weather hurdles that can threaten a marathon runner’s race

Running is a common warm weather sport. ActiveCare Physical Therapy preps marathoners who are running in local and global marathon events. Knowing the hazards can make this sport safe and fun, especially if you are running one at home or in another country. Marathon running is a repetitive exercise for a long, long period of time which can cause undue stresses on the body if not done correctly. Dr. Karena Wu discusses some of the hazards that you might encounter during any race, let alone a marathon. To see her comments, click here.

How To Become A Better Runner If You’re A Beginner

Spring has officially started and beginning a running program can be daunting. The biggest problem people have is doing too much too fast. The persistent cool weather also lets you go too long, too far and too fast because it reduces your perception of discomfort (ever continue running in the winter because your thighs are numb?). ActiveCare Physical Therapy’s patients participate in running different distances in many states and countries but the actions of running are the same. Dr. Karena Wu contributes to this article to discuss the small steps you can take to go from a beginner to a seasoned pro without injury.  To read the article, click here.

Pilates Style magazine reached out to Dr. Wu


Dr. Karena Wu is a board-certified orthopedic clinical specialist in physical therapy and a Certified Pilates instructor. She has been incorporating the holistic principles of Pilates into her rehabilitation practice since 2005. Pilates Style magazine reached out to Dr. Wu to get some of her tips on gratitude and its impact on health. She highlights the importance of the mind body connection in rehabilitation. Going back to basics helps to reduce tension in ourselves, those around us and the world we live in today. To see the full article, click here.