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: Best Physical Therapist for Upper Back Pain

Best Physical Therapy Exercises Using a Foam Roller

Next up in ActiveCare Physical Therapy‘s series of Common Exercises to Help Muscle Pain, we will discuss the best ways to use a foam roller to help target key areas of the body. Keep reading for instructions on how to make the most of a foam roller to help stretch your muscles:

FOAM ROLLER STRETCHES TO HELP PAIN

FOAM ROLLER STRETCHES TO HELP PAIN
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Thoracic spine (middle back):

Support your head and neck by clasping your hands behind your head.  Foam roller should lay perpendicular to the spine. Starting at the lower thoracic spine, the bottom of the ribs, lean back on the foam roller and roll your body on the foam roller so that the roller moves up toward your head and down toward the bottom of the ribs.

Pec major stretch:

Lie on the foam roller with it parallel to your spine with your head and tailbone supported, knees bent, feet flat on the floor. Bring your arms out to the side at shoulder height, palms facing the ceiling.  Let your arms relax back to the floor.  Feel the stretch in the front of the chest.

Pec minor stretch:

Same position as above.  Bring your arms up overhead and out to the side with the arms above shoulder height, palms facing the ceiling.  Let the arms relax back to the floor.  Feel the stretch in the front of the chest, but more on a vertical line along the side of the chest.

FOAM ROLLER STRETCHES TO HELP PAIN
Photo courtesy of imgarcade.com

Glute Release:

Sit on the foam roller with both legs stretched in front of you. Bend the L knee and place the foot flat on the floor.  Rotate your body slightly to the right and start moving your body with your left foot and R hand so that the foam roller moves up and down on your buttock.  Keep rotating to the right to get more of the muscle belly on the R glute.  To get the side of the glute, cross the Left leg over the right so that you are completely lying on your side with both arms in front of you.

Iliotibial Band Release:

Lie on your R side on the foam roller. Start with the foam roller at the top of your thigh and walk your body up toward your head so that the foam roller moves down toward the outside of your knee.  Left leg is placed on the floor in front of the right leg, or is stacked on the top of the right leg. Both hands are in front of the body and placed on the floor to help move your body up and down on the foam roller.

To learn more about how to use a foam roller to help treat common injuries, give us a call today at 212-777-4374 or visit www.activecarephysicaltherapy.com.

Physical Therapy for Upper Back Pain

 

Physical Therapy for Pain in the Upper BackPhysical Therapy for Upper Back Pain NYC 2

Upper back pain is becoming one of the most common sources of pain for individuals in the computer workforce, as spending a large amount of time sitting in a fixed position can place significant strain on the back. There are a number of sources of pain in the upper back, including trauma, injury, poor posture, muscle irritation, or joint dysfunction in the ribs. Our team of physicians, chiropractors, acupuncturists and massage therapists are ready and willing to work with you to help dissipate your pain and restore full movement to your spine.

Causes of Upper Back PainPhysical Therapy for Upper Back Pain NYC 1

Two of the most common causes of pain in the upper back are joint dysfunction and muscular irritation. Muscular irritation commonly occurs in the muscles located across the shoulders, and is caused by either a lack of strength in these muscles or an injury due to overuse. Muscular irritation can also occur due to muscle strain or trauma.

There are two joints connecting on either side of the spine that serve as anchor points connecting the shoulder muscles to the spine. Dysfunction in these joints can cause upper back pain. Each of these causes is very responsive to physical therapy treatment,which can help to provide long-term pain relief.

Treating Upper Back Pain with Physical Therapy

Physical Therapy for Upper Back Pain NYC 3The most effective type of upper back pain treatment for muscular irritation is manual manipulation of the muscles. Techniques such as chiropractic manipulation, massage therapy, and acupuncture can each help to relax the muscles. Gentle stretching of the muscles combined with strength training can help to reduce irritation and improve the ability of the muscles to withstand use and regain function.

Manual treatment is also effective for symptomatic pain caused by joint dysfunction. Our therapists will help to mobilize the joints, reducing discomfort. You will also be instructed on an exercise regime to stretch the spine, shoulders, and shoulder muscles in order to successfully maintain relief. Our dedicated practitioners are trained in techniques to provide relief for the majority of upper back pain conditions.

Physical Therapy for Upper Back Pain NYC 4Contact us today to rid yourself of pain.