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For many individuals and businesses, summer is a time when things slow down. Not so for the physical therapy staff at Mass Bay Spine & Sport Physical Therapy (MBSSPT) of Marshfield.

According to Brendan Carman, MPT, ATC, who is the orthopedic outpatient physical therapy practice’s founder – summer is their busiest time.

“In the summertime, people want to enjoy the great outdoors and they take on projects and activities that put a stress on muscles and tendons that may not have been used the rest of the year. Even summer footwear can cause a strain,” Carman explained.

Golfing, playing tennis, doing strenuous yard work and other “weekend warrior“ activities can cause neck, shoulder and back problems. Although it sounds like simple common sense, don’t do too much all at once. If you golf or play another sport in the summer, but not during the rest of the year, be aware of signs of muscle fatigue and pain that lasts longer than 48 hours. If you’re a weekend warrior, be sure to space out the work and take on reasonable loads. For example, don’t build a brick or stone wall in a day or spread three yards of mulch in a matter of hours.

Walkers wearing non-supportive footwear and people wearing flip flops, unsupportive sandals or no shoes at all may experience foot and ankle problems. Shoes offering little or no support can strain the plantar fasciia and Achilles tendon, and many people begin to exhibit symptoms mid-summer. A few symptoms of foot issues include pain at the back of heel or under bottom of heel. Key symptoms are pain in the bottom of your foot first thing in the morning (as you get out of bed) or when you are walking without shoes.

Note that normal muscle soreness is usually a 48 hour cycle of aching muscles. When soreness lasts more than two days, it is an indication that there’s more to it. Pain that is closer to joints and tendons, pain that is constant at rest, swelling/heat/redness that is associated with the pain, and pain that is not resolving within 72 hours is something to be concerned about. If you have pain in the knee, shoulder and ankle joint itself, it’s a red flag of strain.

“When you suffer from aches and pains, it’s best to deal with it sooner than later. If caught early, one to two days of rest is usually all that is needed. But, aches and pains that are ignored can become more significant. The tissues break down and can become an injury if not addressed promptly. Then, it can take weeks to resolve the issue,” explained Carman.

About MBSSPT

Mass Bay Spine & Sport Physical Therapy (MBSSPT) is an orthopedic outpatient physical therapy practice. MBSSPT, a state-of-the-art facility owned and operated by a physical therapist, has earned a reputation for superior clinical care and delivery of services to South Shore community members as well as physicians from Boston to Plymouth.

The practice’s highly trained staff is committed to providing clients with an experience that will ensure their condition is resolved effectively and efficiently, while empowering them with the necessary tools and knowledge to prevent future problems and maintain optimal health. All of the practice’s physical therapists are trained to rehabilitate a variety of conditions utilizing treatment techniques that include soft tissue massage/mobilization, therapeutic and strengthening exercises, neuromuscular reeducation, gait training, patient education, and lumbar stabilization, to name a few. MBSSPT accepts Medicare, Workers’ Compensation, auto insurance, and most private insurance plans.

Mass Bay Spine & Sport Physical Therapy is located at 506 Plain Street in Marshfield. For more information, visit www.massbayspineandsport.com or call (781) 319-0024.

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