Milwaukee Physical Therapy and Pain Management Specialists

At PROCare Physical Therapy we provide our patients with the highest quality care. We specialize in treating disorders and injuries of the muscles, joints and nervous system. We do this through traditional therapies (hands-on tissue work, therapeutic exercise, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, etc.) and complementary therapies (Pilates, Massage Therapy), which help to promote optimal health and get our patients better more quickly.

During your initial visit a licensed physical therapist will review your medical history, evaluate you for any joint, muscle or neurological dysfunction, prepare a plan of care for future therapy sessions and instruct you in a home exercise program.

Because most patients will spend only 1-3 hours per week in the clinic, it is extremely important that home exercises are performed as instructed. There are no "quick fixes" and your success is a team effort. We work closely with other healthcare specialists throughout Greenfield, Wauwatosa, West Allis, Franklin, and the greater Milwaukee area to provide comprehensive healthcare services and your physician will be kept up-to-date on your progress.

We would be delighted to have you as a new patient. Call us now and we will make every effort to get you scheduled within 24 hours so you can get back to living without pain.

Choose PROCare Physical Therapy for all of your Physical Therapy needs:

• Highly Experienced Staff - Each physical therapist has more than 15 years of experience and multiple certifications to ensure your confidence in us.
• Continuity of Care - One physical therapist oversees your plan of care from beginning to end for a more personal experience.
• Preferred Provider - In-network with most Wisconsin health insurance plans and we will verify your coverage before your initial visit so you won't have any surprises at billing time.
• Committed to Continued Education - This insures that our physical therapists have advanced skills in treatment programs to treat your problems faster.
• Patient Education - Your therapist will teach you a self-management program to prevent future injury.
• Private Pay Packages - For those who choose to pay cash we have rates per visit or pre-paid, discounted packages.
• Self Management - Complete home education programs for recovery and maintenance.
• Convenient Hours - Appointments within 24 hours and open to fit patient schedules.
• Easy Accessibility - Blocks from on/off ramp at 60th street to Layton Ave. Wheelchair friendly building with a ramp to the front door and hand rails.

Milwaukee Area Physical Therapy Services/Products:

• Spine Care Specialists - Pain management without medication or surgery.
• Specializations/Certifications - Manual Therapy, Orthopaedics, Sports Medicine, Strength and Conditioning, Kinesio-Tex Taping, Myofascial Release, Cranio-Sacral Therapy, Strain/Counterstrain.
• Industrial Rehabilitation - Injury prevention, ergonomics and work conditioning program.
• Vestibular and Balance Rehabilitation - Vertigo and dizziness problems.
• Temporomandibular (TMJ) Disorder - Jaw, Neck and Facial pain including headaches from repetitive over-use, trauma or motor vehicle accidents.
• Custom Fabricated Orthotics - Corrective, adaptive and preventative orthotics for any shoe or patient situation.
• Pilates - Core stabilization programs for all spinal patients.
• Massage Therapy - Therapeutic, relaxation, sports, neuromuscular and trigger point therapy.
• Wellness Programs and Products - Basic home and fitness equipment and health supplements and supplies for all your needs. Custom orders also available on our store website.
• Crossbow Evaluations - For bow hunters who have been inpaired by injuries who want to continue to enjoy hunting.

Physical Therapy Services and Products Payment Options:

We strive to make our high-quality services available to anyone who needs them.  In order to do this we offer several payment options.  We are "in-network" with most major insurance carriers and can offer services to most "out-of-network" policy holders also.  Many patients choose to privately pay for their physical therapy services and we offer various options for these patients too.  Please see the "Insurance" tab above for more information.

TRY OUR NEW AQUATIC THERAPY PROGRAM!

This buoyant environment helps patients with:

> Back Pain
> Chronic Pain
> Arthritis
> Fibromyalgia

As well as seniors with weakness/balance problems and pregnant women with low back pain.

Very flexible hours available.

Learn more about our Waukesha aquatic therapy programs.

CALL NOW FOR AN APPOINTMENT 414.858.1360

Physical Therapy Team for the Muskego Hitman!

PROCare Physical Therapy is the Official Physical Therapy Provider of the MUSKEGO HITMEN!

Providing Functional Screening Free to all Muskego Hitmen team members!

If you want your sports team to be provided with Functional Screenings we are located in Greenfield, New Berlin and Franklin. Our physical therapists will have your team playing at its optimum best.

Contact PROCare PT today for Sports Therapy at 414.858.1363

Physical Therapist's Guide to Temporomandibular Joint Disorder

Temporomandibular joint disorder (or "dysfunction") (TMD) is very common as it affects more than 10 million people in the United States.

Jaw pain is one of the symptoms of TMD. It's important for you to know that jaw pain also can be a symptom of a heart attack. Seek medical care immediately if jaw pain is accompanied by:

• Ø Chest pain
• Ø Shortness of breath
• Ø Dizziness
• Ø Left arm pain
• Ø Numbness in your left arm
• Ø Nausea

Causes of TMD?

Bad posture habits. One of the reasons TMJ is so common is because many of us spend a great deal of time sitting at a desk, where we often hold our head too far forward as we work. But there are many other kinds of bad posture. Sitting in the car for a long commute, working at a checkout station, cradling a telephone receiver against the same shoulder for long periods of time, always carrying your child on the same hip-all can place the head in an awkward position and cause jaw problems. The "forward head position" puts a strain on the muscles, disk, and ligaments of the TMJ. The jaw is forced to "rest" in an opened position, and the chewing muscles become overused.

Chronic jaw clenching at night - Many people clench their jaws at night while they sleep, usually because of stress. This puts a strain on the TMJ because of the constant strain on the joint and surrounding muscles.

Problems with teeth alignment ("malocclusion"). If your teeth come together in an unusual way, greater stress is placed on your TMJ.

Fracture - In a traumatic accident involving the face or head, a fracture to the lower jaw may result, and even when the fracture is fully healed, TMJ stiffness and pain may remain.

Surgery - Following surgery to the face and jaw, there may be a loss in mobility and function of the TMJ. 

Trismus ("lockjaw") - A condition where jaw muscles spasm and the jaw cannot be fully opened.  This can be both a cause and a symptom of TMD.

How Does it Feel?

TMD symptoms include:

• Ø Jaw pain
• Ø Jaw fatigue
• Ø Difficulty opening your mouth to eat or talk
• Ø Ringing in your ears
• Ø Dizziness
• Ø Headache
• Ø Popping sounds in your jaw
• Ø Neck pain
• Ø Locking jaw

How Is It Diagnosed?

To identify the cause of the symptoms, your physical therapist will first:

• Ø Review your medical history, and discuss any previous surgery, fractures, or other injuries to your head, neck, or jaw.
• Ø Conduct a physical examination and evaluation of your jaw and neck.

The physical therapist will evaluate your posture and how your cervical spine-your neck-moves. The therapist will examine the TMJ to find out how well it can open and whether there are any abnormalities in jaw motion. The therapist might place his or her hand in your mouth in order to examine your jaw movement.

If, after the examination, the physical therapist suspects that your pain is a result of the position ("alignment") of your teeth, the therapist will refer you to your dentist or specialist for further examination.

How Can a Physical Therapist Help?

Your physical therapist can help restore the natural movement of your jaw and decrease your pain. If the therapist determines that your jaw pain is not related to teeth alignment, the therapist will select treatments that will work best for you. Treatments used by physical therapists for TMJ include:

Posture Education:If your therapist finds that you sit with your head in an increased forward position, this means that you are placing greater strain on the muscles beneath your chin, causing the lower jaw to pull back and the mouth to be in an open position even when resting, and increasing stress on the TMJ. You also might be overworking the jaw muscles to force the jaw closed so your mouth isn't open all the time. Your therapist will teach you to be aware of your posture so that you can improve the resting position of your jaw, head, neck, breastbone, and shoulder blades when you're sitting and walking. 

Improve Jaw Movement: Physical therapists use skilled hand movements called manual therapy to increase movement and relieve pain in tissues and joints. Your therapist also might use manual therapy to stretch the jaw in order to restore normal joint and muscle flexibility (how supple your muscles are) or break up scar tissues ("adhesions") that sometimes develop when there is constant injury.

Your physical therapist will teach you special "low-load" exercises-exercises that don't exert a lot of pressure on your TMJ but that can strengthen the muscles of the jaw and restore a more natural, pain-free motion.

Special Pain Modulation Modalities & Treatments: In addition to manual therapy, if your pain is severe, your physical therapist may decide to use treatments such as electrical stimulation or ultrasound to reduce pain.

If your TMJ is caused by teeth alignment problems, your physical therapist can refer you to a dentist who specializes in TMD who can correct your teeth alignment with special appliances, such as "bit guards," that create a natural resting position of the jaw to relax the TMJ, relieve pain, and improve jaw function.