Physical Medicine

A plan to recover and return to activity most efficiently may include exercises, medications, physical therapy, or injections.  Based on your injury, sports or fitness activity, goals, and history, a strategy to return you to active health will be prescribed and thoroughly explained.

Sports Medicine

Dr. Swedan provides expert evaluation of your injury, health, and fitness level to fine tune your exercise and rehabilitation program to fit your goals and activity. As a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist, she offers nonoperative management of most sports injuries. She will design the best therapy program for you to facilitate efficient and successful return to your sport or activity level. Because she is part of a prominent orthopedic and sports medicine practice, surgical consultation is available usually within the same day as your visit. X-Rays can be done in the office to immediately rule out fractures or bone disease. If referral for MRIs or other diagnostic tests are requested, your results will be available to you often within the next working day.

Women's Sports Health

It is her belief that the best sports care comes from a physician with experience clinically, academically, and athletically. Dr. Swedan combines these strengths to offer patients and clients state of the art sports and injury medical knowledge as it applies specifically to active women at all ages and levels. Issues specific to females include ligament laxity, bone health and osteoporosis, risk factors, pregnancy health and fitness, hormonal cycles, and gender-related risk of injuries.

Injury Prevention

Ideally, you are exercising without pain or health risks.  Still, you may display behaviors or postures which may lead to injuries.  Dr. Swedan will analyze your sports habits (ie: running style, racquet grip, and training program) to minimize your risk of injury. The right conditioning exercises also actively prevent injury.  These factors are individual and suggested by your patterns of activity, body type, and history. Dr.Swedan can assess your risk and guide you in injury prevention specific to your activity.

Exercise Prescription

Whether you are just beginning an exercise program or are a long time athlete, a sports medicine perspective with knowledge of your goals, strengths, and weaknesses will fine tune your exercise program to provide the maximum benefit for your overall health and well-being.  This includes comprehensive muscular, postural, neurologic, and foot alignment assessment.

Cold Laser

Cold laser, also known as laser light therapy and low level light therapy, is an FDA approved cutting edge treatment for pain and injuries. Just as laser is revolutionizing medical treatments in surgery, dermatology, and cosmetic procedures, it is at the forefront of technology in the field of sports medicine and pain management. Cold laser is a painless, non-invasive, side-effect free procedure. Treatment involves directly bathing the injured body cells in light by placing a wand that looks similar to a flashlight flush against bare skin. The full session takes less than ten minutes.

The healing power of cold laser is due to cell penetration where it excites photons at the mitochondrial level. The cells are stimulated to increase circulation, decrease inflammation and speed healing and cell turnover. Cold laser penetrates to depths varying based on the light wavelength; longer wavelengths penetrate deeper, enabling structures such as the pyriformis muscle, hip tendons, and deep spine muscles to heal. Some cold laser treatments include a range of wavelengths from low level laser, the most focused beam at 700-100 nanometers (nm); to super luminous diodes, less focused and penetrating including infrared at 660-880 nm; to light emitting diode, a red light that is the most superficial and diffuse at 620-690 nm. Power is another variable in laser treatment; the more power, the shorter treatment time and greater depth of penetration. Power is measured in milliwatts. Wavelength and power differs from unit to unit and can often be adjusted within each unit.

While each laser brand has various standards of treatment, my Chattanooga Vectra Genisys laser also adds infrared treatment, a modality which contributes to healing by improving circulation in the treatment area. The clinical results in my office and those of physical therapists who I work with, are incredible. In just five weekly treatments, I have witnessed patients recover from such potentially chronic conditions as coccyx pain, plantar fasciitis, finger sprains, meniscus tears, frozen shoulders, and hamstring sprains. Cold laser relaxes painful muscle spasms and can cut swelling, bruising, and healing time in half. Movement is quickly restored as tight muscles are immediately released. Patients usually notice these differences within 24 hours.

There are few drawbacks. Medical contraindications include areas of cancer, and directly over the heart and carotid sinuses. Laser is FDA approved in the United States, and health insurance often reimburses a portion of the treatment. The benefits are overwhelming. I have been thrilled with the results and am proud to be able to offer this alternative to medications, injections, and surgery. Cold laser allows my patients to get back to their active, pain-free lives faster and without side effects, scarring, or risk of complications.