FirstCare Medical Center sees many patients each day with Lyme Disease and Tick Bites.
The most common vector borne illness in the United States is Lyme disease, with the majority of cases concentrated in 13 states including New York according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC). There are 30,000 cases of Lyme disease reported each year; until after the early stage symptoms have developed and a rash emerges near the bite site more than half of the cases end up not reported. A diagnosis of Lyme disease is often based on a patient’s symptoms and laboratory blood tests. Treatment begins as soon as possible. Lyme disease has a variety of treatments depending on what stage the patient is exhibiting.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are the first step in the early treatment of Lyme disease. Amoxicillin, Ceftin and doxycycline are the three most common antibiotics prescribed orally for treatment. Taken orally for two to four weeks, most early stage infections are fully treatable with antibiotics alone. Serious cases of Lyme disease need intravenous (IV) antibiotics, especially when the nervous system has been affected by the infection or if the patient has arthritis. Intravenous use of Rocephin is often used on patients experiencing heart symptoms.
Physical Therapy
If Lyme disease is not treated in the early stages, it can cause problems with the heart and nervous system, and trigger arthritis and chronic pain, or fatigue and musculo skeletal pain. These conditions are often referred to ask “Post-treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome” (PTLDS). Physical therapy helps design specific treatment routines that cater to each patient needs, helping reduce the symptoms of Lyme disease and allow the body to heal faster. Physical therapy treatment typically include massage and stretching, ice and heat or electrical stimulation to reduce pain and swelling. Exercise that will strengthen the body and increase the core muscle warmth and oxygen levels killing off Lyme-specific bacteria. Then additional stretches and exercise training is included in the physical therapy to enhance movement and reduce stress on the joints.
In addition to physical therapy, we offer traditional and holistic treatment to help reduce the symptoms of Lyme disease earlier and get you back on your feet again.