EXPERT
Dr. Kai Morigawara, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist
Kai Morigawara is a physical therapist practicing in Aiea, HI. Kai Morigawara specializes in physical treatment to help a patient reduce pain, restore mobility, rehabilitate an injury, or increase movement and overall function. As a physical therapist, Kai Morigawara can treat multiple conditions with exercises, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, joint mobilization, heat, ice, massage, laser or light therapy and more. Kai Morigawara will create a treatment plan based on the patients specific injury or condition, and might target a specific body part or body system based on the individual.
15 years
Experience
Dr. Kai Morigawara, PT, DPT
- Aiea, HI
- University of Hawaii at Manoa
- Accepting new patients
Exercise a Panacea. Part 1: Arthritis
A healthy joint is like two smooth pieces of paper sliding against each other. Arthritis, or joint damage, is like adding crinkles to the papers with the friction causing pain...
exercise
The two most important universal tips I can give are to find something that has one aspect that is fun and enjoyable. If you are not going to continue with it, there is not as READ MORE
The two most important universal tips I can give are to find something that has one aspect that is fun and enjoyable. If you are not going to continue with it, there is not as much benefit from the exercising. The second critical aspect is something that is pain free. If you have pain, you are only reinforcing the problem causing the overuse straining of the knees.
Can disc hernia cause issues with hands and legs?
If there is nerve root impingement and or irritation, the hand symptoms would normally be associated with the neck and the legs associated with the low back. It is possible for READ MORE
If there is nerve root impingement and or irritation, the hand symptoms would normally be associated with the neck and the legs associated with the low back. It is possible for the neck to be causing both. At the same time, they could be completely unrelated to the nerves of the spine. If the pain in the thighs are only muscular, the hamstring are compensating and attempting to maintain stability. Similarly, the hand could be isolated nerve impingement in the arm. Preventative screening would be best since determining the source of the problem is the best way to fix them.
What could be the reason behind mid back pain?
Mid back pain is the most uncommon, but like all spinal pains, the most common problems are fatigue related impingement (the muscles get tired and cannot maintain the structural READ MORE
Mid back pain is the most uncommon, but like all spinal pains, the most common problems are fatigue related impingement (the muscles get tired and cannot maintain the structural stability after X amount of time in the same position), and hinging mechanics placing too much strain on a spot (rather than every bone contributing a fair share, stiffness in other areas forces the extra work elsewhere). If you are having severe pain, complete alleviation to be able to do whatever you want, as much as you want with no pain, is unlikely without fixing the problems causing the compensations. I would suggest having it checked out to find what is causing the severe compensations.
Can PT help with motion sickness?
Yes, and especially if you go to someone that specializes with "vestibular therapy". The inner ear is key to the body's balance. Knowing how the eyes, inner ear, and spine work READ MORE
Yes, and especially if you go to someone that specializes with "vestibular therapy". The inner ear is key to the body's balance. Knowing how the eyes, inner ear, and spine work together to keep a sense of balance is necessary. Because there are so many moving parts, most people may not be able to isolate what the problem is. If the intensity of nausea is only slight, that is a great indicator that the problem is slight. However, it is still possible to have a slight problem in all three areas. If all movements are symptomatic, this would lean towards a problem being present in two, if not three, of the systems.
Is it normal to have pain and swelling after an arthroscopic surgery?
It is normal to have swelling immediately after any arthroscopic surgery because swelling is the first step to the healing process. The blood has to carry nutrients/building blocks READ MORE
It is normal to have swelling immediately after any arthroscopic surgery because swelling is the first step to the healing process. The blood has to carry nutrients/building blocks to the injury and take away the waste products. However, it is not normal for this to last three months. This indicates something is still being damaged, and it could be something as simple as the swelling itself causing pinching (impingement). I would suggest following through with the consultation.
What is electrical stimulation for?
There are two main uses for electrical stimulation. The more common usage is a TENS unit for decreasing pain. There should be no muscle activation of any kind during this treatment. READ MORE
There are two main uses for electrical stimulation. The more common usage is a TENS unit for decreasing pain. There should be no muscle activation of any kind during this treatment.
The second usage is to increase the activation of a muscle. The goal is to safely maximize the muscle contracting. Assuming there are no structural limitations, like a surgery, the goal is to increase the output to the maximal tolerance that you can comfortably handle. This is a unique experience to have something else (and potentially someone else if the therapist controls the output) control your muscles.
The second usage is to increase the activation of a muscle. The goal is to safely maximize the muscle contracting. Assuming there are no structural limitations, like a surgery, the goal is to increase the output to the maximal tolerance that you can comfortably handle. This is a unique experience to have something else (and potentially someone else if the therapist controls the output) control your muscles.
How long does it take for an ankle ligament tear to heal?
The ligament takes around eight months to heal. The ligament is not the limiting factor to moving though. The limiting factor is the amount that the tendons stabilize the ankle. READ MORE
The ligament takes around eight months to heal. The ligament is not the limiting factor to moving though. The limiting factor is the amount that the tendons stabilize the ankle. This is why people can resume almost any level of activity after a few days for a "low ankle sprain".
If there are still problems six months ago, this guarantees that the ankle muscles do not have the coordination to hold the ankle stable. With the problem lasting this long, there could also be additional damage to other areas. If there are additional painful areas, I would highly suggest getting it assessed by a physician or doctor of PT if you are in an area with direct access to PT treatments.
If there are still problems six months ago, this guarantees that the ankle muscles do not have the coordination to hold the ankle stable. With the problem lasting this long, there could also be additional damage to other areas. If there are additional painful areas, I would highly suggest getting it assessed by a physician or doctor of PT if you are in an area with direct access to PT treatments.
I'm only 23 and experiencing knee pain during exercise. Why?
An in person assessment would be necessary to guarantee, but if you are active, the muscles are still stabilizing and protecting the joint from developing arthritis. However, overloading READ MORE
An in person assessment would be necessary to guarantee, but if you are active, the muscles are still stabilizing and protecting the joint from developing arthritis. However, overloading or inadequate maintenance and healing would be the most likely source of the knee pains. Treatments that restore the normal distribution of workload throughout the entire leg and back will allow for both alleviation and prevention.
How do physical therapists interact with kids?
For all pediatric cases, with one exception below, treatments should always be game based. A child's "job" outside of school is to play and learn from those experiences. Forcing READ MORE
For all pediatric cases, with one exception below, treatments should always be game based. A child's "job" outside of school is to play and learn from those experiences. Forcing a child to do "standard PT" is incorrect. The exception would be if they want to or benefit most from a regimented routine of exercises.
Can physical therapy help my daughter's juvenile arthritis?
Yes, physical therapy is the perfect means of not only alleviating symptoms, but preventing them from returning. However, this is dependent on correctly finding and fixing the READ MORE
Yes, physical therapy is the perfect means of not only alleviating symptoms, but preventing them from returning. However, this is dependent on correctly finding and fixing the problem (which is in turn dependent on the skill of the PT assessing and treating your daughter). Prevention is only possible when the unconscious wrong movements are completely corrected.
My knees are cracking all the time - Do I need PT?
If there is no pain, stiffness, or any discomfort then there is nothing to be worried about. The cracking (joint crepitus) is a sign of minuscule instability if you have no other READ MORE
If there is no pain, stiffness, or any discomfort then there is nothing to be worried about. The cracking (joint crepitus) is a sign of minuscule instability if you have no other symptoms. If you do have pain and especially during the cracking, then that is definitely something to be worried about.
I was diagnosed with torticollis and need to go to physical therapy. What kind of treatment will I receive?
No matter what the field, treatments that are specific to both you and the specific part of the neck are what will lead to both the best and the fastest improvements. With something READ MORE
No matter what the field, treatments that are specific to both you and the specific part of the neck are what will lead to both the best and the fastest improvements. With something like torticollis, the right and left sides of the neck are guaranteed to be different. Even from bone to bone, each segment of the neck can have astronomical differences.
So if you are not getting some level of immediate improvements, the treatments are not being tailored enough to you.
So if you are not getting some level of immediate improvements, the treatments are not being tailored enough to you.
Will physical therapy help me with my leg pain?
Proper physical therapy should not only allow for immediate improvements, but also give you the knowledge and tools necessary to prevent the leg pain from returning. Correct treatments READ MORE
Proper physical therapy should not only allow for immediate improvements, but also give you the knowledge and tools necessary to prevent the leg pain from returning. Correct treatments apply to any field (massage, chiropractics, acupuncture, etc.). However, exercising is the only way to guarantee the muscles maintain the necessary protection/stability. Although similar changes to the muscle occur with correct treatments of any type, for most people it is only a temporary change. Periodic "maintenance" sessions should not be necessary after physical therapy so that is the added benefit to take into consideration.
