One of the biggest stumbling blocks we encounter in physical therapy is continuity. Patients are generally great at keeping up with exercise programs while they are checking in with their PT regularly, and being held accountable. The issue occurs once patients are no longer coming to PT, or once their symptoms have subsided. At this point it is “out of sight, out of mind” for some people. Therein lies the problem.
Continue Reading This Post
We are proud to announce that our very own Jessica Douglas MSPT, OCS, will be speaking at Boston Children's Hospital, Female Athlete Conference on Saturday, June 8th 2013.
Continue Reading This Post
If you've been to just about any gym or physical therapy clinic, you have probably seen a foam roller, and there’s a good chance you've even used one. One useful benefit of a foam roller is self-deep tissue massage. Most people could benefit from some form of soft tissue manipulation to decrease areas of tension in different muscles of the body. Spots of tension can develop from muscle imbalances caused by repetitive activities, or prolonged postures such as sitting several hours. Releasing tension or ‘knots’ in the muscles and surrounding connective tissue helps restore normal blood flow and function to the muscles and nerves in the area.
Continue Reading This Post
Ever wonder why you workout 3-4 times per week, but you just don’t seem to be getting stronger? I hear this all the time:
Continue Reading This Post
When your physical therapist hands you his or her business card, do you ever look at the credentials after the name and scratch your head? OCS? CSCS? DPT? ART?
Continue Reading This Post
Muscle strength testing is a basic component of a physical therapy evaluation. Some more specific muscle tests have been developed to help clinicians evaluate strength in patients in more detail than with previous testing positions. There are several benefits to this type of testing for you, the patient.
Continue Reading This Post
Now that Spring is upon us, and everyone starts coming out of hibernation, I want to offer my advice to those without exercise experience. There are certain exercises I highly recommend you do not perform. I say this from my own personal experience and because I've seen many patients with injuries specifically related to poor exercise execution and gym routines. It should be stated that there are probably people that have been doing these exercises for years and without issues, but that doesn't mean that these exercises are not RISKY! All exercises have risks, just like all sports have risks. Example: Football players take the risk of head injury and skiers take the risk of knee injury. I recommend that if your goal is to lose weight and get into better shape, or to start working out, you need to reduce the risks of injury with your routine. Here is a start.
Continue Reading This Post
The idea of getting in a pool in front of others, or when you are in pain can be a difficult concept to accept. But when dealing with back pain I think those suffering should consider all their options, including aquatic physical therapy. Over the last three months, I have found that my patients coming in for treatment due to low back pain have tried every other option for pain management, but nothing has helped. They are in pain, looking for some form of exercise, and are tired of doctor appointments. Due to the duration of time they have been dealing with this day to day pain, they are stressed out, not sleeping well, and struggling with day to day activities. Getting in the pool and working with a skilled professional to find a pain free form of movement can motivate an individual and possibly lead to a return to exercise in a land based setting.
Continue Reading This Post
Maybe you have walked in to your gym and noticed people rolling on a piece of foam, or one of your running buddies, says “you should get a foam roller, they are great!” So, you might ask, what are these foam rollers all about and why should I use one?
Continue Reading This Post
If you would describe yourself as an athlete, mom, or simply a human being... Functional Training is a valuable tool to incorporate into your daily exercise regimen. When performing awkward positions of bending, lifting, balancing, and twisting, Functional Training (FT) helps to ensure that you handle these activities with greater stability, less effort and less fatigue. The focus of FT is on movement, not on isolated muscle groups. Practicing movement patterns helps you to perform everyday activities safely and efficiently. In other words, if want to get better and stronger at an activity, then you should rehearse the activity.
Continue Reading This Post
