As the new year begins, many people focus on improving their health and setting goals for better wellness. If you have been putting off activities you love due to pain or discomfort, or if you are concerned about balance or other physical issues, physical therapy could be the perfect addition to your resolutions. Physical therapy […]
Chair exercises are a great way to engage the joints and burn calories, while also providing several other physical and mental health benefits. Regular practice can help improve: • Posture• Flexibility• Muscle strength• Circulation• Balance A study that gathered feedback from instructors of chair-based exercise programs, highlighted positive outcomes for older adults and individuals with […]
As we age, our muscle tissue, bone density, and overall strength naturally decline, increasing the risk of accidents and injuries that can hinder an active, independent lifestyle. Engaging in strength training is a highly effective method to slow, and potentially reverse, these age-related changes. Strong muscles enhance the body’s efficiency in several ways: Improved Oxygen […]
As patients, many of us have turned to the internet to learn more about health conditions, symptoms, and treatment options. But how does this pre-visit online research impact your appointment with your physical therapist? Is it helpful, or could it potentially lead to confusion? Recent studies shed light on the so-called “Googling Effect” and its […]
As the nation continues to combat the opioid crisis, safer pain management alternatives are gaining the attention they deserve. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) increasingly recommends avoiding opioids for most pain treatments, and physical therapy stands out as a preferred alternative. Rather than masking pain, physical therapy addresses it through movement and […]
Doctors at the University of Utah have introduced a simple yet groundbreaking policy that’s making a big difference for patients with low back pain. Dr. Michael Campian and his team recognized that while treatment guidelines recommend physical therapy as a first-line approach, patients were waiting an average of four weeks or more before receiving a […]
Medications can be lifesaving, but they can also increase the risk of falls. Many drugs may cause blurred vision, dizziness, drowsiness, impaired alertness or judgment, poor balance, and weakened muscles.Sometimes, the issue isn’t just a single medication, but the total number of drugs being taken. Polypharmacy—taking multiple medications—can heighten the severity and frequency of side […]
About 60% of patients seeking primary care for back pain also report associated leg pain, which can include sciatica from nerve root entrapment and referred pain without nerve involvement. Those with leg pain generally experience worse outcomes than those with back pain alone.1-2 Traditionally, sciatica was viewed as a self-limiting condition. However, recent studies highlight […]
Shoulder impingement often results from repetitive activities. Weightlifters, tennis players, painters, and construction workers are particularly at risk. However, everyday tasks like driving, reading, working, and cooking can also contribute, as the postures we adopt during these activities can reduce the subacromial space in the shoulder. The ShoulderThe shoulder consists of three bones connected by […]
The holiday season is filled with activities like cooking, parties, shopping, and travel, making it easy to put physical therapy on the back burner. However, if you’re in PT during the holidays, it’s likely due to pain, recovery from surgery, or a desire to improve your mobility. These issues can overshadow your holiday spirit, so […]
