The Joint Ventures' Blog

As a physical therapist, I find myself answering questions about the hot topics in the rehabilitation world. The topics can range from Michael Phelps' use of cupping, to the use of dry needling for low back pain. ‘Sitting is the new smoking’ is a phrase that has been credited to Dr. James Levine, a professor of Medicine at the Mayo Clinic, and since has gained popularity as something I often get asked about. That phrase is based off, and backed by, multiple studies including a recent one conducted by Diaz KM, et al in 2017. The study concluded that the total volume of sedentary time, and its accrual in prolonged, uninterrupted bouts, are associated with all-cause mortality. In plain English, the longer you stay in a seated position, the increased your risk is of an early death. That's a huge finding!  But have no fear, there are a few steps in between sitting and death! 

Continue Reading This Post

Most patients don’t even know they have pelvic floor muscles, much less that there is physical therapy to treat them. 
 

Continue Reading This Post

We have mentioned in previous posts how words matter a lot, and the language we use shapes the reality of our bodies and health. This is no different than the narrative that is commonly spoken in our society about aging. Statements like, “I am just getting old” and, “it’s due to old age” are so frequently used that most people don’t even realize they are saying it. The phrase, “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks”, has become a part of our vernacular to excuse someone’s habits and behavior patterns without any hope to change.  

Continue Reading This Post

Do you want to be more explosive so you can jump higher, run faster, be more agile, improve overall fitness, and help decrease your risk of injury? If you do, you may benefit from plyometric exercises. Plyometric training is a very specific mode of exercise, but it has a broad applicability to any activity that requires deceleration or acceleration of the body or the exertion of forces against the ground or an object. This is true with many athletic activities including running, jumping, throwing, and changing directions, but also with many daily activities.  

Continue Reading This Post

Today marks the start of a well-deserved vacation. At the airport, as you bend forward to lift your bag, your back quickly tightens up and your big week abroad flashes before your eyes. What do we do when our back starts talking to us? 

Continue Reading This Post

Spring seems to be the overhead athlete season. It marks the beginning of baseball, softball, lacrosse, tennis, and the CrossFit open, among others. Great demands placed on the shoulder, scapula (shoulder blade), and thoracic spine (middle of the back) during these sports often brings on the onset of shoulder pain. However, not all shoulder pain is directly related to the shoulder, and may in fact be a combination of shoulder, scapula, and spine coordination.1  

Continue Reading This Post

Words do matter, a lot. Language shapes the way we think and perceive our worlds, including our very own bodies and health. While the mind can seem separate from the body, it’s rather the opposite. Advancements in neuroscience research allow us to now confidently say, how we think, what we hear, and what we say can directly affect our health, pain, and function. 

People often exchange the terms "strength" and "stability" as if they are one and the same. That really is not true. It’s important to understand the differences between the two, as well as know how to improve both areas to create a better overall platform for performance. 

Continue Reading This Post

In this season of resolution making, it's important to spend a bit of time reflecting on what real changes would benefit your health and wellness.  

Continue Reading This Post

Ice skating is a wonderful activity to take part in, especially as the cold winter months approach. But a few things need to be addressed before you hit the ice to ensure you have a good time and ice skate safely. First, you need to make sure you have proper balance standing on flat, level ground. On ice, your base of support is constantly moving and changing. Without proper balance, ice skating will present a new set of challenges for you that could potentially lead to injury. A good way to check your balance is to practice standing still on one foot for 5-10 seconds without disturbances.                                                         

Continue Reading This Post