It’s that time of year again! It is now officially winter and, while we have had a few small snow storms, a bigger one is likely coming our way sooner
rather than later. If recent years are any indication, we likely have more than a few storms that will bring us significant amounts of snow. No one
knows just how much snow we can expect, but it is probably safe to say there will be a need for some snow shoveling soon.
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With the holiday season right around the corner, a lot of us will have visions of sugarplums dancing in our heads. Did you ever stop to think – “how exactly does a Sugar Plum dance?” Look no further than the Sugar Plum Fairy in any rendition of Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” and you will see a magical world of sweets come to life through ballet. Behind all the magic is years of practice and a few things physical therapists can look at to determine if a dancer is ready to take on this challenging role.
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Whether your athlete is an elementary school soccer player or a collegiate hockey player, athletes are constantly in situations that can foster a high
amount of anxiety and stress. According to Merriam Webster, anxiety is defined as “an abnormal and overwhelming sense of apprehension and fear often
marked by physical signs (such as tension, sweating, and increased pulse rate); by doubt concerning the reality and nature of the threat; and by self-doubt
about one's capacity to cope with it.” What this means for athletes is that a game, event, or competition may elicit a level of fear, doubt, and stress
that can directly affect their ability to perform.
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Maybe a better question to start with is "Why do you have knee pain?" The short answer to this question is - repetitive strain and weakness; however, the longer answer takes more reading of important information! This article is being written with the assumption that you have functional knees with no tears, loose bodies, or large cartilage defects directly affecting your knees’ function. If you have a generally “healthy” knee and are a relatively healthy person who continues to get knee pain that doesn't seem to go away, your answer might lie above and below.
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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!
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Most patients don’t even know they have pelvic floor muscles, much less that there is physical therapy to treat them.
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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.
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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.
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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?
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