Tips for Hiking with Knee Arthritis
Posted on by Andrew Cassidy, PT, DPT
Heading out for a hike can challenge individuals with knee arthritis. The sharp or aching pain you experience can slow down or even prevent you from hitting the trails. However, with the right guidance and strategies, you can still be an active hiker despite knee arthritis. In this blog post, we’ll review insights and recommendations from a physical therapist's perspective to help hikers manage knee arthritis and continue exploring the outdoors safely and comfortably.
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3 Patient Success Stories Who Tried Vestibular Therapy And Got Their Balance Back
Posted on by Kimberly Smith, PT, DPT, VRT
Vestibular Therapy is more than just helping you avoid injuries from falls. Our therapists help you manage your symptoms, teach you strategies and techniques to feel safe, as well as validate your entire experience. Our therapists are trained to provide a safe space to navigate your “invisible” condition. Our sessions are meant to help you feel heard, educate you on what to expect on your journey, and how to manage the good and not-so-good days.
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Dry Needling For Jaw Pain And TMD
Posted on by Tara Hackney, PT, DPT, OCS, KTTP
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the joint where your jaw attaches to the temple of the skull. It is a joint that allows you to move your jaw up and down and side to side. This joint is essential for guiding movements required for chewing, swallowing, and speaking. Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) are conditions associated with dysfunction of the joint as well as the associated muscles.
The cause of TMD is still widely unknown. However, the majority of patients with TMD suffer from malpositioning of the TMJ disc, and muscle tightness in the jaw, face, and neck. TMD can present differently in every individual, so a clinical examination is recommended to customize a plan of care. One option for treating TMD is dry needling.
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Can Physical Therapy Help A Pinched Nerve?
Posted on by Erik Krol, MOT, OTR/L
A compressed nerve, otherwise commonly called a pinched nerve, can be debilitating and, at the very least, frustrating. Knowing the root cause of the nerve injury, whether it be from an internal cause like scar tissue or an external cause like crutches/or hard surfaces, can help create a plan of action and care.
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Full Disc-losure: What You Need To Know About Back Pain
Posted on by Steve Middleton PT, DPT, MTC, ATC
Low back pain affects roughly 30% of the American population annually. Back pain is typically separated into discogenic pain (damage to the disc) and non-discogenic pain. However, many causes and other structures can be involved in low back pain. Identifying the root cause of discomfort can be a major step toward decreasing pain and improving function. Low back pain can have many causes:
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You’ve Had A Knee Replacement, Now What?
Posted on by Peter Batz, PT, DPT, OCS, CMTPT, AIB-VRC
Are you planning on having a knee replacement? Or maybe you’ve just recently had one? Knee replacements are one of the most common types of replacement surgeries. It is estimated that over 850,000 knee replacements are performed each year. As a physical therapist, one thing that I have seen with a majority of my patients navigating post-knee replacement is that they weren’t exactly sure what the recovery process would be like for them post-surgery. In this blog, we’ll dive deeper into the recovery process from start to finish and how to set yourself up for success.
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3 Habits For A Healthy Heart
Posted on by Tanner Neuberger, PT, DPT, TDN Level 1
Heart Disease kills between 650,000 and 700,000 people every year. The American Heart Association (AHA) estimates that about 90% of these deaths were preventable through education and action. Having a healthy heart (outside genetic issues) takes work and some thoughtfulness. Here are some healthy habits you can do to get your ticker in shape and potentially add years to your life.
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Hand Therapy Is For All Ages: Can Kids Benefit From Hand Therapy?
Posted on by Rose M. Heacock-Smith, MOT, OTR/L
Being a mom of two toddlers, I know how easily injuries happen in children as they learn to explore their world. While we want to keep our children bubble-wrapped so they never have to experience pain, the Occupational Therapist in me realizes how important it is for their brain development to explore their world. My kids have amazed me at how easy it is to get a finger stuck in a toy or while racing outside to play, the door pinches the hand, or the fall during a sport-like activity leaves my little one clutching his/her arm.
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