Stretch of the Week: Supported Hugging Knees
Our third restorative stretch for May is a gentle low back stretch. I call this one Supported Hugging Knees.
You will need your yoga bolster or three folded blankets.
If you have a history of low back injury, hip or sacral injury/pain, or if you have trouble getting up and down from the floor please do not perform this stretch. As with beginning any exercise program, it is recommended to consult with your physician, physical or occupational therapist to determine which exercises are best for you.
Keeping our Nurses Healthy: Preventing Back Sprains and Strains
Nursing is a tough, physically demanding job and the data proves it. There were over 33,000 soft tissue injuries sustained by nursing professionals in 2013. The average number of days lost was 8. For those counting, that’s a total of 264,000 days of lost time, valuable time, spent inactive and unable to perform.
Runner’s Cramps: Why You Get Them and How You Can Prevent Them
Most runners have experienced it: your run is going smoothly and you’re feeling great, then all of a sudden you succumb to the dreaded side stitch, calf cramp or that feeling of “having to go.” Muscle and stomach issues can stop a runner dead in their tracks. With varying spring temperatures, muscle cramps are more common, as there is little opportunity to adjust to the change in weather.
Stretch of the Week: Prone Double Internal Rotation Stretch
Continuing with the theme of internal rotation of the hip, for week two we will review a stretch while lying face down.
This is the Prone Double Internal Rotation stretch.
You will need some wall space for this week’s stretch. If you have trouble coming all the way to the floor you can perform this on the bed as well. As with last week’s exercise, you should not perform this stretch if you have or are currently experiencing the following: hip injuries, hip replacements, hip impingement, or pain when rotating the hip or knee inward. As with beginning any exercise program, it is recommended that you contact your physician, physical or occupational therapist to determine what is best for you.
Stretch of the Week: Windshield Wiper Stretch
For the month of April we will be exploring internal rotation of the hip.
There are many muscles in the hip region that contribute to rotating the hip inward. Each week I will give you a stretch that will address these muscles in some way.
Stretch of the Week: Pelvic Tilts
Pelvic Tilts: Therapeutic Stretches for the Lower Back
Welcome to the weekly stretch for March!
This month we have been focusing on more therapeutic stretches for the low back. If you have ever been in therapy for low back pain you may have recognized one or two of these. Let’s continue this with Pelvic Tilts for week 4!
Stretch of the Week: Crossed Legged Low Back Reclined Twist
Crossed Legged Low Back Reclined Twist
The third week of March brings us to the gentle Crossed Legged Low Back Reclined Twist stretch. It is simple despite its long name. This stretch will help you to gain flexibility in those stiff lumbar muscles that can cause muscle imbalances and contribute to low back pain. You will not need any equipment for this stretch.
Shin Splints: Who is at Risk?
From basketball players in the NCAA tournament to middle age runners on the sidewalk, who is at risk and why? If you have lived an active lifestyle, participated in sports or even follow sports you’ve probably heard of or experienced ‘shin splints’ at some point. But what are shin splints?
In the physical therapy world, it is referred to as medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS).
