Archive for May 2015

5 Types Of Low Back Pain And How Physical Therapy Can Help

5 Types Of Low Back Pain And How Physical Therapy Can Help

We’ve all been there before – maybe it was after a long weekend of lots of yard work. Maybe it was after sitting for a long time on a car ride or a long day at the office. Perhaps you even experienced it bending over to pick up the toothbrush that you dropped (I kid you not – I’ve seen it before!). Back pain can hit us anytime and anywhere. It can range from “I’ll take a couple of Ibuprofen pills” and be fine to “not getting out of bed for three days” and hobbling your way into the doctor’s office or emergency room. Not all back pain is created equally. Determining the exact cause of your back pain is crucial to receiving the best care and promoting the quickest recovery. Today one of our doctors of physical therapy, Cameron Garber, is discussing 5 of the most common types of low back pain and sharing some advice that can potentially help you to feel better.

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Healthy Eating For An Active Life

Healthy Eating For An Active Life

As a physical therapist I have a lot of opportunities to talk to patients each day. We obviously talk a lot about things such as their accident or injury and what they can do to maximize their outcome following a back injury or knee surgery; but it’s also a unique opportunity to discuss family, careers, life, and wellness. At the Fit Stop we are concerned about your overall wellness as well as your current injury. Over the years I have asked hundreds of individuals what they do to stay in shape and how they manage to stay healthy. Today on the Fit Stop Blog I wanted to share with you a few of my findings – specifically what you can do to eat healthier and enjoy many years of healthy, active living. Read more below…

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What to do after an injury

What to do after an injury

 

“I hurt my ______ the other day. What should I do about it?”
 
As a physical therapist this is a question that I get A LOT. Even more since becoming a physical therapist/blogger! What you do in the first 48-72 hours after an injury can actually have a dramatic impact on the course of your healing! As swelling and inflammation settle in it’s important that you manage these responses appropriately to decrease pain, maximize healing, and ultimately get you back to your activity faster. Today I’m talking about 4 crucial steps you need to take immediately after an injury to feel better faster and get back to health sooner…
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What is TMJ and How Can PT Help?

What is TMJ and How Can PT Help?

Clicking, popping, catching, grinding… all are symptoms we hear regularly about the jaw. But what is this jaw pain you’re experiencing and how can physical therapy help? Today we have Tyler Bluth, PT, MPT, writing for us; he is going to explain tempero-mandibular joint (TMJ) pain and why physical therapy might be your best bet at helping it to feel better.

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5 Myths About Physical Therapy – BUSTED

5 Myths About Physical Therapy – BUSTED

There are a lot of myths and misconceptions out there in the healthcare world. This is especially true of the physical therapy profession. You’ve probably heard anything from “physical therapists just treat knee injuries and sprained ankles” to “physical therapy hurts so bad!” With so many different stories from so many different sources it’s hard to know what’s true and what’s not. Luckily for us, Cameron Garber (PT, DPT) is here today to help us debunk some of these fallacies. Below are five o the most-common myths about physical therapy and the answer to what you can really expect instead!

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Are physical therapists doctors?

Are physical therapists doctors?

Are Physical Therapists Doctors?

One of the questions we get asked a lot in the clinic is “so – are you a doctor?” or “what do I call you?” There have been some fairly recent changes to the curriculum physical therapists have to go through in grad school to earn their title; Toby Bluth (PT, DPT) is going to explain it to us today and hopefully clear up any of the confusion that may be out there. Keep reading to learn more!

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Least expensive treatment for low back pain

Least expensive treatment for low back pain

Treat your back without breaking the bank!

What do you do when your back is killing you but you don’t want to kill your budget?  With the rising cost of copays, tests, and medical imaging, people often ask us “what is to be done? What’s the best treatment I can get for my back pain without breaking the bank, also?” Recent research done at the University of Utah shows that physical therapy may be the answer for finding cost effective treatment.  

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10 Reasons Why You Should Run

10 Reasons Why You Should Run
I love running.

To me there’s nothing more therapeutic than waking up before anyone else in the house, lacing up my running shoes, popping in my earphones, and taking off running. It’s my “me time”. It’s my time to separate myself from distractions and be alone with my thoughts. Of course, the benefits of running certainly don’t stop there! The last time I was out on a run I got to thinking about all the health benefits associated with running (pay attention to that word “health”… not just physical. Emotional, mental, behavioral, psychological, etc are included!). When I got home I compiled my list of reasons why I feel like everyone should run, and wanted to share them with you! From losing weight and disease prevention to joint health and “me” time – here are my top 10 reasons why you should be running…
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Do I need a referral to see a physical therapist?

Do I need a referral to see a physical therapist?

Do you need a physician referral to see a physical Therapist? The answer may surprise you!

As a physical therapist (PT) working in a health club setting, I frequently have gym members stopping by with questions regarding their most recent ache or pain.  Often times we decide that physical therapy would help speed up the healing process and the person desires to set up an initial evaluation.  It is at that point the question almost always comes up, “do I need to go get a doctor’s referral to start physical therapy?”

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6 Signs That You Need To Go See A Physical Therapist

6 Signs That You Need To Go See A Physical Therapist

“Just walk it off.” “Give it a couple of days.” “Put some ice on it and take some ibuprofen.”

Do any of these sound familiar? I would one or any combination of these three things is how we treat 90% of our injuries 90% of the time. Fortunately in most cases minor injuries will get better without too much external effort on our part. But what happens when you don’t seem to be improving? How do you know when you should go consult a doctor about an injury? Knowing that early intervention is key to quicker and more complete rehabilitation, when is the time to stop waiting and get help? Today Alan Bluth shares with us 6 signs that your injury is serious enough to warrant additional medical attention.

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