Archive for October 2015

How to fix chronic pain

How to fix chronic pain

We’ve all been there before. You have an injury that, for some reason, is hanging around a lot longer than it should. You’ve “tried everything” including ice, ibuprofen, rest/taking time off, and every rub/salve/pain patch you can find, and yet your pain persists. What gives? How come you just can’t heal like when you were younger (we get that question A LOT!)?? Well chances are you’re doing a lot to treat the SYMPTOMS of your pain, but nothing to address the CAUSE of your pain. Today one of our specialists, Jared Beckstrand, PT, DPT, is discussing why you might be hurting for longer than necessary and what you can do to start to feel better. Keep reading for more!

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10 Exercises To Get Ready For Ski Season

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Are you ready?

The weather has definitely taken a turn here in Utah! Like the fall leaves the temperatures are dropping as winter is fast-approaching. In fact I woke up the other day and, while driving my 8 and 6-year-olds to school, noticed there was some snow up on the mountain tops. They perfectly summed up my feelings about the upcoming season when they literally replied in unison… “SNOW!!! Dad can we go skiing?!?!”

While there may not be enough white stuff to shred just yet, we know that it is coming! Are you ready?! Some of the most-common injuries we encounter through the winter are skiing/snowboarding related. Fortunately, many of these injuries can be avoided with the proper strengthening in key muscle groups of your legs, hips, and core. Today on The Fit Stop Blog, one of our outdoor recreation specialists, Jared Beckstrand, PT, DPT, is sharing 10 of the best exercises you can do to get ready for the upcoming ski/snowboard season. Get started right now to ensure an entire season of fun, healthy shredding!

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Physical therapy for neck pain

Physical therapy for neck pain

What a pain in the neck!

At some point in life, your neck will likely cause you pain.  Neck pain is right up there with pain related to the low back as far as how common it is.  According to some sources, the burden placed on the economy because of neck pain, is second only to low back pain.  In fact as many as 54% of individuals have experienced some neck pain in the past 6 months.  Once this neck pain comes, it is very likely to stay for a long time and to come back again after it has initially resolved.  So you can see that neck pain truly is a pain in the neck for a lot of people (including myself).  My job as a physical therapist is a physically active job, requiring physical exertion at times that puts a bit of stress on my upper back and neck.  By the end of my work week, I go home with a pretty tired, and sometimes outright painful neck.  So what is the deal?  What is typically causing our neck pain and why is it so common after all?

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6 Ways To Improve Your Cardio Workout

6 Ways To Improve Your Cardio Workout
 Ever felt frustrated with your lack of results from exercising?
Did you know that as physical therapists we do a lot more than injury rehab? While pain is the most common issue that we treat, oftentimes people will come to us looking for exercise advice as well. Frequently we hear a story similar to “I’ve been working out for a couple of months now and at first the progress was great. However recently the results have started to slow down. Any idea why?” If you’ve ever felt this way you’re not alone! Luckily, we have the solution! Today one of our exercise and activity specialists, Jared Beckstrand, PT, DPT, is sharing 6 ways that you can enhance your workout efforts and start seeing great results again!
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Can physical therapy help me avoid surgery?

Can physical therapy help me avoid surgery?

As physical therapists we frequently see patients who are recovering from some kind of surgery. Knees, hips, shoulders, backs, and necks are among the most popular post-surgery issues that we work with. In the United States joint related surgeries are increasing at a rapid rate.  For example, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), in the USA between the years 2000-2010, total knee replacement surgery (TKA) rates doubled.  In fact, the TKA is the most common inpatient surgery being performed nowadays.  From shoulder surgery (which is the most common in our clinics), to knee and back surgery, there certainly is a time and place for these surgeries.  However, the cost, time away from work for recovery, and risk associated with these surgeries is significant, and I often remind my patients of these factors when considering surgery.  Most of the time, my patients seem pleased with the outcome of their surgery.  However, as the obviously biased PT that I am, I often wonder – could this surgery have been avoided using conservative physical therapy?  Well today, I am going to answer that question.

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