All posts in Health

Does glucosamine and chondroitin help joint pain?

Does glucosamine and chondroitin help joint pain?

As physical therapists we deal with joint pain on a daily basis. A common question we get from our patients is “Is their something I can take, a supplement of some sort, that can help my joint pain? I’ve heard glucosamine and chondroitin is helpful.  What do you think?” Today on the Fit Stop Blog Toby Bluth, PT, DPT, shares the best answer to hopefully help you clear up some facts about these supplements and joint pain. Keep reading for more!

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What to expect at your first physical therapy visit

What to expect at your first physical therapy visit

Your back has been hurting for weeks now. You thought it would “just get better on its own” like it has in the past, but for some reason this pain is lingering a lot longer. You’ve finally had it and decide to go see your doctor. After a thorough examination he hands you a piece of paper – a referral for physical therapy. “Physical therapy?? What are they going to do?”

Plenty of people have had this exact same question. Today one of our physical therapists, Tyler Bluth, explains all about what you can expect heading in to your first physical therapy visit.

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What Is Hip Bursitis and Best Exercises For Treatment

What Is Hip Bursitis and Best Exercises For Treatment

“My hip hurts out here on the side.”

“It feels like someone stabbing me right here.”

“I can’t do stairs; I can barely walk!”

Your hip joint is highly mobile. As with any highly mobile joint in our bodies we have structures designed to decrease wear and tear and promote lifelong movement. One of these structures is a small, fluid-filled sac called a bursa. Most of the time they perform their proper function flawlessly, but what happens when they start to hurt? Today one of our doctors of physical therapy, Toby Bluth, explains hip bursitis – what it is, how you get it, and even a physical therapy exercise program you can do at home to help it feel better.

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5 Easy Ergonomic Fixes To Help Your Back And Neck Pain

5 Easy Ergonomic Fixes To Help Your Back And Neck Pain

Take a mental image of your posture right now. If you’re like most of us, you’re slouching down in your chair, back and shoulders rounded with your head forward and tilted down. While this may feel comfortably lazy, your positioning could be a major contributor to neck and back problems. But don’t despair – today is your lucky day! Read on to find out how 5 simple changes in ergonomics could help solve your neck or back pain!

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How Can Physical Therapy Help My Condition?

How Can Physical Therapy Help My Condition?

That’s it! You’ve had it! You’ve had this nagging pain for long enough and have decided it’s high time you do something about it! You go in and see your doctor who informs you that the best treatment is to “go see a physical therapist”. A physical therapist?! What is he/she going to do?! How can physical therapy possibly help my pain?! Well – you’ve come to the right place as that’s the exact topic of our post today! Toby Bluth, PT, DPT, shares some of his insight as to how physical therapy can help to treat your pain, help you feel better, and get back to participating in those things that you love doing. Keep reading for more!

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How to treat an ankle sprain – Best home exercises

How to treat an ankle sprain – Best home exercises

So, you’ve sprained your ankle? First of all, my condolences… I at least hope it happened doing something fun rather than a stroll off a curb that ended a little too quickly.  But there you are barely hobbling around, pinned between the choice of playing it cool like nothing happened, or basking in the pity party that’s coming your way as you writhe in pain (you’d better believe that I’ve done both)! But the question is – what do you do now? What are the best steps to take after you sprain your ankle to help you heal better and recover faster? Keep reading to learn more…

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What is spinal stenosis and how can PT help?

What is spinal stenosis and how can PT help?

Who amongst us hasn’t experienced some degree of back pain in their lives? Whether it was after a long weekend doing yard work, lifting up your child, or even just sleeping on it wrong, there are many things that can set off pain in you lower back. In fact, low back pain is one of the most-common complaints that we see as physical therapists. Today, Toby Bluth, DPT, will be discussing one specific type of back pain that typically affects those over 50 years old – stenosis. Dr Bluth explains what stenosis is, why you get it, and even shares 5 of his favorite exercises to decrease pain and symptoms.

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Best Pilates Exercises For Your Core

Best Pilates Exercises For Your Core
I have always loved Pilates. I love the strength they build, the motion control the promote, and the flexibility they enhance. It’s for these reasons that I recommend them all the time to my patients in physical therapy and it’s also why I recently got invited to come on Studio 5 (a local Utah lifestyles show) and talk about them! I took the hostess through 6 of my favorite core Pilates moves in a workout I regularly give to my patients to increase their core strength. Check out the segment and get the workout below…

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What is an AC Joint Separation and How Can PT Help?

What is an AC Joint Separation and How Can PT Help?

As we roll into another beautiful spring and summer here in the great state of Utah, we also roll into another biking season.  We enjoy some of the best mountain bike terrain and scenic road cycling vistas in the country.  Today Toby Bluth, PT, DPT discusses one of the more common cycling injuries that can happen when we take a tumble- an acromioclavicular (AC) joint separation.  In fact an AC joint separation is one of the more common injuries affecting the shoulder joint in general. Today we’ll discuss exactly what the injury is and how to find out if you need to get your shoulder pain looked at by a physical therapist.

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What are shin splints and how can I get rid of them?

What are shin splints and how can I get rid of them?

Ah the beginning of summer… a time to finally get outside, only to realize the havoc winter hibernation has wrought on your previously shapely body!

If you’re like many, this is a time when you’ve finally decided to drag yourself off the couch and get back into shape with some running. Or maybe you’ve been running for a while and have decided to kick up your training intensity for the big race (you overachiever, you). You’ve run hard, but your shins start burning somethin’ fierce, stopping you in your tracks.

Why do your legs decide to rebel just as you’re starting something so good for them? What are those blasted shin splints and more importantly, HOW can you get rid of them and get back to running (not to mention the rest of life) ASAP???

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