All posts in Wellness

What is Home Care Physical Therapy?

What is Home Care Physical Therapy?

There are many different facets of the physical therapy profession. Most of the time when we think “physical therapy” we primarily think of sprains, strains, post-surgery, and sports rehab. But did you know that’s only a very small part of what physical therapists do? Many work in hospitals (inpatient settings) to help people recovering from an illness, accident, or surgery. Others work in neurological settings and help those who have experienced a brain or spinal cord injury. Still more, other physical therapists work in a “Home Care” or “Home Health” setting – they come to the homes of those patients who are “homebound” or unable to come to physical therapy without assistance. But did you know that Fit Stop actually employs a home health PT? Here to tell us more about it today on the Fit Stop Blog is our home care specialist, Tyler Bluth, PT, MPT. Keep reading to learn more!

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How Often Should I Exercise?

How Often Should I Exercise?

One of the questions that we often get asked as physical therapists is “how often should I workout”? Most of the time this question comes from patients/people who are either just starting to workout or else have desires to start to workout more regularly. Well today one of our fitness specialists, Jared Beckstrand, PT, DPT is sharing his thoughts about exercise frequency – what’s the recommended amount of activity you should be getting and how often should you be working out. Keep reading for more…

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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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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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Best Conservative Treatment For Shoulder Tendinitis

Best Conservative Treatment For Shoulder Tendinitis

“Shoulder pain” can mean a lot of different things to a lot of different people. For some it means rest, don’t use it for three days, and maybe it will go away. For others it might be a signal that “I just need to go work it out and it will feel better”. But how do you really know which treatment is right for you? Today on the Fit Stop Blog, Tyler Bluth, PT, MPT is sharing his thoughts on shoulder tendonitis = what if is, why you get it, and some simple steps you can take to help it to feel better. Keep reading for more:

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What you need to know following knee surgery

What you need to know following knee surgery

None of us want it. Many of us need it. A lot of us eventually break down and get it.

Knee surgery.

We’ve seen it from just about every angle imaginable: “I blew out my ACL skiing,” “I tore my meniscus playing _____,” “It’s been bone-on-bone for years,” and my personal favorite – “It was an old high school football injury from ___ years ago”. Whatever the reason and whatever the surgery, did you know there are some important steps that you can take following your surgery that will help you to heal better, quicker, and with decreased pain? Today on the Fit Stop Blog, one of our knee specialists, Tyler Bluth, PT, MPT, is sharing everything you need to know following your knee surgery to get back into action as quickly as possible. Read more below:

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How much physical activity do I need?

How much physical activity do I need?

One of the main things I enjoy about being a PT is being able to see people progress and improve their lives, and being able to play a role in that process.  I have the privilege of working with some pretty amazing people.  People that work incredibly hard to achieve their maximal physical potential, despite some pretty difficult circumstances.  From the devastating effects of a tragic car accident, to rehabilitation following major surgery.  From the weekend warrior with Achilles tendonitis, to those struggling with the debilitating effects of progressive neuromuscular disorders, we see a broad spectrum of injuries and physical limitations at the Fit Stop Physical Therapy. One of the questions that we inevitably get asked by patients who are approaching discharge from our care is “what now?”. “What’s the next step?” They’ve started down a path to health and wellness and want to continue to take better care of their bodies. Today Toby Bluth, PT, DPT shares his thoughts on taking the next step in transitioning from PT patient to attaining healthy fitness and exercise goals. Keep reading for more…

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