Health blog Category: Body Mechanics
Carrying a Heavy Purse or Tote Bag?
Back pain is one of the most common complaints that patients have when they are coming to physical therapy. It is not only affecting middle-aged adults, but becoming more prevalent in the younger adult population. Most patients that come in report dealing with the pain for at least a month or more because they believe “it will go away on its own”, however more and more people have sedentary desk jobs or are performing activities without addressing core muscle strength.
Read full blogEver had trouble bending down to reach something
“Why are we focusing on my core if my lower back is what’s hurting?” This is a question that is often heard in the physical therapy world. To answer this question, let’s talk spinal anatomy, muscular imbalances and posture.
When patients come in with lower back pain, one of the very first muscle groups assessed is the core. Most lower back injuries occur from unbalanced abdominals and poor low back mechanics. Over training “core” muscles, while leaving the back muscles to fend for themselves, ultimately sets you up for injury.
How a Tree Trunk Relates to the Upper and Lower Body
Many people will experience some form of lower back pain in the course of their life. There are many factors that can contribute to lower back pain. Some of the most common sources include:
- Muscle Strains
- Overuse Injuries
- Disc and Skeletal Issues
- Poor Posture
When treating lower back pain, it is important to address body mechanics and more importantly, strengthen your core. Focusing on core strength is one of the most effective ways to help ease lower back pain.
Read full blogThe Benefits of Post-Op Physical Therapy
By Xavier Thompson, ATC
Is post-op physical therapy necessary? Are you scheduled to have surgery? While surgery may repair damaged tissues, some of the most important work to ensure that you stay healthy occurs after you leave the operating room. Whether you are young or old, an elite athlete or a weekend warrior, it is important to involve the appropriate healthcare professionals in order to reach your full potential and reduce your chance of future injury.
Overuse and Repetitive Motions
By Angie Austin, LPTA
What exactly are overuse injuries? These types of injuries occur when you try to too much at once. Do you remember the last time you started a new exercise program or did a lot of the same physical activity at once? It probably resulted in pain or tendonitis. Tendonitis is the inflammation of a tendon due to repetitive trauma or overuse. In most cases, if you stop the activity, your symptoms will resolve as the tendon heals.
Top 5 Questions About Running
The concept of running seems easy. You put on a pair of sneakers, head outside and begin your journey. However, there are a number of misconceptions and misunderstandings about the sport that I would like to help dispel.
Whether you’re an avid runner, a weekend warrior, a beginner, or someone who only runs if you’re being chased, I’ve compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions I’ve been asked about running.
- Will running cause arthritis?
Proper Ergonomics for Car Travel
Warmer weather is here and some of you might be getting ready for fun spring break trip or planning a summer vacation. If you’re planning on driving to your destination, you should take into consideration proper ergonomic postures. Long drives can mean many hours of both drivers and passengers sitting in awkward, static postures for long periods of time. Just as you prepare for your trip by making packing lists and booking hotels, you should also ergonomically prepare your car for the long trip.
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