Health blog Category: Health and Wellness
Should I Get Surgery…
Many of us have questioned, at one point or another, whether or not we should get surgery. This is one of the most common questions we get asked at Loudoun Sports Therapy Center, ans it is a tough question, with several things to consider. Most people do not have a complete understanding of what happens during surgery and the potential risks it has. It is important to make sure we have a complete understanding of what surgery is being performed, the benefits, and potential risks, before anyone should even consider surgical intervention.
What to know about surgery
- No matter how small is invasive
- Surgery is not a quick fix and most times requires follow up Physical Therapy
- It has other complications and risks associated with it
- Surgery may not correct the issue
What to know about Physical Therapy
- Non-invasive
- No risk of complications
- Cost effective
- Can help decrease pain and return to normal lifestyle
- Teaches you what to do for long term success
When you ask this question our therapists answer with, why not try Physical Therapy first?
Read full blogThe ‘Bell Ringer’ Injuries
Concussions are a traumatic brain injury, that alters brain functions such as, concentration, memory, balance, and coordination. When you think of the word ‘concussion’ you probably immediately think of ‘football’ or ‘football tackle’. However it is important to remember that you can get concussions from other sports, and even car accidents.
According to a study in the Journal of Athletic Training, 50% of concussions go unreported, Why is this?
In this study, it was determined that concussion knowledge, had a correlation with why some athletes reported concussion injuries, or ‘bell ringer’ injuries, and why others did not.
Preventing Sports Injuries 101
Exercise and fitness are important for all ages, and create dramatic changes in your overall health and well being. However, it is important for all levels of athletes and non-athletes to have proper warm-ups, stretches, and conditioning, in order to prevent injury. Too often, sports-related injuries occur and injury could have been easily prevented had the athlete thoroughly prepared their body for practices and games.
So what is an appropriate warm-up?
The warm-up, which typically lasts between 10-15 minutes, feeds the body.
Kinematic Changes Using Weightlifting Shoes on Barbell Back Squat
From weekend warriors to pro athletes, those of us concerned about maintaining a high fitness level rely on a strong set of core muscles to stabilize the body and allow us to perform to the best of our ability. The squat is one of the primary exercises in strengthening the core. As renowned strength coach Mark Rippetoe notes the squat is one exercise that works those core muscles.
In an effort to perform this basic exercise better, athletes look to improve form.
Read full blogFlat Feet: How Physical Therapy Can Help The Pain
Flat feet is caused by many things, genetics, age, weight, etc., and can create painful body issues. A physical therapist can treat and suggest simple lifestyle changes like exercises to lengthen and strengthen muscles, shoes and insoles that will lift the arch and posture builders to engage and strengthen the core. But those with flat feet should understand what happens to the body when there is no arch in their feet.
What Does The Arch Do?
The arches add elasticity and flexibility causing the middle of the foot to spread and close.
Read full blogReducing Inflammation with the Right Nutritional Fuels
Does your daily life revolve around chronic pain or inflammation? While this is a common everyday roadblock that many people experience, there are actually some simple ways to avoid it. It is no secret that exercise is a crucial part of any physical therapy regimen, but fueling your body with nutritional meals also plays an important role.
Everything we eat works to fuel our body, and eating the right foods can help us recover much quicker from painful or uncomfortable conditions.
Read full blogThe Connection Between Core Strength and Better Balance
Physical therapy as an industry has been talking about the link between core strength and better balance for years. When the “core” muscles around our trunk are strong, they prevent chronic lower back pain and many other injuries, but they also keep us from losing our balance and falling down. A stronger core will help to keep you upright — especially as you age and start to become more at risk of falling. If you’d like to get started on a core routine to improve your balance, contact Loudoun Sports Therapy today to speak with a physical therapist!
Read full blog5 Ways to Relieve Back and Neck Pain
There are common causes of both back pain and neck pain. Changes in the spine’s anatomy often cause back pain. There may be lumbar disc herniation, lumbar degenerative disc disease, osteoarthritis or sacroiliac joint dysfunction. Disc herniation occurs when the gel-like interior of the disc leaks outward and irritates the nerve roots. It typically causes a stabbing pain in the back of the legs and back pain. Wear and tear on the spinal discs can lead to lumbar degenerative disc disease.
Read full blogLooking to Run a 5K This Year?
Looking to run a 5K this year? As the New Year continues, keep your fitness goals strong with a fitness revolution. Below, we’ve outlined a Couch to 5k running program that incrementally increases mileage over time, allowing your body to properly adjust to additional activity. It’s vital to start slowly and build your mileage over time to avoid injury. All too often, people begin running too many miles too quickly and injure themselves as a result.
Read full blogIs Pain Stopping You From Getting Back in the Game?
According to the American Academy of Pain Medicine, at least 100 million Americans are living with chronic pain (pain lasting longer than three months). As if this isn’t a troubling enough trend, in recent years, physicians have been prescribing more and more prescription pain medications, including opioids. In the year 2013 alone, physicians prescribed nearly a quarter of a billion opioid prescriptions— enough for one bottle of pills per American!
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