Health blog Category: Uncategorized
Don’t Let Neck Pain Slow You Down
By Misha Gilani, DPT
Neck pain is a very common problem for every age group and one we treat often at Loudoun Sports Therapy Center. Our patients will typically complain about pain along the middle of the neck, pain in the middle of the back and pain radiating into the top of the shoulder along the upper trapezius muscle which, can also radiate down your arm into the fingers. These symptoms often cause the patient to have difficulty sitting, sleeping and turning their neck.
Why It’s Important to Strengthen Multiple Body Parts
By Danielle Hoguet, DPT
If you look through the plan of care for a patient who comes to Loudoun Sports Therapy Center because they are feeling ankle pain for example, you will notice that their exercises and stretches are not only focusing on their ankle but also their hips and their knees. Not surprising, a common question we hear as physical therapists is ‘why do I have to strengthen my hips if I am here for my ankle?’
Regardless of the body part a patient is coming here for whether that be their ankle, their hip, their back or shoulder, we answer with this explanation: Everything in the body is connected in some way and what happens at one joint affects what happens at other joints.
How to Properly Prepare Your Athletes for the Season
By Cierra Washington, ATC
iPhone. iPad. Xbox. Couch.
OR
Kickball. Relay Races. 4H camp. Neighborhood Hide N’ Seek before the street lights come on.
It’s quite possible that if you were born before the year 2000, your summer vacation consisted primarily of the second list of activities. I’m a product of the early 90’s and growing up, my friends and I would do anything to be outside and active as much as possible on summer break.
Prevent Injuries in Lower Extremities
By Abbey Fecher, DPT
Injuries of our lower back, hips and knees can prevent us from doing the activities we enjoy. Many lower back and lower body injuries can be prevented by maintaining good strength in some key muscle groups. One of the most important groups of muscles to focus on, are our gluteal muscles. These muscles help provide a stable base for our legs and trunk and also are one of the major muscle groups responsible for allowing us to walk, run and jump.
How to Prevent Falls in Your Bathroom
By Devin Wurman, DPT
Did you know that one-third of Americans ages 65 and older fall each year? In fact, falls are the leading cause of deadly injuries and are the most common cause of trauma-related hospitalizations. A lot of falls actually occur in your home which might surprise you given that you are probably more familiar with your own house than anywhere else. But it’s true. And if you already have trouble balancing, you are more prone to falling.
Tips to Make Summer Swimming Pain and Injury Free
By Devin Wurman, DPT
Memorial Day has passed and pools are open signalling the unofficial start for summer for a lot of folks. Many children and teens in this area are getting ready to start, if they haven’t already, swim team practices and meets. So it’s timely to talk about shoulder injuries and make sure you and your kids know how to prevent pain and injury so you can enjoy your summer.
Not too surprising, shoulder pain is the most frequent orthopedic injury among swimmers.
Keep Gardening Injuries from Blooming
By Abbey Fecher, DPT
Spring is well underway and yard work and gardening has probably been on your weekend to-do lists. It’s always exciting to see the colorful flowers and enjoy the fresh veggies. The less exciting part of gardening though are the dreaded aches and pains that come along with the task. Did you know that there are plenty of things you can do to ensure gardening is pain- and injury-free? Gardening can be fun rather than a chore that leaves you spending the rest of the day on the couch with a heating pad.
Postpartum Depression: My Experience and What I Learned
By Devin Wurman, DPT
Untreated depression is the number one complication of pregnancy and yet research shows that many healthcare providers do not ask new mothers about feeling depressed or anxious during their pregnancy.
Since May is National Maternal Depression Awareness Month, I thought it would be appropriate and timely to share my own experience with postpartum depression and what helped me through that difficult time.
It was eight years ago when I found out I was pregnant with my first child.
Flexibility vs. Strength in Dancers
By Danielle Hoguet, DPT
When you think of a ballet dancer, you probably picture someone with a long graceful body who can bend in unimaginable ways. When people learn that I was a dancer, usually their first response is, ‘you must be very flexible.’ It is very true that ballet training stresses flexibility. Dancers, whether ballet or other styles, spend a significant amount of time stretching and pushing their bodies past their natural limits to achieve maximum flexibility. It’s important for dancers and aspiring dancers to understand though that flexibility isn’t the only thing they need to train.
Happy National Athletic Training Month
By: Cierra Washington, ATC
March is National Athletic Training Month! The month is dedicated to spreading awareness about who Certified Athletic Trainers (ATCs) are, the environments in which they work and the importance of their role in rehabilitation.
What are ATCs?
According to the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, ATCs are highly qualified, multi-skilled healthcare professionals who collaborate with physicians, physical therapists, and other healthcare professionals in a variety of settings.