Health blog
Why a Home Exercise Program is Important
We begin physical therapy because we have a goal in mind. Relief from pain, increased functionality, staying active, playing with our kids, the list goes on. After the initial evaluation, a home exercise program is given—HEP for short—to help us reach those specific goals. There are a range of stretches and strengthening exercises to help offset weak, tight, and poorly functioning muscles in order to target your area of complaint and give you a well rounded program for your success.
So, if an HEP is a means to an end—then why not stick to it?
Stay in the Game: Avoid Sports Injuries
All sports we participate in, whether it be football, rugby, volleyball, soccer, field hockey, or many others, require a wide range of movements. Athletes have to be able to jump, run, change direction, and change speed. With so much variability, the possibility of sustaining an injury while practicing or playing is common. Injuries can pertain to specific muscles or joints, ranging from muscle strains (“pulled muscles: or tear in muscle tissue) to sprains of ligaments that help stabilize joints.
Read full blogThe Power of Therapy
We have all experienced back and neck discomfort at one point or another or will experience it in the future. In fact, it is one of the leading things that causes people to miss work. So, it’s time to discuss how you can get rid of your discomfort for good!
Why does neck and back pain occur?
Neck and back problems that arise are often a result of impinged nerves, weak muscles, and contracted muscles blocking blood flow.
Read full blogShoulder Injuries Causing Our Discomfort
The design of the shoulder is a ball and socket joint. The rounded head of your humerus articulates with the cup like depression of the scapula, giving it a wide degree of movement. That’s why shoulder injuries are pretty common. Shoulder issues like pain and weaknesses are some of the most common reasons people seek help from a physical therapist.
Your shoulder joint is held together by an extensive group of muscles and ligaments that can be weakened by certain repetitive movements.
Read full blogConcussion Management at LSTC
What is a concussion?
A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that alters the way our brain functions. When the brain sustains trauma, it is our body’s natural reaction to respond and in doing so, the body releases chemicals to help in the healing process. These chemical alterations cause a change in the blood flow and metabolic activity surrounding our brain, and are likely the cause of post concussion symptoms. It is important to remember that every concussion is different and our body’s response will be different from others.
Read full blogKnow More About the Core
Knock Knock
who’s there?
Abs
Abs who?
ABSolutely need to learn more about my core!
Core strengthening is one of the most important parts of any exercise program, especially for those with a moderate to very active lifestyle. Our core is the foundation of all other movements. This is because it includes muscles that attach from our upper and lower extremities to our spine or pelvis.
Read full blogInjury Prevention: Basketball
Given that basketball requires a lot of stress on your lower body and extremities. some common injuries include:
- Ankle instability
- Patellofemoral pain
- Hip pain/impingement
- Low back pain
In the same aspect, given basketball requires the upper extremities to shoot, rebound, and defend, some other common injuries in the upper extremities include:
- Shoulder impingement and instability
- Wrist, hand, and elbow pain
- Scapular dyskinesis
At LSTC, we have the pleasure of treating and preventing injuries in many athletes, including basketball athletes.
Read full blogPre-Operative Therapy: “Pre-hab”
So we did physical therapy a year ago and it helped to keep from having surgery last year, but our pain has returned and we’re back to missing out on the things we were able to do some time ago. We aren’t able to ride your bike for cardio anymore, we have an immense amount of pain going up and down the stairs in our home, road trips are just NOT a thing anymore, and most importantly we are no longer able to get down on the floor to play with our grandkids!
Read full blog3 Indicators to See a Physical Therapist for Sciatica
Sciatic nerves run from either side of our lower back down to each of our legs. That’s why a classic sign of sciatica is having a shooting pain on one side only. While compression of one of our sciatic nerves can literally be a “pain in the butt,” it doesn’t always require medical attention. Yet sometimes physical therapy is the best bet to banish sciatica symptoms.
So how can you tell when to go it alone, and when to call a physical therapist?
Read full blogHip, Knee, and Ankle Joints Are All Affecting Us
The knee joint is the second most complicated joint in our body and has to move in many directions. The knee and hip work in tandem allowing us to walk, run, squat and kneel. When either our hip, knee or ankle have problems moving, the other joints can be strained causing pain. Therefore, even if we have pain in your knees, it could be a problem stemming from your hip or ankle.
Most problems in the knee or hip come from either too little activity or too much activity.