Health blog
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 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.
Strengthening and Biomechanics
Strengthening is a key component to focus on when trying to improve an athlete’s performance. However, before any kind of heavy lifting occurs, the athlete must understand the basic movements needed to perform their sport. This is known as biomechanics.
Mechanics of the sport:
- Flexibility
- Technique/Core Work
- Appropriate Strengthening Program
- Adequate Rest
- GAINS
Mechanics refers to the working parts of something.
Read full blogHow to Rid Yourself From Those Pesky Aches and Pains
Do you feel aches and stiffness when you wake up in the mornings, as if your entire body is being weighed down? It is normal to feel this way every now and then – perhaps you had a tough workout at the gym the day before, or perhaps you spent a large amount of the day on your feet. This is also a common symptom of your body fighting off an illness, such as a cold or the flu.
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