Health blog Category: physical therapy
Strains in These Muscles, Means Trouble Bending Our Knees
The hamstrings play an important role in the lower body. They are responsible for helping us stand, walk, run, and jump. Hamstrings are often neglected and can result in an injury to them, such as strains. One of the most common hamstring injuries that we see in the clinic is the hamstring strain.
What are the Hamstrings?
The hamstrings are made up of three muscles that make up the back of your thigh.
Read full blogEveryday Tasks that are Leading to Elbow Issues
Many people have heard and will use terms like “tennis elbow” and “golfer’s elbow” but what exactly is the difference?
Not much really….Tennis Elbow and Golfer’s Elbow are both overuse injuries that are caused by any activity that requires repetitive motion of the arm and wrist. The difference between the two conditions lies in where the elbow is inflamed.
Both of these conditions are forms or epicondylitis, which is a medical term for inflammation of a tendon that attaches to bone (Epicondyle) of the elbow joint.
Keeping up with Home Exercise Programs
Bodily maintenance is important for you whether you’ve finished a course of physical therapy, or you’re currently attending physical therapy.
It is important to continue at home exercises to reach the goals you have set for yourself and maintain the strength you have gained. Now is a good time to make time everyday to do some exercises from your HEP to maintain strength that you have built up.
What is Your HEP?
Read full blogCOVID-19: Preventing the Spread 101
Steps to a Virus Free Clinic!
At LSTC we take pride in having a germ and virus free clinic all the time. We do this through cleaning and disinfecting equipment, exam tables and counters, washing our hands frequently, and staying home when sick.
Several times throughout the day we clean and disinfect:
- Check-in and Check-out counters
- Door handles
- Waiting room chairs
- Bathrooms
- Computers and desk working spaces
- Exam room tables (sanitized after every use)
- Gym equipment (sanitized after every use)
- Exam tables in the gym (sanitized after every use)
- Phones
- Our hands
With the outbreak of this virus, we have increased the frequency of this to insure that COVID-19 as well as other viruses do not spread.
Read full blogThe Fancy Word for Knee Discomfort
Patellofemoral pain is a general term used to describe pain that resides in the front of the knee and around the kneecap, also known as the patella. Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, PFPS, is also known as both runners’ and jumpers’ knee due to the type of athletes who commonly complain of the problem. Based on the nicknames of PFPS, most people tend to believe that it can only occur in athletes or those who participate in high intensity sports, however it can also occur in the older and more sedentary populations.
Read full blogThe Culprits of Back Issues
Back pain can arise due to a number of different reasons:
- It can be of traumatic origin, such as a car accident or a high impact fall.
- It can be degenerative in nature, occurring as the vertebral bones become arthritic and the joints they form no longer move as well.
- It can be postural, developing when poor muscle control causes nerves that emerge off the spine to become irritated.
Journey to Becoming a Certified Athletic Trainer
What are Certified Athletic Trainers?
Athletic trainers (ATs) are highly qualified, multi-skilled health care professionals who render service or treatment, under the direction of or in collaboration with a physician, in accordance with their education, training and the state’s statutes, rules and regulations. As a part of the health care team, services provided by athletic trainers include primary care, injury and illness prevention, wellness promotion and education, emergent care, examination and clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions. The NATA Code of Ethics states the principles of ethical behavior that should be followed in the practice of athletic training.
Read full blogThe Truth Behind Our Hip Pain
Causes of Hip Pain
There are multiple structures in and around the hip joint that can produce pain in this area of the body:
- Labrum– the ring of cartilage around the rim of the socket of the hip joint. Tears can produce symptoms of catching, locking or giving out of the hip.
- Hip abnormalities– abnormalities in the shape, size, or position of the ball or socket of the hip joint that can cause instability of the joint, pinching of the hip and a deep pain.
Why We Should Strengthen Our Hips
Many people suffer from low back and hip pain and don’t even realize how much hip strength can influence these conditions. The hip abductors are one of the most influential muscle groups in the body and are an integral part of your body’s overall health.
What are our hip abductors?
The hip abductors consist of:
- The gluteus medius
- The gluteus minimus
- The tensor fasciae latae
These muscles primarily move the leg away from the midline of the body and help rotate the leg at the hip joint.
Read full blogThe Chain to Low Back Pain
How Much Does Back Pain Impact Us?
Chronic back pain and discomfort is a debilitating condition that will affect the majority of Americans at some point during their life. In fact, chronic back pain is one of the leading reasons people go to the doctor and employees miss work. Chronic back pain can make it difficult to walk, sit, drive, and perform routine activities such as laundry, and dishes; to name a few.
