At Breakthrough Physical Therapy, all of our physical therapists are trained in vestibular physical therapy, with several therapists also being vestibular rehabilitation specialists or possessing additional training in this area. Meet our North & South Carolina vestibular therapists below, and follow the links to learn more! Vestibular Therapy in Fayetteville, North Carolina Dr. Arryn Gamble, PT, DPT, MSCS, CSRS “I practice neurologic Physical Therapy with a focus in vestibular rehab therapy, neurodegenerative conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinsons, as well as brain injuries ..read more

When seeking relief from muscle stiffness, soreness or cramps, you may have heard that a heating pad is your best option. But how do you know which one to choose when they come in so many varieties? In this comprehensive article, Verywell Fit dives into the top heating pad picks doctors and physical therapists recommended. Discover the best heating pads for your needs along with expert advice on safe usage and what features to prioritize from our very own Alex Corbett, PT, DPT. Read more here: From Microwavable Magic to Targeted Therapy, We Tested the Best Heating Pads The post From Microwavab ..read more

Written by Alex Corbett, PT, DPT Who can benefit from strength training?  Mark Bell coined the phrase, “Strength is never a weakness. Weakness is never a strength.” Everyone can find value in strength training because it provides value in so many dimensions. Whether you are a teenager or an older adult, there is at least one reason why strength training will benefit you. This list is not all-inclusive, but below are 10 benefits of strength training:  Increased Strength and Power: Strength training isn’t only for athletes. By improving strength, daily activities like g ..read more

Written by Alex Corbett, PT, DPT We spent time reviewing the best places to cold plunge in Raleigh, Durham, NC. In addition, we also go over how cold and how long to plunge for, as well as some safety notes. If you haven’t read our previous blog on the top 6 benefits of cold plunges, we suggest that you check it out. We go in depth on all of the benefits, drawbacks, and practical applications of cold plunges. Here is a quick summary of cold plunging benefits: Enhanced mood & focus Reduced inflammation & muscle soreness Improved recovery & physical performance Improved immune syst ..read more

What is a cold plunge? A cold plunge, also known as an ice bath or cold water immersion, refers to deliberate cold exposure in water. Plunges typically happen in water less than 60°F and can go low as 38°F. They can take place in winter oceans, lakes, bathtubs, or special tubs designed to maintain temperature. View this post on Instagram A post shared by BreakThrough Physical Therapy (@ptbreakthrough) What Are the Benefits of a Cold Plunge? What if someone told you that a brief dip in cold water could give you all of these benefits? Enhanced mood & focus Reduced inflammation & ..read more

5 Activities To Do This Fall Fall is finally upon us, bringing cooler temps, crunchy leaves and spooky season. Take advantage of the lovely, cool weather by getting outside and participating in one of the Autumn-themed activities around your community. Grab your flannel, a big water bottle and maybe a few snacks before leaving the house. See below for five family-friendly activities you can participate in regardless of where you live. Raking Leaves with Grandparents or Family Raking leaves is the perfect way to make chores fun again. This is an excellent activity for grandparents and grandchil ..read more

Physical Therapists (PTs) and Physical Therapist Assistants (PTAs) work tirelessly to help patients complete daily activities with as little pain as possible. By creating personalized treatment plans enveloping education, exercises, and stretches, PTs work with their patients to help them achieve optimal health so they can return to the activities they love, like running and walking. It has been proven time after time that physical activity improves heart and lung health, prevents chronic diseases like Type 2 Diabetes, and boosts the immune system to fight illnesses like the common fold and th ..read more

Reducing Inflammation for Injury & Pain Prevention Best Way To Reduce Inflammation Inflammation is our body’s way of responding to injuries, illnesses, and infections. Inflammation is a normal response at first, but it is considered chronic inflammation when it persists for longer than it takes an injury to heal. Chronic inflammation can cause many problems, including joint pain, stiffness, and injuries. Chronic inflammation can occur within joints themselves or be present in the rest of the body as well. Systemic inflammation in the body is often due to comorbidities like diabetes, cardi ..read more

New York Jets quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, sustained a major injury on Monday night. Many are wondering what happened, recovery options, when Rodgers may play again, and what PT looks like for this type of injury. We asked two of our BreakThrough Physical Therapists, Alex Corbett & Alan Tomczykowski, their thoughts on the event: What happened? Alex: Rodgers tore his Achilles tendon, which is the main tendon that connects your calf muscles to your ankle. The tendon is one of the strongest tendons in the body, responsible for absorbing impact from running and jumping. However, having a 240 lb ..read more

How Physical Therapy Can Help With Neck Pain Up to 70 percent of adults will experience neck pain that affects their quality of life in their lifetime. Physical therapists are front-line providers for helping alleviate neck pain due to their extensive experience and education around solutions. Neck pain relief can be achieved by improving mobility, strength, flexibility, and proper movement patterns in the neck, upper back, and shoulders. Physical therapy and therapeutic exercise addresses the root cause and factors that caused neck pain to develop in the first place. Recent research has shown ..read more