When I told my orthopedic surgeon that I wanted Renee Dominy for care after back surgery, the surgeon told me, “You will be in good hands with her!” Renee is smart and knowledgeable about designing exercise and stretching regimens to support recovery. She is excellent at explaining what to do and how to do it effectively ..read more

Strong muscles aren’t just for lifting heavy things. Strength can benefit us in many ways, affecting different systems of the body. In physical therapy, we value strength because it helps keep us mobile and functional. We also appreciate it for its role in improving overall well being! Blood Sugar Muscle is a metabolically active tissue. In other words, our muscles store glucose (sugar) as a source of fuel. More muscle means more space for glucose storage, resulting in less glucose in the bloodstream. Our pancreas produces insulin, which is a hormone that lowers blood sugar. It helps the gluco ..read more

Question: What causes clicking and popping sensations in and around my joints, and is it a cause for concern? The popping, clicking, and/or snapping noises (also known as crepitus) can come from air bubbles that are quickly released in the joint space. Composed of oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide, these gas cavities are typically found in synovial joints where there is a layer of fluid separating the two bones. Although the sounds may seem alarming, there is no need to worry. It can happen by accident with natural everyday movements or be performed deliberately (ex: popping knuckles). Thos ..read more

Low back pain is one of the leading causes of people missing work. It is also one of the most common reasons people go to see their doctor. Oftentimes, this leads to unnecessary imaging (x-rays, MRIs, CT scans) or even surgery that doesn’t always fix the problem. So, why does your back hurt? Let’s dive into some reasons why people have back pain and how physical therapy can stop low back pain in its tracks! When it comes to assessing a patient who comes to see me for low back pain, I will screen not only the lumbar spine (low back), but I will also look at the thoracic spine (middle back where ..read more

So, you are going to start pelvic floor physical therapy. It’s possible that you either had no idea that pelvic floor physical therapy was a thing or that you even had a pelvic floor (or both!). You may feel unprepared or nervous. If so, this blog is for you! First, I want to tell you that not knowing about pelvic floor physical therapy or not knowing you have a pelvic floor are more common than you’d think. Most patients that I treat really don’t know much about the pelvic floor, let alone the different things that can go wrong with it. Surprisingly, even those in the healthcare field learn a ..read more

We talk a lot about pelvic floor dysfunction in adults, but did you realize that kids can have pelvic floor dysfunction too?  In fact, up to 30% of children suffer from incontinence, of which 9-12% suffer from functional constipation.  If these are left untreated, it can lead to dysfunction as an adult. When it comes to children, we address pelvic floor dysfunction similar to the way we would adults. We look at things like rib positioning, intra-abdominal pressure, nutrition, toileting position and techniques, and psychological factors.  Each one of these is a very important pie ..read more

You may remember it gaining fame during the 2016 Rio Olympics when Michael Phelps showed off circular bruises on his shoulders, back, and legs. Whether you know someone who has had it done, or have seen it through television and social media platforms, cupping has become a popular buzzword in recent years. At Complete Physical Therapy, we provide a wide range of hands-on manual interventions, including cupping! I’m here to give a brief overview of what it is, how it works, and explain ways it is used in physical therapy. Although it may seem like a new trend, cupping has been around since anci ..read more

IS IT NORMAL?  AM I NORMAL?? Have you ever asked yourself, “is it normal to pee when I run, jump, lift, cough, sneeze, etc.?”  So often we have things like this happen (especially after having a baby), and it can seem “normal,” even when discussing it with others, but common doesn’t equal normal.  Maybe you’re someone that is unable to “hold it” and once you get the sensation to pee, you have to run to the bathroom in a fury so that you don’t leak?  What about having to go “right now” when you pull into the driveway, unlock the door to the house, or hear running water?  ..read more

The trimester all moms long for: the fourth. This trimester was first named by pediatrician Harvey Karp, MD. It originated from his theory that all human mammals are born nearly helpless, meaning they require much more attention and care than most mammals do. Creating a constant need to be held, rocked, fed, and shushed; all stemming from the fact that babies are still adjusting to real life away from the mother’s womb. Not only is the precious newborn baby experiencing infinite amounts of changes, but so is the recovering mother. Changes for the mother include physical, mental, emotional, and ..read more

Considering a knee replacement but unsure of what to expect? Deciding whether or not to undergo surgery can be a difficult decision. Since physical therapy is critical to the success of the surgery, understanding the recovery process is important. It’s a journey that is unique to each person. At Complete Physical Therapy, we create individualized plans catered to your functional levels and goals, in order to get you back to the lifestyle you want to live! What to Expect After Surgery Expect to have bruising throughout the thigh and down the leg (even into your foot). This is completely normal ..read more