Physical Therapy or Chiropractor? Who should I see for my new injury? Getting injured, especially for the first time, is a terrifying experience. When we unfortunately suffer a setback, it can be difficult to decide what to do. A quick google search will tell you to see either a physical therapist or a chiropractor but…what is the difference? Both PTs and chiros fall under the same general umbrella of a treatment approach to relieve pain and improve mobility. The main differences between a PT and a chiropractor are in the way they achieve these goals. Physical Therapy A physical therapist, as ..read more

In our fast-paced society, it is almost inherent that at some point in our day we are going to have to multi-task or dual task: when an individual is required to perform two tasks simultaneously.  You already do this! putting groceries away requires dynamic balance as you turn, pivot, carry, lift, and maybe squat while you are also being mindful of what objects go in the fridge vs cupboard Playing hopscotch requires you to alternate hopping patterns while counting to a pre-determined number of steps based on what you rolled Going for a walk with a friend where you are carrying on a conve ..read more

As Physical Therapists, we often talk about and analyze posture. The truth is, there is no perfect posture. In fact, the best posture is your next posture! Because our bodies are not symmetrical on the inside, with the heart taking up more space on the left and liver on the right, we naturally favor certain body positions and patterns. That’s why it’s so important to change positions often. Postural Restoration Institute (PRI) is a science in which credential professionals recognize the patterns and imbalances to further improve the entire body’s integration and function. The muscular, neurolo ..read more

As a physical therapist, I have witnessed the significant impact that diet, exercise, and therapeutic interventions can have on our overall well-being. Today, we delve into a topic of utmost importance: nutrition, physical therapy, and their role in managing osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a condition that affects millions of people worldwide, particularly women over the age of 50. It is characterized by weak and brittle bones, making individuals more prone to fractures and injuries. While factors such as age, genetics, and hormonal changes play a role in the development of osteoporosis, the com ..read more

Several studies show that static stretching does not change the ability of the muscle to lengthen rather it increases what is referred to as a stretch reserve. It is thought that more exposure to static stretching makes people feel the stretch less and are more likely to push into the stretch! Stretch reserve is the tolerance to stretch sensation Depending on the amount of stretch, the person may cross over into what is called the plastic zone where you pull on the connective tissue and create physical changes in the connective tissue. Think of it as pulling on a plastic bag where it stretches ..read more

Before flying, airline pilots go through a thorough checklist to make sure the plane is ready for takeoff. When we go to the dentist, we have an expectation for what will happen (a hygienist will clean our teeth, tell us to floss more, and check for cavities). Physical therapy can be extremely variable, and the style of an evaluation can depend on which therapist you see. A few physical therapists at Joint Ventures recently became certified in the SFMA (Selective Functional Movement Assessment) in order to help create a standard evaluation that can be used for any orthopedic condition. The SFM ..read more

When seeking advice for muscle or joint pain, patients are often told that they have tight muscles. An explanation they may receive is that tight muscles alone cause pain, or these tight muscles alter the way a joint functions and thus causes pain. Now, there is some validity to this explanation and people may experience relief of pain with interventions aimed at “loosening” a tight muscle. This may include stretching, massage, foam rolling, dry needling, etc. However, this may not always be the case and a patient may not see significant improvements in their symptoms with the above mentioned ..read more

“Pull your shoulders back. Pull your stomach in. Put your weight mostly on the balls of your feet.”   With so many emphatic recommendations surrounding the concept of “proper posture,” it can be difficult to figure out what is actually “correct.”  Even more confusing can be the contradiction experienced when trying to follow all these recommendations, and then feeling exhausted, or sometimes feeling worse!  Luckily, despite the array of rigid opinions on posture, the truth is likely a bit more vague, but also a bit more forgiving.  While it’s not technically incorrect that ..read more

What is EDS? EDS, or Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, is an inherited connective tissue disorder that can affect the tissues that support many of the structures in our body (i.e. skin, ligaments, muscles, organs, etc). Although there are six types of EDS, the most common one is EDS Hypermobility, which can only be confirmed by a geneticist. If you think you might have EDS, you should set up an appointment with your primary care physician and ask for a referral with a geneticist and a physical therapist.   What are some common EDS symptoms? –        Frequent ..read more

Exercise is a broad term, with varied aims for different people.  For many of us, we exercise with the goal of improving something.  Maybe that means being able to lift heavier things, or maybe that means being able to walk farther without having to take a break.  Regardless of our specific goals, we typically have the expectation that our exertion equates to something getting easier.  Which it should, and in most cases does!  But while we generally tend to make a direct connection between our work and improvement, it’s a bit of an oversimplification.  Exercise le ..read more