We are a culture that worships shoes. Companies have reaped untold billions from our insatiable desire to wear cool kicks. There is indeed a shoe for all occasions. There are shoes marketed specifically for nightlife, formal work settings, soccer, hiking, swimming, and one hundred other activities that I cannot think of. I am not immune. […]
Sitting Disease – The New Smoking: One Reason Fidgeting Is a Good Thing
Our ancestors walked or ran 10-20 miles a day, while the average American today instead sits 12+ hours a day. Talk about a dramatic change in lifestyle. It seems we are wising up to some of the overuse injuries that occur due to sitting for extended periods of time, especially staring at a computer screen […]
Hip Positioning With Squats: Should I Correct My Form?
Air squats, goblet squats, lunges, smith machine squats, thrusters, hack squats, back squats, front squats, overhead squats, and so on and so on… How many of us have been performing one of the above mentioned squats in a gym setting and have been told by a trainer or other professional to “rotate your hips outward […]
What Is the Topple Test for Dancers?
In rehabilitation there are many clinical tests that can help determine the type of injury a person may have. In dance, there are functional tests that help show readiness for some activities. The test that is being discussed today is the topple test. The topple test sees if a dancer can complete a clean single […]
Should I Use Ice or Should I Use Heat?
Here is a basic list that tries to answer the epic question: Ice or Heat? 1. Ice is generally advised for acute injuries, particularly during the first two weeks following tissue damage. Ankle sprains, sports injuries, back spasm, or most sudden orthopedic injuries that cause swelling and inflammation are a few examples. 2. Heat is […]
Why All The Fuss About the Gluteus Maximus?
The buttock, the derrière, the bum, the can, the posterior, and many more nicknames abound for the gluteus maximus, the largest single muscle in the body. The gluteus maximus is a vital supporter of both the lower back and the legs. With normal mechanics, the gluteus maximus powers our bodies with walking, stair climbing, and […]
What to Expect from Physical Therapy: Team Players Do Better!
You’ve waited on dealing with an injury for quite some time, because you’ve heard the jokes about physical therapy that don’t make it sound so appealing. “Don’t you know that PT stands for pain and torture?” Because of either pain or loss of function, you finally find yourself in physical therapy. What can you expect? […]
Proper Foot Care for Dancers
It is commonly known that dancers do not have the nicest feet to look at. Despite their rough appearance, dancers do generally work quite hard to care for their feet. The most minor of foot issues could really deter their training or performance schedule, so proper maintenance is paramount. Some major tips include (1) loving […]
Getting en Pointe: For the Progressing Dancer
The art of dancing en pointe is something that many little girls in ballet class work towards. It is a typical sign that you are now one of the “big girls.” However, the excitement of getting to this milestone can sometimes cause premature entry into the world of pointe shoes. Pointe shoes are a much […]
Why Should I Stretch My Back on a Foam Roll?
Too many of us sit at a desk all day. The effects of focusing on a monitor and reaching for a keyboard over time can be devastating. Fortunately, there is a simple stretching exercise that can help to counteract our imposed postural duress. There are two major benefits of lying on a foam roller. The […]
How Do I Stabilize an Unstable Shoulder?
A significant percentage of the population has “unstable” shoulders, or shoulders that have the ability to move into ranges that place one at risk for orthopedic injury. Also known by the medical community as “multi-directional instability,” loose shoulders are fairly easy to identify. If you suspect that you have an unstable shoulder, ask yourself the […]
The Healthcare Plight of the Working Dancer
Something that many people do not understand is that performing artists do not always have the same luxuries as a general office worker when it comes to healthcare coverage. While some may argue that fine arts are a needed part of society, the public is typically not aware of how little support these artists get […]
The Dancer’s Warm Up: You’ve Been Doing It Wrong For So Long
Every time I walk into dance facilities, I see the same thing, and as a physical therapist, it makes me cringe. I see dance students waiting for their classes to start by surrounding their respective studios in splits or some variation of a split. Yes, flexibility in dance is so very important, but this bad […]
Running Pearls – Tips on Cadence & Improving the Run
Any great course or lecture needs to have a few “take home” messages that stick with you. I had the pleasure of once taking a course that dealt specifically with running. Here are some pearls that I picked up… 1. Cadence is a measure of how many steps a runner takes per minute. For example, […]
My Experience in a Cryosauna
In the last few years people have been hearing more and more about these ever so popular cryogenic chambers that have seen the likes of professional athletes, such as LeBron James, Floyd Mayweather Jr., and Christiano Ronaldo – just to name a few. The cryogenic chambers make many claims from inflammation reduction to alleviation of […]
Are Laptops Worth the Convenience?
A patient of mine works for a large consulting firm here in Washington DC, where long hours and significant time spent traveling are the norm. Upon visiting this patient’s office for an ergonomic consultation, one thing struck me as odd: nearly all of the employees at this firm were using laptop computers rather than desktop […]
Ten Common Ways To Strain Your Neck
1. Inadequate Lighting The neck has a tendency to crane forward while we are working at the computer, watching television, and performing various other activities when there is a lack of ambient light. 2. Bifocals For the younger generation who wear contact lenses, bifocals are glasses that are specially made to allow the user to […]
Swan Neck Deformity of the Finger
Take a look at your hand and straighten your fingers out. If they look crooked, there can be a few different possibilities of what may be taking place. A specific pattern that will be discussed in this article is called Swan Neck deformity. In a swan neck finger, the tip of the finger is bent […]
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