As a physical therapist, I at times feel the need to try out different forms of exercise that my patients participate in. I have tried the Pilates mat classes with the hallmark one hundred pulsed repetitions of modified abdominal crunches. Meh. My fit fifty-something neighbor finally convinced me last month to try “back to back” […]
Internal Rotation of the Shoulder: The Under-Prescribed Exercise!
In clinical physical therapy practice, I have noticed that rotator cuff exercises tend to have more of a bias towards external rotation rather than internal rotation. Why is this? Here is an example of external rotation (see video below). This can be done either on one’s side as in the first video or standing with […]
Does the “Fitbit” Foster Compliance?
I consider myself a bit lazy, both mentally and physically. Do I want to go out on a run with you this morning? No, I do not. I would rather sit here on the couch and find something more constructive to do with my time. I will drag myself to the gym several times a […]
The Rowing Machine Challenge
Personally, the most horrifying workout that I have experienced is the 2000 meter sprint using the Concept II indoor rowing machine. Even my friends who are Crossfit acolytes would rather do other grueling workouts than face the rower for a dreaded sprint trial. The gold standard for an adult male being crowned an absolute “badass” […]
Tandem Stance: Try It!
Do we ever give any thought about “balance” as we age? Given that upwards of one-third of individuals over the age of sixty-five will have a fall in any given year, it may be a good idea to be proactive about doing some balance training. Let’s use tandem stance as a great example of an […]
Reacquaint Yourself With “Straight Leg Raises”
The straight leg raise is the most commonly prescribed exercise in physical therapy for patients with knee pain. Unfortunately, it is probably the exercise that is most frequently performed incorrectly!! How can something that looks so simple be done incorrectly? The answer lies in successful recruitment of that pesky portion of the quadriceps known as […]
Staying Injury Free in Social Dance
When people think of dance injuries, the mind often automatically goes to a setting of a ballet barre or stage show. Sometimes dance injuries happen in the social dance arena as well. For the purposes of this article, the term social dance will be defined as a dance style that requires at least 2 people […]
Dealing with Dancer’s Hip: Snapping Hip Syndrome
Snapping hip syndrome in a disorder that is characterized by a popping or snapping sound when you bend, straighten, or rotate your hip. This is not a specific functional diagnosis, but is more of a descriptor. This dysfunction is more medically known as coxa saltans (Latin for dancer’s hip). It is less formally but more […]
Self-Massage & the Importance of Mobility Practices with Exercise
During formal rehabilitative sessions, patients spend portions of their treatments doing exercise, getting various modalities (hot/cold packs, ultrasound, electric stimulation), and spend time on a table where the therapist may be doing joint mobilization or soft tissue mobilization. Physical therapists are always stressing the importance of strengthening, stretching, and achieving functional range of motion. Often […]
Continuous Passive Motion Machines, Are They Worth It?
A Continuous Passive Motion machine, or CPM, is sometimes prescribed by surgeons to work on early active range of motion on a given joint following a surgical procedure. Lately, we have seen a few patients here at PhysioDC who have come for post-op knee rehab who have been prescribed a CPM unit for home use. […]
How Stress Affects Your Healing
It is clear that we live in a world full of stressers. There is work stress, home-life stress, parenting stress and, often times, unnecessary stress. Many people are unaware of the actual physical demand that stress places on the body. Our body has various systems that are always trying to work harmoniously, but when we […]
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 […]
Feeling Stiff in the Colder Weather
Snow is on the ground. The weather has definitely let us know that winter is approaching by the very brisk morning temperatures. I have personally noticed that, over the years, my body doesn’t enjoy the mornings so much when it starts to get too cold out. I essentially wake up feeling like a relative of […]
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 […]