When seeing new patients the same confusion comes up. They don’t know when to use a heating pad versus an ice pack. This article should help explain the theory of when to use what and will give you some easy guidelines. Physiological Response to Heat When the body temperature increases, the blood vessels become dilated, […]
Is Sleeping On My Side Bad For My Shoulder?
Especially for those of us who already have to deal with shoulder pain, the answer is a resounding “yes.” As a quick experiment, lie on your side. Think about the positioning of your shoulder as you lie on top of it. Most people will unconsciously position the body so that the bottom shoulder is forced […]
Physical Therapy Related Medical Abbreviations
Have you ever been confused by medical abbreviations written by doctors and therapists? Here is a list of common orthopedic abbreviations and definitions. THA: total hip replacement TKR: total knee replacement MMT / LMT: meniscal tears DDD: degenerative disc disease (spinal) DJD: degenerative joint disease (peripheral joints) FX: fracture HNP: spinal disc herniation RC: rotator […]
Why Does My Knee Crack?
One of the most common questions asked by knee patients is, “Why does my knee click?” There are several distinctively annoying sounds that can come from the knee: some of them are not worth worrying about, and others are more problematic. Here is a list of some of the more common knee noises and what […]
Strengthen Your Scapular Muscles!
The scapula, otherwise known as the shoulder blade, plays a vital role in shoulder mechanics. If the shoulder blade is not controlled well via the muscles that attach to it, problems ranging from neck pain to rotator cuff tendonitis are often the result. Scapular strengthening is often overlooked both in patients that are trying to […]
Shoulder Pain With Yoga? Adjust your “Downward Dog”!
The bones and tendons of the arms are not anatomically equipped to bear the brunt of our weight. If they were, we would still be walking around on all fours. The yoga “downward facing dog” position places us “on all fours,” placing abnormal stress on the tendons of the rotator cuff as the shoulder joints […]
Ankle Sprains and Hip Strength
Inversion ankle sprains, or sprains that involve the ankle turning inwards, are a very common injury both with athletes and with sedentary people. This type of injury often needs physical therapy, and there is much published research and data in relation to why these injuries occur, how to rehabilitate sprains, and how to prevent repeat […]
What Is Normal Hamstrings Length?
Depending on whom you ask, you may get different answers. One thing is for sure, men tend to have less flexibility than do women. Take a look at the attached picture, Phillip’s leg is making roughly a 70 degree angle with the table. At this point in his range, I am feeling some resistance from […]
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 […]
Microfracture Knee Surgery Rehabilitation
Microfracture procedures are becoming more popular as a means of attempting to salvage a severely arthritic knee. The concept behind microfracturing is relatively simple: a surgeon uses a small needle to make tiny punctures in the surfaces of the femur, tibia, or patella (all of which make up the joint surfaces of the knee). This […]
Experiencing Stiff Hands?
Muscles all over the body have the potential to become stiff and restricted from daily activities. When I evaluate a patient for the first time, I often ask them which of their muscles feel chronically tight. The most common replies are the hamstrings and the muscles of the neck. Even though we use our hands […]
Ankle Stability and Trail Running
I don’t get trail running. It is needlessly dangerous. I was walking my dog on a trail in Rock Creek Park the other day and played witness to a poor chap falling on his ass and sustaining one heck of an inversion ankle sprain. I had to help him get back to the street. Thank […]
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 […]
Can You Balance on One Leg?
Take your shoes and socks off. Stand on a flat surface and try to balance on one leg with the stance knee slightly unlocked. Can you do this ON EACH LEG for ten seconds without losing your balance or having to use your other foot to touch the floor? If you cannot, you need to […]
Lessons Learned From Breaking My Ankle
Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, Labor Day weekend 2009 will forever be burned into my memory for two reasons. The first reason is that I almost died. The second reason is that it forced me to look at my body in a way that has directed me in how I treat patients with movement dysfunctions and orthopedic […]
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