As we all know, aging involves our muscles deteriorating at an ever-increasing pace, something that we may not care for as life becomes more stable for us. But not only can aging muscles be a burden to us, but the fact that they become weaker can only spell trouble for us as we start to…
It’s a well-respected fact that the way we think, and feel will vary as we age, especially after every decade. Unfortunately for us, we can’t compare how we feel when we’re 20 and 50 right next to each other and our body adapts ever so slightly with each year. But at particular ages, we start…
Many activities require the use of our hamstrings, from walking to running, climbing and even jumping. The hamstring is one of the larger muscles in our lower body that does a lot of heavy lifting and works by acting on the hip and knee. While there are a number of factors like age and a…
If you are feeling stiff and experiencing pain in the lower pack, this classic yoga pose might be the perfect tool for relief. In this video, we’ll show you the progression of this pose starting in a chair for more support. It may look like you’re resting, but Child’s pose is an active stretch that…
What is Muscle Soreness? Every one of us has probably felt a soreness in our muscles after an intense workout and this could come hours or even days after the workout. So, what exactly is muscle soreness and why does it come about? Well, muscle soreness is actually known as delayed onset muscle soreness or…
Most Athletes at some point in their training would have sustained an injury that would stick with them for the rest of their lives despite making a full recovery. For most, these injuries are more underlying and chronic than acute, resulting in perhaps a slightly lower quality of life in general. Here is an insight…
Gaining much popularity over the past decade, foam rolling is a great way to perform self-massage. However, this method is not magic for an injury. It should be used as a preventive method. Here to show you some basic moves, Dr. Kirk will go over some easy ways to enjoy the benefits of foam rolling.
Lacrosse, a sport that has existed for a long time in the country and has recently become even more famous is taking the country by storm. Dubbed “America’s first sport”, lacrosse is fairly popular across high schools and colleges, with many players partaking in the game recreationally. The sport in itself combines multiple elements from…
Motivation is a funny thing; it comes fast and keeps you working at your very best, but it goes equally as fast. Everyone runs out of motivation from time to time, and now that summer is over, you may find the need to exercise and keep your summer bod, ever so pertinent. The easiest solution…
Bergen County in New Jersey is one of the most beautiful counties located in the United States, with tons of beautiful scenery and activities to do there. If you’re staying in the area, there are simply so many different ways to spice up your fitness life with the abundance of activities to try. With so…
Soccer is a sport that is well-loved and played by over 24.4 million Americans in the United States. Not only is this sport a perfect Aerobic exercise, but it also develops a plethora of other motor skills in players. Kids and adults are able to benefit from just a simple game of soccer on a…
The Tommy John Surgery is notorious among baseball players. It’s a surgery needed to fix a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) that can happen from the repetitive motion of throwing a baseball. When one throws during a baseball game, the UCL runs the risk of being torn, frayed and stretched due to the high amount…
Summer is here so get ready to head out into the sun and get active! If you’re a fan of the outdoors and getting fit, then this article will give you a brief list of summer activities to strengthen your body while having fun at the same time. These activities can be done with friends…
Are you experiencing fatigue throughout the day? Has your working lifestyle recently had an impact on your body in the form of back aches, shoulder pains, or problems with your posture? Many adults experience this problem and are quick to dismiss it as just “growing old,” but there are some movements you can add to your…
Inflammation can be an issue, especially with the older generation when joints and soft tissue become more prone to injury. Inflammation typically presents itself in the form of swelling, pain and redness around the affected part of the body and it can be particularly irritating if it appears constantly after exercise. Today, we will take…
Knee injuries are common, especially for active individuals. Once they occur, it is especially frustrating because of how they impair both performance and progression. Unfortunately, there really is only so much you can do in order circumvent the injury and continue your workouts. Always seek advice from your medical professional before going ahead with the…
Your body isn’t meant to be sedentary on a daily basis. We are meant to be moving around for the better part of the day. But what exactly happens to your body when you sit at a desk for up to eight hours a day, barely moving in between those times? Today, we’ll take a look at some…
The chances of an ACL injury happening has been on a rise significantly over the years. Most notably, ACL injuries due to soccer have been one of the main risks that effect the youth to adults. Many players, and even coaches are not properly informed about how to treat and prevent this injury. However, knowing how to…
Knee injuries are a common problem for people leading an active lifestyle because it is the largest joint in the body and one that is involved largely in most daily activities. Before we dive into the most common knee injuries, we have to understand the anatomy of the knee. The knee consists of bones, cartilage, ligaments and tendons….
Every day, our physical therapists and supporting staff build someone’s personal success story. This February 2017, we added to our long line of successes! Here are some of the February 2017 patients we want to congratulate for their hard work on the road to recovery. February 2017 Success Stories Sherone was referred to SportsMed Physical Therapy of Glen Rock, New…
Every day, our physical therapists and supporting staff build someone’s personal success story. This January 2017, we added to our long line of successes! Here are some of the January 2017 patients we want to congratulate for their hard work on the road to recovery. January 2017 Success Stories Gymnast Julianna came to SportsMed Physical Therapy of Glen…
Working out with elbow pain can be a real nuisance, especially since almost every upper body exercise requires this joint. So how can you maintain your exercise regimen while nursing this injury? Today, we’ll be covering how you can maintain your exercise routine while fighting the elbow pain. There are a number of reasons for elbow pain to occur….
If you’re an avid runner or participate in high-intensity sports, chances are you’ll be plagued with ankle pain at some point in your life. Unfortunately, ankle pain can be a real nuisance as it will very likely prevent you from doing any serious form of exercises due to the nature of the debilitating pain. Depending on…
If you find yourself repeatedly having difficulty with your sprints, or perhaps having to deal with lower body injuries, there could be a problem with your gluteal strengthening routine. The gluteal muscles, or your buttocks, are often overlooked in everyday activities. If you think that the gluteal strengthening is not important, think again. The glutes are…
Having a strong core is the very essence of a strong foundation in your body. It is the core that determines overall stability in your body and provides an active support of the lumbar spine. Your everyday actions, even if they don’t involve participating in sports or fitness, requires the use of your core muscles. Whether…
Chronic knee pain affects a majority of athletes and even casual recreational sports and gym enthusiasts. Most of the time, knee pain is caused by an underlying injury, either through a sudden impact or an overuse of the knee joint. Other genetic and environmental factors that can affect chronic knee pain includes arthritis of the knee….
Back pain can be a real problem, especially when its caused by having a sedentary lifestyle. Most people experience acute back pain lasting from days to weeks at ends while others are unfortunate enough to have to deal with chronic back pain due to injuries. Working out with acute or chronic back pain can be a tedious…
Leading a sedentary lifestyle has always been frowned upon by health experts and medical professionals. We have long known the adverse effects of sitting for extended periods of time, but how is it really affecting your back health? The majority of corporate workers are spending more time sitting than moving around. When we sit for long periods…
Have you been feeling a sharp foot pain in the morning? Has your foot been hurting more throughout the day? If you’ve been experiencing this foot pain, perhaps you’ve been dealing with plantar fasciitis. What Is Plantar Fasciitis? Plantar fasciitis occurs when the plantar fascia (flat band of ligament on the base of your sole that connects your…
Do your hips feel different as the years pass by? Do your knees come forward excessively during functional movements like squatting or lunging? These are all signs of a lack of hip hinging mechanics due to weak gluteal muscles, which carries forward to a dysfunctional body. The gluteal muscles consist of three muscle groups that form your buttocks —…
What Are Shin Splints? The term shin splints has been adopted to describe pain in the front lower leg, mostly of an acute nature that may persist from hours to days. People that seem to be afflicted with this condition are mostly individuals who engage in moderately to heavy physical activities on a daily basis….
While some injuries are almost impossible to prevent, many common workout injuries can be avoided. Today, we will be covering five of the most common workout injuries that may be due to improper movements in your exercise routine. Lower Back Problems One of the most common injuries are those associated with lower back problems. These injuries are especially…
Starting out in yoga can be intimidating, especially if your current impression of exercising involves intense cardio or lifting heavy weights. However, you’ll learn in due time that yoga is more than just stretching and holding poses. Consistent yoga practice can improve mindfulness, reduce stress, increase flexibility, AND it can be an awesome workout. Here are…
Flexibility has often been overlooked by athletes and casual fitness goers because of the time required to commit to accomplish to reap its benefits. Flexibility is the term given to understand the range of limb movements needed around the joints. Yoga is one of the most effective ways to improve flexibility when practiced regularly. Exercises…
Having a core routine is imperative for developing strong core stability, which affects the recruitment of the trunk musculature. It also controls the position of our lumbar spine during dynamic movements. The support on our spine not only helps with proper balance and posture, but it prevents injuries from activities that involve overall engagement of…
Have you been experiencing some intense neck discomfort recently, with perhaps a slight soreness or loss of ROM (range of motion) from your neck to your upper back? The cervical spine is an amazing structure that supports the entire range of our skeletal system from the head, down to our hips, allowing for functional flexibility and…
Having knee discomfort isn’t an excuse for you to stop exercising on a daily basis, and it doesn’t mean you’ll have to deal with pain for the rest of your life. There are certain exercises that you may be doing which are aggravating the pain in your knees from your arthritis or a previous injury. Certain…
What is Blood Pressure? When your heart beats, it pushes blood through the body delivering blood and nutrients to its tissues. As blood travels, it pushes against blood vessels, this is called blood pressure (BP). How is it measured? Blood pressure can be taken by a machine or manually by a trained professional using a…
What is Blood Pressure? When your heart beats, it pushes blood through the body, delivering blood and nutrients to its tissues. As blood travels, it pushes against blood vessels. This is what is referred to as blood pressure. How is it measured? Blood pressure can be taken by a machine or manually by a trained…
If you were thinking ‘what are common injuries for someone in the emergency services?’, you might immediately start assuming the worst. Law enforcement? Bullets. Firefighters? Burns. Search and rescue? Falls. This isn’t the full story. If any of these things occur, something has gone badly wrong and decades of planning, prevention, simulation and training have failed…
![How To Avoid Text Neck [VIDEO]](https://spineandsportsmed.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/text-neck.jpg)
The average American spends about 4 hours each day staring at their phone, whether its for texting, social media, sending emails, etc. Constantly straining your neck in a “texting position” can have long term consequences, such as compromised posture. To avoid this, we must counteract text neck with daily stretches and exercises. Today, we are…
William Araneta, one of our in-house physical therapist assistants, is here to share the top 3 stretches that can help alleviate back pain. These simple stretches are perfect for those who spend many hours driving, sitting at a desk, or having to bend to lift up heavy objects on a daily basis. Preparation and consistency will help you…
If you cannot touch your toes, you are not alone. Modern society has left many of us stiff and tight, with limited range of motion. The reason this is an issue of concern is because it can lead to pulled muscles and joint pain in the future. Range of motion can usually be restored with a…
Treating injuries is necessary, but ideally you want your body to be in a position to avoid getting injured in the first place. Lifting correctly while helping a friend with moving, or even doing household chores is essential to avoid injury, especially as we age. Summer time is usually filled with outdoor tasks, such as taking care…
Suffering from a sports injury is something that many people face each year. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete, or a weekend warrior, the more active you are, the greater the chance for a sports injury to occur. But the good news is that there are 5 great ways to avoid a sports injury. Keep these…
Among desk-bound workers, shoulder pain is common. The hunched over and internally rotated position found in cubicles leads to many musculoskeletal issues, shoulder pain being just one of them. Soft tissue work can help. If you have shoulder pain that is constant, be sure to get checked out by a doctor. Knowing the cause of…
Inflammation in your body will promote and/or enhance the effects of arthritis. Luckily, there are steps you can take to reduce inflammation and keep arthritis away. The following tips may help reduce the pain – try to implement as many of them as you can in your daily activities! Weight Loss If you are overweight,…
Follow these simple tips to keep your back healthy and strong! Keep Your Weight In Check Keeping weight in check is great for your health in many ways. In terms of keeping your back healthy, maintaining a healthy body weight places less stress on your spine. Sit Less Sitting puts more stress on your lower…
Do you have back pain? If it lasts for over a week, get it checked by a medical professional. If you merely tweaked it, you may be able to recover with some quick fixes. Many times, back pain comes from being too sedentary. Sitting for most of the day will cause the body to adapt…
Of all the joints, the most common to have issues is the shoulder. The shoulder joint is not very stable compared to other joints in the body, and it becomes less stable as we age. However, there are exercises you can do to protect your shoulders after turning 50. Shoulders issues, specifically the rotator cuff, are…
Has your neck been feeling stiff or tight? Have you been experiencing migraines? Neck pain is very common with people who work at a desk for most or all of the day. People that sit at a desk, or drive a vehicle tend to be especially prone to neck pain due to posture and a sedentary lifestyle….
Regular physical activity is an important part of living a healthy life. For those who were forced to take time off due to an injury, coming back may seem like a daunting task. For type ‘A’ personalities, the urge to hit the ground running could be intense. Regardless of your injury, specific steps should be…
The thought of working out with back pain can seem strange or scary, especially when the source of the pain may not be understood. However, you can exercise safely, as long as you are properly informed. Caution translates into resting until it goes away, which happens to be flawed logic. Exercise not only preserves what…
Knee pain is common. The issue is often ignored and left untreated until it interrupts daily life. Don’t ignore early signs of a knee injury! Instead, learn how to exercise to decrease your knee discomfort. Resting your knee is usually a good idea. If something hurts, either stay away from the activity that caused your pain, or…
Possibly the most common of knee injures is a ligament tear or strain. The knee has four main ligaments – Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL), Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL), Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL), and Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL). These ligaments provide stability for the knee joint and help keep its bones in place. Injuries to ligaments,…
Possibly the most common of knee injures is a ligament tear or strain. The knee has four main ligaments – Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL), Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL), Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL), and Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL). These ligaments provide stability for the knee joint and help keep its bones in place. MCL Injury to ligaments,…
Do you get back pain while doing simple household chores like sweeping or mopping? Most of us don’t like doing chores and adding pain to the mix makes them seem even less appealing. You may be in luck, studies done by the Facebook Institute of Bogus Experiments (FIBE) show that some individuals are predisposed to adverse…
Have you seen foam tubes around your gym? They are usually located by stretch areas, and they come in different colors (blue, black, white) as well as textures (hard, soft, some have spikes). Perhaps you have noticed others use them on their back, legs, or calves but have never given them a shot. They are called…
Possibly the most common of knee injures is a ligament tear or strain. The knee has four main ligaments – Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL), Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL), Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL), and Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL). These ligaments provide stability for the knee joint and help keep its bones in place. Injuries to ligaments,…
Possibly the most common of knee injures is a ligament tear or strain. The knee has four main ligaments – Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL), Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL), Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL), and Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL). These ligaments provide stability for the knee joint and help keep its bones in place. An ACL injury is…
Hard to believe, but it seems like we made it past another winter(for the most part!). While some of us aren’t bothered by staying indoors, there are plenty of people who prefer to do their exercise outdoors. Before you go for a run, we wanted to go through our 7 tips for an injury free Spring!…
If you go to a gym, you may have seen the rush of crowds. It’s no surprise. New Year’s resolutions are a big part of that. To make matters worse, there are thousands of ways to exercise, which can make finding the right workout plan for you seem daunting. It doesn’t help that everyone thinks their workout plan…
Low impact cardio is a popular method among the elderly, but it can actually be beneficial to anyone (including you)! This type of workout includes exercises that do not put a lot of stress on your joints. Generally, they do not involve hard surfaces and have you with at least one foot on the ground at all times….
Get ready for the second of our two part Road to Recovery: Shoulder Pain series. Today’s focus will be on shoulder pain exercises! If you missed the first part click here before continuing: Road to Recovery: Shoulder Pain Injury It is important to understand Thoracic Flexion and Extension in order to help treat and prevent shoulder pain….
This is the second part of the Road to Recovery – Back Pain series, focusing on back pain treatment. If you missed the first part click here before continuing: THE ROAD TO RECOVERY SERIES: BACK PAIN REHABILITATION (PART 1) It is important to understand Hip Flexion and Extension in order to help treat and prevent…
We’re back again this week to continue our Road to Recovery series! This week, the topic is Shoulder Pain Injury. Ever wonder why shoulder pain is so common these days? It’s our daily habits that get us into trouble, and technology doesn’t help. The body is highly adaptable, but that also means it must adapt to…
Are you sitting too much? Most Americans will sit for 8+ hours per day. That’s a lot! Think about it…most people sit on the way to work, sit at work, sit on the way home, sit to eat, sit to watch TV, and sit to read. By now it’s safe to assume that we all…
You may have heard this before – cold weather causes joint pain. The complaint can be heard commonly among those with joint or back pain. So is it true? Research to backing it is limited but generally it is believed to be true and there is a name – Cold Allodynia. To be more specific the cold itself may not…
Cold weather means cold muscles. And cold muscles lead to decreased mobility, and higher chances of injury. Both BIG “NO-NOs” in the physical therapy world. Before you get into your next workout, use our Winter warm up tips to get your body primed for the demands of exercise in the cold. Need an Appointment? If you have…
Learning to pack your shoulder is essential for almost every exercise you do. Shoulder packing will not only protect it, but will also give you more leverage when doing pulling or pressing movements such as Lat Pulldowns or Bench Pressing. What is Shoulder Packing? The shoulder joint has high amounts of mobility which is a good thing because it…
What is a foam roller? You may have seen these foam tubes laying on the floor of the stretch area at your gym. They come in different colors – black, blue, or white, some have different textures on them, and some can be temperature controlled. Perhaps you have noticed people on them whose face changes to…
The Dangers of Osteoporosis Osteoporosis is statistically one of the biggest causes of death for seniors. One in six women with a hip fracture are able to survive. For men, the rate is even worse. What we do know is that 30% of all osteoporosis is caused by genetic predisposition. So if you have a family…
What is Frozen Shoulder? Adhesive capsulitis, also known as frozen shoulder is a musculoskeletal disorder caused by stiff, or inflamed tissues around the shoulder which lead to restricted range of motion (ROM) and moderate to severe pain. Movements such as putting your seatbelt on, scratching your back, or showering become painful and difficult. Disrupted sleeping patterns…
Recently published in the journal Osteoporosis International, a study on nutrition and osteoporosis discovered a nutritional shift that has been long suspected of causing a greater risk of osteoporosis. It was noted that a decline in milk consumption has been observed among children across the world over the last few decades, leading to a lack of…
As many as 86% of Americans sit at a desk at their place of employment. Researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have released a figure stating that 80% of American adults don’t get enough exercise. Think about those numbers. As we sit more and more, our muscles, joints, and tendons will…
A stiff neck can happen at any point in our lives, and more often than not, we’ve all had some kind of neck strain to deal with. If the pain is severe, and it greatly restricts your daily routine, we recommend you schedule an appointment at our office immediately. However, if it’s a generally mild strain…
When you hear the term “core,” abdominal muscles may immediately come to mind. However, the core actually comprises much more than just the abs. The core includes all the deep and superficial muscles used to stabilize, align, and move the trunk of the body as well as the pelvis and hips. A strong core sets…
It’s sort of a trick question. The truth is, both dynamic and static stretching should be used to prevent injury and increase flexibility & strength. Imagine the muscles in your body were made of rubber bands. The less you use them, the more they stay constricted and tight. By using the proper stretching methods, you…