SportsMed Employees of the Month: February 2023

Every month, SportsMed Physical Therapy recognizes employees who consistently go above and beyond to provide our patients with the best quality care. They also strive to create a positive work environment and support their colleagues. We are honored and grateful to have them on our team. The following Employees of the Month received the most…

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Gait Training & Fall Prevention for Older Adults

Fall Prevention Awareness Week is a nationwide effort to raise awareness on preventing falls and reducing fall risk, and to empower older adults to live without the fear of falling. This year’s Fall Prevention Awareness Week is September 18-24. Gait training physical therapy is a preventative intervention utilized to address dysfunction in walking, balance, and…

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3 Common Reasons for Hand Pain in Women

By SportsMed Physical Therapy If you read our previous blog about common orthopedic injuries in female athletes, you already know that certain injuries occur more frequently in women in part due to their structural differences (in bones, ligaments and other tissues) from men, as well as hormonal fluctuations (such as higher estrogen). These reasons also…

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3 Common Orthopedic Injuries in Female Athletes

Although orthopedic injuries can happen to anyone at any time, the following issues are more commonly seen in women, especially female athletes. This is due to several factors, including typical female bone structure and alignment, joint and ligament laxity, muscular imbalances, and the effect of hormonal fluctuations. ACL tears The Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) is…

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Concussion Therapy: Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment

March is Brain Injury Awareness Month, although people suffer from the invisible consequences of brain injuries every single day. This month, we are shedding light on common brain injuries and how to treat them, featuring insights from SportsMed physical therapists who specialize in neurological rehabilitation, vestibular rehabilitation, and concussion therapy. This article is written by…

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Exercising Safely & Effectively in Cold Weather

Whether you’re hitting the slopes for a ski weekend or just heading outside for a run, exercising in cold weather presents a unique set of challenges. It takes the body longer to “warm up” (literally and figuratively) in cold weather, particularly the muscles and lungs. Additionally, while you may not feel like you’re sweating as…

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Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease

Over 500,000 people in the United States suffer from Parkinson’s disease, and the numbers are rising. Although the cause of this debilitating neurological degenerative disease is unknown, scientists and doctors alike attribute it to both environmental and genetic factors. Seeing that the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease progress very slowly over time, it is imperative for…

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Treating Neurological Disorders with AlterG

When we think about treatments for neurological disorders, many of us may not immediately make the connection between physical therapy and neurological disorder. The fact is, physical therapy is among one of the most useful treatments for neurological disorders and treating neurological disorders with AlterG technology has helped tremendously since its inception. Many patients with…

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AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill For Athletes

Getting injured for an athlete can be a frustrating problem, especially with the long recovery times and less than ideal conditions that simply hold back your potential. As a physical therapist, there used to be only so much that one can do in order to speed up recovery. However, with the introduction of the AlterG…

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AlterG: Performance with Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation and chronic problems from body weight can be difficult for patients. It doesn’t help that earth’s gravitational forces are acting against us, putting unnecessary pressure on patients and people suffering around the world. If you are suffering from chronic conditions such as obesity, injury from lower extremities, require gait training or are simply relatively…

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Common Beach Volleyball Injuries

Summer is here, and we expect everyone will be busy hitting the beach. Amongst the few beach games that everyone loves, beach volleyball remains to be one of the favorites that everyone plays. But while you are busy having fun, it is important to take care of your body. Most common beach volleyball injuries happen…

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How to Prevent a Hamstring Strain

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…

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The Best Morning Routine for An Achy Back

Your Morning Routine To Feel Better Throughout The Day

Having chronic back pain is no laughing matter, with millions of people around the world suffering from an achy back every day. The truth is, many such cases can be circumvented with a proper morning routine to alleviate the pain one feels and improve one’s posture at the same time. Today, we’ll be sharing with…

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Why Sitting Is Bad for Your Back

In the year 2018, it’s fairly common for people to have a sedentary lifestyle especially since many people have jobs in the office. Sitting for 6-8 hours a day isn’t all too uncommon and adding to that is the large percentage of people struggling from back problems. If you haven’t already heard, sitting for long…

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Yoga for Back Pain Relief (Child’s Pose)

Your Morning Routine To Feel Better Throughout The Day

If you are feeling stiff and experiencing pain in the lower pack, child’s pose, a classic yoga technique, 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…

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How to Know If You Have Arthritis

Knowing if you have arthritis can be problematic. There are tons of different symptoms and more than a hundred different types of arthritis and related conditions. The sad thing, however, is that many older individuals tend to resign to their fate that joint pain and arthritis is all part and parcel of growing old. Younger…

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Best Supplements for Arthritis

Many people around the world are suffering from different forms of arthritis and just as many have considered alternatives to address the pain. While supplements for arthritis alone may not be the solution to a complete recovery and elimination of the pain, they may be part of the solution to easing the problems you may…

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Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease

The Dangers of Osteoporosis and Bone Health

Over 500,000 people in the United States suffer from Parkinson’s disease, and the numbers are rising. Although the cause of this debilitating neurological degenerative disease is unknown, scientists and doctors alike attribute it to both environmental and genetic factors. Seeing that the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease progress very slowly over time, it is imperative for…

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The Different Types of Arthritis

What Is Arthritis?  Every so often we hear people complaining about arthritis and the pain that it brings to them, but what really does arthritis refer to? Well, arthritis is in fact not one type of disease but is instead a simplification of a broad range of different joint diseases and pain that occurs. Under…

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How to Improve Bone Health

The Spinal Series: Scoliosis

Bone health has often been overlooked by the young and active, resulting in a large proportion of people seeking to improve their bone health only when they age. Adding to this, one in four men over the age of 50 tend to encounter an osteoporosis-related fracture in his remaining lifetime, making it ever so imperative…

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Why Muscles Feel Sore After a Workout

Quick Fixes For Your Back Pain

What is Muscle Soreness (DOMS)? 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…

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How to Treat Muscle Soreness

The Road to Recovery: Neck Pain Treatment

Muscle soreness is inevitable for the active individual and every one of us will encounter it at some point in our lives. Muscle soreness is more accurately known as delayed onset muscle soreness or DOMS in short. The intensity of the soreness could vary from individual to individual, but a general pain and stiffness can…

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Former Athletes: 5 Common Injuries

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…

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What is Foam Rolling?

Gaining much popularity over the past decade, foam rolling is a great way to perform self-massage. Foam rolling 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. Foam rollers, massage balls, and rolling sticks have all gained a…

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How to Relieve Lower Back Pain [Video]

Dr. Brenden Kirk goes over how to relieve lower back pain with these quick and easy exercises. Video Link: https://youtu.be/wlj3IJNmzjs The first thing we’re going to do is a series of stretches for your glutes and for your piriformis, a muscle under your glutes that attaches to the bottom of your spine. First, cross one leg…

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Exercise to Help Lower Back Pain

Low back pain is a common problem and many people ask me what exercise they should do for their core. There are a lot of different exercises to choose from, but if I had to pick just one exercise, it would be the side plank. Studies have shown that there is not a huge amount…

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3 Common Lacrosse Injuries and How To Prevent Them

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…

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Get Mentally Stronger: Conquer Your Sport

Working Out with Acute or Chronic Knee Pain

Participating in a sport either competitively or recreationally requires a certain degree of mental strength in order to get you performing at your very best consistently, and it can be challenging to maintain that mindset for long periods of time. As the saying goes, ‘As the going gets tough, the tough gets going.’ It is…

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Set a Fitness Goal to Stay Motivated

Try These Workout Modifications for Knee Pain

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…

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Concussions and How to Avoid Them

Concussions have been a common occurrence in many activities these days, especially those with contact involved in them. Many people simply equate frequency of occurrence with a level of danger, dismissing the true severity of concussions and how they affect an individual. Concussions on its own are in fact brain injuries, and there is absolutely…

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How To Prevent 3 Common Running Injuries

Running is an activity that has existed for as long as humans have learned how to walk. The terrestrial locomotion was once used by humans to hunt their preys but soon evolved into a form of exercise and utilized in almost every single physical activity around. For athletes and physically active individuals that run on…

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Why Stretching Is Important

Importance of Improving your Flexibility Level

Stretching may not be seen as something to be done for non-athletes or regular people that go about their day without being involved in any form of physical activity. However, this common misconception could not be any more wrong and is the reason why so many folks complain about chronic aches and pain throughout their…

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Guide to Yoga for Beginners

Many people have heard about yoga and how it benefits the body without understanding what yoga really is. In this article, we will discuss the brief history of yoga and its purpose and ultimately provide you with a comprehensive guide to yoga for beginners that will get you started immediately.

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How to Avoid Tommy John Surgery

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…

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Occupational vs. Physical Therapy

SportsMed Physical Therapy - Tennis Elbow, Anyone?

If you’ve recently been injured at work and have been recommended therapy, you may find yourself confused by terms such as occupational vs. physical therapy. These terms can be confusing because while they are similar, they also have some key differences. It is thus imperative that you find yourself the right specialist to treat your…

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Chiropractic Treatment vs. Physical Therapy

People who frequently suffer from chronic pain in their muscles or joints often do not know what treatment they really need. There are tons of treatment available out there, which can make it daunting to figure out which is the right for you, especially with all of the misinformation floating around the internet. More specifically,…

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The Beginner’s Guide to Stretching

Now you may know the importance of stretching, but not everyone knows how to start off doing it. In fact, many people carry around the common misconception that flexibility is an area that doesn’t need much attention. This could not be any more wrong as most people lose their flexibility after growing into adulthood. Without…

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Physical Therapy for Chronic Pain

Bursitis: The Causes, Symptoms and Prevention

Physical therapy may not be seen as an alternative treatment for chronic pain, especially by ordinary people that are not involved in sports or physical activities in their lives. However, the fact is that physical therapy is one of the most recognized and proven treatments that exist today. Athletes from all walks of life see…

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Acupuncture for Aches and Pains

Many of you may have seen acupuncture in movies and shows, where doctors place dozens of needles into a person’s back, face and arms. Although it may seem painful and even gimmick-like, acupuncture is a historical healing technique which dates back to thousands of years with a wide variety of purposes. If you are suffering…

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Your Morning Routine for a Better Day

Your Morning Routine To Feel Better Throughout The Day

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…

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Natural Ways To Reduce Inflammation

Natural Ways To Reduce Inflammation

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…

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Try These Workout Modifications for Knee Pain

Try These Workout Modifications for Knee Pain

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…

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How A Mattress Can Effect Your Back

How A Mattress Can Effect Your Back

Most people spend six to ten hours each night lying on their mattress. And it may not be a coincidence that back pain has been on the rise over the past few years. What if the reason for your back pain starts from your mattress choice? Today, we will be taking a look at how a mattress can…

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How to Avoid an ACL Injury In Soccer

How to Avoid an ACL Injury In Soccer

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…

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The 3 Most Common Knee Injuries

The 3 Most Common Knee Injuries

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….

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SportsMed PT Success Stories, February 2017

SportsMed PT Success Stories, February 2017

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…

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SportsMed PT Success Stories, January 2017

SportsMed PT Success Stories, January 2017

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…

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Work Out Safely With Elbow Pain

Work Out Safely With Elbow Pain

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….

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Work Out Safely with Ankle Pain

Work Out Safely with Ankle Pain

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…

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The Importance Of Gluteal Strengthening

The Importance Of Gluteal Strengthening

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…

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The Importance Of Having A Strong Core

The Importance Of Having A Strong Core

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…

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Importance of Improving your Flexibility Level

Importance of Improving your Flexibility Level

Flexibility level is not usually one of the topics that people talk about when discussing their fitness levels. It may seem like a rather irrelevant subject as it doesn’t affect your strength or stamina, but flexibility is one of the most important foundations to building strong, functional body. Today, we’ll be covering the importance of…

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SportsMed PT Success Stories, December 2016

SportsMed PT Success Stories, December 2016

Every day, our physical therapists and supporting staff build someone’s personal success story. This December 2016 we added to our long line of successes! Here are some of the December 2016 patients we want to congratulate for their hard work on the road to recovery. December 2016 Success Stories Tommy Moore was referred to physical therapy by his primary care physician…

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Working Out with Acute or Chronic Knee Pain

Working Out with Acute or Chronic Knee Pain

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….

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Working Out with Acute or Chronic Back Pain

Working Out with Acute or Chronic Back Pain

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…

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SportsMed PT Success Stories, November 2016

SportsMed PT Success Stories, November 2016

Every day, our physical therapists and supporting staff build someone’s personal success story. This November 2016 we added to our long line of successes! Here are some of the November 2016 patients we want to congratulate for their hard work on the road to recovery. November 2016 Success Stories Elizabeth Tooman was referred to SportsMed Physical Therapy in…

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What Working At a Desk Is doing To Your Back Health

What Working At a Desk Is doing To Your Back Health

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…

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Plantar Fasciitis AKA Bottom Of The Foot Pain

Plantar Fasciitis AKA Bottom Of The Foot Pain

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…

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This Is the Best Workout For Weak Gluteal Muscles

This Is the Best Workout For Weak Gluteal Muscles

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 —…

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How to Avoid 5 Common Workout Injuries

How to Avoid 5 Common Workout Injuries

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…

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The Beginner’s Guide to Yoga Practice

The Beginner's Guide to Yoga Practice

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…

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Start Practicing Yoga To Improve Flexibility

Start Practicing Yoga To Improve Flexibility

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…

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Here’s What’s Missing in Your Core Routine

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…

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5 Ways to Alleviate Neck Discomfort in the Gym

5 Ways to Alleviate Neck Discomfort in the Gym

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…

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SportsMed PT Success Stories, September 2016

SportsMed PT Success Stories, September 2016

Every day, our physical therapists and supporting staff build someone’s personal success story. This September we added to our long line of successes! Here are some of the patients we want to congratulate for their hard work on the road to recovery. September Success Stories SELVA CAMPBELL was treated at SportsMed Physical Therapy of Glen Rock, NJ after her Internal Medicine…

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The Dangers Of Low Blood Pressure

The Dangers Of Low Blood Pressure

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…

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The Dangers of High Blood Pressure

All About Blood Pressure: High Blood Pressure

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…

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SportsMed PT Success Stories, August 2016

Happy Photos Of August

Our physical therapists revel in the success of their patients, and over the years have seen many stories of improved quality of life with their patients. Below are just a few stories from August we wanted to showcase to congratulate our patients’ success! Binder Ranjit came to SportsMed Physical Therapy of Fair Lawn NJ for…

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3 Common Injuries With Police and Firefighters

3 Common Injuries With Police and Firefighters

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…

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How To Avoid Text Neck [VIDEO]

How To Avoid Text Neck [VIDEO]

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…

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3 Stretches That Alleviate Back Pain [VIDEO]

3 Stretches That Alleviate Back Pain

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…

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3 Ways To Avoid Plantar Fasciitis [VIDEO]

3 Ways To Avoid Plantar Fascitis

Plantar Fasciitis is an inflammation of the plantar fascia (under your heel bone). When you walk, you feel a sharp pain through your heel, and this pain can interfere with everyday life. You may be wondering what Plantar Fasciitis is and how it affects the body. It’s actually an injury to the connective tissue that…

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Are You Able To Touch Your Toes?

Are You Able To Touch Your Toes?

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…

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Keep Your Back Safe By Lifting Correctly

Keep Your Back Safe By Lifting Correctly

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…

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5 Ways to Avoid a Sports Injury

5 Ways to Stay Away from Sports Injury

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…

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Have Shoulder Pain? Try Soft Tissue Work.

Have Shoulder Pain? Try Soft Tissue Work.

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…

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Are Pain Medications A Good Idea?

Are Pain Medications A Good Idea?

Pain medications aren’t without risk. Long term effects are controversial, because more often than not pain killer users are not well informed. As with any medicine, each person’s reaction to a pain killer will be different from each other. When evaluating the risks behind their usage, it’s best to talk to your doctor about specifics! Risks…

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Keep Arthritis Away With These Simple Tips

Keep Arthritis Away With These Simple Tips

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,…

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Quick Fixes For Your Back Pain

Quick Fixes For Your Back Pain

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…

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How To Alleviate Neck Pain [VIDEO]

How To Alleviate Neck Pain

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….

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How To Exercise Post Injury

How To Exercise Post Injury

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…

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Is Back Surgery Right for Me?

Is Back Surgery Right for Me?

Back pain is pretty common. For some, surgery may seem the only option when you can’t seem to get any relief. Is that really the best course of action? Let’s first take a look at the common back surgeries and the conditions they treat. Laminectomy Commonly used to treat spinal stenosis. The procedure involves removing part…

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How to Exercise Safely with Back Pain

Exercise Safely with Back Pain

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…

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Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Chronic Pain

Chronic Pain

Our bodies constantly send us feedback. Unfortunately, we have become desensitized to these signals to the extent that sometimes we are unaware of issues until it is too late. Many times, it is only in retrospect do we realize what was missed. According to a report released in 2011 by the Institute of Medicine of the…

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Exercise to Decrease Your Knee Discomfort

Exercise to Decrease Your Knee Discomfort

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…

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Achy Feet? Try Soft Tissue Work to Relieve Pain

Achy Feet? Try Soft Tissue Work to Relieve Pain

Foot conditions tend to develop over time and the best treatment is prevention. Soft tissue work is the way to prevent them! Regular stretch and foam rolling routines for the feet, calves and legs will promote blood flow, increase joint flexibility and will help prevent issues from popping up in the future. General Foam Rolling Guidelines…

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Foot Conditions: Tarsal Tendonitis

Foot Conditions: Tarsal Tendonitis

Tarsal tendonitis is a nerve disorder that is caused by compression of the posterior tibial nerve that runs through the tarsal tunnel. The Tarsal Tunnel is a narrow space on the inside of the ankle through which several nerves, arteries, veins and tendons travel though. It is covered externally by a ligament called the flexor…

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Fix Your Desk Job Posture

Fix Your Desk Job Posture

There are many detrimental health effects from sitting for 8+ hours per day, such as neck pain, shoulder pain, and low back pain. Solutions to this posture problem include utilizing standing desks or stability ball chairs, but to address the root cause of the problem, you will need to strengthen weakened muscles while releasing the tight ones….

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Flat Feet And Your Step Forward

Foot Conditions: Flat Feet

Flat Feet/Falling Arches Flat feet or falling arches is a condition where there is little to no arch on the inside of your foot, causing the sole (bottom of feet) to come into contact with the floor. Tendons on the bottom of your feet attach the heel and foot bones and these tendons form the…

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Read This Before Switching to a Standing Desk

Read This Before Switching to a Standing Desk

The standing desk has been a trend for some time now. Many desk-bound workers are making the switch to avoid sitting, which has been labeled as a worse activity than smoking. Naturally, to avoid this one extreme people look to the other. But are standing desks really the solution? There are a few things to consider before…

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Foot Conditions: Plantar Fasciitis

Foot Conditions: Plantar Fasciitis

The plantar fascia is a ligament that connects the heel bone to the toes and helps support the arch of the foot. Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of this ligament. Causes of Plantar Fasciitis The actual cause of plantar fasciitis is unknown but several factors can contribute such as: Age – more common among the…

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The Knee Knowledge Series: LCL Injury

The Knee Knowledge Series: LCL Injury

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,…

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The Knee Knowledge Series: MCL Recovery

The Knee Knowledge Series: MCL Recovery

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,…

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Pain-Free Spring Cleaning

Pain-Free Spring Cleaning

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…

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Why YOU Should Be Foam Rolling

Why YOU Should Be Foam Rolling

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…

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The Knee Knowledge Series: PCL Sprain

The Knee Knowledge Series: PCL Sprain

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,…

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The Knee Knowledge Series: ACL Injury

The Knee Knowledge Series: ACL Injury

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…

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The Knee Knowledge Series: Human Knee

The Knee Knowledge Series: Human Knee

The human knee is the largest joint of the body and is made up of four bones, cartilage, four main ligaments, and two main tendons. Bones of the Human Knee There are four bones associated with the human knee joint – femur (thighbone), tibia (shinbone), fibula (calf bone), and the patella (kneecap). Of these bones,…

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What is Snapping Hip Syndrome?

What is Snapping Hip Syndrome?

Snapping hip syndrome (commonly known as Dancer’s Hip) is a condition in which you hear or feel a snapping sensation while extending or flexing (lowering and raising) the hip. This can lead to discomfort when running, walking, or getting up off a chair. In some cases, no pain is felt and the condition goes away. Causes…

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Bursitis: The Causes, Symptoms and Prevention

Bursitis: The Causes, Symptoms and Prevention

Bursa are fluid filled sacs located throughout the body near main joints. They help with proper gliding of joints and reduce friction during movement. When bursa become inflamed, bursitis occurs. Causes of Bursitis There are several causes but the most common include trauma, infections, or preexisting conditions, such as gout, which cause crystals to form…

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7 Tips for an Injury Free Spring

7 Tips for an Injury Free Spring

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!…

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How To Deal With An MCL Injury

How To Deal With An MCL Injury

What is the MCL? The Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) is located on the inner side of the knee, it connects your femur (thigh bone) to your tibia (shin bone) and helps provide stability to the knee by preventing widening of the inside of the joint. An MCL injury usually occurs when the knee is hit on…

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The Top 4 Causes of Hip Pain

The Top 4 Causes of Hip Pain

The hip is the body’s biggest ball-and-socket joint. It is built to withstand constant wear and tear but is not indestructible. Age and usage can wear down or damage cartilage, its muscles can become strained, and the hip bone itself can be fractured or broken. All of these scenarios can cause hip pain. The locations and…

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The Spinal Series: Scoliosis

The Spinal Series: Scoliosis

What is Scoliosis? Scoliosis is a condition where there is an abnormal bend in the spine. There are two types of bends that occur naturally – kyphosis and lordosis. Kyphosis is the forward bend that occurs in the upper back or thoracic spine and lordosis is the backwards bend that occurs in the lower back…

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Road To Recovery: Knee Pain

Road To Recovery: Knee Pain

Knee pain very common. Most of us either have had it or know someone who has. Normally, a doctor’s recommendation to knee pain would be rest. Even once we start moving again, we may be advised to stay away from certain exercises such as lunging, deadlifting, and squatting. Lack of movement can have several detrimental effects…

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The Spinal Series: Human Spine

The Spinal Series: Human Spine

The Spinal Series that we just completed was intended to provide you with general information on the most common spinal issues.  In order to have complete knowledge of the subject, it’s important to also have a basic understanding of the human spine! Human Spine: The Vertebral Column The human spine or vertebral column is composed of…

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Injury Free Shoveling

Injury Free Shoveling

The winter started off calm but hit us hard when Jonas came. Hopefully there won’t be too many more snow storms this year, but we still have at least a month to go. Snow storms mean snow shoveling and with that possible strains, shoulder dislocations, and other injuries. NEWS FLASH – Our society is mainly sedentary….

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The Spinal Series: Bulging Disc

The Spinal Series: Bulging Disc

What is a Bulging Disc? The human spine is made up of vertebrae and in-between each is a jelly disc (called intervertebral discs) that provide cushioning and acts as a ligament connecting the lower vertebra to the upper one. The outside of each disc is fibrous and holds a inner jelly like substance. A Bulging…

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The Spinal Series: Herniated Disc

The Spinal Series: Herniated Disc

What is a Herniated Disc? The human spine is made up of vertebrae. In between each vertebrae are jelly discs (called intervertebral discs) that provide cushioning and act as a ligament. The outside of each disc is fibrous and holds the inner jelly like substance. If for some reason the outer layer tears, the jelly substance can…

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The Spinal Series: Sciatica

The Spinal Series: Sciatica

What is Sciatica? The term sciatica is used to describe pain that shoots down your leg. Sciatica can affect the back, hip, and outer part of the one or both legs. Pain can be constant, come in jolts or can be spurred on by certain movements such as getting up off a chair. Causes of…

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The Spinal Series: Spinal Stenosis

The Spinal Series: Spinal Stenosis

What is Spinal Stenosis? The center of the spine houses the spinal cord. Spinal stenosis results when the spinal canal narrows. If the space is narrowed (stenosis) pressure can be placed on the spinal cord or the nerves coming out of it, which can cause pain. As with many spinal injuries, it most often occurs in the…

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Choosing Your Exercise for Pain Management

Choosing Your Exercise for Pain Management

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…

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Low Impact Cardio: How And Why To Try It!

Low Impact Cardio: How And Why To Try It!

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….

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Road To Recovery: Shoulder Pain Exercises (Pt 2)

Road To Recovery: Shoulder Pain Exercises (Pt 2)

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….

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Road to Recovery: Shoulder Pain Injury

Road to Recovery: Shoulder Pain Injury

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…

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Pre-workout Winter WARM UP Tips

Winter Warm Up

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…

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Shoulder Packing to Prevent Shoulder Injury

Pack Your Shoulder to Prevent Injury

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…

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Avoid These Winter Health Woes!

Avoid These Winter Health Woes!

It’s December! The snow, the holidays, gingerbread cookies, and the injuries. It’s not unusual for our offices to pick up more patients during the winter months, the majority of which come in due to avoidable injuries! Before the snow piles on, take our advice and keep your winter health meter high! Oh look, there’s snow! Here come…

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A Quick Fix for Shoulder Pain

SportsMed Physical Therapy - Shoulder Pain

Do you have shoulder pain that comes and goes? This is actually quite common. The shoulder joint is very mobile, and because of that it is quite easy to lift from an unstable shoulder position.  The instability is what can open you up to injury and shoulder pain. So how can you avoid shoulder pain altogether? Try…

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Golfer’s Elbow in the Winter?!

SportsMed Physical Therapy - Golfer's Elbow

What is Golfer’s Elbow? Golfer’s elbow or pitcher’s elbow, medically known as medial epicondylitis is a repetitive strain injury that affects the muscles and tendons surrounding the elbow. Specifically, this occurs on the inside of your elbow where the forearm flexor attaches called the medial epicondyle. How Does Golfer’s Elbow Happen? Golfer’s elbow occurs from the…

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Whiplash is a Pain in the Neck!

SportsMed Physical Therapy - Whiplash

Whiplash is actually not a medical term, but it is the common word used to describe a range of neck injuries that occur after a sudden acceleration/deceleration force that causes a back and forth movement of the head and/or neck. It is commonly associated with car accidents where the victim is rear ended, but whiplash can also…

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Tennis Elbow? We’ve Got You Covered

SportsMed Physical Therapy - Tennis Elbow, Anyone?

What is Tennis Elbow? Tennis elbow or lateral epicondylitis, as it is known in the medical world, is a repetitive strain injury that affects the muscles and tendons surrounding the elbow. Specifically, this occurs on the outside of your elbow where the muscles of the forearm attach called the lateral epicondyle.   The strain occurs from…

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Worried About Your Rotator Cuff?

Worried About Your Rotator Cuff?

You have probably heard of the rotator cuff. Most likely from someone who has injured it playing sports, or some other way. Rotator cuff injuries, especially amongst women are very common. So what exactly is the rotator cuff? It is actually them name to a set of four muscles and their tendons that work together to stabilize…

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Tips to “Defrost” a Frozen Shoulder

SportsMed Physical Therapy Frozen Shoulder

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…

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The Facts on Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? The carpal tunnel is a passageway in the wrist where tendons and the median nerve  pass through into the hand. If for some reason this passageway is narrowed, pressure is placed on the median nerve which causes discomfort and pain. The median nerve starts at the base of your neck, travels…

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Acupuncture for Migraines – Does it Work?

Acupuncture for Migraines - Does it Work?

What are Migraines? Migraines are intense headaches that can make you nauseous, sensitive to light, smells, or sounds, and cause you to vomit. The causes of migraines can vary, but they can include stress, foods/drinks with alcohol or caffeine, and/or hormonal changes. The common treatments are over the counter/prescription medications, diet, exercise, improving sleep, and…

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What is Sciatica?

What is Sciatica? You have probably heard of someone suffering of sciatica. But what is sciatica? Sciatica is a condition in which the sciatic nerve that runs down your leg becomes irritated due to pressure. The pain can affect the back, hip, and outer part of the leg. Pain may come in jolts or be pretty constant,…

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Preventing Athletic Injuries This Season

The kids are back to school this month, and we all know what that means. Sports are back! Unfortunately, participating in sports can lead to injuries both big and small. As parents, guardians, or coaches we need to be prepared for preventing athletic injuries, and to seek treatment as soon as they happen. It’s actually really…

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What is Acupuncture?

The ancient Chinese believed that there is energy flowing through pathways throughout our bodies affecting each level of our being. This smooth flow of energy maintains proper health. When the energy is not flowing properly, or becomes “blocked,” it can create pain and other health issues. The blockages are broken by the manipulation of hair-fine needles…

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Exercises That Prevent Lower Back Pain

Lower back pain is frustrating and unfortunately a lot of people wait until their back hurts to seek help. Obviously some injuries are unavoidable, but there is no reason why you can’t have a solid plan to help prevent lower back pain and help avoid these bad times. Our goal here is to show you exercises that strengthen not…

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The Ultimate Office Desk Stretch Routine

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…

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How To Treat A Basic Sprain: R.I.C.E.

Basic Sprains: Ligaments are elastic-like bands that connect bone-to-bone, keeping your joints steady and stable. A sprain happens when fibers of a ligament tear. Chances are, you’ve had a sprain at some point in your life, but as common as this injury is, most people don’t know how to properly treat it when it happens….

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Simple Home Treatment for Neck Stiffness

Neck stiffness can occur 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…

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Strengthen Your Core to Relieve Back Pain

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.When you strengthen your core,…

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Dynamic vs. Static Stretching

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…

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7 Supplements for Healthy Bones and Joints

Joint pain is a problem reported by many of our patients. In fact, it’s usually what brings them to our office in the first place. Since most of the internet is littered with misinformation and advertisements, here’s our recommendations on the best supplements for your healthy bones and joints. 7 Supplements for Healthy Bones &…

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