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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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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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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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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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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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: 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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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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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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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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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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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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