DON’T GET “SHOPPING SHOULDER” – PLAN YOUR HOLIDAY SHOPPING SO YOU WILL NOT BE CARRYING TOO MANY PACKAGES. TRY NOT TO BE ON YOUR FEET FOR MORE THAN AN HOUR. WEAR SUPPORTIVE SHOES WHILE SHOPPING AND COOKING. MAKE SURE LADDERS ARE ON EVEN, STABLE GROUND WHEN HANGING LIGHTS. DON’T STAND ON THE TOP TWO RUNGS […]

As physical therapists we often hear from patients that they have experienced a series of problems, seemingly unrelated. For example, someone with foot pain a few years earlier may now come for treatment of a hip or knee problem, sometimes without any specific incident of injury or onset.  Or someone with an old wrist fracture […]

Several years ago, a colleague of mine did an informal study in her physical therapy practice to find out what region of the body most commonly had the severest restrictions. What she found was that the thoracic spine and rib cage were the areas she most frequently found restricted and that when these areas were […]

Our mothers, of course, are right! We need to sit and stand up straight. But why is this so important? When we slouch, the spine curves forwards, the shoulders come towards the chest and the head pokes out in front of us. There is no place for the head to balance on top of the […]

Everyone talks about “core strengthening.” It’s not a fad?  For the past 100 years we’ve known that the core of our trunk (abdominals, lower shoulder blade muscles, inside thigh muscles) needs to be strong in order for our arms and legs to function best. Among other exercise programs, Pilates is one form of training that does […]

“Aren’t our ribs just above our waists?”   The 1st rib is actually just below the collarbone in the front and 11 more ribs travel down to where you feel them at your waist.  They attach to the spine along the back and to the breast bone in front.  With every breath you take (5-8/minute) they […]

Many falls happen at home due to environmental hazards.  You can minimize your fall risk by taking some of these easy steps. Remove all throw rugs. If you must have one, make sure it is taped down to the floor securely. Make sure all extension cords are secured to the wall or behind heavy furniture […]

Let’s try a little experiment.  Stand next to the back of a chair or a wall that you can use to hold onto if you need it.  Now, stand on one leg and try and keep your balance.  Try each leg and see if you are steadier on one leg rather than another. Now stand […]

Ever notice that when you get a headache, you also get neck and upper shoulder pain?  The area of the shoulder that people often grab and massage when they are in pain is called the “shawl area” because it is where a shawl would rest. This achey “shawl” muscle is the trapezius – one of […]

Craniosacral Therapy is not easily described.  Although there is a lot of literature about theory and anecdotal evidence, there isn’t much evidence-based research because the movements and rhythms are subtle and not easily measured. Everyone knows that joints in the body move or can be moved passively. For example, spinal manipulation restores a movement called […]