Why We Eat And Move Poorly...and What To Do About It

READ AT YOUR OWN RISK. OUTSTANDING article written by Gary Taubes, with his thoughts on healthy eating and what underlies our movement problems/injuries, things that we see in the clinic every day. Also touches on what's really needed to fully correct many of our problems. There's no "secrets" here. Only read this if you're ready for someone to tell it straight, and be open and honest with yourself. I agree with the vast majority of  what he says. He mentions kettlebell exercises (he is biased towards these), which can be very beneficial, but as with anything, it is not the answer for everyone. The most important things in this article are his points about our lifestyles, diet, and exercise, and how ready are we REALLY for change, in order to help ourselves.

Skiing: Injury Prevention Tips

Nice article here written by Tim Flynn and Terry Eberhart, two Colorado physical therapists. The ski season is coming up fast - hopefully these tips will keep you injury-free!

Direct Access to Physical Therapy Effective

This brief article discusses the results of "The Iowa Study". The Iowa Study was a large study that demonstrated that those who are self-referred to physical therapy (meaning they choose their PT on their own), actually utilized fewer PT visits and cost less overall than those who were referred by their physician. This is important because it shows that self-referring to physical therapy can be more effective and efficient, and does not lead to overutilization of services.

If you're having pain or trouble moving, see a good PT!

When Doing Nothing Is the Best Medicine

Excellent article by a physician that gives food for thought regarding the necessity of ordering tests, prescribing medications, and other medical treatments. It may surprise you how the doctor describes some of the thought processes and considerations they must take into account. In the end, treating each patient individually is the best approach.

Thoughts on Glucosmaine and Chondroitin Sulfate For Arthritis

We've been getting questions again recently about the effectiveness of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate for treatment of arthritis. Here is a good/accurate post by Mike Reinold, physical therapist. It provides a nice summary of the current research on these substances, and some practical thoughts and guidelines, recommended brands, etc.

Exercise as an Alternative to Drugs For Migraines

A recent study at The University of Gothenburg shows that exercise can be an alternative to drugs for those suffering from migraine headaches, and often times can be just as effective. Also in our experience, manual therapy combined with exercise offers optimal benefits. More research needs to be done in this area, however. If you're suffering from headaches, see a good PT!

Stay dry in today's rain too!

Do You Have "Text Neck Syndrome"?

Great posture in this picture above, eh?

Another example of technology having an unwanted side-effect. Those who text message on their phones alot apparently are developing increased incidents of neck pain (brief article from FoxNews.com here). Not surprising. It all comes down to our posture and avoiding repetitive positions and activities, or modifying them as much as possible. Just because you text doesn't mean you will have problems. Ignoring poor positions you are in, especially repetitive ones, and not maintaining adequate strength in you postural muscles will likely get to you at some point.

If you're having neck or back pain, see a good PT!

"Targeted" Back Pain Better and Cheaper for Patients

This BBC story tells how physiotherapists (physical therapists) are used in Britain to more effectively treat back pain and keep healthcare costs down.

Dizzy? PT May Help.....

Know anyone with dizziness or balance problems? The Vestibular System (Inner Ear) is often the culprit, especially in older adults. This is a nice article explaining what the inner ear system is and what it does.

Other issues can be responsible for dizziness, however, such as blood pressure changes, medication reactions, among others. So it is important not to ignore dizzy symptoms and to see your physician. Physical therapy can often be helpful in many cases - don't be afraid to ask if physical therapy can help you!

Free Seminar This Saturday - Receive a Free Book for Attending!

This Saturday, October 8th, Paul Erwin and Scott Ramsey, Clinical Doctors of Physical Therapy, will be presenting a free one-hour seminar about common causes of spine and joint pain. The seminar will run from 10am-11am. Also being discussed will be treatment options for various conditions, their effectiveness according to research, as well as specific questions from the audience.

Please call our clinic at (717) 533-7000 to make your reservation. Those who attend will receive a free copy of Dr. Ramsey's book about making long-term improvements in your fitness, nutrition, and weight. Have a great day!

Is a Standing Desk A Good Idea?

Prolonged sitting is not the best thing for us at all. This article offers some interesting thoughts and ideas on the matter. In summary, we believe what the article proposes at the end, that standing in one place is not the answer, but movement and staying moving as much as possible is a better solution.