We all know kids who specialize in a single sport. The advantages seem obvious. Putting in more time early and working harder than the competition leads to a better chance of success later, right? Even though that seems to make sense, early specialization may not be giving kids the advantages parents imagine. And it comes …
Like clockwork, every time I bent over or sat too long, my hamstring muscle talked to me. What started as tightness that ran down the center of my right thigh soon became a nervy pain I could not ignore. I would fidget and squirm my way through car rides, desperately changing positions to ease the …
How can nerves be less precise and more sensitive at the same time? I know it seems paradoxical. See if this helps: Remember a time when you walked from a very brightly lit room into a dark one and you couldn’t see a thing. You gingerly put your foot down to make sure you didn’t miss …
For as long as he could remember, Steve had a tight IT band. Mostly he ignored it, but when it interfered with skiing, he’d had enough. That started a cascade of events – three surgeries, and still a knee that was not right. The doc confirmed it. “Someday, you’ll be looking at a total knee …
Physical therapists pride themselves on staying fit, and our PT staff is no exception. That’s why I was shocked when, at a recent in-service, we looked more closely at our own limitations. Our colleague, Lori, asked for a subject to demonstrate a technique for opening up the front of the chest, and Russ volunteered by raising …
Do you abhor abdominal exercise but yearn for a stronger core? Want to be in nature, but worry about walking on uneven trails? Are you trying to lose weight? Do you want a stronger upper body? All these things are within reach if you grab two little walking poles! Here’s why: Walking poles keep you …
We talk about the gluteal muscles a lot. Why? Because if you are walking or running and your glutes are not working, it isn’t pretty. And it doesn’t feel good either. Getting those muscles firing is sometimes a matter of paying attention and sometimes a matter of strengthening. Either way, without gluteal muscles working, your hip …
It’s depressing… how could a little fender bender wreak such havoc? Though it’s been months since her accident, Julia still feels dizzy. And she’s exhausted. The focus required in her nursing job wears her out, especially when she’s on the computer. She usually leaves work with a headache, and dragging herself to the gym is hard …
Dee In her 70 years, Dee’s back had never bothered her, until one morning as she got out of bed she noticed a pull in her right lower spine. She tried stretching, but the pain just worsened. When it did not stop for several days, she made an appointment with an orthopedist. He took X-rays, but …
Old beliefs die hard. I still see folks throwing a leg on their car bumper and leaning over for a good yank on their hamstring. A cursory stretch should do it, right? Then they head up the trail for a run. They probably haven’t hurt themselves, but really, why bother? (If you need a refresher …