One of the key job responsibilities of a Physical Therapist is motivating a patient to exercise despite bodily pain and other signs of inflammation such as warmth and swelling. While there is certainly a short term benefit for rest in some conditions, the medical research continues to highlight the importance of early, progressive exercise in...
In our Boulder Physical Therapy practice we routinely assess a patient’s strength, in part, to determine a muscle’s force capacity and in turn its’ requirements for strength training exercises. In most Physical Therapy educational programs students are instructed to grade a patient’s force capacity using a combination of range of motion measurements and the forces...
6 Ways to Reduce Urge Related Urinary Incontinence By Berrin Boyce, PT, DPT, PRPC Urinary urge incontinence or leaking with a strong sense of urge is estimated to impact 20-30% of women. In clinical practice I frequently work with patients of all genders and ages who experience urge related incontinence that interferes with work, school,...
Is Exercise Performance in Female Athletes Impacted by the Menstrual Cycle? By Berrin Boyce PT, DPT, PRPC In recent decades as women collectively increase participation in all types of exercise, ranging from physical activity to elite sport, more questions arise about whether or not the cyclical hormonal changes that occur in women with healthy menstrual...
How The Use of Forceps During Delivery Impacts Urinary Incontinence in the Postpartum Period By Berrin Boyce As a pelvic floor PT working in Boulder with many people during their pregnancies I often hear the question: “What can I do to decrease the risk of developing urinary incontinence or pelvic floor issues after delivery?” I...
Neck pain is a common condition coming in just behind Low Back Pain in prevalence presenting to primary care physician and Physical Therapy practices. Neck pain is most effectively treated with a combination of manual therapy, including joint mobilization and spinal manipulation, as well as, mobility and strengthening exercises. Consistent with our musculoskeletal diagnoses manual...
Exercise is a powerful pain modulator. This well-established concept has been rigorously studied and trial after trial show that low, moderate, and vigorous exercise provides short term decreases in pain sensitivity. But there is more to it than just performing body movements. Researchers are now looking at how personal expectations and education regarding exercise affects...
Low Back Pain and Postpartum Depression By Berrin Boyce, PT, DPT, PRPC Low back pain, pelvic girdle pain, and postpartum depression are relatively common following pregnancy. Musculoskeletal pain likely impacts around 50% of people in the postpartum period (Carvalho et al, 2016), while 1 in 7 women will experience postpartum depression. Although both are common,...
By Berrin Boyce Overall, the benefits of exercise, including high-intensity exercise are well researched and widely known. However, risks of excessive exercise are important to be aware of as they can contribute to negative health consequences. A condition known as the female athlete triad can occur when an imbalance in energy expenditure is present over...
Pain from an epiphysial growth plate fracture will likely be located on the dorsal surface of the long finger as pictured.