A couple of things are known when reading the research on low back pain. First, it is common with 9 out of 10 adults experiencing symptoms over their lifetime. Second, patients with low back pain are very different and require a specific, individualized treatment vs. a one size fits all approach. Medical research has identified...
Strength training is an essential part of an individual’s weekly exercise program. It’s numerous benefits include reduced injury risk, increased sports performance, and improved function in life activities. Time is finite resource and a commonly cited barrier to exercise. In our Boulder Physical Therapy practice we strive to prescribe the most effective and efficient exercises...
In our Boulder Physical Therapy practice we aim to help accelerate a patient’s recovery by optimizing outcomes in fewer visits. Consistent with the medical evidence, manual therapy in our practice rapidly reduces a patient’s pain allowing them to resume normal activities and exercise often in 1-2 visits. As clinicians, we know this rapid improvement is...
In my opinion, Physical Therapy patients are often under exercised and do not return to prior levels of activity due to a lack of rehabilitation intensity. What are some of your recommendations for implementing higher level exercises and strength and conditioning principles for practicing Physical Therapists? We have a problem in the physical therapy profession...
Strength training in endurance athletes is an essential part of any injury prevention and conditioning program. Our previous blogs have highlighted the importance of these exercises for improving an athlete’s efficiency during training and competition. Endurance athletes who strength train are more economical and therefore faster than their weaker peers. Strength training exercises should involve...
The ankle plays a critical role in the ability of the knee to stay over the foot during functional tasks such as walking, running, and stair climbing. Under normal conditions the mobility of the ankle allows the leg to move forward over the weight bearing foot. If this range of motion is limited, the leg...
Photo Credit: ssorkc.com 1. You have published a few articles on the utilization of strength and conditioning principles with Physical Therapy patients. In my opinion, these valuable principles are under utilized in our profession. In your experience, how can practicing clinicians improve their patient outcomes using these principles? Well I think one of the...
Photo Credit: xterraplanet.com 1. How has your career in endurance sports influenced your care of athletes at Colorado MultiSport? My career as a professional triathlete has really influenced my care for the athletes I work with in many ways. To start with, I understand what it takes to complete a triathlon, I know what gear...
Traction has a long history of utilization for patients with neck and back pain dating to ancient times. A more contemporary use of this modality involves using traction to relieve pressure from symptomatic spinal joints, nerves, and soft tissues. In our experience, this treatment is best utilized in patients with symptoms including radiating arm or...
There is currently a lack of consensus on the “ideal’ running form among running experts and researchers. There are pros and cons to many running variables including foot strike, but one area of agreement includes the reduction of forces at foot strike. Our previous blogs have described the importance of reducing vertical amplitude, peak forces,...