Currently, in the state of Colorado patients can access their Physical Therapist without a referral from another healthcare provider such as primary care physician. This model of care has been utilized since the 1950’s throughout the country and is most notable in our military where our soldiers have direct access to their Physical Therapists. In...
Hip arthritis is a painful condition causing pain, loss of range of motion, and lost function in many middle to older aged adults. The pain from hip arthritis is multifactorial in nature arising from the cartilage and joint surfaces as well as the surrounding soft tissues. Physical Therapy consisting of manual therapy and strength training...
All of us will undergo a progressive loss of muscle mass as we age called sacropenia. The key modifying variable is how quickly an individual loses this muscle mass over time. Previous research on resistance training has shown a significant reduction in the rate of this loss over time among both experienced and novice weight...
Pes planus, otherwise known as flatfoot, is a common condition experienced by many individuals that is often associated with plantar fasciitis and development of knee and hip pain. Foot orthotics are commonly prescribed as a first line intervention for individuals with pes planus, but the research shows that short foot exercises should be included as...
By: Rani Helvey-Byers, PT, DPT, OCS During a woman’s monthly cycle, the concentrations of hormones will vary significantly. But, what we don’t often realize is that these fluctuations can affect our athletic performance. Two hormones—estrogen and progesterone—play central roles in our energy levels, recovery, and exercise tolerance. Understanding how these hormones shift across the menstrual...
Whether you want to increase your back squat, shave some time off your Fran score, or take fewer breaks on your uphill skin, you will need to focus on glute strength. The gluteus maximus is the largest and most powerful muscle in the human body, and is responsible for hip extension, lateral rotation, and abduction...
By: Dr. Rani Helvey-Byers, PT, DPT, OCS Upward Facing Dog (Urdhva Mukha Svanasana) is a powerful backbend that strengthens the spine and opens the chest. However, for many practitioners, this pose can cause discomfort or even pain in the lower back. If you’ve ever felt strain in your lumbar spine while practicing this asana, you’re...
By: John Crawley, PT, DPT, OCS The nature of TMJ related pain can be complex. Often manifesting from a combination of bio mechanical and behavioral factors. Based on a synthesis of peer-reviewed research and systematic reviews, the top five contributing factors or management components for TMD-related pain are: Muscle Disorders (Myofascial Pain): This is one...
By: Rani Helvey-Byers, PT, DPT, OCS If you’ve been doing all the right glute focused exercises but still feel like your glutes just aren’t firing, you’re not alone. Many people struggle to feel their glutes working during common exercises such as squats, lunges, and deadlifts. But there’s good news: a recent study found that static...
