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Is Exercise Effective At Improving Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation is the most common heart rhythm abnormality diagnosed by physicians.Β  A multi modal treatment plan, including medications, procedures, and exercise, is often indicated to help control the progression of the arrhythmia and improve an individual’s quality of life.Β  Patients cleared by their physician to begin or continue an exercise program often report significant...

Do I Need to Talk to My Healthcare Provider Before Resuming or Starting an Exercise Program After Finding Out I’m Pregnant?

After waiting the seemingly longest 2 minutes of your life, the stick reads β€œpregnant.” It’s overwhelming joyful, shocking, and admittedly a little scary. Millions of questions begin piling up in your mind, one of them about exercise – can I continue my normal routine or do I need to see my provider first? Waiting for...

Mobility exercises designed to improve range of motion within an affected joint or tissue are a valuable part of any rehabilitation program. Previously clinicians prescribed various bouts (3 x 30 seconds) of static stretching in an attempt to lengthen short muscles. Current research has shown these prescriptions are ineffective at changing muscle length and instead...

As ACL injuries continue to rise among professional and recreational athletes Physical Therapists will continue to rehabilitate these athletes in order to allow them to safely return to sports.  In our practice in Boulder, we commonly see athletes over the course of 6-9 months post operatively as they develop the strength, balance, and sport specific...

In a prior blog posts we discussed the effects of stretching on fitness, performance and flexibility.  We are often prescribing mobility exercises to restore movement to a joint or body region (thoracic spine and rib cage) in order to improve movement patterns for performance, pain relief, or as part of a weekly fitness program.  While...

The majority of patients undergoing treatment by a Physical Therapist will receive a home exercise program (HEP) based on their specific symptoms.  This individualized program is essential for the reduction of symptoms and restoration of function.  In my opinion, not providing an exercise program to patients with musculoskeletal conditions leads to patient dependence on the...

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...

here are not many more controversial topics in the exercise science literature than stretching.  While most believe stretching is an important component of a fitness or rehabilitation program the debate occurs on the timing, frequency, duration, type, direction, and intensity of the stretching program.  Recently, a large push in corrective exercise programs involves mobilizing joints...

The squat remains one the best overall exercises for strength development in both healthy and injured patients.  Squatting strength has been correlated with both functional and athletic performance.  Our previous blog posts documented the safety concerns of squatting through a partial or full range of motion.  In short, in a healthy knee there is no...