Nutrition is a key component of health and recovery from injury and disease. Due to strong evidence on this link health care practitioners, including Physical Therapists, are being to prescribe adequate portions of fruits and vegetables in patients diets. In a previous blog post we described the beneficial effects of a lower processed diet compared...
In our Boulder and Lafayette Physical Therapy practices, in addition to the injured tissue(s), we examine the total health behaviors of the patient. Healthy behaviors such as a healthy diet, habitual exercise, and adequate sleep are important allies in the fight against pain, inflammation, and injury. Sleep researchers continue to study the effects of both...
Nutrition, stress management, and sleep are the overlooked components of a patient’s recovery in our Boulder Physical Therapy and Lafayette Physical Therapy practices. These low hanging fruits are often easier to control and improve than the injured tissue’s path to recovery. Inherently we know nutrition is important and food that is fresher is more nutritious...
Knee osteoarthritis is the most common joint disease world wide and one of the leading causes of disability. Thankfully this condition is successfully managed conservatively utilizing Physical Therapy interventions including manual therapy and exercise. Previous research has shown these Physical Therapy interventions can postpone or prevent the knee for knee replacement. In some cases, conservative...
Exercise remains an essential intervention of any acute or chronic pain management program. The effects of aerobic exercise on pain reduction (analgesia) is well established and thought to occur through a multifactorial process involving positive neurological (peripheral nerves, spinal cord, and brain), as well as, immunological, and circulatory changes in the body. The analgesic effects...
Our neck plays an important role in our ability to balance and maintain equilibrium within our environment. This region of the spine has a high density of sensors called proprioceptors which provide immediate feedback to our spinal cord and brain regarding our body position in space. In some patients with neck pain this system can...
The percentage of Americans who obtain enough physical activity through their occupational activities continues to fall due to technological advances. Currently, a large percentage of Americans can work their entire day from the seated position leading to decreased short and long term health outcomes. Interestingly, research has shown an individual’s time spent in sedentary activities...
Patellofemoral Pain, or pain around the knee cap, is the most common source of knee pain. Although common, patellofemoral pain can lead to significant limitations in daily, occupational, and recreational activities. Left untreated, 50% of patients with patellofemoral pain report symptoms at a 5 year follow up. In our Boulder Physical Therapy practice we commonly...
Rates of concussion have increased in recent years likely secondary to both an increase in sports participation and better recognition and diagnosis of symptoms. We have seen an increase in patients presenting with concussion symptoms in our Boulder Physical Therapy practice Athletes who sustain a concussion can report a variety of symptoms including headache, neck...
ACL tears are one of the most common injuries in sports with between 100 to 200 thousand occurring in the United States annually. Female athletes are at a significantly higher risk than males in the same sport. This is most evident in soccer and basketball where females are 6-9 times more likely to tear their...