The squat, and its multiple variations, remains one the best overall exercises for strength and power development due to its’ ability to effectively target the important muscles of the lower quarter. We often utilize the squat in our Boulder Physical Therapy practice with injured patients as a method of facilitating optimal healing and recovery of...
Neck pain is an area consistently under treated by clinicians. There are countless passive temporary remedies for neck pain including massage, manipulation, and dry needling, but only high level exercise is able to reduce the long term effects of neck pain. When patients remain under passive care for their neck pain they will experience more...
The CDC reports 40% of American adults can be classified as obese. These individuals are at a significantly higher risk of chronic diseases including cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Experts estimate medical costs for obesity and these chronic conditions tops 147 billion dollars each year. Researchers estimate this added weight contributes to up to...
Knee arthritis is one of the leading causes of disability and reduced activity in the United States. Physical Therapy interventions, including manual therapy and exercise, remain the foundation of conservative care for this diagnosis. When combined, manual therapy and exercise, have been shown to reduce pain, stiffness, weakness, and disability in patients with knee arthritis. ...
Osteoarthritis is estimated to affect 250 million people worldwide leading to high rates of global pain and disability. These rates are expected to raise as our population of baby boomers continues to age into their golden years. Unfortunately, many with osteoarthritis will become less active or sedentary because of their symptoms and in turn are...
1 in 2 people in our country suffer from a chronic muscle, joint, or tendon injury. These injuries create pain and lost time from life, work, and sport. We can assume every one of these patients has sought out information or care on the management of these conditions. From their first google search to consultations...
Critics say the effects of exercise do not last, but neither does bathing which is why experts recommend doing it everyday. We know the effects of exercise are robust and powerful and if they could be placed in a pill the medication would be the most prescribed drug of all time. Active individuals have significantly...
The gluteus maximus is an essential muscle for daily and recreational activities, but is often found to be weak among patients with musculoskeletal pain. In our Boulder Physical Therapy practice we frequently find hip weakness among patients with low back, hip, knee, and ankle pain. Improving gluteus maximus strength improves movement patterns, dynamic alignment, and tolerance...
The back squat is one of the most efficient and effective exercises for lower quarter strength development. This exercise can be performed with dumbbells, barbell, or a slosh tube. Slosh tubes are a recent addition to resistance training equipment made up of a PVC pipe filled up to 1/4 to 1/2 with either water or...
Exercise prescription including type of exercise, reps, sets, frequency, and intensity varies between each patient with knee pain. Many factors influence this prescription including knee diagnosis (arthritis vs. patellofemoral pain), patient function and symptoms, as well as, the available medical evidence supporting the use of exercise to both reduce pain and improve function. A recent...