Many trendy buzzwords and catch phrases are often used in fitness circles, with the phrase “training in planes” heard quite frequently. The concept, which has nothing to do with aviation, sounds interesting, but what does it really mean? Simply put, every move we make involves one of the following three planes of motion in theContinue Reading »
"Almost Daily Health Tips From Physical Therapist Tom Willemann..."
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Author: Tom Willemann
Why You Need Crutches After Meniscus Surgery
Why You Need Crutches After Meniscus Surgery If only surgical treatment worked so perfectly that the patient would hop off the operating table, cured, with no painful recovery required. For knee surgery, that is not the case. Today, most surgical procedures on the crescent-shaped, fibrous knee joint cartilage called the meniscus are performed with tinyContinue Reading »
Treating a SICK Scapula
When a scapula, or shoulder blade, is described as SICK, it doesn’t mean ill; it is actually an acronym invented by researchers/physicians who observed a syndrome involving the shoulder areas of professional baseball players. It stands for Scapula Internal rotation, Coracoid pain and Dyskinesia (SICK), the conditions that make up this syndrome. Because the scapulaContinue Reading »
Straightening the Curves of Scoliosis
Scoliosis is a condition in which the spine is curved toward either the right or left side. Thus, the upper back seems to be rounded, the lower back appears to curve inward (swayback), and one shoulder and/or hip looks higher than the other. While most cases among both genders are mild and require no treatment,Continue Reading »
Preparing for Ski Season Before Hitting the Slopes
After looking forward to ski season all year, the last thing you want is to be sidelined with an injury or sore muscles due to improper fitness. Because skiing is a physically intense activity, you need to be in peak physical condition when you hit the slopes. This can help you avoid injuries common inContinue Reading »
Maintaining Fitness in Colder Weather
Cold winds are starting to blow, and temperatures are plummeting. If you are not a lover of brisk weather, think about taking your fitness routine indoors. And if you do not have a regular exercise program, now is the time to let us help you get started on fitness activities you can perform inside whereContinue Reading »
Vary Your Exercise Routine for Health and Fitness
But precisely because it is a habit, you may easily fall into the trap of doing only one form of exercise that works on a limited set of muscles. However, recent research suggests that health as well as fitness benefits can be gained from a variety of exercises. One study found that people who performedContinue Reading »
Keeping Shoulder Pain at Bay
Shoulder impingement syndrome can involve bursitis (inflammation of the shoulder’s bursa), tendinitis (inflammation of the rotator cuff tendons), calcium deposits in the tendons or any combination of the three. People at risk include those who employ repeated overhead movements—tennis players, golfers, swimmers, construction workers and, quite commonly, those who perform do-it-yourself repairs around the home.Continue Reading »
Square Breathing or Box Breathing
I was introduced to the “box breathing” (or “square breathing”) technique years ago while in graduate school at the University of Miami. Every time I teach someone in the clinic about this self-calming strategy, it also helps me – even if I do it only for a minute. I’m a big advocate of meditation andContinue Reading »
Total Knee Replacement with a Hybrid Joint
If you are scheduled to undergo knee replacement surgery, your surgeon has three procedures from which to choose. An artificial knee can be held in place, or fixed, using a cemented, noncemented or hybrid procedure. Your surgeon will decide which procedure is best for you. The cemented procedure In this procedure, a grout-like material isContinue Reading »