Tom Willemann Health Tips

"Almost Daily Health Tips From Physical Therapist Tom Willemann..."

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How do you test for a Sacroiliac joint (SI) Problem?

How do you test for a Sacroiliac joint (SI) Problem?

At Apex we use a Mckenzie Lumbar Evaluation to rule out a lumbar problem and hip testing prior to testing the Sacroiliac Joint.  If the lumbar and hip joints don’t appear to be a source of pain we then perform a series of five Sacroiliac Joint clinical tests to rule out whether we have a sacroiliac problem.The followingContinue Reading »

Bone Up to Fight Osteoporosis

Bone Up to Fight Osteoporosis

Primary osteoporosis is the name given to osteoporosis cases not caused by an underlying drug reaction, disease or syndrome. In this condition, the bones—the word itself means “porous bones”—become brittle, making them highly susceptible to fracture. An event as innocuous as landing the wrong way when sitting down on a chair or twisting awkwardly duringContinue Reading »

Returning to Normal After a Hip Fracture

Returning to Normal After a Hip Fracture

Hip fracture, a serious injury that usually requires surgery, occurs more commonly in older adults, particularly where underlying conditions such as osteoporosis are present. While surgical procedures are usually effective, recovery often hinges on more than just the surgery.  Your overall health, previous level of mobility and whether you begin and stick to a physical therapy planContinue Reading »

What else could heel pain be besides plantar fasciitis?

What else could heel pain be besides plantar fasciitis?

Although conservative treatment can be quite effective for plantar fasciitis sometimes it can be mistaken for other conditions which include:Tarsal tunnel syndromeLateral plantar nerve entrapmentCalcaneal nerve entrapmentLumbar radiculopathyThe classic symptoms of plantar fasciitis include:Acute pain with first steps in amPain after walking or standing for extensive periodsClimbing stairsIf your condition doesn’t improve contact us to help youContinue Reading »

Help Your Flat Feet Run Like the Wind

Help Your Flat Feet Run Like the Wind

A recent study found that about 25% of the U.S. population has flat feet, and almost 43 million Americans suffer from foot problems. Flat feet, a condition in which the foot does not have a normal arch when standing, can present challenges for a running program, but having flat feet does not mean that suchContinue Reading »

Rotator Cuff Surgery for the Second Time

Rotator Cuff Surgery for the Second Time

If you have already gone through rotator cuff surgery, the last thing you want to think about is doing it all over again. Unfortunately, many patients do suffer tears of the same tendons that caused them to need surgery in the first place. Most of the time, this is not the surgeon’s fault, nor doesContinue Reading »

Standing Up Safely Without Dizziness

Standing Up Safely Without Dizziness

If you feel dizzy when you suddenly rise after sitting for a significant amount of time, you have probably experienced a sudden drop in blood pressure. To compensate for this drop, your body usually pumps extra blood. But for many people—especially those taking drugs to treat high blood pressure, or those with heart problems, diabetesContinue Reading »

Getting Your Kneecap Back in the Groove

Getting Your Kneecap Back in the Groove

Patellar subluxation occurs when the kneecap moves slightly out of its groove at the end of the thigh bone and then comes back into place. A serious condition, subluxation is often painful and may lead to actual dislocation of the kneecap. Another problem is that subluxation puts additional strain on certain structures, requiring a personContinue Reading »

Born to Run Farther

Born to Run Farther

As the days get longer, you may consider adding distance to your runs. What kind of plan should you follow to run farther and increase your endurance but to do so safely and prevent injury?The first rule to remember is that if you find it too difficult to complete a new distance level, do not force yourself. ManyContinue Reading »