Tom Willemann Health Tips

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

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Improve Your Golf Game This Winter

Improve Your Golf Game This Winter

When the winter winds blow and snow covers the ground, it may be hard to think about your golf game. However, keeping yourself in condition during your sport’s off-months helps prevent “weekend warrior” syndrome—incurring injuries when you play overzealously at the beginning of the season. And the strategies we will create can make your gameContinue Reading »

Tips on Safe Stretching

Tips on Safe Stretching

Quick checklist to follow prior to starting a stretching program:Warm up for 5-10 minutes before stretchingStretching should be pain free! Mild discomfort is fine.Don’t bounce when stretchingAvoid stretching that causes ‘tingling”, “numbness” or “burning”Hold stretch position for 3 times for 30 second holdDon’t hold your  breath during stretchDon’t stretch an injury!  Within 48-72 hours of gettingContinue Reading »

Static versus Dynamic Stretching Prior to Competition

Static versus Dynamic Stretching Prior to Competition

One of the recent debates is over static stretching prior to competing to achieve maximum performance.   After reviewing several articles these are my recommendations for STRETCHING for DAY of COMPETITION:   Warm up with gentle jog or stationary bike for 10 minutes Perform static stretching one hour prior to competition and %25 to %50Continue Reading »

Training in Planes

Training in Planes

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 »

The Hip Solution to Knee Pain

The knee is one of the easiest parts of the body to injure because it is used for many motions the body performs. Common acute injuries are caused by sudden stops and turns during activities such as soccer and tennis. Pain may also occur after exercise, but you may also feel it if you sitContinue Reading »

Are epidural steroid injections safe?

Recent studies have called into question use of epidural steroid injections (ESI) for patients with spinal stenosis. Some patients, whether they required surgery or responded to non-surgical care (i.e. chiropractic, physical therapy, acupuncture, etc.) have seen better long-term outcomes without ESI. (Spine. February 15, 2013, volume 38-Issue 4, pp. 279-291). Two key findings: For all patients inContinue Reading »

Balancing Life and Low Back Pain

Low back pain is common and can result from overuse, muscle strain or injury. It is one of the leading causes of job-related disability and missed work in the United States and is considered chronic when it lasts for more than 12 weeks. One study suggests that trunk balance exercises are especially important for treatingContinue Reading »

Climbing Stairs—One Step at a Time

Although going up the stairs may feel challenging, some people experience more pain going down. This is because your muscles have to work hard to control your weight as you descend. If you have suffered from knee problems in the past or continue to have problems, it is probably time to look at increasing strengthContinue Reading »

Tips on Low Back Pain

When you initially develop low back pain a few questions come up.    Do I need bed rest?  What exercises should  I perform?  What pain should I seek help for immediately?  Here is a few facts and tips about low back pain for the first six weeks: More than two days of bed rest is often more harmful thanContinue Reading »

Knee Replacement Surgery: Before and After

Knee Replacement Surgery: Before and After

Many patients believe that a physical therapy regimen follows joint replacement surgery, but exercise before surgery can reap many benefits afterward. Think about it: The pain in your knee has probably rendered you less active. Less activity causes the muscles—in this case, those in the thighs and hips that directly and indirectly support your badContinue Reading »

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