Tom Willemann Health Tips

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

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Maintaining Fitness in Colder Weather

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

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

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

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

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 »

Can I Exercise Safely with a Cold?

Can I Exercise Safely with a Cold?

The average adult gets one to six colds every year, with symptoms lasting a week to 10 days. Should you let these colds interrupt your exercise routine? Probably not, as long as you pay attention to what your body tells you. Above the Neck Symptoms In other words, if your only symptoms are a runnyContinue Reading »

Maintaining Bone Health as We Age

Maintaining Bone Health as We Age

The National Osteoporosis Foundation estimates that osteoporosis is a major health threat for 55% of people 50 years of age or older. Ten million people—80% of them women—have osteoporosis, and almost 34 million people have low bone mass and are at an increased risk to develop the disease. With one in two women and oneContinue Reading »

Treating Plantar Fasciitis with a Night Splint

Treating Plantar Fasciitis with a Night Splint

The plantar fascia is a ligament full of fibers that runs along the bottom of the foot from the heel to the toes. When the tears are located at the end of the ligament attached to the calcaneous, or heel bone, what you feel is plantar fasciitis or heel pain—a burning, aching or sticking sensation.Continue Reading »

Effective Physical Therapy for Shoulder Dislocations

Effective Physical Therapy for Shoulder Dislocations

If you have dislocated your shoulder,choosing the best mode of treatment to get you moving and free from pain as quickly as possible can be a real challenge. One kind of shoulder dislocation, multidirectional shoulder instability, tends to occur in younger adults and may need surgery, along with physical therapy, to provide relief.   Care shouldContinue Reading »

Transitioning to Indoor Workouts as the Weather Changes

Transitioning to Indoor Workouts as the Weather Changes

While some Americans are able to exercise outdoors almost year round, most of us must move our workouts indoors for at least a few months. Transitioning in some sports or activities is easier—or at least more obvious—than in others. Ocean swimming, for instance, is a little difficult to replicate indoors, but if you play tennisContinue Reading »