Tom Willemann Health Tips

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

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Retearing a Repaired Rotator Cuff

Retearing a Repaired Rotator Cuff

Retearing a Repaired Rotator Cuff No one enters into surgery lightly. Before you underwent surgery to repair your rotator cuff, you probably weighed all the pros and cons with your doctor, so it is understandably disconcerting to discover you have retorn your rotator cuff. A recent study by the American Orthopedic Society for Sports MedicineContinue Reading »

How Safe Is Soccer for Children?

How Safe Is Soccer for Children?

How Safe Is Soccer for Children? A great sport for building endurance, dexterity, speed, agility, coordination and teamwork, soccer is a game played by both boys and girls. As far as safety is concerned, the injury rate in soccer is estimated to be between one-fifth and one-half that of football, America’s other favorite fall sport.Continue Reading »

Regaining Full Range of Motion After Knee Surgery

Regaining Full Range of Motion After Knee Surgery

Regaining Full Range of Motion After Knee Surgery In order for you to walk, run, sit or kick comfortably, your knee—the largest joint in the body—must be able to move through an arc of about 130 degrees, from completely straight, or fully extended, to completely bent, or fully flexed. Two muscle groups control this motion:Continue Reading »

How to pick a good shoe

How to pick a good shoe

How to pick a good a shoe I just got an email from one of my patients.   Apparently I left a lasting impression after I commented on her very stylish sneakers but rather poor support . After bending her sneakers in every possible direction and tossing it on the floor of my clinic she realized what I thought of herContinue Reading »

Stenosis and Leg Pain

Stenosis and Leg Pain

Stenosis and Leg Pain It may seem counter-intuitive, but the pain you feel in your legs may actually be caused by a problem in your spine called stenosis. As we age, areas of the spinal column can become pinched or narrowed, resulting in the constriction and irritation of nerves surrounding the spine. This may resultContinue Reading »

Protecting and Repairing Meniscal Injuries

Protecting and Repairing Meniscal Injuries

Protecting and Repairing Meniscal Injuries Although some athletes return to the game soon after a meniscal injury and others take months to recover, there is a good reason for this variation. To repair this athletic injury, especially common in soccer or football, treatment depends on the type and severity of the injury, the activity levelContinue Reading »

Put One Foot in Front of the Other…Every Day

Put One Foot in Front of the Other…Every Day

Put One Foot in Front of the Other…Every Day Walking is a gentle, low-impact exercise accessible to just about everyone. It is safe, simple and does not require practice, and evidence has shown that walking can be crucial to maintain senior physical and mental health. A recent article published in the Journal of the AmericanContinue Reading »

Strength Training Benefits in Older Adults

Strength Training Benefits in Older Adults

Strength Training Benefits in Older Adults Strength training has benefits for all ages, but it can be a neglected part of an exercise regimen for men and women aged 50 years and older. Research suggests that when performed correctly, strengthening exercises are a safe way to improve fitness and health, even in older adults whoContinue Reading »

Stretch or Not to Stretch?

Stretch or Not to Stretch?

Stretch or Not to Stretch? Just because your back or calf feels tight doesn’t mean you should stretch it. I discuss this often with my patients. Maybe you simply need to get stronger. Feelings of “soreness” or “tightness” in any area is not a blanket recommendation to do one or the other. I just beganContinue Reading »

Should I have surgery?

Should I have surgery?

Should I have surgery? I always recommend friends, patients and family to get an physical therapy evaluation before they undergo an orthopedic surgery. The reason is twofold.  Evaluation ensures that loss of strength or range of motion is not the root cause of their problem.  Various studies have shown that osteoarthritis may be present butContinue Reading »