My wife has been asking me a about using these shoes and the possible downsides for her low back, hip and knees and ankles. I always get concerned when we alter the biomechanics of our walking through using weights, radically different shoe wear, etc. Things to consider when wearing shape shoes: If you have hadContinue Reading »
"Almost Daily Health Tips From Physical Therapist Tom Willemann..."
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Category: Wellness
Working Out in the Great Outdoors
Say your gym is expensive, and there are long waits to use certain exercise equipment. Maybe it is time to return to the basics and exercise outdoors. There is considerable evidence that an outdoor workout can be more beneficial than indoor exercise in several ways, especially to improve your mood and relieve stress. One reasonContinue Reading »
Team Sports: How Safe Are They?
The physical benefits of participating in sports are obvious in our increasingly obese society, but team sports also teach cooperation, responsibility to the team, mental preparedness and social development. What about the risk of injury? With the consequences of repeated concussions of football players as a hot topic in the news, it is reasonable toContinue Reading »
Transitioning to Indoor Activities
While summer offers opportunities to walk, jog, bicycle, garden, play sports and get into shape, cold weather brings the temptation to eat more, move less and hibernate indoors. Shorter days, frosty air and holiday parties can threaten the fitness gains you made during the summer. Instead of fighting the cold and darkness, you can maintainContinue Reading »
Getting the Right Amount of Exercise
How much exercise is enough? There is no one answer. Age, sex and current fitness level, along with risk factors such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke and excessive weight, must be factored into the equation. All of these considerations may make it impractical to compare various fitness programs. But the following guidelines can help youContinue Reading »
Does Mono Mean No Exercise?
Mononucleosis—often known simply as “mono”—has an incubation period of one to two months. Once symptoms appear, recovery can take an additional four to six weeks. Until your physician tells you it is safe to resume more strenuous workouts, avoid any but the mildest exercise (e.g., short walks). In many mono patients, the spleen—a large blood-filteringContinue Reading »
How to Pick a Great Physical Therapist?
A great physical therapist must be paired with a great clinical setting. You cannot have one and not the other. You have some great physical therapists that are unable to deliver the highest level of care because of time constraints and high numbers. The following is a few key things to look for when calling around for care. TopContinue Reading »
Fractures Risk Side Effect of Proton Pump Inhibitors
The FDA reviewed several studies regarding a link between the use of Proton Pump Inhibitors(PPI) and increased risk of fractures. Major points in review of studies: Use of PPIs for more than one year or at high doses patients pose risk of fractures Higher number of spinal fractures and not a significant change in hip fracturesContinue Reading »
Blood Clots and Surgery
An article came out this past December on the British Medical Journal website. It talked about blood clots following surgery. Contrary to common accepted practices by physicians they are seeing “blood clots” or “DVTs” occurring much longer after surgery than originally thought. After many orthopedic surgeries patients are taking medications to reduce the chance of bloodContinue Reading »
Safe Exercise for Patients with Diabetes
Exercise is as important for those with diabetes as it is for anyone else. The goal of most exercise regimens should be to work out at a moderate intensity for 30 minutes at least five days a week. Patients with diabetes, however, need to take several exercise-related precautions: • If you already have problems withContinue Reading »