Blogs by Topic:
Why Physical therapy or Occupational therapy:
Choose PT First to save time and money
Are you a smart consumer of Healthcare?
Conditions:
Pain relief without medication
What you need to know about arthritis
Your x-rays and MRIs show us the wrinkles on the inside
A new way to Treat Fibromyalgia
Share your goals; they’re important to us!
Back and Neck Pain:
Best way to get rid of back and neck pain
Essential Exercises for Back pain
Can PT help with Headaches/ Migraines?
Can PT help Back Pain? What we learned from Starbucks
Shoulder:
Prevent and Treat Shoulder Pain
Elbow:
Elbow Tendonitis, a.k.a Tennis Elbow
Wrist/ Hand:
Foot/Ankle:
Why Flip Flops may not be your best option
Pelvic Health:
What is Pelvic Health Physical Therapy
How to stay active during pregnancy
Surgery:
Tips & Tricks to Prepare for Surgery
Stronger going into Surgery, Stronger Coming out.
Common Interventions:
Should I be Stretching or Strengthening?
Seasonal:
A PTs Guide to Snow Shoveling Safety
Winter Safety in Industry: Navigating Cold Conditions with Confidence
Finding your balance in winter
Keeping your arms and hands safe in the Winter
Protecting your joints with summer activities
Information for all of our Green Thumbs
Athletics:
Preventing Pickleball Injuries
Could early specialization be the problem?
Concussion:
Everything you need to know about Concussions
Importance of Baseline Concussion Testing
Running:
Return to Running, Spring Edition
Injury Prevention, do shoes matter?
Orchestra and Performing Arts:
Industrial medicine:
Impact of Athletic Trainers in Industrial Care
Tactical Medicine:
Return to Work Assessment for an Injured Police Officer
Police Support Staff Person of the Year
Things we learned from participating in a mass-casualty simulation
Office:
Getting more activity during your workday
Decrease Fatigue and Reduce Stiffness
Direct Contracting:
Our role in providing exceptional care to the employees of local School Districts
Wellness:
Importance of physical activity
Why you need a PT on your team
The 4 P’s of Energy Conservation
Hidden Aches and Pains caused by Cell Phones
How to decrease the aches and pains brought on by using your phone
Movement Vital Sign, what is that?
You’re never too old to strength train
Improve your mood with exercise, especially during the holidays
Importance of Building Strength
Meet the Team:
Make a Resolution to Not Make a Resolution
It’s the time of year when many people (well, perhaps not George Costanza) ponder making some improvements in their lives.
But let’s not consider this blog a catalyst for creating a list of New Year’s resolutions, as 25% of us quit those in the first week and nearly half of us are done by February 1.
So, how about trying to be a little more mindful in 2023?
Studies suggest practicing mindfulness leads to a plethora of benefits that include the reduction of anxiety and depression, greater enthusiasm for life, and improved self-esteem.
Best of all, mindfulness is accessible to all!
So this year, instead of joining the Seinfeld 4 (show creator Larry David insisted Jerry, George, Elaine and Kramer were to show absolutely no growth, ever) let’s try a little mindfulness, often described as the ancient art of being present in the moment.
First, Mindfulness Meditation:
Find a place where you can sit quietly and not be disturbed. For a few moments, anyway. Let’s start with 8-10 minutes, but don’t get overly concerned with timing.
Focus attention on your breathing, as it enters and exits the body. Won’t be long before your mind wanders, which means you’re being pulled out of the present. That’s all right. Try to notice your thoughts and feelings as if you’re an outside observer. Return focus to your breathing. Notice where your thoughts are going, accept what’s happening, but always try to return your concentration to your breathing.
Try to do the 8-10 minutes once a day. Before long you will be able to put more focus on your breathing and less on any upcoming plans you may have.
Next, Mindful Eating:
A practice food often used is the raisin. Yes, a single raisin. Move slowly through the following steps.
· Pick up the food. Notice it’s texture, color, size.
· Hold the raisin to your nose and notice the smell.
· Place raisin on your tongue but don’t eat it. Notice texture again. Roll it around your mouth and notice taste as well as paying attention to the feeling.
· Finally, begin to chew the raisin. Pay close attention to the flavor, the texture inside, how it reacts with your body—saliva, temperature of your tongue, any other sensations.
This process just slows everything down and helps you become more aware. Once you do this with a raisin (should take a minute or two), imagine how much more enjoyable your favorite foods become? And you don’t have to wolf things down. Practice often.
We’ll revisit mindfulness throughout 2023. There’s so much to learn, but it’s best to start small and doable. Declaring that the new year will be a veritable “Summer of George” is a bit vague, much too broad, and entirely unrealistic.
Remember, mindfulness is all about paying attention to your thoughts, your actions, and your body. Taking these little steps on a regular basis—grounding yourself in the present—can lead to big benefits and a healthier life.