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
Lifting Basics Part 1: Warm-ups, Cool-downs, Strengthening
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:
What is Modern Cupping Therapy?
Modern Cupping Therapy is a form of alternative therapy that has gained popularity in recent years. It involves the use of cups made of glass, silicone, or plastic that are placed on the skin to create suction. This suction is believed to increase blood flow to the area and promote healing.
Cupping therapy has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine, and its modern iteration has evolved to become a non-invasive and safe therapy.
Here's what you need to know about this popular alternative therapy:
How does Modern Cupping Therapy work?
During a cupping session, a therapist places cups on the skin and creates suction. The suction is created using a handheld pump. Once the cups are in place, they are left on the skin for several minutes before being removed. Sometimes, they are moved in a very specific pattern or sequence depending on the desired effect.
The suction created by the cups is believed to stimulate blood flow to the area and promote healing. It can also help to relax the muscles, reduce pain, and improve overall circulation.
What conditions can Modern Cupping Therapy help with?
It can be used to help many different conditions including, but not limited to, those listed below:
Back pain
Neck pain
Shoulder pain
Knee pain
Migraines
Arthritis
Fibromyalgia
Lymphedema
Is Modern Cupping Therapy safe?
Yes! It is generally safe when performed by a qualified healthcare professional. Minor side effects may include mild discomfort, bruising, or skin irritation. It is important to seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional before using cupping therapy.
Conclusion
Modern Cupping Therapy is a popular alternative therapy that has gained popularity in recent years. It involves the use of cups placed on the skin to create suction, which is believed to stimulate blood flow and promote healing. The therapy is generally safe when performed by a qualified healthcare professional and can help with a variety of conditions. However, it should not be used as a replacement for conventional medical treatment. If you are interested in trying Modern Cupping Therapy, call today and we can chat further to determine if cupping is right for you and how to work it into your treatment program.
References:
Wang, Sz., Lu, Yh., Wu, M. et al. Cupping Therapy for Diseases: An Overview of Scientific Evidence from 2009 to 2019. Chin. J. Integr. Med. 27, 394–400 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-020-3060-y
Mohamed, Ayman A., Zhang, Xueyan, and Jan, Yih-Kuen. ‘Evidence-based and Adverse-effects Analyses of Cupping Therapy in Musculoskeletal and Sports Rehabilitation: A Systematic and Evidence-based Review’. 1 Jan. 2023 : 3 – 19.
Dry Needling
Autumn Paul, PT, DPT
You may have heard about dry needling from one of your friends or family members and now you are thinking, “What is dry needling? Could I benefit from it?”
Dry needling involves the practitioner using a solid filiform needle or hollow-core hypodermic needle (similar to an acupuncture needle) to place it through the skin and enter the muscle. The goal is to place the needle specifically into a myofascial trigger point (hyperactive muscle fibers).
These trigger points can be located in a tense band of muscle. For example, many people have tightness or soreness in their shoulders or necks from the tension they carry throughout the day.
These hyperactive muscle fibers (tense bands of muscle) can send signals to other parts of your body which are considered “referred pain”.
The goal of dry needling is to pierce these trigger points in order to allow these muscle fibers to relax, which can help reduce your pain levels.
“So what conditions may dry needling help with?”
● Headaches
● Shoulder/neck pain/tightness
● Lower back pain/ tightness
● Tennis and golfer’s elbow
● Knee pain
● Shin splints
● TMJ/jaw pain
● Plantar fasciitis
● Hip Pain/ tightness
“Can any physical therapist perform dry needling?”
In order to be able to perform dry needling, the physical therapist is required to go through extensive training. This training includes studying human anatomy and hands-on practice. These training sessions are often a weekend course or even several weekend courses.
“Awesome, I want to see a physical therapist who can assess and see if I could potentially benefit from dry needling. How do I make an appointment?”
First, look online to see what location is closest to you. Then, you can request to schedule an appointment with a physical therapist who is certified to perform dry needling.
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References:
Firth C, Meon J, Price M, Taylor J, Grace S. Dry Needling: A literature Review. Journal of the Australian Traditional-Medicine Society . 2020;26(1):22-28. Accessed January 14, 2021.
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