Heidi Dawson
Articles by Heidi Dawson
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Updates on treatment for IT band syndrome
Friday, September 13, 2019IT band syndrome is the most common cause of lateral knee pain in runners and accounts for up to 14% of all running injuries. It is generally more common in males than females. There has been a huge misconception over the years about the cause of this lateral knee pain condition. I recently listened to a great little podcast on IT band syndrome from BMJ Talk Medicine, entitled "Mythbusting iliotibial band pain with Dr Rich Willy – it’s not friction." I’d definitely recommend giving it a listen yourself, as there are so many great points to take away.
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Tips for keeping cool when the running gets hot
Thursday, August 01, 2019Here are some top tips for running when the temperature starts to rise. For example, carefully think about what you wear to run in the heat. Loose, light-colored sports clothing is ideal. Items should be listed as breathable and moisture-wicking. Also, when exercising in the heat it is impossible to keep drinking enough to maintain your hydration levels, so we must ensure we are well-hydrated before we start.
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The other Achilles tendinopathy
Wednesday, July 03, 2019When we discuss Achilles tendinopathies, we are very likely talking about mid-portion Achilles tendinopathies. This is a fairly common condition that most injury therapists will see on a regular basis. But don’t forget, there is a far less common form of the condition, known as insertional Achilles tendinopathy (IAT). Due to its rarity, how much do we actually know about this condition? Should we be treating these cases differently? Let’s find out!
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‘PEACE’ and ‘LOVE’ replace outdated soft tissue injury protocols
Thursday, May 30, 2019When it comes to soft tissue injury treatment, you have most likely have heard of RICE; standing for rest, ice, compression, and elevation. You may well have also heard of PRICE, where the additional P stands for protection. This was then updated to POLICE around 2012, replacing rest with optimal loading, alongside protection and the longstanding ice, compression and elevation. But two new acronyms are doing the rounds, proposed last month on the British Journal of Sports Medicine’s blog.
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Gluteal tendinopathy: How do the treatment options compare?
Tuesday, May 07, 2019Gluteal tendinopathy is the most common cause of lateral hip pain. Until recently, the source of pain was thought to be an inflamed trochanteric bursa, but recent studies suggest a more likely cause is irritation of the gluteus medius/minimus muscle tendon. Treatment of this condition is usually conservative, using exercise rehabilitation to strengthen the hip abductor muscles as well as patient education to manage load through the area. The BMJ recently published an article looking into the treatment of gluteal tendinopathy. The research looked into the outcomes of three approaches to gluteal tendinopathy treatment: education and exercise; corticosteroid injection; and "wait and see."
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The newest developments for hamstring injury prevention in soccer
Friday, March 29, 2019The most common soccer injury for professionals is to the hamstrings. But with an ever-increasing volume of knowledge regarding the causes of hamstring injury and how to treat and prevent such issues, why are numbers on the rise? The increase in intensity and volume of match play now expected from modern players could explain part of that increase, but we should also be taking a close look at the injury prevention strategies we are using with players. The authors of a piece in the British Journal of Sports Medicine documented a large gap between the evidence and protocols proven to work in hamstring injury prevention and the strategies actually utilized by professional clubs' medical teams.
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Top exercises for glute activation
Thursday, February 28, 2019As a physical therapist, I see and treat people whose glutes are not working as they should on a daily basis. In many cases they don't fire (contract) when they should to produce the movement they are designed to produce. The role of the glutes is to extend and abduct the hip joint. That is to say, they move the leg backwards and out to the side. They also assist in rotating the hip, some medially and some laterally, depending on their location and attachment points. They are such a vital muscle group for good form and function.
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How to stick to a New Year’s exercise resolution
Wednesday, January 09, 2019It’s January, and to many people that means a fresh start, turning over a new leaf, breaking bad habits and making the positive changes we’ve been saying we’re going to make for ages but never quite get around to making. Increasing the amount of exercise we do is something many people choose to change and for good reason. Exercise is extremely beneficial to our health, both physically and emotionally. Whether you’re looking to increase your fitness, lose some weight, reduce your stress levels or complete a challenge or event, here are some tips to help you stay on track!
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Top 5 perks of being a physical therapist
Wednesday, December 19, 2018Some people are fortunate enough to love their jobs. I think that most physical therapists would fall into this category. We are in a great line of work, for many reasons. Around this time of year, it is important to reflect, be thankful and look forward to what’s to come, so I thought I would write a little lighthearted post to celebrate being a PT!
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5 tips to get repeat client visits
Tuesday, December 04, 2018A big problem for new therapists, those starting out on their own, or those starting back up after a break can be getting repeat bookings. People are busy and there are lots of therapists out there, so how do you keep them coming back to you? When I was first starting as a therapist, just after graduating, I missed a few tricks that I now know are key to getting clients to keep coming back. Here are my top tips that almost always guarantee a client comes back again.
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5 free marketing strategies for small physical therapy clinics
Friday, November 02, 2018As a small business owner, you know that money can be tight, especially when just starting out. You have to prioritize where to spend that precious cash. We’ve all heard the phrase "speculate to accumulate" and in many cases that is true. However, I don’t believe that’s the case with marketing your business. As a small therapy business owner, I have seen how little return there is on shelling out for print and online advertising. These are my top five methods of growing your client base without spending a dime.
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5 key pieces of rehab equipment for a small or mobile clinic
Friday, October 12, 2018There is so much equipment available now for rehabilitation therapists. This ranges from inexpensive, even home items, up to large and expensive purpose-built equipment. As a small business owner with a low budget, or as a therapist who works remotely where size and weight are restrictions, how do you know which items to spend your hard-earned takings on? Here are my suggestions for the top five items in my equipment arsenal.
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Why everyone should sign up for a physical challenge at least once
Friday, September 21, 2018We all know one of those people who seem to always be entering this race, that event and undertaking yet another challenge. And often they’re asking for sponsorship. Let’s face it, it can be pretty annoying having to always put your hand in your pocket for their latest escapade, and even more annoying hearing all about their training, injuries, personal sacrifices and, of course, the post-event day rundown. However, if you’ve never taken part in such an event, be it a race, endurance event or challenge, then here’s why I think you should!
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The top new technologies in sports medicine
Thursday, August 16, 2018Orthopedics This Week, the most widely read publication in the orthopedics industry, recently announced its list of best sports medicine technologies for 2018. This is a fascinating and exciting list of new and upcoming technologies that will be sure to assist sports medicine and orthopedic doctors around the world. Highlights include 3-D imaging, new cold therapy technology and a system to monitor brain health after a concussion. Here’s our summary.
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How to recover from running a marathon
Wednesday, May 02, 2018The past few weeks have seen some major marathons take place on the international racing scene. The London Marathon, for example, took place April 22 in the warmth of a spring heatwave. While seasoned marathoners may be acclimatized to the effects of running such a distance, those less experienced marathoners may well be feeling the effects afterwards! Here are some top tips on how to recover quickly from a marathon, or any other endurance event.
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How to get your clients to do their exercises
Wednesday, April 04, 2018There is probably nothing more frustrating to a physical therapist than a client who doesn't do the rehabilitation exercises you've prescribed them. We all know that those clients who stick to the rehab at home make the fastest and most complete recovery. But how do we relay that to our clients in a way that isn't patronizing but educates and motivates them to knuckle down and do the work?
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Treadmill vs. road: Which is better?
Tuesday, March 20, 2018We each have our favorite, but should we all be slogging away on the treadmill or braving the roads to get our running fix? Here are some vital points to consider for when planning your next training program.
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Has RICE finally been laid to rest?
Friday, February 23, 2018RICE is the injury protocol everyone remembers: rest, ice, compression and elevation. It's been used since the late '70s to remind us all what to do when we suffer a soft-tissue injury such as a sprained ankle or pulled hamstring.
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Peroneal tendinopathy: Everything you need to know
Thursday, February 01, 2018With marathon season quickly approaching, many runners' training plans are now starting to increase in intensity, and peroneal tendinopathy is a key topic to be aware of.
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UCL injuries, surgery and rehab among pitchers
Tuesday, January 09, 2018Ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injuries are the most common reason for baseball pitchers to be out of action. The extreme forces put through the medial elbow during the pitching motion can cause damage to the UCL that ultimately requires reconstructive surgery.
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First aid for winter’s slips and trips
Thursday, January 04, 2018Winter has truly arrived. Just ask anyone living on the East Coast who is dealing with the "bomb cyclone." Just today I was innocently walking —steadily I may add — and slipped on an icy patch of pavement, narrowly avoiding a nasty fall.
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Top 5 things to do if you suffer lower leg pain when running
Thursday, December 14, 2017Pain and muscle tension in the calves and shins is one of the most common problems I see in runners. On my website, the page "Calf Tightness When Running" gets almost twice as many views as any other page on the site.
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What is the right course of rehab after total knee replacement?
Tuesday, December 05, 2017Osteoarthritis of the knee is an extremely common complaint. In fact, it is the most common joint disorder in the U.S. today. Past the age of 60, symptomatic knee OA affects 10 percent of men and 13 percent of women.
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The low-down on skiing injuries: Frequency, type and prevention
Wednesday, November 15, 2017Just where has 2017 gone? We're rapidly hurtling toward the holiday season and with that, many people turn their attention to planning a skiing vacation. Peak ski season in Europe tends to run from December to March and slightly longer in some areas of the U.S.
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So you have a sports injury? Here’s what you need to eat
Wednesday, November 01, 2017For athletes and regular exercisers of all types, injuries can seem like the end of the world. When your sport or activity is such a big part of your life, suddenly being unable to train and compete leaves a gaping hole.
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Prescription painkillers vs. physical therapy
Friday, October 06, 2017According to a recent survey, 78 percent of Americans prefer to find an alternative form of treatment to deal with physical pain before turning to prescribed medications. That's great news! This data was gathered between February and March 2017 as part of the Gallup-Palmer College of Chiropractic Annual Study of Americans.
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4 reasons to include medical acupuncture in your arsenal
Thursday, September 07, 2017Medical (Western) acupuncture, aka dry needling, is a rapidly growing field. While acupuncture in its traditional form has been around for thousands of years, medical acupuncture is a much newer field, although still dates back to the 1800s. However, it's only been in the last 30 years that it has gained acceptance as a legitimate treatment method for myofascial pain.
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How to explain medical acupuncture to your clients
Monday, August 21, 2017Medical acupuncture, also known as dry needling, is a widely used treatment in the physical therapy field. It started to gain acceptance in our field in the 1980s and has grown in popularity since.
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My glute story: Why you should train your butt
Thursday, June 29, 2017I see people on a weekly basis with a range of injuries that are due, at least in part, to their weak, inhibited or misfiring gluteal muscles.
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6 back pain myths busted
Thursday, May 25, 2017While everyone knows someone with a "bad back," it seems that many people aren't up to date on their knowledge of back pain causes and treatment. There are many myths out there surrounding this subject — some are due to outdated information, while others are just plain wrong. Below, I've rounded up the most common myths I hear and tried to sort the wheat from the chaff.
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Why do my joints crack?
Thursday, March 23, 2017Cracking, popping and clicking joints are a common sound to most people. Some experience this noisiness more than others, but in most cases it isn't painful. But what is it causing this noise? And should it be cause for concern?
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New guidelines on lower back pain from a therapist’s point of view
Monday, February 20, 2017Last week, the American College of Physicians updated its guidelines on the treatment of patients with "non-specific lower back pain." A review study was published online in The Annals of Internal Medicine that looked at research carried out up until November 2016 and included only randomized, controlled trials and systematic reviews. The findings led the ACP to promote the use of therapeutic aids and stress reduction techniques, more so than the prescription of painkilling and anti-inflammatory medications.
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5 injury prevention tips for New Year’s exercisers
Friday, January 13, 2017January is that time of year again when many of us decide we should be a bit healthier. Most people committing to this kind of resolution decide that an introduction of or increase in exercise is the way forward, and they're not wrong.
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The sports injury glossary
Tuesday, December 06, 2016The world of sports injuries can be a confusing one for those not in the know. There are so many terms to decipher and so much jargon to bust that understanding what your physical therapist or doctor is telling you can be nearly impossible.
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Tennis elbow: What’s in a name?
Monday, November 21, 2016Most people will know the condition lateral epicondylitis by its more common name: "tennis elbow." This term is used to describe a pain that develops on the outer aspect of the elbow, usually with a gradual onset, in the absence of a definitive moment of injury. Pain is often described as sharp or burning and is usually aggravated by picking up a relatively light item, such as a kettle.
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Cupping, massage and hot tubs? Breaking down alternative therapies in Rio
Friday, August 26, 2016Alternative therapies hit the news during the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Athletes in many of the disciplines were spotted sporting evidence of these varying techniques below.
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Are your hamstrings really tight?
Thursday, August 04, 2016"My hamstring muscles are so tight so I stretch them every day, but I don't see any change" is a phrase that I and many other physical therapists hear on a regular basis. "Tight hamstrings" are a common issue for all types of people, myself included. However, in many cases, stretching the hamstrings is not the answer to addressing this sensation of tension within this important muscle group.
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Kinesio taping for sceptics: Latest research
Thursday, May 12, 2016Back in December 2013, I wrote a piece on the craze that is kinesiology taping (you can read it here). It examined the potential role of kinesio tape in sports injury management, the claims regarding its benefits, case studies highlighting its effectiveness and research questioning its use.
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8 steps to start running safely
Tuesday, April 26, 2016This is the time of year when many people decide to take up running. The weather is starting to improve, and many are inspired by watching ordinary people take on the massive challenge of one of the big spring marathons. I have to admit that watching some of the London Marathon on Sunday made me once again think "I should do that one year."
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Treating knee osteoarthritis in younger adults
Friday, March 04, 2016Osteoarthritis (OA) is the "degeneration of joint cartilage and the underlying bone, most common from middle age onward. It causes pain and stiffness, especially in the hip, knee and thumb joints." Knee OA is by far the most common form, affecting approximately 10 million U.S. adults.
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The low down on foam rolling
Monday, February 22, 2016Foam rollers have been around for a while now and have become a permanent feature in the weekly routines of all levels of athlete, from professional to weekend warrior. Their most common use is for something called "self-myofascial release." But how many actually know what that is, how it works and what we are trying to achieve by rolling up and down on these torturous cylinders of foam?
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Running gait analysis: Not just about the feet
Monday, December 07, 2015When you hear the words "running gait analysis," what do you think of? Most people will envision running on a treadmill in a store while your foot motion is then observed. And the point of this? To make sure you have the correct running shoes, of course. Words like overpronation and neutral, cushioning or motion-control shoes are usually bandied about following your "analysis."
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A closer look at the latest treatments for frozen shoulder
Thursday, November 12, 2015Adhesive capsulitis (more commonly known as "frozen shoulder") is a condition causing initial pain followed by increasing stiffness and eventual severe restrictions to motion at the shoulder joint. The aetiology of the condition is unknown, although it does appear more often in individuals over 45 years of age, with females at an increased risk.
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Separating fact from fiction in knee pain
Thursday, October 15, 2015There is a lot of myth, rumor, misconception and just plain bad information available on the topic of knee pain. Everyone has a story to share or opinion to give on what caused, cured or eases their particular knee pain. There's also a lot of scare mongering and doom and gloom surrounding long-standing degenerative knee problems with many people of the opinion that nothing can be done barring joint replacement surgery.
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Piriformis syndrome: A royal pain in the butt
Wednesday, September 09, 2015Have you ever had a tight twinge of a pain deep in your butt muscles? And maybe "sciatic" pain that radiates down the back or side of your leg, in the absence of lower back pain? If the answer is yes, you may well have had piriformis syndrome.
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When the big toe becomes a big problem
Friday, July 24, 2015The big toe joint. Also known as the first metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ). It's not something most of us ever really think about. However, if you're someone who suffers from knee pain, hip pain, lower back pain or tight calf muscles, maybe you should be paying a little more attention to it. This is especially true in runners and even those who walk any distance regularly, for exercise or not. So, really, most people.
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Best exercises for gluteus medius strengthening
Thursday, June 25, 2015The gluteus medius is a key stabilizer muscle of the hip joint, which acts to abduct and both externally and internally rotate the hip. It therefore plays an important role in knee joint alignment. There are many injuries in which a weak or misfiring gMed is implicated. These include IT band syndrome, patellofemoral pain syndrome and Achilles tendinopathy to name just a few. It's no coincidence that the injuries listed here are all injuries commonly suffered by runners.
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Those extra lace holes: What’s all the fuss about?
Tuesday, May 26, 2015A video recently went viral across various social media platforms. It claims to "finally" show us what that extra lace hole at the top of your running shoes is really for. While all serious runners and coaches have known their purpose for years, it appears most recreational runners were unaware. Now it seems everyone is trying the heel-lock (or lace-lock) technique.
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Simplifying neck assessment for massage therapists
Thursday, April 30, 2015The cervical (Cx) spine is a complex area and is often seen as intimidating by therapists of all levels, especially when first starting out. The number of superficial structures (nerves, blood vessels, muscles and bones) in such close proximity, along with the potential for serious injury if handled incorrectly is understandably the reason that so many therapists cite for their concerns.
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What about those ‘other’ running injuries?
Friday, March 20, 2015Most runners will experience an injury at some point in their running career. If you don't, you're either very lucky or very wise with your training and blessed with fantastic form.
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Why I won’t feel bullied into quitting soft‑tissue therapy
Friday, January 23, 2015Soft-tissue techniques such as massage therapy, myofascial release, trigger pointing and dry needling have been getting a bit of a beating recently. More and more well-respected figures in the physical therapy field are denouncing their use as a waste of clinical time.
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Tight calf muscles: The Achilles’ heel of new runners
Tuesday, December 16, 2014Tight, painful and crampy calf muscles are a problem that will affect the majority of runners at some point. I get so many questions and comments on this subject, that I really feel it's something that should be addressed more.
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The top 5 exercises you should be doing
Tuesday, November 18, 2014Few of us perform exercises regularly with the aim of preventing pain or injury. In fact, few of us perform any exercises regularly with injuries in mind — even ones we have previously been prescribed to help rehabilitate an old injury. Once the pain has gone, the exercises often stop.
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The importance of hip internal rotation
Wednesday, October 29, 2014Hip joint internal rotation (sometimes also called medial rotation) occurs when the femur rotates within the hip joint, toward the mid-line of the body. It also occurs in standing when the lower limb is fixed and the pelvis rotates — so the left side ASIS moves in front of the right side, for example, or vice versa on the other side.
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Should passive physical agents be eliminated under new APTA guidelines?
Thursday, September 25, 2014New guidelines for physical therapists and their patients were published recently under the "Choosing Wisely" campaign in partnership with the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).
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The ‘humerus’ side of being a physical therapist
Friday, August 29, 2014Having been practicing in the field of sports injury rehabilitation for the last nine years, I've spoken to, assessed and treated hundreds of people for varying injuries and pain conditions. While it is a serious thing to be dealing with someone's health, I also think every job should have its lighter moments and sometimes we all need to have a little giggle.
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Anterior knee pain: Specificity is the key
Thursday, August 07, 2014Pain at the front of the knee joint is a very common complaint, with estimates that 1 in 4 adults will suffer this problem at some point in their life. For such a common issue, the knowledge surrounding the varying causes of this pain and how to treat them effectively is extremely poor.
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Massage for neck pain: Is dosage the key?
Friday, July 18, 2014Massage therapy has been used in many forms for centuries to treat musculoskeletal pain. In our current society, neck pain is the second-most common complaint treated by most forms of complementary therapists.
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The anatomy and movement patterns of shoulder impingement syndrome
Friday, June 13, 2014Shoulder pain is a common problem. In fact, around 30 percent of us will experience it at some point in our lives. Approximately 65 percent of all shoulder pain conditions are due to impingement syndromes.
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Getting the most out of a sports massage
Thursday, May 29, 2014Sports massage is a popular treatment method used by runners and many other athletes, both before and after an event. Those lucky enough to have access to a massage therapist may even have a regular treatment as part of their general maintenance.
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The tendinopathy continuum: An update on degenerative Achilles tendon injuries
Thursday, May 08, 2014We've learned a lot about the Achilles tendon in the last 20 years. Gone are the days when the sight of a red, thickened Achilles tendon and stories of stiffness after rest and creaking sensations would get a therapist reaching for the anti-inflammatories and ice.
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Runners: Why failing to prepare is preparing to fail
Wednesday, April 02, 2014There are numerous reasons why runners often don't take the time to warm up properly before they set off. These may include time constraints, confusion over what they should be doing, or a feeling that they just don't need to warm up. But all three of these reasons aren't valid excuses, and I'm going to explain just why you should make the time for and put in the effort to warm up prerun.
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Managing the injured runner
Wednesday, February 26, 2014Runners are a notoriously difficult "breed" to handle for the physical therapist. In fact, a colleague of mine has an orthopedic surgeon friend who says he would "rather treat heroin addicts than runners." Ouch! The reason behind this response is that when an injury that requires a rest from pavement pounding rears its ugly head, runners tend not to respond that well to the advice that they should put their feet up for while.
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Pectoralis minor: Far from a minor problem
Tuesday, February 04, 2014Pectoralis minor is the smaller sibling of the larger and more talked about pectoralis (pec) major. But for such a small, seemingly insignificant muscle, it can sure cause some problems. But why is it often so troublesome?
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Kinesio taping for skeptics
Tuesday, December 17, 2013Kinesio tape, or myofascial tape, has really exploded in popularity in the last five years. It has actually been around for more than 25 years, but has only more recently been used extensively, worldwide. I write this article as a skeptic. I have been a skeptic since I first saw it back in 2007 on David Beckham's bare torso.
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10 tips to help your clients help themselves
Friday, December 06, 2013Successful treatment of an injury or pain condition comes down to a working partnership between the therapist and the client. Each person has to keep to his/her end of the deal to achieve the desired result. Here are my top 10 tips for helping your clients to understand the importance of their own efforts, feel empowered into helping themselves and for aiding even the busiest or most forgetful client in getting their homework done.
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No-shows: The bane of a therapist’s existence
Thursday, November 21, 2013I regularly have conversations with reliable clients, therapists and friends about the best way to tackle the problem of no-show clients. There are differing thoughts and opinions regarding the best way to reduce the impact this has on your business, so I thought I would explain some of the options and downfalls when it comes to addressing late cancellations and no-shows.
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Protecting young knees from injury associated with exercise
Thursday, November 14, 2013Knee pain is something that is too often associated with just the older population. But knee pain is also a common complaint in younger people — especially those who exercise regularly. While in the short term, halting exercise may be beneficial for knee pain, in the long run this is clearly detrimental to overall health. For this reason, it is vital that we help protect young athletes from knee pain. And when it does occur, we must deal with it from the onset.
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PFPS: High-intensity exercises shown most effective in rehab
Wednesday, November 06, 2013The latest recommendations from new research regarding the rehabilitation of patellofemoral pain syndrome concur with the long-accepted form of treatment for this condition. The difference with this research is that the results suggest that exercise intensity is key to success.
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10 commandments of injury prevention
Thursday, October 24, 2013Injury prevention strategies are big business in professional sports. This is due to the cost in terms of treatment and playing time lost when an injury occurs. But it's not just professional athletes who should be taking injury prevention seriously. Even for an amateur athlete or "just for fun" athlete, many types of injury can be prevented, which in turn prevents time off work and costly treatment sessions.
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Top 5 running injury myths
Thursday, October 10, 2013There are so many rumors and myths in running that are either not backed up by science or proven to be incorrect. Yet many of these are still touted as fact by either nonrunners or those in the health and exercise field who should know better. It was actually hard to pick just five running injury myths, but here are the biggest offenders on a regular basis.
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The rise of the artificial disc
Wednesday, September 25, 2013A degenerative intervertebral disc is the most common diagnosis in cases of chronic lumbar pain. Constant pressure from above, coupled with shearing forces and absorbing repeated impacts causes weakening of the annulus, which may eventually lead to a herniation of the central nucleus. Pain then becomes more acute and more difficult to treat conservatively.
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Adopting a multidimensional individualized approach to plantar fasciitis treatment
Thursday, September 12, 2013Plantar fasciitis is thought to affect around 10 percent of people at some point in their lifetime.