How can “oms” help your bones? Yoga can have tremendous benefits for our physical and mental health when practiced safely. The stretching and strengthening involved in completing poses boost fitness. The breathing practice helps us create calm and channel our energy. Did you know there’s growing evidence that yoga can also benefit bone health and prevent osteoporosis? What Are the Benefits of … [Read more...]

COVID-19 has turned our world upside down in so many ways. As we move through the third year of the pandemic, we’re just beginning to understand the long-term effects of the virus. The medical community is learning about the condition known as Long COVID, which covers symptoms including breathlessness, fatigue and musculoskeletal pain twelve weeks or more after infection. Research has shown that … [Read more...]

Have you heard of pickleball? It’s one of the fastest-growing sports in the U.S. and is a huge hit among players 50 and older. With its combination of socialization, activity, and friendly competition, this fun racquet sport has plenty to offer players of all ages. However, with the increase in popularity comes an increase in injuries. As with all sports, we want to enjoy pickleball safely. We can … [Read more...]

When we are living with arthritis, pain and stiffness may cause us to avoid exercise. When it hurts to move, our instinct may be to stop moving. However, it turns out that’s the opposite of what we want to do. Exercise is one of the most vital things we can do to improve our quality of life. Movement can help us boost strength and flexibility and reduce joint pain. But often, getting started is … [Read more...]

We often think of our lower body when we think about joint replacement. It’s true: our knees and hips often bear the brunt of our activity as we age. However, shoulder pain can be devastating and debilitating, causing sleep disruption and interfering with daily activities. Shoulder replacement surgery is less common than knee or hip replacements. However, it provides pain relief for tens of … [Read more...]

Most of us know that physical therapy is an essential follow-up to many orthopedic surgeries. A high-quality PT program helps with pain management, recovery, and healing. But there’s growing evidence that physical therapy before joint replacement surgery can also be beneficial. Studies show that building strength before surgery can speed recovery after the fact. Pre-surgery PT, affectionately … [Read more...]

A sprain or strain can be incredibly painful, but we often don’t have many treatment options. The healing power of time combined with physical therapy is often our best option. But how do we care for a sprain while we heal? The time-tested RICE protocol (Rest Ice Compression Elevation) is usually our best bet. But icing for too long can cause problems. Here are some tips for safely icing your … [Read more...]

The Crossfit fitness program has developed a devoted following since it came on the scene 20 years ago. With its unique community-focused approach to fitness and impressive weight loss and strength training results, it’s easy to see why Crossfit has so many fans. But we see injuries from participants pushing too hard or doing exercises incorrectly. Patients want to know: is Crossfit safe for … [Read more...]

Muscle pain can be nothing short of excruciating. It impacts our sleep and keeps us sidelined from our favorite activities. Providers may prescribe muscle relaxers when we’re injured or in intense pain. Prescription medication can be a valuable tool on a short-term basis while we seek solutions for the root causes of our pain. But they can have severe side effects when used long-term. It’s best to … [Read more...]

Many athletes enjoy and benefit from sports massage. It can provide pain relief, reduce stress and improve performance. However, sports massage is not a substitute for orthopaedic treatment or physical therapy. Massage therapists offer a valuable service, but they are not medical providers. Many athletes choose a comprehensive treatment plan, including physical therapy for long-term recovery and … [Read more...]