Ice versus Heat: Which is the Best?
One of the questions we most commonly field when patients have first sustained an injury is “Should I ice it, or would heat be better?” Both heat and ice are conservative, beneficial modalities, but to better understand the benefits of either, let’s first look at the physiological effects of each: Typically, the more traditional […]
Working (on Posture) From Home
With millions of Americans working from home, ergonomics and posture are more important than ever. As many of us had to set up home offices quickly, we may be starting to feel the effects of working at a table that is too low, hunching over a laptop, or sitting in a chair that is too […]
Recover Faster: The Role of Post-Surgical Rehab in Healing and Strength
Whether you’ve had a joint replaced, a torn ligament repaired, or just survived your first (and hopefully last) dance with anesthesia, post-op physical therapy is often the secret sauce in your healing journey. It’s not just about stretching muscles—it’s about rewiring your body’s movement patterns and sticking to the right recovery timeline so you bounce […]
Direct Access Explained: A Game-Changer for Physical Therapy in Illinois
Since August 16, 2018, Illinois allows patients to access physical therapy directly, without needing a prescription from another healthcare provider. Benefits of direct access: Stipulations on direct access: References: J. Clin. Med. 2023, 12(18), 5832; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12185832 Physical Therapy, Volume 101, Issue 1, January 2021, pzaa201, https://doi.org/10.1093/ptj/pzaa201 Health Serv Res. 2018 Dec;53(6):4629-4646. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.12984. Epub 2018 […]
Sailing the Seas of Insurance Coverage: Deductibles, Copays and Coinsurance, Ho!
When last we left our intrepid pirate Sue, she had figured out what it meant for a service to be covered by insurance, and she understood what it meant if a provider was in or out of her network. Being a pirate, however, Sue is concerned about the bottom line. What is all this going […]
Lower Than Low – Sacroiliac Joint Pain
“It’s like low back pain, but somehow it feels even lower?” If that sounds familiar to you, you may be experiencing sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pain. The SIJ is one of our most important joints: it connects the upper and lower body and is a main attachment point for muscles we use constantly, such as the hip […]
The Science of Pain
A muscle cramp, a paper cut, a bumped shin. We experience pain every day to varying degrees, but we may not have ever given thought to how it works. Like many sensations we experience, pain is a signal our body sends to our brain to keep us safe. There are receptors in every area of […]
Running: All You Knee-d to Know
Running is one of the most popular forms of exercise in the United States, with over 60 million people participating in some way. Each year the number of running events, from 5Ks to marathons, increases due to popularity. The majority of people begin running to improve their health, but many runners have also been told that they’re […]
What is the Pelvic Floor?
If you feel you’ve seen more and more articles referencing the pelvic floor, you’re not imagining it – this group of muscles has been talked about recently on everything from local news stations to Buzzfeed. But you may have wondered: what exactly does the pelvic floor do? What does it look like? Why is it […]
The Best Stretches for Cycling
Whether you do it for recreation or for transportation – or both – cycling is a low-impact exercise that can be as fun as it is beneficial. I realize that as someone who bikes a minimum of 72 miles per week, I might be biased, but the science backs me up: according to several studies, […]