Can Physical Therapy Help My Headaches and Migraines?

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If you suffer from headaches or migraines, you may have tried many methods for relief. Common techniques that can often be successful include medications, caffeine, supplements or rest and sleep.

Some forms of migraines and headaches however can be very chronic in nature and not respond to some of these go to home approaches, or the headache can come back very quickly and repetitively if not addressing other contributing factors. Oftentimes we find ourselves discussing these conditions and symptoms with primary care physicians or neurologists, who can be very helpful in the diagnosis and treatment of headaches and migraines. Often overlooked when it comes to the clinical treatment of headaches is Physical Therapy. Read more

What is the McKenzie Method

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The McKenzie method is a physical therapy treatment classification that was first introduced to the physical therapy world in the 1950’s by Robin McKenzie. Robin McKenzie had a clinic in New Zealand and that is where he first observed the phenomena of centralization, and it was by accident. McKenzie had a patient he was treating with lower back pain that radiated to his left buttock and down his leg. The patient was not responding to conventional treatment and one day the patient happened to lie on a treatment table on his stomach that was elevated on one side. The patient was lying there for 10 minutes waiting for McKenzie to return to the room. Once McKenzie returned to the room the patient noticed his leg and buttock pain was gone. McKenzie realized that extension was the factor that reduced the pain in the patient’s back and that was the start of the McKenzie Method. Read more

Shoulder Mobility

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Many of us have struggled with how to get a good stretch for our shoulders and how to maintain mobility in our shoulders over time. One method I enjoy using for myself and with my clients is using a simple PVC pipe. This could also be a broomstick, a baseball bat, a golf club, a yardstick, etc. Here are some simple stretches that target the entire shoulder joint capsule.
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How Sleep Helps with Pain Relief and Other Health Benefits

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Raise your hand if you feel like you can never get enough sleep. Sleep is one of the most important and overlooked aspects of our health. We need it to recharge to become productive throughout our work week, take care of our loved ones, and just feel good overall. Read more

Home Office Workstation Recommendations

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Due to recent events, more people are working from home. When working from home, it is important that your home office workstation is set up correctly to reduce injuries and promote good posture. Some common injuries due to poor ergonomics include neck, back, and wrist pain as well as headaches. Below are recommendations for an ideal home office setup and proper workstation posture. Read more

Neuropathic & Chronic Intractable Pain Treatment with the Xavant Stimpod NMS460

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Have neuropathic pain? Chronic intractable pain? Tried conventional methods without any luck? Well the Xavant Stimpod NMS460 could help you. Here is a little background information on the company that created the device, how the device works, and the conditions it can treat.
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Preventative Measures to Decrease the Risk of Injury While Shoveling

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It’s that time of year! With the winter months finally here, it is only a matter of time until we get snowstorms. No matter the amount, snow can pile up and be quite heavy. With shoveling snow, there can be an increased risk of injury due to carrying, tossing, bending, and lifting heavier loads. It is our goal to give you a few steps in order to decrease the risk of possible injury.

The first step to avoid injury while shoveling is warming up. Prior to heading outside, it is helpful to perform light exercise. Light exercise for 5-10 minutes is useful for priming the cardiovascular system and warming up the musculature required for shoveling. Some activities you can perform can include squats, hip hinges, and upper/lower body stretches.
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Trying to Understand Chronic Pain: An Introduction to Pain Neuroscience Education

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Written by Shannon Hall, DPT

Chronic pain is defined as pain lasting more than 3 months. In the United States alone, it is estimated that of the 255 million adults, nearly 126 million of them suffer from chronic pain. That means that almost half of the population suffers from some form of chronic pain. Put into a dollar amount, roughly $560 – $630 BILLION dollars are spent on chronic pain treatment in the United States EVERY YEAR.

So why is chronic pain such a hard problem to solve?

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Preventing Back Pain Through the Holidays

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As the holidays approach, it is no secret that following a healthy routine is hard to maintain. Between delicious holiday meals, family get-togethers, and traveling, maintaining a normal activity level can be hard to do.

Studies have shown that staying moderately active can reduce your risk of developing chronic lower back pain by up to 20%. Most sources report that being moderately active includes taking part in both cardio exercise, such as running, and strength training, such as lifting weights.

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What to Know About CBD (Cannabidiol)

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Cannabidiol is a phytocannabinoid which was discovered in 1940. It is one of more than 120 compounds called cannabinoids in cannabis plants and accounts for up to 40% of the plant’s extract.  Many people use CBD oils and extracts to relieve symptoms of chronic pain as it is one of the compounds that produces medical affects without producing euphoric or “high” feelings.  Many people are more familiar with THC, tetrahydrocannabinol, which does produce a “stoned” feeling because of the receptors in the body that it affects, which Cannabidiol does not.

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