Back pain: very few people go through life without feeling its debilitating effects. From dull aches to sharp, stabbing sensations, back pain can afflict many of us in various ways. For a some people, back pain is a prolonged struggle that can strike at any moment, the intensity and heartache of which seems to increase over time if left untreated. For others, however, back pain seems to appear later on in life, and the predominant assumption is that it is therefore age related. Here’s the thing, though: it isn’t necessarily true. Yes, that’s right. Back pain – especially when you’re older – actually has very little to do with your age and a lot more to do with your lifestyle. In this post we look at why we often mistake middle-age back pain for something “normal” or “natural”, and we discuss some of the ways in which you can overcome the pain and get back to the active, mobile lifestyle you deserve. [...]
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The sudden pain you’ve experienced in the back of your heel during or after your morning run, workout, or squat has a name… Achilles Tendonitis. And though it’s a mouthful to pronounce, its symptoms and aftermath are more common. In this post, we look at the effects and causes of this uncomfortable, oftentimes painful affliction, and we give you the tools to overcome its debilitating effects on your exercise routine and lifestyle. [...]
If you generally step more gently as you go down the stairs, hold the hand-railing a little bit tighter, and take careful note of where your feet land next… you’re not alone. The vast majority of us either consciously or subconsciously fear the sudden jolt and feeling of vertigo related to feeling taking a tumble – not to mention the pain that comes afterwards! Our worst fears are realized when we start to think about the horrendous consequences of a fall: hip-fractures, muscle tears, back pain, even broken legs all come to mind. Yikes! Is it any wonder that a common nightmarish theme is falling out of bed? In fact, a fear of falling is so common that most people don’t even know they’re afraid! That’s right – the fear isn’t consciously spoken about or acknowledged, rather it translates into minute, prolonged posture and gait abnormalities which, if left unnoticed, can wreak havoc on one’s mobility and self-confidence. That’s why this post looks at why most people are secretly afraid of falling, why most don’t even know they’re afraid, and – thankfully – what we can do about tackling this problem. [...]
We’ve all been there… our hands clutching at our thighs in the hope of relieving hip-stress as we get up or sit down; a grimace on our faces as we try to grapple with what we think are signs of aging while easing into the bath; a frown as we get out of the car, straining to carry the weight in our legs, not our hips. Hip pain: most of us have experienced it, and if you’re reading this, you’re probably still suffering from its tell-tail discomfort. And yet, for most of you reading this, your pain isn’t related to any sort of injury you can think of – it just arrived and has decided to stay. The good news is, though its origins are unknown, hip-pain can be treated and alleviated. In this post, we’re looking at some of the reasons you might be suffering from hip discomfort – and better still – some of the ways in which you can become pain free, right now. [...]
Knee pain affects almost every single person at some point in their lives. From sprains, to cartilage issues, all the way through to posture-related injuries and muscle tears, knee pain seems to play a role in the sometimes debilitating struggle for a pain-free life. We understand how the nagging, irritating, and oftentimes overwhelming pain in your knee affects your day-to-day activities, not to mention your social life, and that’s why this post is all about knee pain: what it is, why it is, and what can be done about it. [...]
“Core Strength”… You’ve seen these words on billboards advertising gym memberships, on the latest health-trend manifestos, and on the front page of your fitness magazine. You’ve even heard your close friends and family members chatting about the value of core strength. And yet, you’re not really sure what it is, why it’s important, or why it should even matter to you. The good news is, this post is about to enlighten you. We’re going to give you the ins-and-outs of core strength, its necessity, and what it really means for your health. [...]
Scar tissue can be an ongoing hindrance for many of us. From an obstacle when it comes to movement, to a constant stretching feeling, dealing with scar tissue is oftentimes a daily, frustrating struggle. Luckily, you don’t have to fight that battle alone, and the happy truth is that you can overcome your nemesis. In this post, we’re the exposing truth behind scar tissue, and revealing how you can say goodbye to the nagging, pulling, stiff sensations left in the wake of physical injury.
Plantar fasciitis… to people outside of the medical world, the name itself gives very little away. But, while its title might be a mouthful, its symptoms are certainly a lot more familiar: stabbing pains, and burning, aching, and dull discomfort throughout the bottom of the foot are but some of it’s well known trademarks. Many people suffer from plantar fasciitis on a daily basis, yet its causes and treatment might surprise you. If you’re one of the millions of people worldwide who struggle to overcome this affliction, keep reading – we’re here to tell you everything there is to know!
Aches and pains… could it be that you’re just getting older, or that you’re less active, perhaps? Maybe it’s just a temporary phase in your life. You’ll grow out of it, right? The truth is, aches and pains are often associated with daily, ongoing, habitual mistakes. Take note of the word habitual – habits are key to understanding precisely why we experience certain discomforts during the day. If you’re one of the millions of people that have a desk job, and you’re also one of the millions who experience daily discomfort, it’s time to retrace your steps and reprogram your habits. Take a look:
Neck and shoulder pain may be the most common ailment faced by most people these days. That having been said, it is often the most mysterious, too. Pinpointing the exact cause for shoulder or neck problems is particularly tricky, and the underlying cause of the pain may be due to many differing factors. In this post, we take a look at not only what causes shoulder and neck pain, but also how we can prevent and heal that pain, right now. [...]
The holidays are upon us… and with the festive season comes a feast of cakes, desserts, late night snacks, and indulgent lunches. At this time of year, then, it seems especially difficult to keep healthy and to stay fit. Many of us have children, families, and friends to socialize with during this time, too, and finding an hour or two a day to keep track of our habits and fitness level seems, well, near impossible. [...]
For many of us, the holiday season is accompanied by food, family, and oftentimes a headache or two. Headaches are, in fact, one of the most common ailments many patients face during the festive season – albeit literally or figuratively [...]
As we approach one of the biggest holidays of the year, I know many of you can practically feel the stress baring down on you – from gifts, to parties, to kids, to food, to travel arrangements, and even to family matters, these things add up! Stress is no joke, and it affects almost every part of our lives: body, mind, spirit, and even social life. We all have to find ways to cope under the pressure of life, and that’s why this post is all about how you can start combating stress, right now. [...]
Are you in pain and just can’t seem to break free of the discomfort? Or, are you feeling under the weather, stiff, groggy, without energy, and just plain drained? If so, then it might be time to turn your attention to your sleeping habits. Your sleep is essential not just for your mood, but for your health. In this post I look at how sleep affects your health and why paying attention to your sleeping habits might just be the breakthrough you’re looking for on your journey to a pain free life. [...]
It is that time of the year again; kids are back at school, the gym is filling up, the courts are being used, and track and field is back in full swing. Exercise abound, it’s tempting to imagine yourself as a professional gymnast, a basketball player, or the next Hussein Bolt. New seasons mean new opportunities, but while these challenging new goals and habits offer an air of excitement, many people don’t take the time to listen to their bodies as they undertake new adventures. [...]
Injuring ourselves is often a devastating blow to our exercise regime. Many people are told by doctors, family or friends, or even Google, that they are not to continue with their fitness program, to stop doing the activities they love, and to rest the injured area until its better. The truth is, it doesn’t have to be this way! We understand how important exercise is to you, and that’s why we’re giving you 5 tips on how to get back to the activities and workouts you love in no time! [...]
As a physical therapist, I deal with pain on a daily basis in one form or another. Back pain, shoulder pain, knee pain, neck pain, ankle pain… they’re all part of my daily experience. Pain is such a common experience for most individuals at some point in their lives, and yet the truth is that so many people don’t know the first thing about what pain actually is. Pain is mysterious, and for many of us, pain is actually completely and utterly confusing. I’d like to shed some light on the darkness, tackling the definition of pain one step at a time.[...]
Physical therapy has always been shrouded in mystery, and the truth is many people don’t really know what it is. Some think that physical therapists only stretch muscles, or rehabilitate athletes. Others feel as though physiotherapy is an intense massage, or even just a way to avoid being stiff after a workout. As a physical therapist with many years of experience, I can honestly say that, despite all these conflicting ideas about physical therapy, one thing remains constant: most people believe we heal pain. And yes – we do heal pain, but what most people don’t understand is that physical therapy is NOT only about healing pain… it is about SO much more than that. This may sound controversial, but keep reading. [...]
We know that for many of our patients running is a passion. The truth is, however, so many of those same patients visit us because of injuries related to their runs. Far from telling them to stop running, our main goal is to prevent debilitating knee/foot/ankle injuries BEFORE they happen, and to keep our patients as active as possible. [...]
Have you ever woken up, taken that first step, and felt a shooting pain running through your foot? How about when you go grocery shopping and find yourself leaning on your cart more than you’re pushing it? Heel pain affects most people at least once in their lives, and though it can be nagging, debilitating, and often simply irritating, it can be overcome. In this post, I take a look at the most common causes for heel pain and what to do about them. [...]
Every week we hear countless patients ask us the same question: “how can I keep active even while I’m recovering from an injury?”. We completely understand: you’re fed up of resting the problem area in the hope that things will get better. Is this you? Keep reading! [...]
When it comes to feeling stiff or hurt, most people assume that they need to work on moving the part of their body that feels tight. Conventional wisdom suggests that if something is tight, it needs to be stretched. This is called working on your “flexibility or mobility”. And while this may sound like the best thing to do, it may not always work out in your favor. [...]
We’ve all been there… we’re reading the newspaper or opening the latest piece of mail and suddenly we cut our finger. Without hesitation we’re off to the kitchen for a Band-Aid. That’s all good and well, but what happens when we hurt ourselves more severely? When we, for example, slice our finger open with a chef’s knife, or cut our arm on a rusty nail? Do we place a Band-Aid on it and hope it stops the pain and prevents infections? NO! We get stitches, we disinfect the area, and we take any steps required to heal the real problem so that future issues don’t arise. [...]
I have seen countless patients who have experienced a sudden onset of lower, upper, or middle back pain – or even a stabbing, unexplained pain throughout the region – make the same mistake: directly after experiencing the pain they stagger to the sofa, lay down, and don’t get up for a week or more! Their reasoning… bed rest is the best thing you can do, right? WRONG. [...]
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David Curtis"Helping on-the-move Mom's, Dad's and busy executives in Fairfield County, CT return to a pain free, active lifestyle without the use of medications, injections, surgery or unnecessary trips to the physician's office" Archives
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