Seven Myths of Physical Therapy:
Myth 1: I need a physician’s prescription to see a physical therapist. Fact: Seventy percent on consumers surveyed think they need a prescription to see a physical therapist but the fact is ALL 50 states allow a patient to be evaluated by a physical therapist without a prescription. In California, physical therapists can evaluate, and…
Six Common Misconceptions of Low Back Pain:
Misconception #1 – “I must live with the pain” – Not true! There are a number of options to help control back pain, some of these include: light stretching and flexibility exercises, physical therapy, yoga, massage, acupuncture, over the counter medications, even meditation. Misconception #2 – “Rest is the key to recovery from back problems”…
A Pain In the Back
The Role of an MRI with Lumbar/Spine Pain Low back pain is the most common cause of disability and lost work time in industrialized countries. Research suggests that 80% of those who experience back pain recover in 6-8 weeks and do not require extensive treatment. It is important to note that recurrences and flare-ups of low…
Common Runner’s Injuries
I have vast experience as a runner, and have been treating runners for almost 30 years. Runners can have a wide assortment of injuries; many of these can require physical therapy to recover from. I am going to review some of the more common injuries that runners can develop, how to recognize them, and what…
Bursitis – What a Pain in My Hip!
Hip Bursitis In between the femur (hip bone) and the lateral thigh muscles lies a protective fluid filled sac called the bursa. Bursa sacs are found in different areas besides the hip like the shoulder and knee. They act as a cushion to prevent excessive friction of the soft tissue like our hip muscles to…
Should You Eat Like A Caveman?
The paleo diet is a low carb diet which recommends consuming only the foods available more than 10,000 years ago, during the Paleolithic era. The assertion is simple: diseases like obesity, diabetes and heart disease are illnesses “of civilization” and so, to combat the ill effects of the modern diet, we should return to a…
Avoiding Common Injuries In Little League Baseball
Youth baseball throwing injuries are on the rise across the country. Increases in participation coupled with the popularity of year round travel teams and player showcases (play multiple games in a weekend without strict standards for pitch counts or numbers of innings pitched) has orthopedic specialists treating overuse injuries (typically seen in the professional ranks)…
Healthy & Happy Feet
Avoid Injury, Proper Footwear Selection Running and walking are two of the most pure forms of exercise around. But choosing the wrong athletic shoe can have you end up lying on the couch nursing an injury. While most sporting good stores have knowledgeable sales people to guide you, you’ll be a few steps ahead of…
The Summer Misadventures of “Bruiser.”
Summer is here, and the activities available to those of us in southern CA are endless! I for one, am a HUGE fan of summer and being outside and active. Whether it’s riding bikes on the boardwalk in Huntington Beach, hiking in Peter’s Canyon, or playing catch with my boys at the park, I’m a…
Got Balance?
Summer is coming, oh-so-quickly, and obviously my first thoughts are: 1) omigosh what am I going to do with my kids? 2) my electric bill is about to double. and 3) OH NOoooooooo. I have to put on a bikini and I haven’t done more than walk to my car and back in months! I…