Author Archives: AzOPT

From Resolution to Routine: How to Stay on Track With Fitness Getting in better shape is one of the most common New Year’s resolutions—and one of the hardest to stick with. Motivation is great at the start, but real progress comes from consistency over time. The good news: you don’t need a perfect plan to…

Goal Setting For Success Do you wonder where you will be in five years?  Have you thought about your main objective in life?  What is it you want to achieve by the end of every day? Successes in various aspects of our life are often driven by the goals we establish.  Goals lead us to…

How Electrical Stimulation Can Support Desensitization in CRPS Recovery Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic pain condition often developing after injury or surgery, but not always, and is characterized by persistent pain, hypersensitivity, and changes in skin color and temperature. A hallmark symptom is allodynia, where non-painful stimuli cause significant pain. Desensitization techniques…

Sore? “Who Cares!”  Achy?  “No problem.”  Stiff?  “No big deal.” We…are Weekend Warriors, athletes, Crossfitters, exercisers!  If we did not like to “feel the burn,” we would still be working out at a local gym using elliptical machines and machine weights.  But when the feeling goes beyond the burn and enters into pain, or even…

Physical Therapy Decreases Fall Risk in Older Adults The risk of falling as we age tends to increase, as do the consequences of falling. Conditions such as sarcopenia (loss of muscle strength and mass), neuropathy, arthritis, low blood pressure and cognitive decline can all increase our risk of falling, and if someone falls one time,…

Tips for Ankle Injury Prevention and Recovery Ankle sprains are common injuries that mostly occur in athletes, but even non-athletes of any age are susceptible. Studies show that more than two-thirds of those who have sprained their ankle in the past are at risk for repeated sprains or injuries. Many people believe that resting their…

Is Your Modern-Day Lifestyle Contributing to Your Chronic Pain? According to Dr. Casey Means, MD, author of the #1 New York Times Bestseller Good Energy, it certainly could be—and in many cases, it’s the root cause of chronic pain, inflammation, and disease. In her book, Dr. Means details the various environmental and lifestyle factors that…

Ice vs. Heat: Which Therapy Should You Use for Pain Relief? Whether to use ice or heat for pain depends on your injury type, stage of recovery, and symptoms. While ice is known to reduce inflammation, swelling, and bruising, heat is best known for increasing blood flow and relaxing muscles. A general rule of thumb—use ice for…

Understanding Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS), often referred to as “runner’s knee,” is a common condition characterized by pain in the front of the knee, around or behind the patella (kneecap). It affects people of all ages and activity levels, but it is particularly prevalent among athletes, especially those…