April is Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month by Kyle Carroll, DPT AzOPT Glendale Physical Therapist Parkinson’s disease is a progressive, degenerative neurologic disease that affects the brain’s ability to produce specific chemicals that allow normal, smooth movement and motor planning. It affects approximately 50,000 people in the United States every year with about 1 million people…
Addressing Mobility That May Affect Your Golf Swing by James Poupongtong PT, DPT, TPI Certified AzOPT Buckeye Staff Physical Therapist Since the start of the pandemic, golf as a sport has exploded in popularity. In 2020, there was an estimated 24.8 million golfers, an increase of 2% from the previous year, the largest growth in…
Yoga for Low Back Pain By Taylor Kitkowski PT, DPT, Cert DN Should I Try Yoga for Low Back Pain? It is estimated that almost half of the US population will experience low back pain at some point in their lifetime. Low back pain can cause both physical and mental limitations to everyday activities. Back…
So, You Want to Learn About Deadlifting? by Acacia Rightmyer, DPT AzOPT Prescott Staff Physical Therapist Deadlifting – I am sure you have heard of it, maybe even seen others perform it, but did you know at some point in your life you most certainly have done it yourself? Even if you weren’t pulling weight…
Understanding and Improving Upper Cross Syndrome by James Poupongtong PT, DPT AzOPT Buckeye Doctor of Physical Therapy Upper cross syndrome is something that typically occurs due to bad posture. Muscles in the shoulders and chest tighten and other muscles in the neck and back weaken over time. This tightening and weakening of certain muscles can…
The Vestibular System and Balance Balance is a complex interaction of systems. It has both internal (inside our bodies) and external components (outside). These components work together in healthy individuals to maintain or regain balance. These components also know which way is up, what direction and how fast you are moving and can make posture…
Ask the Therapist: How Does Nutrition Affect My Physical Therapy? Often time’s patients will ask if the food they eat before and after their physical therapy appointments will affect their rehabilitation results. Regardless of whether you are healing from a surgery, recovering from a sprain, or managing chronic pain – yes, the food and drink…
Physical Therapy and Management of Osteoarthritis by Taylor Rock, DPT AzOPT Goodyear Doctor of Physical Therapy Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis and affects roughly 32.5 million adults in the US. It is commonly referred to the “wear and tear” arthritis or degenerative joint disease (DJD). OA occurs when cartilage within the…
Back Pain During Pregnancy It is not uncommon to experience back pain during pregnancy. In fact, 50-80% of women will experience some type of back pain during their pregnancy. Back pain can occur anytime during the pregnancy but becomes more likely later in the pregnancy, as the weight of the baby increases. As the baby…
What is the Importance of a Home Exercise Program? Now that you have completed your initial evaluation, your first step to feeling better, functioning better and living better is complete. Your physical therapist and you have developed a plan of care that will get you back to doing what you need and love to do…
