AzOPT’s physical therapists are highly-educated, licensed health care professionals who help our patients reduce pain, improve mobility and restore function. When health problems make it hard to move around and do everyday tasks, we help you move better and relieve pain. Our goal is to prevent expensive surgery and reduce the need for long-term use of prescription medications and their side effects. We can also help improve or restore your physical function and your fitness level.
Sitting Ourselves to Death by Trent Brooke PT, DPT AZOPT Goodyear Physical Therapist Throughout history, people found themselves standing, walking, and generally being on their feet more often than not. However, in 2017, sitting has become the position people find themselves in more often and for longer throughout the day. We sit when we drive,…
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Foam Rolling 101 Chances are you have seen someone recently laying and rolling around on a cylindrical shaped piece of foam. Whether at the gym, CrossFit, or even AZOPT, foam rolling has become an extremely popular and effective self-massage technique. To understand why, let’s first discuss the basic structure of our muscles and tissues. Our…
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What is Frozen Shoulder? Like back pain, shoulder pain can be caused by many things — stress, exercise (or the lack thereof), working in the same position for a long period of time. But if you have chronic shoulder pain and stiffness, as well as limited movement in your shoulder joint, especially over a longer…
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Beginning and Following Through With Better Fitness By AZOPT Physical Therapists It’s no surprise the most popular New Year’s Resolution is to get in better shape. It’s also no surprise that this resolution ends in failure more times than success. But how can you succeed with this resolution? What are the keys to getting started,…
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Injury Prevention in Youth Athletics Youth sports are a great way to help keep kids active, learn the value of teamwork, and make new friends. It can be rewarding for both the athlete and family members. However, the increasingly competitive nature of sports these days has them starting at a younger age and training harder…
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There are two main types of stretching: static and dynamic. Static stretching is the type of stretching most people are familiar with. It typically consists of getting into a position until you feel a stretch on a specific muscle or muscle group, then holding that position for a given period of time. Dynamic stretching involves…
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Stretch of the Week: Plantar Fascia Stretch by Amanda Gallow, DPT, SCS AZOPT Buckeye Physical Therapist Stretch Type: Static How to Perform: Place one hand on the heel and the other at the great toe. Gently bend the ankle and at the same time you pull the great toe back. Hold for 60 seconds and…
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Stretch of the Week: Rocking Ankle Mobilization by Amanda Gallow, DPT, SCS AZOPT Buckeye Physical Therapist Stretch Type: Dynamic How to Perform: Place a small towel roll under the ball of the foot. Keep your heel on the ground, and rock your knee forward over the toes. Repeat 20-25 times. Why Perform This Stretch: This is dynamic…
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Stretch of the Week: Posterior Shoulder Mobilization by Amanda Gallow, DPT, SCS AZOPT Buckeye Physical Therapist Stretch Type: Static How to Perform: Lie on your stomach propped up on your forearms. Be sure your elbows are slightly in front of your shoulders, and your forearms are parallel to one another. Thumbs should be placed up. Drop…
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Physical Therapists Treat Balance Issues Did you know that seventy five percent of Americans older than 70 years are diagnosed as having “abnormal” balance? That is 3 out of every 4 people! Balance problems increase by almost thirty percent in people at least 80 years old.2 According to the Center of Disease of Control, more…
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