Why Am I Not Recovering Faster? The Role of Sleep and Nutrition in Physical Therapy Recovery One of the most common questions patients ask during physical therapy is “Why am I not getting better faster?” At AzOPT, we focus on individualized treatment plans, hands-on care, and targeted exercise programs to help you recover safely…
Physical Therapy Does Not Require Imaging in Arizona If you are postponing physical therapy because you are waiting on imaging – don’t! Imaging is typically not required before starting physical therapy. A licensed physical therapist (PT) is an expert in the biomechanics of your body and skilled at evaluating symptoms to determine when further imaging…
7 Stretches and Exercises to Reduce Knee Pain Have you ever experienced knee pain? There are many different causes of knee pain – fractures, overuse injuries, arthritis, imbalances, instability, and more. The knee is a complex body part that works with muscles surrounding the knee in conjunction with the joints above and below the knee…
6 Stretches and Exercises to Improve Low Back Pain by Brooke Smith, PT, DPT AzOPT Goodyear Clinic Director Low back pain is often complex. There is no simple way to diagnose each individual’s root cause for the back pain. Even two people with pain in the exact same location may have different causes for the…
The Importance of Stabilizing Your Core By Brooke Smith, DPT, PT AzOPT Goodyear Clinic Manager You have some pain and your doctor tells you to strengthen or stabilize your core. What does strengthening your core even mean? Where do you start with strengthening/stabilizing your core? And how can you strengthen your core without causing more…
Addressing Knee Pain by Brooke Smith, PT, DPT AzOPT Clinical Co-Director The knee is a very mobile structure that relies on surrounding muscles, tendons, and ligaments as well as the joints above and below to provide stability. When those joints are not working properly – that is to say they are either not as flexible…
Common Misperceptions About Physical Therapy By: Brooke Smith, DPT AzOPT Goodyear Clinic Manager Should you do physical therapy? There are many common misperceptions about what physical therapy entails. Let’s discuss a few common misperceptions and explain how physical therapy can help you get back to the activities you love, without pain! Myth #1: Physical therapy…
The Role of Social Media in Pain Management by Brooke Smith, PT, DPT, FAAOMPT AZOPT Goodyear Clinic Manager and Doctor of Physical Therapy Often in the clinic, I hear patients tell me “I really thought my pain would just go away,” or “I looked online, and it said to do…fill in the blank.” Admittedly, I…
How Yoga Challenged This Crossfitter with Unrealized Benefits By Brooke Smith, DPT, FAAOMPT, CERT DN, CCI AZOPT Goodyear Clinic Manager As an avid Crossfitter, I enjoy a challenging workout with immediate results. So, I was skeptical when I was invited to participate in my first yoga class. Would it be difficult enough? Would I even…
Why Does My Muscle Cramp? By Brooke Smith, DPT AZOPT Goodyear Physical Therapist Everyone, at some point, has experienced a muscle cramp. Whether it’s at night, after a workout, or randomly throughout the day, a muscle cramp comes without warning. It can be located along the front or back of the thigh, hands, arms, calves, abdomen,…
