Maintaining and Improving Function with Low Back Pain by Drew Satterfield, PT, DPT AzOPT Gilbert Clinic Manager and Doctor of Physical Therapy It’s almost inevitable for us all to feel low back pain for one reason or either at some point in our life. Common symptoms include aching along the middle lower back or aching…
Should I Start Physical Therapy Before Surgery? We hear it all the time – “I’m having surgery anyways.” “I’ll wait until after surgery.” “It hurts to move now so you can’t really help me.” But the truth is, pre-operative rehabilitation (or pre-hab), can be just as important as the surgery. Read on to find out…
Q&A with Ryann Roberts, PT, DPT, & AzOPT Owner Arizona Orthopedic Physical Therapy (AzOPT) was established in 2007 in Goodyear. After working many years for other physical therapy practices, Ryann believed there was a better approach to physical therapy than packing a therapist’s schedule and using techs to guide his patients’ experience. Ryann wanted a…
What is Vestibular Therapy? People often don’t realize how large the scope of physical therapy practice can be. There are many different domains including orthopedics, geriatrics, cardiopulmonary, pediatrics and more. One unique niche of physical therapy is vestibular rehabilitation. What is vestibular therapy exactly? It’s an exercise-based treatment program that works to improve your sense…
Celebrate National Physical Therapy Month with Activity! This October, we celebrate National Physical Therapy Month (NPTM)! NPTM is an awareness celebration held each October by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) to recognize the important roles physical therapists play in restoring and improving motion in people’s lives. Nobody understands this more than the “Active Adult”…
What is a joint mobilization? Joint mobilization, often called a manipulation, is a type of passive movement of a skeletal joint, using high-velocity, low amplitude (HLVA) thrusting maneuvers. Often associated with chiropractors, this technique has been used by a variety of practitioners throughout history and has evolved with time, experience and study. But did you…
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…
How Much Should You Be Working Out? Are you looking for unique ideas to increase your physical activity? The American College of Sports Medicine recommends that adults should participate in moderate intensity aerobic physical activity for a minimum of 30 minutes on 5 days per week or vigorous intensity aerobic activity for a minimum of…
This Unique Protocol May Help Your Headaches Are you suffering from chronic migraines and headaches? Dry needling might be the solution for you! But first, let’s differentiate between migraines and cervicogenic headaches, as oftentimes these get mistaken. Cervicogenic headaches include neck stiffness, reduced range of motion, pain limited to one side of the neck, and pain…
Physical Therapists, Chiropractors, Massage Therapists – What’s the Difference? There are many misconceptions regarding the similarities and differences between physical therapy, chiropractors and massage therapy. Patients often believe they are the same thing. In fact, the three professions have very different theories regarding the preferred method of treatment, the benefits of each treatment, and the…
