Pool Play for Active Movement By Bobbi Michels, PT, DPT Kids Place West Pediatric Physical Therapist Active movement in water, also known as aquatic therapy, is used to reduce pain, improve joint range of motion, provide cardiovascular conditioning, improve strength, and assist balance skills. As an added benefit, water provides support for low impact exercises…
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,…
My #SuccessStory by Layne S. Layne is an active, busy, and care-giving 62 year old woman who enjoys golf, photography, walking her dogs, and was just starting to learn Pickle ball. Her husband was a couple months removed from getting much of his life back after completing an intensive physical therapy program called Big and Loud,…
Tips for Successful Potty Training by Bailey Boss, Occupational Therapy Student Potty training is a major milestone for kids and parents alike. Just like other daily skills, children with and without disabilities need to practice to learn how to properly engage in toileting. Independence in toileting requires that the child be able to get on…
Stretching for the Active Adult Woman By Ryann Roberts, DPT and Brooke Smith, DPT AZOPT Physical Therapists It is hard enough to squeeze a daily exercise routine into your busy schedule. You may think adding extra time with a before or after workout stretch is something you should just fit in when time permits. The…
Ugh, It Is Too Hot Outside and My Children Are Going Stir Crazy By: Teri Roberts, DPT Kids Place Owner and Pediatric Physical Therapist An Arizona summer can pose a difficult challenge trying to keep children active, yet safe. Without a pool, I often find myself telling my two children it is too hot to…
What is Dry Needling and How Can it Help Me? By Tyler Guymon, DPT AZOPT Physical Therapist On October 22, 2013, the Arizona State Physical Therapy Board determined that Dry Needling is within the scope of physical therapy practice and can be implanted by licensed physical therapists throughout the state of Arizona. So what is…
The Long Term Dangers of W-sitting By Teri Roberts, DPT Kids Place Owner and Pediatric Physical Therapist One of the greatest milestones achieved during a baby’s first year of life is sitting. This is an enormous progression towards independence for the child and the parent. Sitting is typically learned around 5 months of age through…
What is Typical Leg Alignment in Early Childhood? by Jeanette Mangano, DPT Kids Place West Pediatric Physical Therapist Your child will go through many significant changes in the structure and alignment of their legs throughout their development. Alignment is an important contributing factor to your child standing and walking. Often, parents will ask me if…
Summer Heat and Exercise Safety People from Phoenix are more than aware of how our summers are hot. With temperatures greater than 110 degrees, it’s no wonder we are known as “The Valley of the Sun.” Despite the hot temperatures, our Valley is full of opportunities to be active indoors and outdoors. All of us,…
