How Does the Vestibular System Affect My Child? By Brittany deRoche, DPT Kids Place West Pediatric Physical Therapist The vestibular system is a small group of organs located in our inner ear which is responsible for helping our body figure out where it is in space. The vestibular system detects movement (linear and angular) of…
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…
Stretch of the Week: Genie Stretch for Posterior Shoulder By Amanda Gallow, DPT, SCS AZOPT Buckeye Physical Therapist Stretch Type: Static How to Perform: Bring your right arm up to 90 degrees with elbow bent. Lean your right shoulder into a corner to assist in stabilizing the shoulder blade. Bring the left arm over top…
Stretch of the Week: Thoracic Extension with Rotation By Amanda Gallow, DPT, SCS AZOPT Buckeye Physical Therapist Stretch Type: Dynamic How to Perform: Place a small towel roll or foam roller along the upper portion of your back. With your knees bent and hands behind your head, gently arch your upper back over the roller.…
Stretch of the Week: Side Lying Thoracic Rotation Stretch By Amanda Gallow, DPT, SCS AZOPT Buckeye Physical Therapist Stretch Type: Dynamic How to Perform: Lie on your side. Pull your knees towards your chest. Grab your knees with your bottom arm. Keep your top arm across your chest. Rotate your torso down towards the ground so…
Pregnancy and Back Pain: What You Can Do To Help By Tyler Guymon, DPT AZOPT Physical Therapist I am very blessed to be the father of four beautiful children. But, as most people know, I would not have accomplished this great achievement without my wonderful wife. Confidently I will say that while my wife would…
Stretch of the Week: Active Hamstring Stretch By Amanda Gallow, DPT, SCS AZOPT Buckeye Physical Therapist Stretch Type: Dynamic How to Perform: Lie on your back. Keep one leg straight on the floor or table. Hold the opposite leg behind your knee with both hands. Gently alternate straightening and bending your knee so you feel…
Stretch of the Week: Hands and Knees Posterior Hip Stretch By Amanda Gallow, DPT, SCS AZOPT Buckeye Physical Therapist Stretch Type: Dynamic How to Perform: From your hands and knees with your core engaged, shift your buttocks back towards your heels about half way. There should be no pinching in the front of your hip. …
Say Goodbye to Positioning Devices By Nicole Campbell, PT, DPT & Bobbi Michels, PT, DPT Kids Place West Pediatric Physical Therapists As a new parent, you will see many different positioning devices as you walk through the baby department of a store. Exersaucers, Jumperoos, Bumbo Chairs, and similar positioning devices are marketed as strengthening devices…
Stretch of the Week: Hip Flexor and Mobilization By Amanda Gallow, DPT, SCS AZOPT Buckeye Physical Therapist Stretch Type: Static How to Perform: Secure a band inside a doorway or to a sturdy object. Place the band around the right leg, up toward the thigh. Then, kneel on right knee with your left foot in…
