When to use Heat and when to use Ice

Guest Blogger: Danielle Clark, DPT

This has to be one of the most frequently asked questions in our clinic, no matter which area of the body we are talking about. So I thought it would be a good idea to put together some good information about when to use which!

Taping: Is It Only for Pro Athletes?

Guest Blogger:  David Merson, DPT, ATC

Many athletes may be wondering – would taping help stabilize my ankle/knee/shoulder?  Would it help with arch support? To help navigate this question, I have laid out some basic taping information on the most common taping interventions.  First, however, it is important to understand that taping is a skilled sports medicine technique. It requires a patient/athlete to demonstrate clinical signs and symptoms to indicate that taping is a good option in each individual case.

The Truth about Myofascial Release

Guest Blogger: Danielle Clark, DPT

Myofascial release (MFR) has begun to gain some popularity in the manual therapy world, prompting many clinics and therapists to advertise these skills to potential patients.  But how do you make sure you, as a patient, are receiving these skills by someone who really knows what they are doing?

Preparation for the Winter Sports Season!

Guest Blogger: Stacy Choquette, PTA

Now that our days are getting shorter and the nights are getting colder, many of us are breaking out our equipment for a good tune up before hitting the slopes.  New Englanders of all ages take part in some sort of winter activity whether it be skating, skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing or sledding.  While these activities keep us active and can be very challenging, they become even more demanding as we age. 

Graston - More than just massage

Guest Blogger: Julia LeBlanc, DPT

I have always enjoyed incorporating manual therapies into my practice.  Over the years, I have been aware of Rolfing, Reiki, and numerous massage techniques.  Earlier this year a friend told me they had experienced Graston with remarkable results. 

Report from a Sports Medicine Conference

Guest Blogger:  David Merson, DPT, ATC

I recently attended a local sports medicine symposium and would like to share some information that will bring you, as a patient, client, and consumer of sports medicine services up to date on important topics. 

What is the Real Buzz behind Hot Yoga and Bikram Yoga?

Guest Blogger: Danielle Clark, DPT

Being quite a bit of a yoga aficionado I finally decided to do a little background and clinical research into these latest yoga trends. In retrospect, I may have chosen the best topic to blog about, since I didn’t know that hot yoga and Bikram yoga are two very different practices!

Reebok EasyTones and Skechers Shape-Ups

Guest Blogger: Rebecca Lingerfelt, DPT

The latest shoe technology has introduced unstable shoes like Reebok EasyTones and Skechers Shape-Ups. The theory of the unstable shoe is that walking on uneven surfaces improves posture and muscle strength by requiring muscles to be active more frequently. It is important to note that the majority of these shoes are designed for walking; however, newer models have appeared for running.

Water, Exercise, and Pregnancy

One of the most common ailments that come with pregnancy is back pain.  In fact, according to the North American Spine Society, half of all pregnant women will experience back pain.  The cause is simply due to weight gain.  In any other circumstance, back pain can be very effectively managed with diet and exercise.  Unfortunately, weight gain is not reversible for the nine months of pregnancy.  So, what is a woman to do?  Exercise? 

Aquatic Physical Therapy

Aquatic therapy is one of the oldest forms of treatment, dating back to Roman times.  Bathing in hot mineral springs was used in classical medicine as an effective means to treat disease and injury, since the time of Hypocrites.  Today, physical therapists continue to use and develop aquatic therapy principles and techniques for the benefit of a wide range of injuries and conditions.