Should I get a cortisone injection? Are they safe? Do they help? Is it a steroid? Is it just going to mask the real problem? Will it do more harm than good to the body in the end? These are just a few of the questions that I am frequently asked regarding cortisone injections. Physicians perform the injections and physical therapists can help patients capitalize on its effects.
Archive for October, 2009
Runners Get Their Kicks
Oct 23
Runners take note: running in the right pair of shoes is important for injury prevention. There are many types of shoes on the market, from the most supportive via motion control to the least supportive, as in the new barefoot running trend. “So, what shoe do you recommend?” There isn’t a simple answer. Shoes are your connection to your running surface, and I absolutely believe finding the right one for you is important.
Drug of Choice
Oct 16
There’s an amazing, FREE treatment that you MUST know about. It can improve pain levels, mood, circulation, sugar levels, sleep, energy levels, blood pressure, bone density, cholesterol, and brain function. That’s fantastic! Stiff joints? Back pain? Depressed? No problem! It can also help you keep a healthy weight, melting the inches and pounds away. Helloooo skinny jeans. Does this sound great or what?! Afraid you may fall and not be able to get back up? No worries… you’ll feel more balanced, stronger, and limber. But wait, there’s more! If you act now, you can expect improved strength, endurance, and flexibility for all your daily activities.
So what’s the name of this magic drug? Purplpilatorfosimariceptaxilase? No, silly! It’s exercise. This amazing drug is available in either name-brand (gym memberships, ski equipment, top of the line bike) or generic (increasing steps per day, hiking at the park, home exercises) forms. Either is effective and preventive, but just make sure you get at least 30 minutes per day of moderate intensity exercise, 5 days per week. You can even break it down into as little as 10 minute installments. So what are you doing sitting there in front of the computer? For this unlimited free offer you should act now, don’t delay! Improved health is right around the corner, with exercise. 
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The spine, to the core!
Oct 8
Most of my clients have some kind of spinal dysfunction or pain, whether it be neck pain, back pain, or abnormal posture. Here is an abridged lesson about the spine including a few facts about anatomy, risk factors for pain, and how to preserve and maintain spinal joint health.
In most people, the spine is made up of 24 bones, called vertebrae, which are categorized by region. The cervical spine (your neck) has 7 vertebrae. The thoracic spine (upper back) has 12 vertebrae. The lumbar spine (lower back) has 5 vertebrae, which are the thickest and widest, because they have to handle the most load. The lumbar spine connects to the sacrum (your tailbone), which sits in the middle of your pelvis. Your pelvis then connects to your femur (thigh) which connects to your tibia and fibula (shin), which connects to your talus (crux of ankle)…. ok I’ll stop here. The point is bones are sequentially connected up from the foot to the spine. Yes! The position of your foot can affect the posture and position of your spine. That’s crazy! But true, and the reason why there are so many ads for shoe inserts that claim to reduce back pain.
The spine’s number one job is to protect the spinal cord, which transmits messages back and forth from the body to the brain via nerves. Nerves transmit messages about pain, sensation, and your position in space back to the brain. They also transmit information from the brain to the muscles in your body to move and react. Certain spinal conditions can irritate and damage nerves as they exit the spinal column. When nerves are damaged they can get very cranky, causing altered sensation (numbness, tingling), loss of agility and reactivity (clumsiness), or weakness (cramping with everyday activities). This equals pain, sometimes in the butt. Read the rest of this entry »
I am happy to post the inaugural blog for Geaux to Physical Therapy! Today marks the first day of National Physical Therapy Month. The theme this year is, “Move Forward. Physical Therapy Brings Motion to Life.” So, who are physical therapists and what do they do? In the most basic sense, a physical therapist helps people restore and maintain mobility. The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) defines a physical therapist as, “…health care professionals who diagnose and treat people of all ages who have medical problems or other health-related conditions that limit their abilities to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives.” There are many different specialties within physical therapy including orthopaedic, neurologic, pediatric, geriatric, oncology, wound care, acute care, hand rehabilitation, and women’s health. Within each of these specialties there are subspecialties with one example being vestibular rehabilitation, the treatment of balance, dizziness, and motion sensitivity conditions. Read the rest of this entry »
