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At-Home Movements for Chronic Pain

Posted on May 28, 2025 by Brandon Jones, PTA, BS, MBPR

About 20% of the world will have chronic pain at some point in their lifetime. Those of you who are currently experiencing pain may feel frustrated, anxious, and alone. Due to pain, you may also be drifting away from the activities that you once enjoyed. Today, we will review some daily exercises that may help you feel better with your pain and help you connect with your most active and pain-free self. Listed below are exercises that have been shown to help reduce pain and that can be done daily! (more…)

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An Exercise Routine That Can Help Manage High Blood Pressure

Posted on May 23, 2025 by Kathleen Habschmidt PT, DPT

High blood pressure, or hypertension, affects nearly half of adults in the U.S. While medications can help, one of the most effective tools in managing blood pressure is exercise. The good news? You don’t need to spend hours at the gym. A well-rounded, consistent routine can make a big difference. Your heart is a powerful muscle, and regular movement strengthens it, making it more efficient at pumping blood, reducing pressure on your arteries. Exercise also helps manage weight, reduce stress, and improve overall cardiovascular health, all key factors in controlling blood pressure. (more…)

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Three Conditions That Can Benefit from ASTYM Therapy

Posted on May 21, 2025 by Kathleen Habschmidt PT, DPT

If you’ve been dealing with chronic pain, nagging injuries, or stubborn scar tissue, ASTYM therapy might be the missing piece in your recovery. This specialized treatment uses instrument-assisted techniques to stimulate healing, break down scar tissue, and improve mobility, helping you return to the activities you love. (more…)

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ASTYM Specialty Techniques IASTM

Understanding and Measuring Your Heart Rate

Posted on May 19, 2025 by Tanner Neuberger, PT, DPT, TDN Level 1

Cardiovascular fitness is important to our quality of life and fitness goals. It can determine how well prepared you are for a task, or how you might not be able to handle a fitness activity due to your inability to fuel it properly. Cardiovascular fitness will determine whether a 5K is an easy warm-up or an activity that will greatly challenge you. To better improve your cardiovascular fitness, it is important to understand heart rate zones and what they mean to your training. (more…)

Can Seasonal Affective Disorder Impact Pain?

Posted on May 16, 2025 by Zachary Vandenberg, DPT

Now that spring is here and longer, sunnier days are returning, many people are starting to feel relief from the emotional weight of winter. But for those managing chronic pain, the lingering effects of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) may still be present. SAD doesn't always disappear overnight, and its physical impacts – like increasing pain sensitivity and stiffness – can persist even as the weather improves. Understanding this connection is key to feeling better year-round, and physical therapy can play a vital role in that process. (more…)

Tweaked Your Back? Here are 4 Steps to Take to Manage Pain

Posted on May 14, 2025 by Tony Matoska, PT, DPT, CMPT

Research shows that more than 80% of individuals will experience back pain at some point in their lives. It’s the second most common reason someone will see their doctor, just behind the common cold. Although back pain can limit your activity, cause significant pain, and feel very scary, a majority of people get better with time and following the right plan. It’s also been shown that expensive tests and procedures like X-rays, MRIs, injections, and invasive procedures are rarely needed to properly manage back pain. If you find yourself dealing with a tweaked back, here are four steps to take to manage pain (more…)

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Get Digging with Garden Ergonomics

Posted on May 12, 2025 by Melissa S. Walker, MPT, CLT

If you are like me, spring signals the start of garden planning and anticipating trading in the snow shovel for the garden hoe and rake. Gardening can be a relaxing and healthy hobby, but also physically demanding. Lifting bags of soil, turning garden beds, and pulling weeds can place strains on the body. That’s why using proper body mechanics and posture while gardening is important. Here are a few tips to keep you enjoying the season while preventing injuries. (more…)

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6 Tips to Prep for a 5K From an Endurance Expert

Posted on May 9, 2025 by Andrew Cassidy, PT, DPT

Spring is here, and the running season has begun! Chances are, if you or somebody you know is a runner, you have heard of a 5K. A 5K stands for five kilometers, which is a race just over three miles (3.1 to be precise). Many communities host a 5K, or even multiple 5K races throughout the year. In fact, 5K is the most popular distance for road races in the United States, with 17,000 recorded 5K’s in the USA in 2016. Each runner completing one of these 5K’s undoubtedly wants to have an enjoyable and successful race. (more…)

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