At the beginning of April over 285 physical therapists, members of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), from all over the country, went to Capitol Hill for the annual APTA Federal Advocacy Forum. We visited our senators and house legislator's offices to discuss important issues that affect our profession and our patients. Why Do We Do This? Legislators at both the federal and state level don't know that much about health care, especially physical therapy! These

Is the source of your low back pain a mystery? You’re not alone: Nine out of 10 patients don't know the primary cause of their back pain. The problem is that most people seek treatment after they’ve begun exhibiting symptoms of back pain. While this may seem logical on the surface, we’re here to tell you that there’s a better way. The key is to go to a physical therapist before you begin to see the signs and symptoms of back pain. I’m sure that right about now you’re asking,

Recently we have seen a rise of diseases in children that in the past had only been seen in adults. Things like obesity, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure are being seen more frequently in children. One of the best ways to combat the rise of these diseases is to make sure that your kids are getting enough physical activity. The Department of Health and Human Services has developed guidelines recommending that youth ages 6-17 participate in 60 minutes or more of physica

Golf season is here and it’s time to not only tune up your gear, but also tune up your body. You may be surprised to hear that seeing a physical therapist can be one of the best ways to improve your golf game. Not only can a physical therapist (PT) show you stretches for your pre-game warm up, a PT can also analyze your mechanics, help improve mobility in your joints, and give you personalized exercises. A physical therapist can help by: Applying Joint Mobilization Techniq

NY State Senator Brian Kavanagh This year the New York Physical Therapy Association (NYPTA) traveled to Albany, New York to advocate legislation for Physical Therapy on behalf of all New Yorker's. Everyone who went was a volunteer as a member of the NYPTA. As grassroots advocates, we hope to help change the laws for the better. NYPTA members that went each met with their New York State Senator and Assemblymember in their offices. Specifically, the things that were discussed

Photo: StockSnap If you’re feeling desperate, alone, and helpless, it’s easy to get trapped in those emotions and believe there is no way out. But, you’re not alone. According to MentalHealth.gov, each year nearly 10 million people in the United States have thoughts about self-harm. Many people who have having such thoughts struggle to see an end to their problems. However, problems -- even those that feel insurmountable -- are often temporary and the low point before a wonde

Pain, soreness and weakness in the hips can interfere with desired activity levels, particularly for men and women 65 years old and older. For active Americans trying to enjoy their retirement years, poor hip health simply isn’t part of the plan—but that doesn’t mean they’re destined to miss out on life’s many pursuits. The good news is that physical therapy can help seniors remain physically active by addressing small issues before they grow. Many are surprised to learn th

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates nearly nine million Americans pack a full week’s worth of exercise into just two days. These occasional athletes, also known as Weekend Warriors, account for the largest population encountering nonprofessional sport-related injuries, which add up to healthcare costs exceeding more than $18 billion per year. The most common injuries Weekend Warriors face include rotator cuff injuries, Achilles tendonitis, golf or t

You probably already know to make an appointment with a physical therapist when you sprain your ankle or develop tennis elbow. But what if you’ve felt a slight twinge in your knee during your daily walk or noticed that your posture has changed since you accepted a job that requires sitting for eight hours a day? Or maybe you’ve been thinking about joining a gym to get in shape. Are these reasons to see a physical therapist? Yes! Each of these scenarios has the potential for i

Depression is one of the most common complications for patients with chronic illnesses like heart disease, multiple sclerosis and diabetes. A chronic illness often introduces major life changes that restrict a person’s mobility, independence and ability to enjoy and participate in regular activities. A physical therapist is trained to identify and address symptoms of depression in patients with these life-altering diseases. According to an Archives of Internal Medicine review

Chances are you’ve come across the old dental health adage: “Floss the teeth you want to keep.” The first time you spotted this sign in a dental office or heard the phrase uttered word-for-word by the dentist probably elicited a giggle or a snarky remark. But once the humor of it washed away, you more than likely had an a-ha moment. It just makes so much sense, doesn’t it? Let’s try to apply this principle to other parts of the human body: What if you only stretched the muscl

[New York City - July 21, 2017] The automobile industry recommends regular oil changes to keep your car running at its peak performance. Chances are that you adhere to the guidelines outlined in your car manual as closely as possible, and probably even have a favorite business nearby that performs the services. Just like a car, the human body thrives on a tune up from time to time. People may not be born with maintenance and performance manuals, but we ought to follow the ad

Interactive Online Tool Called the ‘Fit Factor’ Rates Physical Health New York, NY –There are countless solutions available these days to help improve the public’s health, activity level and sports performance. But first things first: just how fit—or unfit—are you? Can you walk up two flights of stairs without becoming fatigued? Are you able to sleep through the night and wake in the morning without pain? These are just some of the questions posed in an online lifestyle tool

For the past week, the pain and stiffness in your lower back has been unbearable. Daily activities like unloading the dishwasher, opening the car door, and taking the trash out are a struggle. Even sneezing is painful. You missed a day of work and your spouse has taken over all childcare duties. If you can relate to this scenario, then you probably think an MRI will give you the answers you’re looking for, right? Actually, that’s not the case according to the American Academy

New York, NY – The American College of Physicians (ACP) released new guidelines to steer doctors away from scribbling scripts for painkillers in favor of noninvasive treatments such as physical therapy for low back pain. This news affects a large population, as low back pain is a close second to the common cold in a list of ailments driving Americans to the doctor’s office. Published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, the ACP committee developed these guidelines to target ad