Stretching Is Great... But Are You Lacking Stability?

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Stretching Is Great... But Are You Lacking Stability?

When there is a problem in an area such as the knee or the lower back we want to address all factors that may have either caused or had a part in the problem.

After an injury there are three main steps in the recovery process that need to be addressed. First is to minimize and reduce pain. Of course this is the step that everyone wants and is the most noticeable, but just because the pain is reduced or gone does not mean you are completely “fixed or healed”. The next step is to restore range of motion and mobility. The last step is to regain strength and stability to the region. The reason it is done in this order is because our activities will most obviously be limited by pain. Then if we try to build strength and stability in a joint or area that does not have full mobility then we build improper patterns and create extra tension and compensations.

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Can You Balance On A Single Leg?... And Why Is That Important?

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Can You Balance On A Single Leg?... And Why Is That Important?

If you’re a competitive athlete, grandparent, or fall anywhere in between, balance is important.  Balance may sound simple but it’s not.  In order to balance well, your brain needs to communicate with the muscles and nerves in your body.  Proprioception is a word used to describe your body’s ability to sense joint position.  If you have good proprioception, the better you’ll adjust to quick changes in movement and decrease the risk of getting injured or falling.

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My Back Is Feeling Better... Can I Just Jump Back Into My Normal Exercise Again?

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My Back Is Feeling Better... Can I Just Jump Back Into My Normal Exercise Again?

I had an injury but I'm feeling better, that means I can go back to exercising right?

This is a question that arrises very frequently and there is no concrete yes or no answer. It depends on each individual and the circumstances. Some key factors that we want to keep in mind when we return to activity is the intensity of the activity, what was the injury, and how long you have not been exercising for.

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Seriously... I Hurt My Back Picking Up Groceries?!

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Seriously... I Hurt My Back Picking Up Groceries?!

All too often we hear the question “why did my back go out or why did I blow out my shoulder, all I did was sweep, pick up my kids, or put groceries in the car etc.” This goes along with the saying of the straw that broke the camels back.

If we break down that saying, it means the straw was too much for the camel and this resulted in an injury. For any person, picking up your kids, cleaning, and lifting groceries should NOT cause pain or injury.  When this is the case multiple factors need to be addressed.

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Why So Many Patients Are Accessing Physical Therapy & Chiropractic WITHOUT Using Their Insurance…

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Why So Many Patients Are Accessing Physical Therapy & Chiropractic WITHOUT Using Their Insurance…

With 25+ years of combined experience amongst the entire HealthFit medical team, we have watched the evolution of insurance coverage for our services in just a few years. 

10-15 years ago, insurances did a pretty good job of reimbursing healthcare practitioners for their work. 

Unfortunately this is no longer the situation as insurance reimbursement continues to decline. (Partially because of unethical billing practices but I’ll save that one for another day.) Because of this, your healthcare providers are forced to see more and more clients in order to make ends meet. It is all about appeasing the insurance companies, NOT the clients! 

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Why So Many CrossFit Athletes Are Getting Back Pain After The Open Workout – And What To Do About It…

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Why So Many CrossFit Athletes Are Getting Back Pain After The Open Workout – And What To Do About It…

I’ve had a few conversations with some high level CrossFit athletes since the release of the Open Workout 17.1. Across the board, everyone was dealing with an increase in back and shoulder pain. We discussed not only the movements but the overall volume of the workout.  

There is a misconception that this acute episode of pain will resolve in a few days leading up to 17.2. Even worse, it will resolve in time to do the workout again so you can actually have a qualifying time. In most cases... these are just not realistic. 

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Can My Poor Posture Cause Headaches?

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Can My Poor Posture Cause Headaches?

How we sit, stand, and do activities can either help or hurt us when we have an injury. When most people sit at work, in their car, or at home their head comes forward, shoulders roll in, and we arch our upper and middle back.

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Is Walking Contributing To My Neck Pain?

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Is Walking Contributing To My Neck Pain?

The real question is how walking contributes to my neck pain. When we take a step our arms follow and swing the same. So if you take a step on your right leg then your left arm swings forward. Then when you bring your left leg back your right arm follows it. This is the normal mechanics of gait. Your arm mimics and follows the opposite leg. When you walk if the stride of your right leg is longer than the stride of your left leg then you will immediately have muscle imbalances. Some of the muscles that deal with the arms and shoulder movement during gait attach to the head and neck, and if there is muscle imbalances this can contribute to a neck complaint.

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Why Can't I Move The Way I Used To After An Injury?

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Why Can't I Move The Way I Used To After An Injury?

The biggest reason you move differently or feel you can’t move the same is because of your brain. This doesn’t mean that your brain function is bad or poor, it just means that your brain has adapted to protect your body. When your body suffers from an injury there are certain movements or actions that hurt and this is completely normal. The problem is when we are in pain for long periods of time and we specifically avoid these movements because we think they will hurt.

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Do I Have To Do My Exercises At Home?

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Do I Have To Do My Exercises At Home?

If you have been to physical therapy or chiropractic before, I am sure you are familiar with the home exercise program. As difficult and annoying as it may be to do your daily exercises they are crucial to your recovery!

As much as we would love to see you everyday, unfortunately that’s not possible so it’s a team effort to make sure you can achieve your ultimate goals. Our role is to get you back on your feet and show you the best tools for you to maintain it as much as possible.

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