Optimized Movement

Are you still spending time agonizing over a foam roll to "roll out your IT Band?"

No pain, no gain... right?

I hate to break it to ya, but your time is better spent counting the cloudy days in Pittsburgh.

Your IT Band (short for iliotibial band) is a long band of fascia (connective tissue) that stems from your hip to your knee along your lateral thigh. Unlike muscle tissue, fascia does not stretch or lengthen. If your IT Band is already aggravated, the last thing you want to do is apply more friction and irritation!

Instead, it's best to address the root of the problem. Typically, IT Band pain occurs at the lateral aspect of your knee or hip. This pain is often caused by movement pattern dysfunctions, either above or below the source of the pain. A physical therapist is trained movement specialist and can help you identify muscle imbalances or dysfunction to help you fix the problem at the source.

Let's end this torture ritual once and for all.

Questions? Let me know!

You've been having back pain. It came seemingly out of nowhere.

It hurts to sleep.
It hurts to bend over.
It hurts to sit in your desk chair.

Is your first thought that you need an X-ray or MRI? Maybe you need an injection, medication, or worse - surgery?

Research shows that unfortunately, those who obtain imaging as a first line of care for back pain tend to have worse outcomes.

"Clinical guidelines recommend that new episodes of non-specific low back pain not complicated by red flag conditions should be treated with conservative therapy."

Bodies are strong. Bodies are resilient. More research reviews to come that supports the recommendation for early physical therapy to treat low back pain for better outcomes.

Corticosteroid injections are often used for short-term pain relief in musculoskeletal injuries...but they don’t come without risks.

A recent systematic review of 50 articles revealed detrimental effects on local tendon tissues including increased collegian necrosis (death/disease), decreased collagen organization, reduced cell viability (ability to work successfully), lower cell proliferation (growth/reproduction), and decreased collagen synthesis after 6-12 months!

What does this mean for you? While injections can be beneficial for relieving symptoms in the short term, healthcare providers might want to think twice before handing them out to every individual who walks through the door with pain.

Is brief relief worth potential long term tissue damage? This is a conversation that all patients deserve to have to weigh their options and make decisions for their future.

Unfortunately, I’ve yet to meet a patient who learned any of this prior to receiving their injection.

Patients deserve better. Patients deserve to be active in deciding their future in healthcare.

This week as I was working with a client, they asked the reasoning behind the manual technique I was performing on their shoulder. I explained the anatomy, biomechanics, and reasoning behind the approach.

They responded with this quote.

It started an engaging conversation about the dynamics of pain and rehab.

Humans seek immediate gratification.
We seek the path of least resistance.
Unfortunately, it's a rare case where the shorter, faster, option is the best option.

Healing takes time.
Getting better takes time.

Wouldn't you rather learn the how and why behind your pain?

You deserve a healthcare provider who is willing to take the time to teach you and answer your questions. You deserve more than a quick diagnosis that gets slapped on everyone that walks through the door.

Pain is multi-faceted and so should be your care.

Did you know that in all 50 states you can go directly to physical therapy for pain and injury without having to see a doctor first?

A "Direct Access" license in a specialized license obtained by seasoned physical therapists that are qualified to evaluate, diagnose, treat, and manage a patient's care.

Studies have shown that patients who see physical therapists first via report improved satisfaction, earlier symptomatic relief, lesser unnecessary imaging, decreased opioid use, fewer healthcare appointments, and decreased overall patient cost.

So.. whether you tweaked your back lifting an awkward object from your car trunk, twisted your ankle playing hoops on the weekend, or your shoulder that you thought would have been feeling better by now is still bothering you... find a physical therapist near you and start feeling better soon!