In my last two blog posts, I explained how specialized physical therapy techniques like Redcord suspension exercise and GYROTONIC® have helped me and others with dysautonomia. Today I am highlighting another breakthrough movement system available at Activcore. This one is called Hypopressives. Hypopressive means low pressure. This technique introduces exercises that reduce the pressure in your core (i.e., the intra-abdominal pressure).

As a Board Certified Orthopedic Physical Therapist, I see a lot of patients with foot pain. It is sometimes not what they are even coming to see me for, but they mention it during the evaluation. In my experience, foot pain often plays a role in their knee, hip, or back pain. Our foot health is just as crucial to our structural health as our core strength, but it doesn’t get nearly the same level of attention.

You probably feel more muscular, tendon and/or joint pain in your 40s and 50s than you did in your 20s and 30s. But it may not be for the reasons you think.‍ As women enter the ages of perimenopause (8-10 years prior to their final menstrual cycle) they may notice a myriad of subtle or not so subtle symptoms. One of which being an increase of musculoskeletal pain. In fact, the majority of menopausal women report muscle and joint aches as major symptoms of the transition.

Flexibility is often celebrated in the dance world. But for individuals with Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD) or Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), it can pose some unique challenges. My career as a Pilates Instructor and former ballet dancer has been marked by extraordinary flexibility coupled with a history of injuries. In my quest for a solution, I discovered the Redcord suspension system.

Dyspareunia is the medical term for painful sexual intercourse. The Mayo Clinic defines this as “lasting or recurrent genital pain that occurs just before, during, or after sex”. Dyspareunia is more common in women than men, and can happen at any age. Symptoms of dyspareunia include pain with initial penetration and/or deep penetration which may include burning, aching, and throbbing sensations.

As a McKenzie certified physical therapist, I work with a lot of patients experiencing neck and back pain, often exacerbated by postures held for long periods at the computer. One of the first things we address is postural correction. Sit in a relaxed posture, then pull your head up and back and chest up so you’re in an overcorrected posture, then back off about 10%.

Posture has always been a hot topic of conversation in the physical therapy world. When I mention that I’m a PT, people often ask about their posture and what exercises will make it better. To be honest, this is a loaded question. There’s no one simple answer. If you asked 10 physical therapists, you’d probably get 10 different answers.

I wrote this blog after hosting a Zoom call with various practitioners in the Denver area. The topic of discussion was how to manage TMJ Dysfunction. By combining some of the strategies listed below, you can take significant steps towards alleviating TMJ/TMD symptoms and regaining comfort in your daily life.

Picture this: a clandestine world of pelvic pain, shrouded in secrecy and often deemed the domain of women. But wait, men also find themselves entangled in this web of discomfort. It's time to bust open the pelvic pain myth and bring pelvic floor physical therapy to the center stage! So grab your seat and get ready for a hilarious journey as we unravel the comic complexities of male pelvic pain and discover how pelvic floor PT can save the day.

I felt inspired to write this blog after re-watching a 2011 TED Talk by Lorimer Moseley on the topic of pain. I have seen this episode multiple times and it always makes me laugh. He knows how to tell a good story that merges science with comedy. He actually makes learning (about pain) fun!