When chronic back pain loses its power
“Pain is both physical and emotional 100% of the time.” –Dr Rachel Zoffness Is it possible to gain control over pain? How does chronic pain lose it’s power? Why does giving less attention to it weaken pain? Pain is complex. Telling someone to stop thinking about pain is dismissive. However, when clients see their potential […]
Persistent pain and returning to what you love
Return to what you love? Even with pain? Yes, go for it! It may sound either intimidating or exhilarating but, returning to what you love is absolutely possible. Pain Pain interrupts how you experience yourself in your own environment. Quite often it limits your possibilities. As pain persists your world feels smaller and smaller […]
When stress increases your symptoms & pain makes you stressed
Stress and pain are collective experiences. One of my favorite quotes on pain is from Dr. Adriaan Louw, “Pain isn’t a protocol. Pain is a human lived experience.” As a physical therapist it is common to hear a patient speak on how their pain increases during stressful moments or experiences. Increased pain can lead to […]
2 exercises for single leg balance and coordination
Balancing on one leg is extremely beneficial at any age. It helps the foot and hip control in walking, running, and sports. It helps with reducing fall risk as we age. And it helps with one’s coordination and proprioception at any age. Below are two higher level balance exercises, a single leg squat and a […]
You’ve returned to running, whats next?
Congrats! Returning to running after having a baby, or a surgery, or an injury is a big deal. It’s not an easy trajectory. You’ve likely had to work on strength, load, impact, sleep, pressure, stress, mindset, and mobility. So you’re here and you can run, but what’s next? Do you have a strategy for your […]
Cycle syncing for exercise
As women, we take our menstrual cycle for granted. In reality, it has a profound effect on your health, far more than I ever gave it credit for as a young female athlete. Menstruation is a definitive marker of female health. It’s a vital sign (or should be). The hormones that that rise and fall […]
3 ways to land softer and run better
Why is returning to running so darn difficult? For an activity that seems so simple, there sure are a lot of variables. 3 common complaints I hear from my running patients: 1) I can’t run without leaking 2) I can’t run due to hip/knee pain 3) I haven’t been able to run since I injured […]
How to reduce muscle tension at work
The creeping, nagging muscle tension that occurs while sitting at the computer affects us all. So we change our posture, change from sitting to standing, add lumbar supports, try foam rolls, and use postural support contraptions. Sometimes these tools help but often it doesn’t. What else is there? This video offers a different perspective in […]
Your checklist for a better run
Do you want to run again? What keeps you from running now? Injury? Pain? Leakage? These are natural reasons to stop and seek treatment. Unfortunately, I have found that many people are afraid to return to running for fear of re-injury or exacerbation of symptoms. Let me share a quick story with you. Georgia was […]
How to plank with confidence and without back pain
I wish I could tell you the number of women who confide in me that they have completely stopped a specific exercise because of pain or fear of injury. Planks rank high among those exacerbating exercises. Do planks hurt your back? Has someone told you to avoid as specific exercise in order to avoid symptoms? […]
