When we talk about aging, we often focus on what we might lose; strength, balance, memory, energy, hearing, or vision. But what if we looked at aging from a different perspective? Instead of asking, “What’s wrong?” we could ask, “What abilities do I have, and what can I do to maintain them?” This is the
What Is Intrinsic Capacity? A New Way to Think About Aging Read More »
If you’ve ever had physical therapy, you may have a pretty good idea of what happens during a session. Maybe you did exercises, practiced walking, worked on your balance, or had a therapist use hands-on techniques to help with pain or stiffness. But physical therapy is much more than exercise and massage. At its core,
What Is Physical Therapy? How PT Helps You Move Better Read More »
You wake up, look outside, and notice a hazy sky. Maybe you smell smoke. You have a walk planned, a fitness class, or yard work to do. How do you know whether it’s safe to go outside? What Is the AQI and What Should I Do at Each Level? The Air Quality Index (AQI) is
Should You Go Outside? A Simple Guide to the AQI and Wildfire Smoke Read More »
In a previous blog, (Small Changes Big Results – How to make healthy habits that last), we discussed how to make healthy habits stick through realistic goal setting. Today, let’s focus on one habit that has the power to improve nearly every aspect of your health: moving more throughout your day. The good news? You
Move More, Feel Better: 10 Easy Ways to Add Movement to Your Day Read More »
Understanding firmness, texture, diameter, and length to find the best roller for your mobility goals Walk into almost any sporting goods store or browse online, and you’ll find dozens of foam rollers in different colors, shapes, sizes, textures, and densities. Some are smooth, others are covered with ridges and bumps. Some are long enough to
How to Choose the Right Foam Roller: A Physical Therapist’s Guide Read More »
Do your shoulders feel tight after a day at the computer, or your back seems stiff first thing in the morning. Most of us blame our muscles, but another tissue may also be playing a role: fascia. Until recently, fascia was largely overlooked by scientists and healthcare professionals. During anatomy dissections, it was often removed
What is Fascia: The Hidden Tissue That Keeps You Moving Read More »
What the Research Reveals Exercise and Parkinson’s Disease: Why It Matters Exercise is now recognized as a cornerstone of Parkinson’s disease management. Research consistently shows that regular physical activity can improve mobility, balance, strength, endurance, mood, and quality of life. Scientists now believe that exercise does more than simply improve fitness. Emerging evidence suggests that
Is There a Best Exercise for Parkinson’s Disease? Read More »
You Don’t Need an Hour The official exercise guidelines are important, but research increasingly shows that health benefits can occur with much smaller amounts of movement. Federal CDC guidelines recommend: Feeling overwhelmed? There is good news! For many people, those numbers feel overwhelming. But emerging research offers encouraging news: smaller amounts of movement may still
Exercise Snacks: Why Small Bursts of Movement Count Read More »
(And When to See a Physical Therapist) Simple, evidence-based tests to assess balance, strength, and mobility. And what to do if you’re at risk. Falls are more than just “a slip.” They’re a major health event, especially as we age. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 4 adults
How to Assess Your Fall Risk at Home Read More »
12 Signs and Simple Ways to Sleep Better Are You Sleep Deprived? Many people believe they function just fine on less sleep. The reality? The body adapts to chronic sleep deprivation, making it harder to recognize when you’re running on empty. What feels “normal” may actually be your baseline level of fatigue. Sleep deprivation can
Are You Sleep Deprived? Read More »
