Cedar Hill Physical Therapy

One common question asked pertains to the use of heat or ice. Each has different effects, and their use can depend on which type of effect you are looking to achieve.  

Heat is an analgesic, meaning that it will block the perception of pain. A few years ago, products providing low level heating that can be worn for several hours during the day became popular. These products can be used while being active. They have been shown in clinical studies to provide some good benefit.

Ice is an anesthetic and an anti-inflammatory. While heat blocks the perception of pain, ice blocks all sensations.

Check out this week’s article in the Northwest Observer introducing our newest therapist, Sadie, The Therapy Dog!

Did you know that falls are a leading cause of injury among older adults?

The physical changes and health conditions which occur as one age can put one at a higher risk for taking a tumble.  While falls are a common problem among the seniors, falling is NOT a normal part of the aging process.  

Answering yes to either of these questions is a risk factor for falling:

Have you fallen in the past year?
Have you stopped doing your normal activities because of a fear of falling?

A simple Fall Risk Assessment can determine if you are at risk for falling.  If this assessment shows a risk for falls, your physical therapist can recommend a Fall Prevention Program of balance, flexibility and/or strengthening exercises and awareness training to improve your safety and lessen your risk for falls.

Last week, I presented at the North Carolina Physical Therapy Association Fall Conference. It was a real career highlight for me.  Read more about it in my “Presenting at the NCPTA Conference” blog.  My enjoyment was topped off by listening to one of my favorite PTs deliver a rousing Founder’s Lecture at the Awards Luncheon. 

Sue Stovall, PT, DPT spoke about Passion, Professionalism, and Prostitution.  Yes, you read that correctly.

I looked for myself in all three areas.

Sue’s main passion is for her beautiful family, who I had the pleasure of meeting. (Well, I met most of her family. She didn’t bring Barry Ollama or any of her other farm animals. Angie and I are looking forward to meeting them some time soon.)

Ultrasound assessment of the back muscles.

Over the past decade, I have developed an interest in motor control training and ultrasound imaging for low back pain. I first came across several papers that described its uses in 1997.  I soon saw the potential benefit for the patients with whom I work. The basic science is impressive. The benefits for patients are even more so.

In order to learn more about the subject, I’ve spent a lot of time studying and a lot of money traveling to and attending courses.  I’ve had the privilege to learn from leading practitioners in the field, including world renowned researcher Dr. Paul Hodges.

During this time of year, we see quite a few folk who are preparing for vacations. They often are nervous that traveling in a plane or an automobile for extended periods of time will cause them pain. Many of them suffer from chronic back or neck pain that makes travel uncomfortable. For more information read Paul’s article  Take The Pain Out Of Travel (619).

In conjunction with the American Physical Therapy Association, Cedar Hill Physical Therapy has also created a brochure filled with exercises to prevent pain while traveling. The exercises are simple, seated exercises to keep the blood flowing, the joints mobile, and the muscles relaxed. They are also helpful for prevention of deep vein thromboses (blood clots) that can develop due to poor circulation in the legs and feet. For more information download our  In Flight Fitness Guide (342).

The McKenzie Method is an individualized self-treatment program tailored to your lifestyle. It puts YOU in control safely and effectively.

Through the McKenzie approach, you gain an experiential education and learn to self-treat your back and/or neck pain.

Remember, not all therapists are created equal. It is important to seek out a well-trained McKenzie practitioner.

For more information on the McKenzie Method and how it works, check out this link to Paul’s article, The McKenzie Method Works (381) which can also be found in the June/July edition of The Guilford County Women’s Journal.

As a physical therapist, I help people get moving. My best tools are exercise instruction, biofeedback, manual therapy, and patient education. In my approach, I focus on empowering a patient to help themselves. The benefits to this are a faster recovery with less treatment needed. This requires patients to take an active role in their rehabilitation.

Everyone that I have the opportunity to work with is unique. I constantly find myself trying new techniques in order to bring about the desired results. In this blog I’m going to talk about those techniques which I use to improve follow through with the exercise prescription which is tailored to help the individual to reach his or her goals.

Reflecting on my life, I owe a lot to my mom. She instilled in me values that over the years I have come to greatly appreciate.

Among these was a talk I think of as the “Plant the Seed” talk. When I was in elementary school, I was a good student, albeit not the most motivated of kids. We talked about a fellow student, a bright young man who excelled in his studies. Mom told me that if I applied myself, I could do just as well. She described my potential as a gift, a seed that needed to be planted and nurtured in order that it would grow.