Headache in your Jaw?

“As a runner and physical therapist, I was curious to know if barefoot running (or running with minimalist footwear)  would prove to be beneficial in reducing running-related pain and injury.  I discovered that barefoot running decreases the tendency toward heel strike (landing on the heel during initial contact with the ground) which has been shown to decrease the ground reaction forces.  When the ground reaction forces are decreased, compression on the knee and hip joints is lowered . Barefoot running also increases foot and ankle strength and improves proprioception (the sense of where your foot is in space which is critical to prevent injuries).”
“The barefoot training program I offer consists of gradually weaning runners from a typical motion-controlled running shoe to a very light weight, “minimalist” shoe that has a flat sole and no support.  It is critical to adjust one’s running gait to a high cadence / short stride style. Specific strengthening exercises for the intrinsic muscles of the foot are also important for a successful transition.
If you or someone you know is considering a barefoot program, a consultation with a knowledgeable therapist is important for the assessment of the individual’s foot structure and running style, and to develop an individualized program for progression to minimalist footwear or barefoot running injury-free.  Contact Laurel Roof, MPT at 541-386-2441 for more information, or to schedule an appointment.

We have updated our Parkinson’s disease program, based on current evidence and research, to best address the needs of our clients suffering from this common and debilitating condition.  Studies continue to indicate that people in all stages of Parkinson’s disease can benefit from physical therapy intervention and therapeutic exercise to improve quality of life and reduce functional decline.

Our program comprises approximately six individualized treatment sessions with the goals of educating patients and their caregivers in the nature and progression of the illness, developing strategies to prevent, reduce, and manage symptoms, and home exercise instruction to address specific impairments and maintain function over time.  Goals are developed based on a thorough evaluation of individual impairments and disease stage, and with client and caregiver priorities in mind.

Treatments may include one-to-two pool exercise instruction sessions for those clients who plan to utilize local facilities on an ongoing basis.  Additionally, recommendations will be made regarding the need for further physical, occupational, or speech therapy, as well as referral to local support groups and exercise classes to address the holistic needs of the client and caregiver.

We look forward to providing quality, focused physical therapy treatment for Parkinson’s patients in our community. Clients and caregivers are welcome to contact us for more information, or to schedule a consultation.

What is the benefit of Core Training, and why is SUP good for this?

Core Training is any workout that targets the muscle groups in the mid-section of our bodies, essentially joining our lower bodies to our upper bodies. Training on unbalanced surfaces is very effective for building the core muscle groups, (stomach and lower back) and for training muscles to fire in co-coordinated ways so that the benefits are immediately transferable to other dynamic sports and activities. As opposed to traditional resistance training where muscles are trained to work in isolated groups in a stable environment. In sport we require our bodies to provide explosive strength while we are on the move, this is the sort of benefit you get from cross-training in a more fluid environment and this where SUP excels.

We specialize in designing programs for women.  Our programs address decreased strength of the pelvic floor, scar tissue remodeling, decreased shoulder and neck mobility status post breast cancer surgery, bladder behavior modification and urge strategies, physiological quieting techniques for chronic pain, and posture and body mechanics education and training.  Patient’s with the following diagnoses can be helped by our individualized programs.

● Urinary incontinence    ● Sacroiliac joint pain/dysfunction   ● Pelvic pain    ● Scar tissue pain post hysterectomy    ● Fibromyalgia     ● Prolapse education     ● Osteoporosis    ● Lymphedema education   ● Pregnancy and Postpartum     ● Pubic and Tailbone pain   ● Mastectomy and Axillary Node Dissection

TAKE THE BLADDER HEALTH QUIZ…

1. Do you urinate more than every two hours in the day time?
2. Do you urinate more than once after going to bed?
3. Do you have trouble making it to the toilette on time when you have an urge to go?
4. Do you strain to pass urine?
5. Do you rush to go to the toilette to empty your bladder?
6. Are you unable to stop the flow of urine when on the toilette?
7. Do you have an urge to go but when get to the toilette very little urine comes out?
8. Do you lack the feeling that you need to go to the toilette?
9. Do you empty your bladder frequently, before you experience the urge to pass urine?
10. Do you have the feeling your bladder is still full after urinating?
11 Do you experience slow and hesitant urinary stream?
12. Do you have difficulty initiating the urine stream?
13. Do you have (triggers) that make you feel like you can’t wait to go to the toilette (like running water, key in the door)?
14. Do you feel your bladder is controlling your life?

If you answer YES to any of these questions you can benefit from conservative treatment for your bladder. Talk to your Healthcare Provider for a referral.

Take it Slow: Prevent Injuries

By Ed Andree, PT, Hood River Physical Therapy

As the days get longer and we all become more active, it’s wise to check in with our physical health. Whether we’re working in the yard or going after three sports a day, it’s important to increase our activity level slowly. We can often prevent sprains, strains and injuries from overuse by using the right body mechanics and training correctly. Proper training means letting our muscles, tendons and bones adapt to more or different activities. You can build strength, stability, bone growth, and flexibility through slow increases in activity.

Our body’s greatest alarm system is pain. Each of us experience pain in very different ways. Still, we can use it as a guide to prevent injuries. It takes more than your normal amount of activity to build strength and endurance. We can monitor the amount of activity we do by avoiding sharp or intense pain when we are active. We can also limit muscle soreness to 24 to 48 hours after an activity. Staying within these guidelines will allow our tissues to adapt to the new stresses, to recover more quickly, and return to our activities sooner.

Another way to slowly increase healthy exercise is to increase the challenge by only 10% a week. That may mean 10% longer picking weeds, or a 10% increase in running distance. Also, don’t add a number of new changes at once. In the clinic, I’ll see runners who come in with pain. They just started running hills, started running longer distances, and changed their running shoes. In these cases it is hard for the body to adapt to so many new stresses. It’s also challenging to determine which change is causing their pain.

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Current statistics indicate that dizziness is the 3^rd most common reason for physician visits (following back pain and headaches), and disequilibrium is the 2^nd most common hospital admission diagnosis. Falls are one of the top 10 causes of death in the world, and account for 85% of all injuries requiring hospitalization for those over 50.

To address these common complaints, I am now providing vestibular therapy at Hood River Physical Therapy. Vestibular dysfunctions are often complex disorders influenced by the visual, proprioceptive, and musculoskeletal systems, as well as the central and peripheral vestibular apparatus.  Through detailed assessment and treatment of these systems, physical therapy can significantly reduce symptoms of dizziness, vertigo, associated nausea, and frequent falls.

My career focus over the last 11 years has been primarily in orthopedic assessment and treatment, I am excited to expand my expertise into the realm of vestibular therapy.  Through recent continuing education and clinical practice, I am prepared to effectively evaluate and treat common and complex vestibular dysfunctions, as well as to identify “red flags” that may require further medical diagnosis and /or intervention.

I look forward to working with you to effectively reduce vestibular symptoms, prevent falls, and improve quality of life.

Please feel free to contact me to discuss my services.