Author: Leda

I am a physical therapist and currently practice in an out patient orthopedics setting in Atlanta, Georgia. I am also an adjunct professor at Emory University School of Medicine and teach within the Division of Physical Therapy. I received my Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) from Ohio University in 2019 and am also a board certified orthopaedic clinical specialist (OCS), completing Emory University’s Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency Program in 2020. I have a particular interest in working with those with persistent pain and am certified as a Therapeutic Pain Specialist (from Evidence in Motion). Thanks for Reading! -Leda

Dry Needling for Hip Pain?!

Check out this recent guest blog post I wrote for Precision Performance and PT on Dry Needling and if it may be able to help out for hip pain (in addition to other PT) and as compared with a corticosteroid injection! Dry Needling (and PT) for Hip Pain: A “Too Good To Be True” Solution?…

Starting Your Own Physical Therapy Business: The “Whys” and “Hows” of a PT Startup

When I was a physical therapy student, I never thought of myself as an entrepreneur. But the healthcare landscape is quickly and constantly evolving and one of the amazing factors about the physical therapy profession is that there are many niches and specialty areas to fill! That is to say, you never stop learning! In…

Making The Case for Stronger Feet and Hands

One of the factors that I love about working in an outpatient orthopedics setting as a physical therapist is the wide variety of patients that walk through the clinic doors. The diversity in age, socioeconomic status, fitness level and goals, and injury type means I am constantly learning and being challenged to identify effective treatments…

Bone Health: RED-S & Tissue Loading

With bone stress injuries including stress fractures, it is important to consider not only bone health from a “loading” or exercise prescription perspective, but also from a whole health perspective including optimizing nutrition. This is where a discussion of the possibility of nutrition deficits such as occurs with Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S). Check…

Running and Endurance Athletes…Guest Posts!

It has been such an honor to be invited to write some guest blog posts for my friend and awesome physical therapist, entrepreneur, and running and endurance sport guru, Dr. Kate Mihevc Edwards. Check out the posts related to running and endurance sports that have been featured on her website (https://www.katemihevcedwards.com): A Running Culture Evolution:…

Foundations of “Non-Traumatic” Shoulder Rehab

As many of the best clinicians (PTs, MDs, etc.) and current research suggest, shoulder pain that happens without acute trauma (i.e., more likely due to “overuse”) very often responds well to conservative, non-surgical treatments like physical therapy. There have been different names given to this type of shoulder pain and some are based on theories…

Pain in the BUTT!: Part 2- Treatment Strategies for Posterior Thigh & Buttock Pain

In this post I want to discuss 3 Keys to treatment for posterior thigh and buttock pain. If you are interested in differential diagnosis and screening for posterior thigh and buttock pain, please check out: Part 1- Differential Diagnosis of Posterior Thigh and Buttock Pain Three Treatment Keys: Correct Differential Diagnosis Activity Modifications & Reducing Symptom…

“Pain in the BUTT!”: Part 1- Differential Diagnosis of Posterior Thigh & Buttock Pain

Hamstring strains are notoriously prone to recurrence (Sherry, 2004) and it is not uncommon to work with patients in a physical therapy setting who have had multiple injuries to the same leg or experience chronic “tightness” or pain in their hamstrings. What if some of these more persisting hamstring symptoms are not coming from the…

“Cheat Sheet”: Strength Goals for Lower Body Tendinopathies

Check out the handout below for strength goals and treatment tips for lower body tendinopathy injuries: (HANDOUT PDF) For more information on lower body tendinopathies, please see these prior blog posts: Tendinopathy Treatment Tips for the Lower Body Tips for Treating Lower Extremity Tendinopathies: Part 1: ASSESSMENT Tips for Treating Lower Extremity Tendinopathies: Part 2:…

PT Day of Service 2021

Since its beginning in 2015, “Physical Therapy Day of Service” (PT Day of Service) has been an opportunity for physical therapy students, clinicians, and staff to engage in the community and give back. Service projects for PTDOS often involve promoting health and sustainability efforts. This year, I am very excited to be joining the farmers…

Tendinopathy Treatment Tips for The Lower Body

“Tendinitis,” or the more comprehensive/accurate term “tendinopathy” is of the most common overuse injuries that we see in physical therapy. Whether “jumper’s knee” (patellar tendinopathy”), Achilles’ tendon pain, or plantar fasciitis (fasciopathy or heel pain); these injuries are incredibly common and often very painful and debilitating. In working with many patients with these conditions, I…

Groin Strains, What A Pain! Treatment and Prevention Strategies for Athletes

Groin injuries including adductor or hip flexor muscle strains are common in sports such as soccer, football, and hockey. These injures often occur following forceful cutting, sprinting, or kicking involved in these sports that places high stress on these muscle groups. The mechanism of injury, similar to hamstring strain injuries, often involves quick deceleration force…