One of the aspects of physical therapy that I really love is prescribing and teaching exercises. Over the past few weeks of clinic work and teaching, I have been pushed to justify and adapt my exercise selection for patients presenting with lumbopelvic pain. Many of these patients present with some weakness in hip and core…
“Studying in Place” During COVID-19: Free NPTE Prep Resources!
Congratulations to the 2020 graduating class of Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) Students! Also, a big congratulations to those who have already taken (and passed!) their 2020 NPTE board exams. I wanted to reach out to those who are still studying for July 2020 NPTE board exams and also DPT students thinking about future board…
Exercise Rx: More Than Just Sets and Reps
Prescribing exercise in physical therapy is almost a given. As physical therapists, our profession encourages us to describe ourselves as “Movement Experts”. Furthermore, despite there being a current “movement” (see what I did there?!) to broaden the scope outside of just exercise–related movement, for the majority of our patients (e.g., incorporating regular small bouts of…
Joint Stiffness After Knee Replacement Surgery: Is A Manipulation Under Anesthesia Indicated?
KNEE “STIFFNESS” AFTER TKA: One of the common issues that I see a lot in my physical therapy work with patients is addressing pain and stiffness after knee replacement surgery. Patients are sometimes surprised at how much time it takes to regain adequate range of motion on their post-operative knee and this is one of…
Running During COVID-19: How To Stay Healthy and Injury Free!
Due to the fact that many gyms are closed with the social distancing restrictions from COVID-19, it is anticipated (and I’ve noticed this myself!) that more people are turning to ways to be active that require minimal equipment. An obvious activity that fits this description is: RUNNING! While it is great that more people are…
Best Shoulder and Scapula Exercises
As physical therapists prescribing exercises for rehabilitation, we are often tasked with selecting the best 1-3 or 3-5 exercises that are going to serve our patients the best. In the name of keeping this list efficient, it is nice when we can select an exercise that serves multiple purposes or strengthens multiple muscles or muscle…
In Times of Uncertainty (COVID-19), I Ask Myself 2 Questions…
Uncertainty. That is the best word that I can find to encompass the amalgam of feelings that I have experienced over the last two weeks. As our world, country, state, city, and community has been turned upside down and we are feeling the great impact of this pandemic of COVID-19, I have found myself at…
Part 2: Study Tips for DPT Students: 5 Ways to make “GAINS” Now!
The Science of Learning Applied to Physical Therapy: Part 2 I recently held a continuing education course along with my father and educational psychologist, Dr. Mark McDaniel, on learning science as applied to physical therapy (PT) clinical education. I really enjoyed the chance to interact with clinical instructors and discuss some of the basic principles…
The Science of Learning Applied to Physical Therapy: Part 1: Dispelling Myths About Effective Learning
Most physical therapists would agree about the importance of delivering “Evidence-Based” treatments for patients in physical therapy settings. However, many fewer are aware of the need (or desirability) of leveraging “Evidence-Based” learning strategies to improve their own skill development or that of students or young clinicians they are mentoring. Whether your goal is retention of…
DRY NEEDLING vs. ACUPUNCTURE: What’s the Difference?!
Dry needling has become a popular treatment technique in many physical therapy clinics and practices in the United States. Though not legal in all states, the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) supports the use of dry needling as a type of “manual therapy” and a part of a physical therapist’s scope of practice (see: Guide to…
20 Hip Exercises for 2020
There may be many reasons to want to train overall strength of muscles around the hip joint. Whether working with athletes who want to improve lower extremity power and hip extension or rotational power or with patients in physical therapy looking to reduce pain and improve function, improving hip strength can really provide some serious…
Guest Posts for THE LEVEL UP INITIATIVE: 1- Planting Seeds of Hope & 2- Building Positive Clinic Cultures
AND Over the past couple of years I have had the great fortune to connect with an inspiring…
sapiens movēs 