stretching Archives - Omaha Physical Therapy Institute : Omaha Physical Therapy Institute

Research on How to Stay Comfortable At Work

02/07/21

In a recent article titled, “It’s Time to Have a Rest: How Do Break Types Affect Muscular Activity and Perceived Discomfort During Prolonged Sitting at Work,” researchers used electromyographic (EMG) studies of the trapezius and lattisimus dorsi during 2 hours of sedentary work (EMG = assessing electrical activity in skeletal muscle). They divided the intervention groups into passive break (participants…

3 Exercises That Can Keep Your Neck and Back Happy While at Work

01/17/21

Many people are sitting at their work station for hours on end while working from home or at the office. Prolonged sitting can create increased neck and back stiffness, particularly if you do not change positions frequently during the day. Here are 3 exercises that you can do to change positions and ease the strain of prolonged sitting at work….

4 Ways to Reduce the Risk of Knee and Foot Pain in Growing Athletes

01/12/21

A common complaint we hear from pre-adolescent and adolescent aged athletes is that their knees or feet are consistently sore or irritable. A lot of time, these same athletes have been going through growth spurts. Here are a few tips on how to properly manage or reduce the risk of knee and foot issues in the growing athlete. 1. Stay…

Why Do My Joints Make Noise?

01/03/21

“Why do my joints click, pop, crack?” This is a question that we as physical therapists get asked quite often. If your joints “pop” or “crack,” you’re not alone! In fact, it’s normal! The majority of the time, this joint cracking occurrence is nothing to worry about. However, if the popping and cracking is accompanied by joint swelling or pain,…

Were You Born to Run?

12/21/20

The notion that human beings were “born to run” certainly has inspired me to think deeply about running. The book that bears this notion as its title, Born To Run, written by Christopher McDougall, is a must-read for those who enjoy recreational running. But this blog isn’t about the book or the theory. The point here is to discuss how…

3 Quick Home Workouts for “Busy” People

11/15/20

There are no excuses now! The following exercise routines can be done in your home with minimal to no equipment. If you do have resistance bands or weights, you can incorporate them as you wish. Exercise is SO important for SO many reasons both physically and mentally! Remember that for anyone just starting an exercise routine, it is important to…

5 Tips on How to Safely Get Started on an Exercise Program

11/14/20

Are you ready to make exercise a part of your routine? Are you not sure how to get started safely? Here are a few tips on how to properly get moving and grooving! 1. Consult with your doctor or physical therapist. If you have not exercised in a long time or have underlying health issues, it is important to make…

Simple Stretch for Anterior Knee Pain

08/25/20

Do you have anterior (front-sided) knee pain? If this pain came on gradually without any known cause or obvious trauma/injury, you may benefit from a very basic course of treatment. Assuming there is no specific derangement of the cartilage, ligaments, and tendons in and around your knee, you may get fairly rapid relief simply by doing some stretching to the…

Simple Exercises to Perform on an Airplane

08/16/20

EXERCISES TO PERFORM DURING YOUR NEXT FLIGHT! Let’s face it. Airplane seats are not comfy! Sitting through a long flight can result in stiffness and other (pain) souvenirs that you really did not want to bring home with you! It can also result in less blood flowing through your body so in order to decrease your risk for travel related…

8 Important Things to Know About Your ACL Reconstruction Surgery Recovery!

02/03/20

1. First of all, this is your individual journey. Do not compare your healing and progression to other people. Everyone’s body is different in how it responds to trauma and tissue damage. 2. Your progression during ACL reconstruction rehabilitation is not just dictated by how far out of surgery you are. Many people think that just because they are 3…