I find statements like "avoid this exercise" or "this movement is harmful" troubling. Having been on the receiving end of those statements, I understand the impact of those hurtful words! They not only sting, they erode people’s confidence in their bodies and limit their ability to participate in actives they love
Reclaiming Movement: A Journey from Lower Back Pain to Dancing and Yoga with Physical Therapy
Last fall, I met a patient by the name of D. By the time she was evaluated, she has been dealing with lower back pain for four months. She had gone through the typical medical runaround. Met with her primary care doctor. Referred to an orthopedist. MRI. Medication. No better, no worse. Nothing significant on MRI. Recommended to do physical therapy.
Just Keep Moving: Navigating Pain and Recovery with Physical Therapy
Effective Physical Therapy Solutions for Runners Suffering from Big Toe Pain: Expert Treatment and Recovery Tips in Washington, DC
Discover effective solutions for runners suffering from big toe pain with our expert treatment and recovery tips. At Norton Physical Therapy and Performance, we specialize in diagnosing and treating conditions like turf toe, hallux limitus/rigidus, bunions, and sesamoiditis. Get back to pain-free running and achieve your training and racing goals with our professional care and ongoing support.
From Terrible Days to Tissue Trouble: A Parenting and PT Perspective
In our practice, we work mostly with people who have back pain, knee pain, and shoulder pain. Many of these folks have seen the best doctors in town. They’ve gotten the MRI’s. They have received diagnoses like "bone on bone" "arthritis" or "full thickness tendon tears." They may have even seen the pictures of the joints on MRI and know something looks different. Alas, this leads to much worry and concern they are broken.
Setting a Different Tone: Community, Cooking, and Connection for the New Year
Sunscreen and Squats: Your Guide to Staying Active in the Summer Glow
When the environment and the schedules change, having a plan to keep up exercise and your physical therapy routine is important. As James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, would say, “You do not rise to the level of your goals, you fall to the level of your systems.” And system #1 is to have a plan or to put something on a schedule to make sure it gets done!
Beyond the Wait-and-See Approach: Making Waves of Change in Pain Management
There are two cohorts of individuals to whom this applies. The first are those who take the wait and see approach to their pain. They hope their issues go away in time with rest. They may try an exercise or stretch yet mostly proceed without changing any routines that led to the pain. Rest is not rehab. Rest is rust.
Infinite Games of Parenting and Health: Lessons from September
How to Defy Aging: Unlocking the Power of Strength Training for a Lifetime of Wellness
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Lessons Learned From a Sub 3 Hour Marathon
What Every Runner in Washington DC Should Know About Shin Splints!
Every fall, unfortunately, runners of all levels are increasing their training to prepare for high school or college cross country or a fall full or half marathon. More miles as run and more fast workouts are attempted (hopefully completed)! If a runner has not prepared their bones or muscles with months of base phase running and lots of strength and conditioning, the training proves too much and likely results in dreaded shin splints.
Baby Steps: How Physical Therapy Works
Unlocking the Power of Core Strengthening: Enhancing Running Performance and Reducing Injury Risk
How an Ankle Injury Changed My PT Philosophy
To Stretch or Not to Stretch
“My hamstrings are soooooo tight. I should stretch more”, said every client I have worked with the past 14 years.
What does tightness mean to you? To most, it means something is inflexible and needs to be stretched.
This statement often gets reported when we ask someone to touch their toes. In this situation, a client will bend forward, keep their knees straight and reach their hands to the floor. I often giggle (on the inside, of course- professionalism!) when a client can put their palms to the floor exclaims, “I’m sooooo tight.”
