New York – Thrive Integrated Physical Therapy

SCHROTH THREE DIMENSIONAL SCOLIOSIS THERAPY

The physical therapy goals in the conservative management of scoliosis include halting curve progression and preventing surgery, addressing spinal pain syndromes, managing respiratory dysfunction, improving aesthetics and body image. In addition to Schroth physical therapists employ an array of manual techniques including joint mobilization, myofascial release, soft tissue mobilization, crainosacral therapy, visceral mobilization and neuromuscular stretching techniques.

STAY IN THE GAME: KNEE PAIN WITH RUNNING

Knee pain is one of the most common symptoms with running and accounts for about half of running-related injuries. If you are a runner who is experiencing knee symptoms or you are a runner who wants to prevent future injuries, there are several ways you can reduce impact or load on the knee joint. One of the most common causes of movement impairment in running is lack of control or strength of the hip extensors, which can ultimately lead to knee pain.

STAY IN THE GAME: ADDRESSING HIP PAIN WITH PHYSICAL THERAPY

Even with ligamentous and muscular support in place, the hip is a common area that is susceptible to pain and irritation. While there is no singular explanation for hip pain aside from direct trauma, we can point to a myriad of different causes associated with pain, such as faulty movement patterns, imbalances within the body due to underlying muscle weaknesses, or abnormal joint motion within the hip or neighboring areas of the body, such as the low back.

WHAT IS THE PELVIC FLOOR, HOW IS IT ADDRESSED IN PHYSICAL THERAPY, AND WHY YOU SHOULD CARE?

Given what we now know of the role of the pelvic floor muscle network, it would make sense that dysfunction could vary widely in presentation and that the avenues for treatment equally as numerous. Direct dysfunction of these muscles can contribute to loss of bowel/bladder control, constipation, urinary and bowel urgency/frequency, pelvic pain, diminished sexual appreciation or pain with intercourse, pelvic organ prolapse, and lumbo-pelvic-hip control issues.

LET’S GET TECHNICAL: DRIVER TESTING, WHAT IS IT, AND HOW CAN IT HELP ME?

Habitual postures can also lead to muscle imbalances. A person may be sitting at their desk all day slouching forwards, which can lead to tight hip flexors and lengthened/weak glute muscles. Tight hip flexors can lead to a lack of hip extension range of motion, thus driving an issue at the back. Because the body likes to find ways around restrictions, this person might compensate with excessive mobility at the low back joints to make up for that lack of hip mobility. Over time, changes in these tissues structures can ultimately become a source of pain.

TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR HEALTH: PHYSICAL THERAPY AND PARKINSON’S DISEASE

There are numerous Parkinson’s research groups that are dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with PD. Regardless of which Parkinson’s research group that you follow, be it the LSVT BIG group, the POWER group, etc., much of the research on Parkinson’s Disease points to the same conclusion: a target-specific exercise program may be essential in delaying the progression and deterioration of function that may develop with PD. Early intervention is one of the key components to promoting a long and healthy lifestyle.

PHYSICAL THERAPY’S ROLE IN PREPARATION FOR LABOR

The genesis for this blog occurred after I attended a birthing preparation course taught by Ashley Brichter at Birth Smarter. This organization has virtual and in person childbirth education classes for expectant parents and professionals. Despite being 5 years removed from having children myself, I found the educational review helpful for my professional practice. It reminded me that understanding the anatomy of a vaginal childbirth can gift the expectant parent with tools to improve the birthing experience.

THE UNANTICIPATED BENEFIT OF VIRTUAL PT

In a broad sense, I have been amazed at the continued support that the Thrive staff has provided and received since our physical closure. I find myself in regular communication with my patients, and am bolstered each time I hear from them. They have emailed me: recipes, educational websites for children, mindfulness apps, yoga flows to calm you down, yoga flows to pump you up, books for when you’re sad, books for when you’re happy, books for when you’re too tired to read hard books, podcasts, TED Talks, and no less than 50 assorted Netflix suggestions.

IN CONVERSATION: BREATH & THE MIND BODY CONNECTION

We at Thrive are so fortune to collaborate with many types of rehabilitation, exercise, and movement specialists in the New York City area. Pilates has long been one of our staff’s preferred exercise tools, and we dearly love and appreciate the expertise of the staff at Mongoose Bodyworks, a Pilates studio that is neighbor to our clinic here in Soho. Over the years we have found our mutual clients achieve more success in movement, return to activity, and engagement in life when we collaborate, and the conversation below is an edited version of a dialogue between Mongoose Bodyworks owner Halle Clarke and Thrive PT staffer Elizabeth D’Annunzio Shah. Halle: Hi! When we decided to have a conversation, we talked about many areas of professional overlap. There’s lots of crossover between what you and I do! Elizabeth: That’s right. Ultimately, both PTs and Pilates instructors spend a fair amount of time doing movement analysis. We’re both trying to enable multi-dimensional, pain free movement. Halle: In the spirit of that crossover, I have some questions for you that I thought might relate to both of our client populations. Specifically, let’s talk about breathing. How do you think about breathing as it […]

CNN Staying Well: Thrive PT Segment on Manual Therapy

The CNN segment that we filmed at Thrive a few months back is now online. Have a watch as practice owner Tamar Amitay, PT, MS and physical therapist Amy McGorry, PT, DPT, MTC, talk about and demonstrate manual therapy techniques on a patient. Here at Thrive Integrated Physical Therapy, PC, our physical therapists identify the faulty mechanics and movement patterns that contribute to and drive one’s pain. We’ve found that manual therapy coupled with an appropriate therapeutic exercise program really makes a difference. At Thrive we look for the root cause as well as underlying movement dysfunctions to base our interventions. We are dedicated to getting our patients back quickly in the game of life!