Has your previous physical therapy NOT resolved your pain?
Does your pain keep coming back?
Well…Total Motion Release may be the answer you’re looking for.
We are now offering a completely unique approach to the treatment of pain and restrictions. It is called TOTAL MOTION RELEASE or TMR. We have been convinced through our own clinical trials that it is pretty amazing stuff…and our patients love it!
You can read a description of TMR as well as a video demonstration and an incredible video testimonial by clicking HERE.
Why Suffer through the Holidays? If it hurts, get it FIXED
OrthoWell Physical Therapy would like to share in the joy of the holidays by extending a special offer to YOU and your friends and family for a
**ONE DAY FREE EVENT**
FREE Physical Therapy Injury Screenings
FREE Pain-Relieving Deep Tissue Laser Therapy Treatment
December 7th
from 1:00-6:00
100 Cummings Center Suite 455C
**ONLY 20 SPOTS AVAILABLE**
The Free Injury Screening consists of a 30 minute one-on-one appointment with one of our expert physical therapists. Your PT will:
*Talk with you about the history of your problem.
*Take measurements to test how you are moving and how strong you are
*Will discuss the CAUSE of your pain and provide you a PLAN for successful treatment.
IN ADDITION…
Receive a complimentary Deep Tissue Laser Therapy treatment to your painful area. Read more about the benefits of therapeutic laser on our website by going to www.orthowellpt.com.
Laser therapy gets our patient BETTER…FASTER. It uses infrared light energy to stimulate chemical reactions in your cells to reduce pain and inflammation. It has been scientifically proven to accelerate the healing of damaged nerves, tendons and muscles and to increase cellular metabolism by 40%.
If you are having pain or problems with day to day activities or pain that limits your ability to work or exercise, then this is an excellent opportunity that you don’t want to miss!
Fall has arrived. Amazing colors once again. Should you stretch your hamstrings before hiking thru the fall colors? Read on to see if you should…or if you shouldn’t….
I want to share with you what my staff and I have learned to maximize your health and wellness and to keep you up-to-date on the happenings at OrthoWell. So read on and let’s keep you on track.
So what if I told you that there is actually very little research that substantiates any long lasting effects of stretching? What if I also told you that you may not even have to stretch your hamstrings to get a release of the stiffness? Would that make you stop stretching or does stretching actually make you FEEL good?
I have been practicing PT for 26 years and I can honestly say that my patients have had some pretty amazing results with the soft tissue work that we do in combination with stretching exercises. Just look at our Success Story page. If you are reading this right now, you may actually be one on them. There are some things that get our patients better that may not have a lot of research-substantiated evidence.
In a 2010 article by Wepppler and Magnusson, they point out that there is only a transient mechanical increase in length of tissue after stretching. In other words, the muscle stretch recoils after the stretch is removed. How long the stretch lasts depends on the magnitude and the duration of the stretch. So then, how hard should you stretch and why do we only hold our stretches for 30-60 seconds?
We have used the evidence gathered from the study of tissue deformation or biorheology to determine that the optimum amount of time to acquire the most dramatic “viscoelastic” elongation of tissue is between 30-60 seconds. Yes, there is a much more gradual elongation after that time but who has the time to wait…right? There was a study in 2004 by Guissard and Duchateau that showed partial maintenance of tissue elaongaton 30 days after the program when patents were performing 20 minutes of stretching 5 days per week. So yes, you reap what you sow when it comes to the time spent stretching.
The Sensory Theory of stretching means that we achieve an increase in length while stretching due to a “stretch analgesia” effect in which “it doesn’t hurt as much” so you FEEL as though you can stretch further into the range. So what is wrong with that? If you stand all day and your hamstrings are working overtime to keep you upright and stable, what happens to the tissue? It becomes “stiffer”. This may be due to scar tissue, waste products, and trigger points that form due to this constant state of contraction. Intuitively, it makes sense to perform massage and stretching to counteract these effects. However, is this the cure for the stiffness? Gary Cook, a world renowned PT, who has revolutionized the way that we that we think of functional training would say unequivocally NO!
Gary Cook claims that the “stiffness” we feel is reflexive. It is due to the stabilizing effect that our muscles need to perform on a daily basis in order to control faulty movement patterns and faulty postures. Some parts of our bodies are stabile and other parts are very mobile. For example, your lumbar spine tends to be mobile or “sloppy” as Gray Cook would say. Many people are unaware of how to engage their core or how to perform proper body mechanics to prevent stress to the lumbar spine. Our hamstrings can be the first line of defense when it comes to stabilizing the spine.
If you are unaware of how you stand, you could be placing your pelvis in an anteriorly rotated position. When your pelvis rotates forward, it places a “pinch’ or a stress on your lumbar spine. Your hamstrings will consequently contract in order to correct your alignment and “pull” your pelvis posteriorly. What happens when you squat or roll out of bed? If you are not engaging the proper core and hip muscles then your hamstrings continue to fire in order to stabilize your spine. There you have it. The viscous cycle for constant hamstring stiffness.
So how do you become more stabile? First of all, you need to become reacquainted with your core. Just doing planks may not be enough. You need to be evaluated to determine any faulty movement patterns. If you don’t correct the faulty patterns, then you are reinforcing bad habits and putting yourself at risk for injury. Gray Cook has developed Functional Movement Screens to determine exactly where your deficiencies are. In addition to this, we have put together a version of the Selective Functional Movement Screen in our clinic. Based on the results of our screen, there are many types of corrective exercises that can be instructed to get you back on track.
In conclusion, you need to realize that “stiffness” anywhere in your body could be multifaceted.- especially with your hamstrings. Does this mean that you should never stretch or massage your hamstrings? NO. Stretching can certainly make you FEEL better but you need to realize that stretching alone may not be the cure. In the words of Gray Cook
“If the body doesn’t stabilize correctly, it will figure out another way to get stability: it’s called stiffness.”
So what you THINK is causing your stiffness may NOT be the reason. We all need to think outside the box. You are guaranteed that when you come to see us at OrthoWell PT
I enjoy CrossFit because it consistently gives me a good workout. The workout ideology of CrossFit prides itself on never falling into a routine. This means every workout is something new that will not only work you out in a new way, but also help you to identify some new skill that you could improve upon. When working out with good form and responsible weight/volume, the benefits of Crossfit also translate to your functional daily activities. After a year of Crossfit I can truly say I have witnessed these benefits during my day to day activities.
As many of you have heard in the clinic I do a lot of mountain racing. This past weekend I had the luck to have a repeat win at one of the hardest races in the circuit. Check out my interview on levelrenner.com to get a little glimpse into the head of the Female winner Leslie and myself about how the race went down and up in this case.
Our wellness maintenance program is for those of you who want consistency of care after being discharged from physical therapy in order to prevent any reccurence of pain. We have three different plans the we offer that you can read about by clicking the link above.
“I would like to thank Chris, Katie and crew for the outstanding care I received after my Achilles surgery. Their knowledge, experience and attention to detail allowed me to expedite my recovery. Thank you.”
Dont forget to take advantage of our Try Before You Buy program.
We offer a FREE, no obligation injury screening for YOU, a FAMILY MEMER or a FRIEND. Just click the link below or send it to someone who may need our help.
Ever heard of tendinopathy? It is a degenerative condition that usually occurs at the insertion point of a tendon. Remember that tendons are what attach a muscle to a bone. There is a lot of evidence that chronic tendon pain is NOT an -itis or inflammation, but is actually degenerative. It is very common in your achilles, patellar, and hamstring tendons.
The latest research on tendinopathy points to the positive pain relieving effect of isometric contractions. Isometrics are sustained holds of a muscle contraction without any movement ie pushing your hand against the wall in order to contract your rotator cuff tendon. An immediate relief of pain has been demonstrated after performing a pain-free isometric contraction for 30 seconds. You could incorporate 3 reps of 30 second isometric contractions of the affected tendon 1-2x per day.
Give us a buzz to set up a maintenance appointment and we could certainly fine tune your home exercise program.
Read the abstract HERE or the actual article HERE.
If winning a total of 23 gold medals over his Olympic career is not news worthy enough, there has been a lot of buzz about the “suction cup” marks on Michael Phelps. Yes, those marks are from cupping therapy–a service that we offer at OrthoWell Physical Therapy.
Cupping therapy has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries to treat injury and disease. The cups produce a negative pressure which “sucks” the superficial layers of tissue up into the cup. The effect of cupping therapy is to release and stretch stiff tissue, to increase circulation and to draw your body’s healing energy or Qi (chi) to the area. At OrthoWell, we use controlled motion in combination with cupping therapy to enhance the effect.
If it’s good for Michael Phelps, it may be good for you too. Check out our cupping video below. Just give us a buzz to feel what all the “buzz” is about.
It has been a hot summer so far…are you staying hydrated? Are you still making time to exercise? So how much SHOULD you be exercising to get the most bang for your buck. Read on….
I want to share with you what my staff and I have learned to maximize your health and wellness and to keep you up-to-date on the happenings at OrthoWell. So read on and let’s keep you on track.
I enjoy CrossFit because it consistently gives me a good workout. The workout ideology of CrossFit prides itself on never falling into a routine. This means every workout is something new that will not only work you out in a new way, but also help you to identify some new skill that you could improve upon. When working out with good form and responsible weight/volume, the benefits of Crossfit also translate to your functional daily activities. After a year of Crossfit I can truly say I have witnessed these benefits during my day to day activities.
MOUNTAIN RUNNING CHAMPION..
Matt Veiga
As many of you have heard in the clinic I do a lot of mountain racing. This past weekend I had the luck to have a repeat win at one of the hardest races in the circuit. Check out my interview on levelrenner.com to get a little glimpse into the head of the Female winner Leslie and myself about how the race went down and up in this case.
Our wellness maintenance program is for those of you who want consistency of care after being discharged from physical therapy in order to prevent any reccurence of pain. We have three different plans the we offer that you can read about by clicking the link above.
“I would like to thank Chris, Katie and crew for the outstanding care I received after my Achilles surgery. Their knowledge, experience and attention to detail allowed me to expedite my recovery. Thank you.”
Dont forget to take advantage of our Try Before You Buy program.
We offer a FREE, no obligation injury screening for YOU, a FAMILY MEMER or a FRIEND. Just click the link below or send it to someone who may need our help.
Spring has sprung, but it sure didnt feel like it last week. So how do you feel when it is sunny and warm versus cold and damp? There may be a physiological reason why you feel down or painful on cold and damp days. Check out the posts below to see why.
I want to share with you what my staff and I have learned to maximize your health and wellness and to keep you up-to-date on the happenings at OrthoWell. So read on and let’s keep you on track.
HOW TO FEEL HAPPY & VIBRANT
EVERY DAY
No, I havent found the fountain of youth or am advocating that everyone apply for a medical marijuana card. lol. But…there are a few things that could make your body work more efficiently on good weather days as well as bad ones. Knowledge is power so I want to share a few things with you.
So WHY do you feel stiffer or more painful on rainy days??
A recent systematic reviewof the relationship between joint pain and weather found no consensus on the issue. However, several researchers have found evidence that a decrease in the barometric pressure associated with a storm front can increase the pressure inside your joints thereby potentially increasing your stiffness or pain.
VITAMIN D
A study published in the Archive of Internal Medicine in 2009 showed that Vitamin D levels have “plummeted” among ALL U.S. ages, races, and ethnic groups over the past two decades. Because there are such small amounts of Vitamin D in food, the only 2 ways to get adequate amounts is thru direct sun exposure or via supplements.Over the past 10 years, several researchers have found an association between extremely low vitamin D levels and chronic, general pain that doesn’t respond to treatment. Check it out HERE. So start taking your Vitamin D! Click here for a great source of Vitamin D.
EXERCISE-The Happy Drug
Did you ever notice how some people are addicted to exercise? There are good reasons for that (some bad if you push through pain…..) Exercise releases endorphins which are your body’s natural painkillers and “feel good” hormones. Read more HERE.
Turmeric-The Spice of Life
You may know turmeric as that yellow spice that is used in indian curry dishes. The active ingredient in turmeric that has been extensively researched and provides more health benefits than there is room on this page is curcumin. One of the main reasons people take curcumin is for its potent natural anti-inflammatory properties. It is important to take curcumin with a pepper based supplement to maximize the effects such as Pure’s Curcumin with Bioperine. You can read more about turmeric HERE.
So what should you take for supplements??
If you want even more information, then you could read my post on which vitamins and supplements are best for you. CLICK HERE.
GET RID OF SURGICAL SCARS
AND
GET A FREE FACIAL FOR TRYING
Dear OrthoWell patients,
My name is Andrea Linn and I am currently a patient at OrthoWell PT. I just had an ACL reconstruction.
I was born in Europe- Hungary. I went to school there to be a cosmetologist. In the USA, I have worked for many prestigious beauty brands but my most favorite is Le Metier de Beaute. I want to share with my secret for getting rid of surgical scars-quickly.
Does it take long for your surgery scar to heal? Do you need extra nourishment for your body skin? Would you like to erase signs of aging from your body?
I have a recommendation for you: Le Metier de Beaute’s fantastic Vital ET Recovery Boost.
Redefine Age
Replenish, repair and protect your entire body with Vital ET Recovery Boost – Body. This highly effective form of Vitamin E protects you against free radicals. Free radicals are known to damage collagen, create dryness and lead to the development of fine lines and wrinkles. This deeply reparative serum will drive super antioxidants and vitamins directly into your skin, leaving you with it glowing and age-resistant.
Key Ingredients:
TPM® Technology. Vital ET®, a patented technology that decreases redness and swelling while fortifying resistance to inflammation caused by environmental stressors.
Usage:
Apply to clean skin in the morning and/or evening. Gently massage Vital ET Recovery Boost – Body over entire body. Pair with SPF protection when going out in the sun.
6.35 fl. oz. / 180 mL $125.00
Small samples will be available at the front desk. Please try them.
:
Le Métier de Beauté is one of today’s most technologically advanced skincare brands using a unique TPM technology. TPM increases the therapeutic benefits while reducing redness- inflammation – irritation.
Le Métier de Beauté (which translates to “the craft of beauty”) is known for its award-winning Peau Vierge Anti-Aging Complexe. The line also features stunning makeup and has collaborated with couture and ready-to-wear designers Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig of Marchesa on a fashion-inspired color collection.
Le Metier de Beaute features incredible anti-aging skincare and make up — everything that your face and body needs.
Patients of Orthowell Physical Therapy are invited to a complimentary anti aging mini facial in Newburyport or Beverly.
Please contact Andrea to schedule your appointment.
If you have any questions don’t hesitate to contact Andrea
Our wellness maintenance program is for those of you who want consistency of care after being discharged from physical therapy in order to prevent any reccurence of pain. We have three different plans the we offer that you can read about by clicking the link above.
SUCCESS STARTS HERE!
4/27/16
The winter of 2015 had me shoveling so much snow on our alpaca farm. Spring into summer convinced me my sore shoulder wasn’t just going away. I quit “using” my arm as it hurt to even raise it. I procrastinated so long that I thought for sure I would have to have surgery. I was in such pain that I finally saw a surgeon. He strongly suggested I try PT and said he’d heard good things about OrthoWell. Talk about life changing! After 5-6 weeks of working with Chris and his team, I have to say that I’m calling this just short of a miracle! Everything was explained to me and shown to me in a clear and concise manner. I am looking forward to having my life back this summer, if that sounds dramatic, well, it is!
– Olivia Sanderson
WALL OF FAME
Here is the update on our Wall of Fame in Beverly. We are proud of our patients and the success that they have had. If you have previously provided us with a testimonial, we would love to take your picture with your therapist and hang it with your testimonial for display it in our clinic! Seeing is believing!
In today’s society most people know two things about sleep:
1. They don’t get enough sleep
2. The lack of sleep is probably not great for their body.
What research is telling us is how many aspects of your health are affected by a lack of sleep. New research has been delving into the link between a lack of sleep and the inflammatory processes in the body. Although these processes are complex and require further research, it is known that a loss of sleep results in increased inflammatory markers throughout the body.
So what’s the big deal with inflammatory markers? The same research is now showing that these same inflammatory markers have links to serious disease including diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. Along with these serious diseases, this increase in inflammation can also result in worsening pain syndromes.
May the luck of the Irish be with you! You can be more than just lucky when it comes to cancer prevention. Our story below is a must read to find out how.
I want to share with you what my staff and I have learned to maximize your health and wellness and to keep you up-to-date on the happenings at OrthoWell. So read on and let’s keep you on track.
A CURE for CANCER?
I previously did a post on cancer cures after I read a book called Outsmart Your Cancer. You can read the post HERE. For this month’s newsletter, I wanted to highlight a patient of mine who has an incredible story to tell. A story that may empower you to take charge and do all that you can do to prevent cancer – for you or for a loved one. Read on…
My introduction to Essiac Tea began almost 20 years ago. At that time, my fiancée (who owns a restaurant and is in the public eye) ran across Mr. Smith in his restaurant. “Mr. Smith!”, he exclaimed, “So great to see you again, sir! I heard you had cancer, and not having seen you for so many months…well, I feared the worst.” Mr. Smith replied with wry smile,”well son, I am 89 and I know I will die eventually of this cancer…but I’m here now!”. He went on to explain that his doctor had diagnosed him with stage 4 liver cancer and sent him home to put his life in order; expecting him to live only 6 months. He wanted to spend as much time as possible at home, so he hired a nurse to care for him. This nurse came with a tea called “Essiac Tea” that she brewed herself at his home and administered to him 3 times a day – which he credited for extending his life by years instead of months as the doctors had told him. “I just wish I had known of this sooner”, he sighed as he finished his story. “This tea can help your body cure itself of many different diseases. Wouldn’t you like to PREVENT disease instead of treating it after the fact?”.
This story really hit home with my husband-to-be, as he thought of a few problems his doctor had found – bad prostate numbers and stomach ulcers from his time in the Navy. He asked me to look up the information that Mr. Smith had given him regarding the Essiac Tea, and I starting brewing it and using it within a few weeks. By the time we were married less than a year later, my husband’s stomach ulcers were gone entirely and his prostate numbers were back down in the low range! A miracle cure, or something to really think about??
My husband and I have faithfully taken the tea since that encounter with Mr. Smith, but jump forward 10 years and my story continues. My sister-in-law went through some hard medical situations, and as a result wanted to get away from prescription pills and try a more natural & organic lifestyle. She learned Reiki and opened a natural healing clinic in NH; it was a perfect fit to share with her my story of Essiac tea. She embraced it into their routine and starting brewing it for clients. She has many, many stories of the people who have benefited from Essiac tea, but none so dramatic as her best friend who was diagnosed with an inoperable brain cancer and was told she has less than 6 months to live. She loves to punctuate this story with “and we still have brunch every Sunday now 10 years later!!”
I have brewed tea for others as well over the years. My own success stories include breast cancer survivors, my own father-in-law with throat cancer who claims without the tea he’d be dead by now, people who have beat diabetes, many more prostate stories, high cholesterol numbers brought down, gall bladder stone issues, gout, sleep disorders, and truly the list goes on.
Essiac Tea consists of 4 herbs: the root of the burdock plant, Sheep Sorrel, inner bark of the Slippery Elm, and the roots of Turkey Rhubarb. Combined, these 4 herbs work together in a synergistic fashion to clean the body of toxins and impurities that significantly boosts your own immune system. Your immune system is the #1 defense against all diseases, including cancer – but when the body is compromised the cancer can gain a foothold. Not to mention all kinds of other diseases. So ask yourself the same question as Mr. Smith: wouldn’t you like to do something to PREVENT disease instead of treating it? You can! Brewing tea is not that hard; it just takes some time, commitment, and the right knowledge.
A great website for buying the bulk tea is www.herbalhealer.com. They only sell organic, grown in North America dried herbs. I also like the fact the herbs are separate and combined upon brewing. When the 4 herbs from some other sites are sold they are combined together already, some will settle to the bottom and the dosage will not be as exact as the formula from Herbal Healer. Just sharing from my own knowledge and experiences!!
A great website to start if looking for more information is www.essiacfacts.com. They can be found on Facebook as well. You can also contact us at info@orthowellpt.com and we can put you in direct contact with the author of this story who may be able to Brew for You.
Are you a runner?
Check this out TODAY!
The more that I read about running, study running technique, and learn from my own mistakes, the more emboldened I’ve become as a runner. Who we consult to determine the proper path in accomplishing our goals can be THE determining factor in success or failure. It certainly was for me. Every running coach has a different level of experience. Every physical therapist has a different level of experience. It is up to you to become the educated consumer, the informed runner, and to advocate for your own health and wellness. What I would like to do is to share my “education”.
I have read the running literature extensively and wish to consolidate a wealth of information and reference as much as possible. I will present current thought and research behind the evolution of running, the evolution of running shoes, and the controversy and merits behind different running techniques. I will summarize the findings of my research by highlighting key points and strategies for unlocking your potential as a runner.
Our wellness maintenance program is for those of you who want consistency of care after being discharged from physical therapy in order to prevent any reccurence of pain. We have three different plans the we offer that you can read about by clicking the link above.
SUCCESS STARTS HERE!
2/15/16
I came to OrthoWell with severe foot pain as well as knee pain from a running injury. The staff was wonderful, so supportive and professional. Within a few weeks my foot pain was 100% gone, with therapy and the use of orthotics. My knee is so much better as well. I look forward to being able to start running again. They gave me the tools and exercises to continue at home which has made a world of difference. I feel great!
– Linda Fallon
WALL OF FAME
We have started a Wall of Fame at each of our clinics. We are proud of our patients and the success that they have had. If you have previously provided us with a testimonial, we would love to take your picture with your therapist and hang it with your testimonial for display it in our clinic! Seeing is believing! Here is NBPT so far…..
