Growing up, many of you most likely learned about body systems. There is the cardiovascular system, which pumps blood and delivers vital nutrients throughout the body. There is the neurological system, which in a way is like a large computer and electrical system that controls activity of various organs. There is the musculoskeletal system, which allows us to move about …
Knee OA? New study Confirms PT is Better than Shots
Shots Are Common – But Should They Be? If you have knee OA in the US, you have about 50% chance of getting an injection.1  Despite exercise being the most recommended treatment for knee OA, only about 10% of people ever get referred to a physical therapist.  In fact, the use of PT declined between 2007 and 2015.2 In my clinical practice, …
Knee Arthritis? Study Shows You Have a Very Good Shot at Avoiding Surgery with Physical Therapy
If you have osteoarthritis (OA), you know that learning about it and what it means for you can be confusing. Often, the x-ray is reviewed and minimal advice on how to proceed and what the outcomes mean for you are given. If you’re smart enough to ask, you might find out that about 1 in 4 people having knee replacement surgery (the …
How Much Pain is Too Much to Keep Riding?
KIRSTIN WEIBLE, PT, COMT    The Kennedy Stages of Tendinopathy provide a useful gauge on when and how to grade activity in cases of soft tissue pain (muscles, tendons, etc.). It is not always necessary to stop activity completely, but it is not always a good idea to just push through the pain either. The stages suggest the following: Stage …
Top 3 Things to Keep You Cycling Longer
Cycling is big in Tucson. We have the weather, the roads, and the people to make it enjoyable. Before you get out there this winter, take a look at the top three things you can do to ensure that you can rack up the miles without tallying up your aching body parts. 1 – Don’t increase your mileage too quickly. …
Is This Pain on My Bike Normal?
Is Pain Normal? Is pain normal when it comes to biking? Is it something we should just expect and “deal with?” The short answer is no. There are many adjustable components on your bicycle, and proper positioning of those components can go a long way in eliminating and preventing pain while enjoying cycling. There are well-researched ideal angles of movement and …