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What Everyone with Sciatica Should Know About “Centralization”

In Back Pain, Hip Pain, Uncategorized by Seth Peterson, Physical Therapist Oro Valley

Low back pain is a common condition that affects many people, and it can be caused by a variety of factors. One phenomenon that is often seen in individuals with low back pain is called “centralization.” What is Centralization? Centralization is the process by which pain and symptoms move from the periphery of the body to the central area, such …

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Around the Curve: Physical Therapy for Scoliosis

In Back Pain, Physical Therapy by Seth Peterson, Physical Therapist Oro Valley

If you’re like me, you remember scoliosis screenings growing up–and you also probably had no idea what they were looking for. Scoliosis is a condition in which the spine is abnormally curved, often in the shape of an “S” or “C.” Curves are greater than 10 degrees are classified as scoliosis. The cause of scoliosis is unknown. However, as a …

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The Body System You Didn’t Know You Had

In Physical Therapy by Seth Peterson, Physical Therapist Oro Valley

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 …

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More is Not Always Better: Study Shows “Cascades of Care” are Harming Patients, Providers.

In Uncategorized by Seth Peterson, Physical Therapist Oro Valley

Have you ever had an x-ray or MRI that led to more tests and appointments?  If so, then you may have experienced a “cascade of care,” which was a term used in a new study in JAMA you can find here.  The study classified “cascades of care” as decisions, further testing, emergency room visits, etc that occurred following an incidental finding from testing.  …

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All You Need to Know About Physical Therapy Education

In Physical Therapy by Seth Peterson, Physical Therapist Oro Valley

It’s one of the most common questions we are asked: what does it take to become a physical therapist?  Few people know what PT education consists of and what separates physical therapists from other professions.  Here’s a quick overview. Getting into PT school It’s not easy.  Physical therapy programs are graduate programs, meaning they require the applicant to have taken …

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Part 2: Why Time Matters in Healthcare

In Back Pain, Headache, Hip Pain, Knee Pain, Neck Pain, Physical Therapy, Shoulder Pain by Seth Peterson, Physical Therapist Oro Valley

The New Healthcare: A 3 Part Series   Let me describe my last doctor’s visit. It was for what I thought was a trivial condition (I had a red patch of skin that hadn’t gone away for months) and so I went online and scheduled an appointment with a dermatologist.  I chose one that had signed a contract with my …

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What Everyone is Getting Wrong with Hip Bursitis

In Back Pain, Hip Pain, Knee Pain by Seth Peterson, Physical Therapist Oro Valley

If you’ve ever had sharp pain in the side of your hip upon taking a step, it’s possible that you’ve been told you had hip bursitis. But let’s get one thing straight: “hip bursitis” is an old-fashioned name. The condition is now being called “gluteal tendinopathy” or “greater trochanteric pain syndrome.” These newer names emphasize that the bursa isn’t the …

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Learn What Can Cause Back Pain

In Back Pain by Seth Peterson, Physical Therapist Oro Valley

What Causes Back Pain…and What Can Back Pain Cause? Low back pain is the most common cause of disability worldwide and nearly everyone has it at some point in their life.  One of the most common things people are worried about when they get back pain is what might be causing it.  This is understandable.  I’ve had back pain before …

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What Causes Low Back Pain Flare-ups?

In Back Pain by Seth Peterson, Physical Therapist Oro Valley

Most of us have wondered what caused our episode of back pain in hopes that we may prevent it in the future.  In fact, it is one of the most common questions I am asked and one of the most common search terms relating to back pain on the internet.   The New Research Lucky for us, a group of …