Rating of Perceived Exertion or RPE is a system for measuring training intensity in athletics. Whether you like to lift weights, participate in yoga, or run, you have some days that are intended to be easy days and some that are supposed to be harder. As runners, it’s common to get caught up in pace … Continue reading What is RPE and why should I use it in my training?
We have just wrapped up our seasons a few weeks ago. Our body is tired, sore, bruised, tight, and about every other adjective a person can use to describe being worn out. However, now is the start of another season, the offseason. Now is the time that we get the opportunity to start preparing for … Continue reading The Importance of the Off Season
When was the last time you looked in the mirror and were impressed by your ‘double chin’? If I had to take a guess, the answer is probably never! BUT…what if I told you how well & how long you can hold this ‘double chin’ position (for those who are familiar, the ‘chin tuck’) may … Continue reading Your double chin… why it matters!
We often get asked, "what's the difference in dry needling vs acupuncture?" Dry needling is a skilled technique using filiform needles to penetrate the skin &/or underlying tissues to affect change in the body structures and functions for the evaluation and management of neuromusculoskeletal conditions, pain, movement impairments and disability. Conversely, acupuncture is a part … Continue reading Dry Needling vs Acupuncture: What’s the Difference?
Whoever said, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me," apparently never encountered a healthcare service or provider that addressed their concerns with negative, pain-related words. While sticks and stones may cause more physical harm, research has proven that words can significantly impact how we perceive pain. Imagine sitting in … Continue reading How Words Impact Our Perception of Pain
Post Basketball Season Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is one of the most common forms of knee pain in individuals under the age of 40. It accounts for nearly 30% of all injuries seen in sports medicine clinics and are attributed to individuals who participate in a heavy plyometric activity such as basketball and volleyball. At … Continue reading Knee Pain Recovery
By Mary Kerkvliet - PT, DPT Treatment by each Empower U Physical Therapist is individualized and specific to every single one of our clients. We pride ourselves that your Empower U treatment is above and beyond any other experience. So what does this look like? Well, as the previous blog post mentioned, dry needling is … Continue reading Treatment Above & Beyond
At Empower U, we believe in treating the whole person not a specific body part. Human movement is complex and pain is not simple either. We know that when you have a localized symptom, that the root cause of your pain can often be found in other regions of the body. This concept, known as … Continue reading The Joint By Joint Approach
Shoulder pain can come in many forms. Unless there is a traumatic cause of pain, generally speaking, many cases stem from excessive volume in a training program, improper balancing of upper body push and pull exercises, and repetitive movements in a job setting. These exercises can help with your cranky shoulders. 📚The shoulder is a … Continue reading Three Exercises for Cranky Shoulders
📚 Lets talk about the mid back or thoracic spine for a second.12 of your 33 vertebrae in between your neck and low back are often stiff and overlooked. Without adequate mobility through this area, compensations can occur over time, increasing risk of injury in other areas of the body. These three thoracic rotation exercises … Continue reading Three Exercises to Optimize Thoracic Rotation
