Dry Needling May Help Your Muscle Pain Caused by Trigger Points Written by: Yuchin Chang, PT, DPT, OCS, CMTPT What is a Trigger Point? A Trigger Point is a hyper-irritable spot in a taut band of a muscle, which often can cause pain spontaneously. Trigger points can be the result of trauma, poor posture, …
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Show me your squat Written by: Paul Kochoa, PT, DPT, OCS, CKTP, CGFI The other day, a patient came in to see me, she played tennis and golf and was having some knee pain. I said, “Let me see you squat.” She proceeded to show me her squat: back straight, head up, she bends …
How to make a homemade gel pack Written by: Paul Kochoa, PT, DPT, OCS, CKTP, CGFI Just a quick post today about how to make homemade gel pack instead of just using ice for your bumps and bruises. I’ve written about using heat or ice before on this blog. Here’s how you can make your …
Setting goals Written by: Paul Kochoa, PT, DPT, OCS, CKTP, CGFI The other day I was doing an initial evaluation on a patient. She came to me complaining of left shoulder pain that limited her ability to carry and lift her bags as well as have pain while driving her car. She never had …
What is Regional Interdependence? Written by: Paul Kochoa, PT, DPT, OCS, CKTP, CGFI In a case study published in the Orthopedic Physical Therapy Practice journal, a 62 year-old man complained of shoulder pain.¹ The case study detailed this patient and his results with physical therapy. He couldn’t lift his arm more than 30 degrees, …
Will a golf movement screen change my swing? Written by: Paul Kochoa, PT, DPT, OCS, CKTP, CGFI Many times, patients have asked me with fear in their eyes, “Will the golf screen affect my swing?” My answer is, “YES, it will.” But the main problem in some golfers is that they become comfortable with their …
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Do you need an X-ray or MRI of your back? Written by: Paul Kochoa, PT, DPT, OCS, CKTP, CGFI Let’s talk about high-value, cost-conscious health care. I don’t want to get mired in controversy so we’ll keep it simple. Let’s narrow it down to radiological tests and back pain. The big question is: Do you …
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The benefits of stretching Written by: Paul Kochoa, PT, DPT, OCS, CKTP, CGFI Most people engaged in their own fitness programs at the gym generally aren’t fond of stretching. They view it as either boring or time consuming. Big mistake. Lack of flexibility can result in an increased risk of developing tendonitis, bursitis, or even …
TENS and back pain Written by: Paul Kochoa, PT, DPT, OCS, CKTP, CGFI The other day a patient with back pain came in to see me. She had been under my care for about a month now and her symptoms and pain intensity were decreasing. Previously, she had symptoms of numbness and tingling down one …
Predictors of low back pain in golfers Written by: Paul Kochoa, PT, DPT, OCS, CKTP, CGFI The number one body part that usually gets injured or hurt in golfers is the lower back (runner up is the wrist). If you’re a golfer, you’re probably no stranger to back pain after a long round. A study …