Sitting and “Gasso-Brako” Written by: Paul Kochoa, PT, DPT, OCS, CKTP, CGFI We all do it, some more than others. We all sit. Sitting can be bad for you health, it can increase your risk of mortality by 40%. It can cause lower back pain. It can make your hips tight. It can even …
Two best exercises for runners
Two best exercises for runners Written by: Paul Kochoa, PT, DPT, OCS, CKTP, CGFI It seems like everyone is running nowadays. One thing seems to be common with all these athletes: they all have weak hips. I’ve covered the hips before in relation to knee problems, but now let’s talk about two great exercises …
Walking doesn’t strengthen your legs
Walking doesn’t strengthen your legs Written by: Paul Kochoa, PT, DPT, OCS, CKTP, CGFI The other day, a patient came in to see me wondering why her legs weren’t getting any stronger even though she was walking 2-3 miles everyday. She had arthritis, weak hips and legs,and wanted to get stronger, but was puzzled …
Stairs and Knee Pain
Stairs and Knee Pain Written by: Paul Kochoa, PT, DPT, OCS, CKTP, CGFI Today, in the New York Times health section, there was an article about knee pain and stairs. A reader wrote in and asked how to prevent their knees from hurting when they descended stairs. I read the article and some of the …
Don’t use that leg extension machine in the gym
Don’t use that leg extension machine in the gym Written by: Paul Kochoa, PT, DPT, OCS, CKTP, CGFI Some patients with knee pain ask me if they can go back to the gym and work out. I say, “Sure, but stay away from that knee extension machine.” This machine is found in virtually every …
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How to stretch your hamstrings the right way
How to stretch your hamstrings the right way Written by: Paul Kochoa, PT, DPT, OCS, CKTP If you exercise regularly, there’s probably a good chance that you’ve stretched out your hamstrings. These are the muscles behind your legs that bend your knee, but they also extend your hip. The hamstrings are a group of three …
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Revisit the squat: correct foot position
Revisit the squat: correct foot position Written by: Paul Kochoa, PT, DPT, OCS, CKTP, CGFI In a previous post, I talked about the squat and how it’s a functional exercise and important for the whole body. Today, I’m going to zero in on where your feet should be when you squat. During the squat, where …
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Hip Impingement Syndrome
Hip Impingement Syndrome Written by: Paul Kochoa, PT, DPT, OCS, CKTP, CGFI Let me tell you about hip impingement syndrome, also known as FAI: Femoral Acetabular Syndrome. It’s a disorder of the hip that results in pain and a decrease in range of motion of the hip joint. It can be linked to childhood …
The roller is your friend
The roller is your friend Written by: Paul Kochoa, PT, DPT, OCS, CKTP, CGFI Stretching is important. I’ve written about it before. The other thing that works really well with stretching is the roller. You’ve probably seen them in gyms, they’re usually black or white and made of foam. Most of the time, people …
Why is my cane on the other hand?
Why is my cane on the other hand? Written by: Paul Kochoa, PT, DPT, OCS, CKTP, CGFI If you’ve ever had a leg or foot problem and you’ve been to a physiotherapist, you’ve probably been told that you should use the cane or crutch in the opposite hand… Well, let’s break it down and find …