Avoiding Knee Surgery The February edition of AARP Magazine featured an article on knee pain and how to avoid knee replacement surgery. They listed several strategies to try before opting for surgery: Avoid jumping, running, and high impact workouts. Lose weight. Strengthen and stretch with physical therapy. Use a knee brace that unloads the knee. …
Physical Therapy is just as good as surgery for a common back problem
Physical Therapy is just as good as surgery for a common back problem Paul Kochoa, PT, DPT, OCS, CGFI In a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine in April 2015, physical therapy can be just as good as surgery for spinal stenosis. So you can avoid the knife and get rid of …
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Physical Therapy and/or Knee Replacement
Physical Therapy and/or Knee Replacement MICHELLE MILLNER, PT, DPT, OCS Knee replacement surgery is increasingly popular among patients with knee pain. It is often touted as a miracle cure. Simply remove the damaged bone and replace it with new metal and plastic components. It sounds wonderful, but recent research highlighted by the New York …
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7 Myths about physical therapy
7 Myths about physical therapy Paul Kochoa, PT, DPT, OCS, CKTP, CGFI MoveForward, the consumer website for the American Physical Therapy Association, has published 7 myths of physical therapy. How well do you know what physical therapy is? MYTH: You need a referral for physical therapy. FACT: In all 50 states, you can see …
Back Pain and Tiger Woods
Back Pain and Tiger Woods Paul Kochoa, PT, DPT, OCS, CKTP, CGFI I’ve been following the news reports about Tiger Woods and his back pain. I recently read an article by another physiotherapist who wrote about his treatment and the media coverage that followed. Interviews were done and second-guesses were made. But one thing …
How can Visceral Manipulation help you?
How can Visceral Manipulation help you? Written by: Yuchin Chang, PT, DPT, OCS, CMTPT I’ve learned a couple of Visceral Manipulation (VM) techniques from my fellow therapists, but I was never formally introduced to it. This year, I had an opportunity to attend a VM course, which was so fascinating. VM is an osteopathic technique that …
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Conversations in an elevator
Conversations in an elevator Written by: Paul Kochoa, PT, DPT, OCS, CKTP, CGFI Recently, I was in an elevator with two women. One woman, dressed in business attire, was speaking with another woman. The first woman was rubbing her neck and was recounting her days at her physiotherapist’s office. She stated that her neck …
When to return to sports after ACL surgery
When to return to sports after ACL surgery Written by: Paul Kochoa, PT, DPT, OCS, CKTP, CGFI Many times I’ve been asked by a patient that’s had reconstructive surgery for their ACL: “When can I go back to playing ______?” I tell them that returning to sports after an ACL surgery depends on many factors. …
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What is direct access?
What is direct access? Written by: Paul Kochoa, PT, DPT, OCS, CKTP, CGFI Did you know that you can see a physiotherapist without going to a physician first? It’s called “direct access” and it’s a law in 46 states (.pdf link) that allows a healthcare consumer, that’s you, to see a physiotherapist without a …
Eccentric muscle rehabilitation for athletes
Eccentric muscle rehabilitation for athletes Written by: Paul Kochoa, PT, DPT, CKTP, CGFI Stability and mobility are key components to athletic movement. Joints need to move through the proper range of motion, but still be able to accept and control the amount of force that is placed on them. Look at a football running …
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