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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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 …
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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Spinal fusion surgery
Spinal fusion surgery Written by: Paul Kochoa, PT, DPT, OCS, CKTP, CGFI Let’s say you have some back pain, you go see a specialist, perhaps an orthopedic surgeon, and discuss your back pain. The doctor mentions surgery. What do you do? For many patient with back pain, this can result in major problems on …
Neck surgery and physical therapy
Neck surgery and physical therapy Written by: Paul Kochoa, PT, DPT, OCS, CKTP, CGFI This week, a patient of mine mentioned that her husband recently started having neck pain with numbness and tingling going down his arms. As we talked more, she then stated that when he went to go see a doctor, the doctor …
ACL and Physical Therapy
The ACL and physical therapy Written by: Paul Kochoa, PT, DPT, OCS, CKTP, CGFI If you know an athlete or is someone who’s involved in sports and exercise, then undoubtedly you’ve heard of the these three letters: A.C.L. ACL stands for anterior cruciate ligament. It’s a key stabilizing structure of the knee. It prevents external …