Gulf Shore Physical Therapy Center

07/22/2025

06/19/2025

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06/16/2025

Overhead presses :

Can contribute to shoulder impingement if performed improperly or if the individual has underlying shoulder issues like a weak rotator cuff or limited mobility. Shoulder impingement occurs when tendons or the bursa in the shoulder joint are pinched or compressed, often during repetitive overhead movements.

Here's why overhead presses can potentially cause impingement:

Overhead presses place a lot of stress on the rotator cuff tendons, especially the supraspinatus tendon. If the rotator cuff muscles are weak or the shoulder has limited mobility, the humeral head (the ball of the upper arm bone) may not be properly stabilized, leading to pinching or compression of tendons and the bursa.

Lack of Mobility:

If the shoulder lacks range of motion and the individual tries to press weight overhead into that limited range, tissues can become irritated and pinched over time, says Onward Physical Therapy.
Poor Technique:
Incorrect form, such as pressing behind the head, can increase the risk of impingement.

Previous Injuries:

Individuals with pre-existing shoulder issues, such as a rotator cuff tear or other injuries, may be more susceptible to impingement during overhead presses.

Consult your physical therapist to guide you towards a healthy shoulder.

Call us at 941-355-5565

06/16/2025

Attention Runners !

Preventing running injuries involves a combination of several strategies. Here are some best practices to help you minimize the risk of running-related injuries:

Proper Warm-Up: Begin each running session with a dynamic warm-up routine that includes light jogging, dynamic stretches, and exercises that activate the major muscle groups.

Gradual Progression: Increase your mileage, intensity, and speed gradually to allow your body to adapt to the demands of running. Avoid sudden or drastic changes in training volume or intensity.

Suitable Footwear: Wear appropriate running shoes that provide proper support, cushioning, and stability for your foot type and running style. Get fitted at a specialty running store to ensure you have the right shoes for your needs.

Strength Training: Incorporate strength training exercises into your routine to build strength in your muscles and joints. Focus on exercises that target the lower body, core, and hips to improve stability and reduce the risk of imbalances or weaknesses.

Cross-Training: Engage in cross-training activities such as swimming, cycling, or strength training on non-running days. This helps to reduce the repetitive stress on your body while improving overall fitness.

Rest and Recovery: Allow time for adequate rest and recovery between runs. Listen to your body and take rest days when needed to prevent overuse injuries. Include easy runs or active recovery days to give your body a break from intense workouts.

Proper Running Technique: Work on maintaining proper running form, including an upright posture, relaxed shoulders, and a slight forward lean from the ankles. Avoid overstriding and aim for a midfoot strike to reduce impact forces.

Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to any signs of pain, discomfort, or unusual fatigue during or after running. If you experience persistent pain or injury symptoms, seek medical advice promptly.

Balanced Nutrition: Follow a well-balanced diet that supports your running and provides adequate nutrients for recovery. Stay properly hydrated before, during, and after your runs.

Cross-Train and Rest During Injury: If you do sustain an injury, it's crucial to rest and allow your body time to heal. Consult a healthcare professional for appropriate treatment and rehabilitation exercises.

Remember, everyone's body is unique, so it's important to listen to your body and adjust your training accordingly. If you have any concerns or specific medical conditions, consult with a healthcare professional or a sports medicine specialist.

05/29/2025

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05/26/2025

Health Blog » ACL Injury Prevention:

Strengthening vs. Stretching Exercises
ACL Injury Prevention: Strengthening vs. Stretching Exercises

May 26, 2025
If you play football, basketball, and soccer, then you’re probably aware of the prevalence of ACL injuries–although it’s important to remember that ACL injury prevention is important for anyone involved in sports and serious physical activities.

The ACL, or anterior cruciate ligament, is one of four key ligaments in your knee. It helps stabilize the joint and prevents the shinbone from sliding out in front of the thigh bone. It’s also important for activities that involve sudden stops, jumps, or changes in direction, which is why sports like soccer, basketball, and skiing can put the ACL under so much pressure.

All that pressure means certain athletes are at high risk of developing an ACL injury. Unfortunately, ACL injuries often require surgery–not to mention a lengthy rehabilitation–before you can jump back in the game. It’s no surprise, then, that many athletes choose to focus on ACL injury prevention instead.

However, many people don’t know what prevention activities work best when protecting the ACL. Often, people think they need to stretch more to prevent ACL injuries. In reality, you need to strengthen more.

At Gulf Shore Physical Therapy Center, we have extensive experience helping improve the overall health and function of the knee–which includes protecting against ACL injuries. Today, we want to explore some of the best strategies for preventing ACL injuries and why stretching is not one of them.

Keep reading to learn more. And if you’d like to get started with an ACL injury prevention plan of your own, schedule an appointment at our Sarasota, FL clinic today!

Stretching Versus Strengthening: What’s the Difference?
Both stretching and strength training involve your muscles but perform different roles.

Stretching involves elongating the muscles and tendons to enhance flexibility and maintain muscle elasticity. It can also be relaxing.

Strengthening, in contrast, focuses on building muscle strength and endurance through resistance, which can come from body weight, free weights, machines, or resistance bands. Strength training is about more than building a muscular physique; it actually plays a crucial role in ACL injury prevention–and, indeed, injury prevention overall.

A Comprehensive ACL Injury Prevention Plan
Preventing ACL injuries requires a comprehensive approach that addresses a few key areas. Strength, of course, is one of the most significant, but it’s important to strengthen the right areas of your body. We focus primarily on your core and lower extremity muscles, as they help stabilize your knee, which reduces stress on the ACL that can lead to injury.

We’ll also work with you to improve neuromuscular control, the process by which your brain communicates with your muscles. Improving neuromuscular control will improve your overall movement, stabilization, and balance, making it easier to properly perform the quick cutting motions that often lead to ACL injuries.

Finally, good proprioception is also essential in ACL injury prevention. Proprioception is your body’s awareness of itself in space, and when you improve it, you improve your stability and landing mechanics.

A good ACL injury prevention plan will incorporate exercises that address these areas. Depending on your needs and abilities, you might…

Do squats and planks to improve core strength.
Stand on one foot with your eyes closed to improve proprioception.
Perform complicated footwork patterns to improve neuromuscular control.
We’ll Find the Best ACL Injury Prevention Plan For You
When you visit Gulf Shore Physical Therapy Center, our physical therapists will take the time to learn more about your specific needs, including your health history, current activities, and overall goals. We’ll also perform several movement screens to check your mobility, strength, and biomechanics. All this information will allow us to select the best exercises and techniques for you.

Ready to get started? Schedule an appointment with us today!

Tags: Knee Injury Prevention, Strength vs. Stretching, Sports Performance Training, ACL Injury Prevention Tips

ACL Injury Prevention: Strengthening vs. Stretching Exercises

5899 Whitfield Ave # 100
Sarasota, Florida 34243
941-355-5565

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05/18/2025

Chronic upper trapezius pain, or "neck pain," can be caused by a variety of factors, including
overuse, poor posture, repetitive movements, stress and even underlying medical conditions Inactivity, trauma, and emotional stress can also contribute to this type of pain.

Here are some more potential causes:
1. Repetitive Strain and Overuse:
Repetitive movements:
Activities like lifting objects, swimming, or working at a computer can strain the trapezius muscle, especially with repetitive motions.
Overuse:
Prolonged or strenuous use of the trapezius, such as in certain sports or professions, can lead to chronic pain. An example is driving for extended periods of time, long-term use of a computer, especially a laptop.
Poor lifting techniques:
Incorrect lifting techniques can place excessive stress on the trapezius, leading to pain.

2. Posture and Ergonomics:
Poor posture:
Slouching, hunching over a computer, or holding your head forward for long periods can strain the trapezius and cause pain.
Inactivity:
Lack of movement and exercise can lead to muscle stiffness and pain, including in the trapezius.
Ergonomic issues:
Poor sitting posture or workstation setup can contribute to postural issues and strain the trapezius.

3. Trauma and Injury:
Trauma: Injuries like whiplash, falls, or sports injuries can cause trapezius pain.
Muscle spasms or cramps: Muscle spasms or cramps in the trapezius can be a sign of injury or irritation.

4. Underlying Medical Conditions:
Cervical radiculopathy:
Nerve irritation from a disc herniation or spinal stenosis in the neck can cause referred pain to the trapezius.
Cervical osteoarthritis:
Degeneration of the cervical spine can lead to pain and inflammation in the surrounding muscles, including the trapezius.
Thoracic outlet syndrome:
Compression of nerves and blood vessels in the shoulder region can cause pain and numbness that can radiate to the trapezius.

5. Other Factors:
Stress: Psychological stress can lead to muscle tension in the neck and shoulders, contributing to trapezius pain.
Lack of sleep: Insufficient sleep can exacerbate muscle tension and pain.
Trigger points: Tender spots within the trapezius muscle can cause pain and refer it to other areas.
Treatment options:

Shockwave therapy

This treatment can be effective in reducing pain and improving function for patients with chronic upper trapezius pain
, especially in cases of myofascial pain syndrome (MPS).

How it works: FOCUSED SHOCKWAVE uses focused sound waves to deliver energy to the targeted area, stimulating healing and reducing pain. It may work by altering concentrations of pain-related substances, promoting blood flow to ischemic tissues, and increasing pain thresholds.
Effectiveness in upper trapezius pain: Several studies have shown that SHOCKWAVE can be effective in relieving pain, improving pressure thresholds, and reducing functional disability in individuals with upper trapezius MPS.
Combined therapy: SHOCKWAVE is best done in conjunction with other interventions such as soft tissue work, stretching and strengthening exercises for enhanced results.

Call us for a FREE consultation and FREE Shockwave treatment. CALL 941-355-5565 to schedule your appointment. You do not need a doctor's order.

05/10/2025

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Site visits in Sarasota. Herzing grads are everywhere! Daniella Castrogiovanni is rocking it at Gulfshore Rehab.

04/15/2025

Today on April 14th, 2008 we opened our doors to serve our community. We are so grateful to every single patient we laid hands on and to every staff member who has worked here over the last 17 years. You have been and are now the fabric of our practice and the excellence of our practice. We are beyond thankful and look forward to serving our community for years to come.

11/11/2024

Happy Veterans Day! Thank you to all of our brave vets !