Smithfield Physical Therapy Specialists

08/19/2024

Cue Boobie Miles in Friday Night Lights. If you’ve ever watched the movie, you know how haunting this scene is as the star player goes down, grabbing at his leg and screaming about his knee. The prevalence of anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, injuries and the attention they get are remarkable .....

08/12/2024

It's easy to allow summer vacation and altered summer schedules impact your typical sleep pattern. Getting back into rhythm for the start of a new school year and school routine can be a challenge. However, it's important to recognize that sleep is not just the pause button between one night and the next morning. A LOT happens within our bodies when we sleep, and an irregular or disturbed sleep pattern can negatively impact this.

Take a look at this week's post to learn more about what poor sleep can do to your physiology!

Sleep can have a significant impact on your physical pain levels. There is a complex and bidirectional relationship between sleep and pain, with poor sleep potentially exacerbating pain and chronic pain often leading to sleep disturbances. Here are some ways in which sleep can impact your physical p...

08/07/2024

Whether it's attributed to pregnancy or simply getting older, stress urinary incontinence is a common issue that many people will face. The good news? There is a non-invasive option that won't break the bank and that doesn't require fancy equipment or injections/medications.

Take a look at this recent report involving a study from the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology that highlights the cost savings and effectiveness in seeing a physical therapist to manage stress urinary incontinence!

Understanding the economic value of physical therapy in the U.S. when dealing with stress urinary incontinence in terms of the quality-of-life benefits from receiving treatment.

08/05/2024

During pregnancy the linea alba, a vertical line of connective tissue which runs from the base of the sternum to the p***c bone and separates the left and right Re**us abdominis muscles ("six-pack muscles") becomes "stretched” to accommodate the growth of the fetus and supporting structures. This ...

07/16/2024

A big thank you to our supporters for once again nominating us for the 2024 Smithfield Times Hammy Awards! Check out the nominees on The Smithfield Times website and vote for your local favorites!

07/15/2024

Neck pain is one of the most common orthopedic issues people will experience, but time and time again we see the US healthcare system tend to not follow evidence-informed guidelines for diagnosis/classification and management.

Take a look at our blog post to learn more about evidence-informed classification and treatment of neck pain!

Neck pain is no joke – many studies report an annual incidence rate of at least 10% among adults (and many reports appear to approach the high-teens and 20% range). Among these, it has been reported that up to 2 in 3 people will report some persistence of their neck pain up to and greater than a y...

07/12/2024

We always appreciate feedback from those with whom we work! As a locally-owned healthcare practice, we strive to deliver only the best in healthcare while keeping the hometown feel that makes our community so great.

07/10/2024

At Smithfield Physical Therapy Specialists, we value evidence-informed healthcare. Take a look at the latest peer-reviewed article published by a team to include our own, Dr. Joey Bikkers, in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Practice!

07/08/2024

Now that we're in the "throws" of summer, odds are that the young baseball player in your life has already put on a lot of miles through the spring and early summer seasons. Take a look at this week's post for information to safeguard and to mitigate injury risk in youth pitchers!

There’s no denying that there is a lot of pressure in youth sports. We have an unparalleled level of attention on performance and status – whether the goal is to excel locally or to catch the eye of a scout with a next-level program. Sometimes, this pressure can lead to a greater likelihood to p...

07/03/2024

It's okay to splurge here and there!

But it's important to recognize the impact that diet can have on your health (and not just metabolic health or weight). More and more studies appear to point to the role of high-sugar, highly-processed foods having not only a negative effect on our metabolism but also appearing to influence things like pain and pain processing.

Looking for one of the simplest tips for improving upon your diet? Look to increase your whole foods – hit the produce corner at the store or the weekend farmers' market and cut down on boxed or pre-packaged, processed things!

07/01/2024

Physical activity during pregnancy can often be a big question mark for people. Our own Dr. Victoria Bikkers, PT, DPT, has been involved in developing evidence-based guidelines and tools with the American Physical Therapy Association surrounding safety concerns for exercise in pregnant people.

The short of it? Exercise of varying levels of intensity has been found to be generally safe for those expecting and their babies. Take a look at this week's post to learn more!

Exercise during pregnancy is safe and vital for both the physical and mental well-being of expectant mothers.

06/26/2024

🤔 Why should you consider seeking care at a locally-owned, independent medical office? 🤔

1) Big corporate offices often "optimize" (or maximize, or whatever buzzword you prefer) scheduling. In other words, going to the big brand may feel like taking a number and just waiting your turn.
2) Corporatized healthcare typically prioritizes offering appointments convenient to the practice, not necessarily that keeps you with the same provider throughout your care.
3) Independent practices typically cost less than going to the big system WITHOUT having to sacrifice quality.

Here, we prioritize quality, evidence-informed care that is truly focused on you and our community, not maximizing a profit margin.

One-on-one care, right here at home. See the specialists for your orthopedic and pelvic health needs.