Utah Physical Therapy Specialists

05/20/2025

Screenshot I saw this statement many years ago and it still rings true! Our bodies were made to move and movement facilitates health and wellness. Movement is the cornerstone of what I do as a physical therapist, offering profound benefits across physical, emotional, and mental health domains. Engaging in regular physical activity enhances cardiovascular and muscular fitness, reduces the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes, and improves bone density and joint flexibility ....

Screenshot I saw this statement many years ago and it still rings true! Our bodies were made to move and movement facilitates health and wellness. Movement is the cornerstone of what I do as a phys…

05/07/2025

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are increasingly common among youth soccer players, with higher incidence rates observed in adolescents. These injuries not only pose short-term performance setbacks but also raise long-term risks for osteoarthritis and re-injury. Fortunately, evidence-based ACL prevention programs—rooted in physical therapy principles—have shown significant success in reducing injury rates. Programs like FIFA 11+ and PEP (Prevent Injury and Enhance Performance) incorporate neuromuscular training, proprioceptive exercises, strength building, and dynamic warm-ups....

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are increasingly common among youth soccer players, with higher incidence rates observed in adolescents. These injuries not only pose short-term performanc…

04/29/2025

I heard a quote many years ago that still rings in my head..."Those who fail to take time for exercise today will be forced to make time for illness tomorrow." While it is true that certain illnesses can come irrespective of our commitment to exercise, regular exercise is one of the most powerful tools for maintaining and improving overall health, function, and quality of life....

I heard a quote many years ago that still rings in my head…”Those who fail to take time for exercise today will be forced to make time for illness tomorrow.” While it is true that…

04/01/2025

Many years ago, one of my patients surprised me when he said, "You know what? You physical therapists are the best kept secret ever. You are able to help people recover from a lot of conditions and you have helped me a ton, but nobody knows about you!" I hope many more people know about us now than they did back then but, unfortunately, research shows that only 7-10% of people that could benefit from physical therapy actually get it....

Many years ago, one of my patients surprised me when he said, “You know what? You physical therapists are the best kept secret ever. You are able to help people recover from a lot of conditio…

03/25/2025

Starting an exercise program is an excellent way to improve your health, but it's essential to do so gradually and to listen to your body's response. Over my 35 year career as a physical therapist, I have seen numerous patients come in for treatment for an injury they sustained when starting an exercise program. Most of the time, the injury could have been avoided by following a few simple principles....

Starting an exercise program is an excellent way to improve your health, but it’s essential to do so gradually and to listen to your body’s response. Over my 35 year career as a physica…

03/18/2025

Lower back pain is a common issue that affects 80-85% of us at some point in our life. It can range from severe, very debilitating pain that affects every aspect of our life to a mild, persistent ache. The causes of back pain vary and may include joint stiffness, muscle tightness, disc-related pain, spinal hypermobility, muscle weakness, and nerve issues. Hip problems can be a cause of back pain as well....

Lower back pain is a common issue that affects 80-85% of us at some point in our life. It can range from severe, very debilitating pain that affects every aspect of our life to a mild, persistent a…

03/11/2025

Understanding the Interdependence of the Hip and Knee: A Physical Therapy Perspective As we go about our daily activities, we often take for granted the complex relationships between the joints that help us move. The hip and knee are two key joints in the lower body, and their functioning is intricately linked. In physical therapy, we emphasize the principle of…...

Understanding the Interdependence of the Hip and Knee: A Physical Therapy Perspective As we go about our daily activities, we often take for granted the complex relationships between the joints tha…

02/26/2025

Medial epicondylitis, commonly known as "golfer's elbow", is a condition characterized by pain on the inner side of the elbow, especially when gripping, lifting, or rotating the wrist. We used to believe that inflammation was the problem but we now know that the tendon can lose integrity or toughness resulting in less capacity to handle load. From a physical therapist’s perspective, self-treatment involves ice or heat for symptom control as needed, and modifying activities to manage symptoms....

Medial epicondylitis, commonly known as “golfer’s elbow”, is a condition characterized by pain on the inner side of the elbow, especially when gripping, lifting, or rotating the w…

02/18/2025

Shoulder pain is a common issue that can stem from various causes, such as rotator cuff strains, cartilage problems, shoulder impingement, AC joint injuries, and poor posture. Sleeping positions, especially sleeping on your side or with your arm over your head can also contribute. As a physical therapist, I often find that muscle weakness, loss of mobility, repetitive motions, or trauma contribute to the problem....

Shoulder pain is a common issue that can stem from various causes, such as rotator cuff strains, cartilage problems, shoulder impingement, AC joint injuries, and poor posture. Sleeping positions, e…

02/12/2025

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com A common source of headaches is the neck. We call them cervicogenic headaches. Cervicogenic headaches are often triggered by neck dysfunction, poor posture, muscle tightness, joint restrictions, and can be aggravated by stress. They can be a debilitating condition that many people struggle with daily. To help alleviate the pain, a combination of targeted exercises, posture correction, and manual therapy can be incredibly effective....

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Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com A common source of headaches is the neck. We call them cervicogenic headaches. Cervicogenic headaches are often triggered by neck dysfunction, poor posture, muscle ti…

02/04/2025

Hip joint pain can be caused by a variety of factors, such as tendon pain, arthritis, muscle imbalances (muscle tightness and/or weakness) or joint compression (FAI). To determine if the pain is originating from the hip joint itself, look for symptoms like deep, aching pain in the groin or outer thigh, difficulty with activities like squatting, standing up from a seated position, or walking....

Hip joint pain can be caused by a variety of factors, such as tendon pain, arthritis, muscle imbalances (muscle tightness and/or weakness) or joint compression (FAI). To determine if the pain is or…

01/29/2025

Lateral epicondylitis, commonly known as tennis elbow, can be effectively managed with a combination of targeted exercises, self-care strategies and physical therapy. Believe it or not, strengthening exercises are very important and can have a dramatic effect on improving pain. There are two approaches you can take. First, eccentric exercises, which involve lengthening the tendon while it’s under load, and second, heavy resistance loading are both especially beneficial in promoting tendon healing and strength. These type of exercises may cause discomfort during the exercises but as long as the pain subsides quickly after completing the exercise, you can continue doing them. Over time, the pain will gradually diminish. Stretching the forearm muscles also helps improve flexibility and reduce strain. Finally, techniques like massage, soft tissue mobilization, dry needling and manual therapy can help restore movement and ease tension in the surrounding muscles. Consistency with these treatments, paired with gradual return to activity, typically leads to a full recovery. If you need additional guidance and help, please reach out. We can help!