Below is an article written by Julie Rigling, PT, DPT, Blue Ash Center Manager about how good stretching cuts your injury risks. The article was featured in the Health & Fitness section of the Cincinnati Enquirer on March 14, 2012.
We have all done it before – skipped our stretching to get to the more “important part of the workout”. But saving a few minutes here and there by nixing the stretches may just end up causing damage and costing you hours of rehab in the long run. So why is proper stretching one of the key elements necessary to avoid injury?
Our bodies function best when our muscles are flexible and “warmed up.” Stretching is one way to help increase the blood flow to active areas and decrease tissue stiffness. This will also allow one’s joints to move through the full range of motion which will cut down on increased wear and tear on the joint surface and overuse of tendons. It also helps to decrease muscle soreness and can improve one’s performance with your chosen activity. When stretching, there are a few things to remember:
- Do not bounce; slow, controlled motion through a range is okay.
- Stretching should not be painful! You should only feel a gentle tension with the stretch.
- Always protect your spine.
- Maintain 30-60 second holds and repeat the stretch several times.
- Make sure you stretch the following groups: hip flexors, piriformis (posterior hip/buttock region), hamstrings, quadriceps, groin muscles, ITBand, calf muscles, chest, biceps, and triceps.
- While it can be argued both ways, most research supports stretching briefly after doing a light warm-up and DEFINITELY after finishing a work out to receive the most benefits.
Keep in mind, stretching is not a guarantee you will never develop an injury. If you begin to develop pain that lasts longer than one week and is not consistent with an increase in your activity level, is sharp and localized to a specific area, or appears to radiate down your arm and leg, seek advice from a physician or physical therapist.
Over the first weekend in March, Oxford was fortunate to host Phil Anloague, from the University of Dayton, for a course on intervention for neck injuries. Phil did a great job with a course on low back intervention last spring and we knew that it would be another great experience having him in the clinic.
Phil did not let us down! The course was upbeat and Phil provided us with a great review on anatomy and mobility of the neck in preparation for learning the hands on techniques to be used in the clinic. The techniques that were taught can be used for most patients with complaints of pain or stiffness in the neck. This course was very interactive and every therapist had the opportunity to practice each of the techniques. He emphasized the importance of hands-on skills, but also reminded us to get our patients actively involved in their therapy. In addition to the hands on techniques, Phil also educated us on exercises that patients can perform at home in order help to improve neck mobility.
Thanks Phil! See you next time!
~Rob Schwab, Mason Center Manager
    
As a non-clinician working for a physical therapy company I often am asked questions about our physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and athletic trainers on staff. What people often don’t realize about physical therapists is their background in terms of the education they receive. All programs have moved to a Doctor of Physical Therapy therefore the time commitment is usually 3 years. Upon completion of the doctorate program, the graduate must pass the National Physical Therapy Examination. This is conducted through each state’s licensing board. Once becoming licensed the clinicians are constantly making sure they are learning new techniques, becoming certified in specialty certifications, and ultimately making sure they are helping their patients achieve the outcomes they desire.
I have been a patient before…long before working here. Not only do clinicians need to know how to get you better, but they need to be compassionate, patient, and understanding. I feel fortunate to work with clinicians who make it easy for me to “market” them. Not only do we have talented clinicians who get their patients better, but also great people who take a personal interest in every patient who walks through the door. Thank you to all of our clinicians who work so hard….we appreciate you, your time, and all of your efforts!
Here is a comment from a patient who filled out our exit survey a week ago;
“There was a time when I didn’t think I would be able to play golf again, but Matt assured me that I would; and with his help, I’m fully recovered!!! No pain!!!! I can’t say thanks enough!!! If you want the best in physical therapy go see Matt and his staff at Oxford!!!”
~Stanley (Crestview Hills Patient)
Share your story and win a Polar Watch…National PT Month!
- Julie Rigling’s Case Study has been approved; we are happy to announce she will be receiving her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of St. Augustine in December! Congrats Julie!
- The Crestview Hills Center is OPEN for business. Please call 859.578.7000 to make an appointment!
- Jen Miller, LAT, ATC was left out of the July Newsletter in error. Thanks for all of your hard work Jen, we do appreciate it!
- Thanks for everything, Roseann, we will miss you!
We are happy to announce we are opening a new center! Our Crestview Hills location will be opening on Monday, July 25th! We are excited to open our third location in Kentucky. We will be located in the Chapel Place building at 350 Thomas More Parkway, Suite 130 Crestview Hills, Kentucky 41017. Here is a picture of the building!
If you want to make an appointment call us at 859.578.7000.
Hello! My name is Wesleigh Cummings and I am the Manager of Business Development at Oxford Physical Therapy. I’m not the type of person to write a blog…but I’m going to give it my best shot! Who reads blogs? What kind of information are our patients looking for within a blog? These are a few of the questions running through my head as I type Oxford Physical Therapy Centers first blog! I’m excited to try to connect with our patients and potential patients. We have always been a resource in the communities we call home, but this is a little different. If there is a subject matter you want us to talk about? Feel free to offer some suggestions!
In order to better serve you we are happy to share our new website with you. It is more organized, visually pleasing, and or course full of content which can be helpful to you! In addition, we are a part of the social media craze….have you “liked” us on Facebook yet? Some of our physical therapists have been on Fox 19 sharing their expertise with the Tri-State area, we have shot a few information videos on running tips, Kinesio Taping, and shoulder injuries in softball and baseball players. Visit our YouTube page to take a peek!
I started at Oxford Physical Therapy Centers in 2005…and there have been a number of changes…one of the most obvious is we have gone from 4 Centers to TEN! We have locations across the Tri-State Area (Oxford, Fairfield, Blue Ash, Hyde Park, Mason, Hamilton, West Side, Montgomery) including Northern Kentucky (Florence and Independence).
Our therapists are trained in a number of different areas…just to name a few;
Billy Beaudreau, PT, DPT, MTC has just recently earned his Manual Therapy Certification (MTC) from the University of St. Augustine.
Matt Ernst, PT, MPT, OCS is a Board Certified Orthopeadic Clinical Specialist.
Brian Adkins, MPT, CSCS, CGFI is a Titleist Performance Institute Certified Golf Fitness Instructor.
Jamie Bayliss, PT, MPT, CKTP and Carrie Ryan, PT, DPT, CKTP are certified in the clinical application of taping through the Kinesio Taping Association International (KT1-3 trained).
Our clinical staff is strong and talented at what they do. I’m excited for you to learn more about them and what we do at Oxford Physical Therapy Centers.
Stay tuned for more inside information from Oxford Physical Therapy Centers!
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Join us for our Strong Mom’s Series: Strong & Safe Night
Review of Body Mechanics and Injury Prevention by licensed Physical Therapists. Safe car seat installation by certified specialists, including review of new safety standards for older children individual assessment of car seat(s) in your car.
Date:
Wednesday, May 25 • 7:30 pm
Location:
4408 Red Bank Expressway
Cincinnati, OH 45227
Don’t miss out on this wonderful, free opportunity! Click here to register, as space is limited.
Need more information? Call 513.631.1988.
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