Scoliosis and Helping Aging Spines Lengthen
Because our scoliosis approach is quite unique, we often have clients come in from out of town and stay for several days of intensive therapy. On a recent “intensive” situation like this, a patient wrote the following description of her experiences and initial outcome: “I’ve tried so many therapies and treatments for my scoliosis and […]
Tips to Change Habits for Tension Relief
Don’t Be Controlled By Your Focal Vision “Powered Peripheral Vision”, Tips to Change Habits for Tension Relief Adapted from Dr. Heidi Wise, PRI Vision, LLC Focal vision refers to being focused on something small at any distance, from your phone to a golf ball far away on the green. Technology is partly contributing to our […]
The efficacy of three-dimensional Schroth exercises in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: A randomised controlled clinical trial
It is always affirming to see support in the literature for the changes we see case by case at Advance Physical Therapy every day. Recently, a randomized controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of professionally administered, 3 dimensional Schroth exercise program for the treatment of scoliosis. I think there are two key points […]
Too much “Doing” and not enough “Being”: a recipe for pain and poor performance.
There are fundamental principles for healthy core body alignment and breathing. When these essential elements are missing, postural compensations, strain and less efficient movement strategies become habits that often lead to pain and or inefficiency of movement. What are the essentials? (How to get better at “Being” in the core) The pelvic ring should be […]
Release Your Neck!
Easier said than done, right? So why do necks stay so tight all the time? When we work with patients who have chronic neck pain and shoulder tension, we usually find dysfunctional breathing patterns directly related to poor core body postures. Did you know the best muscle for getting air into your body is the […]
Pediatric Physical Therapist, Lisa Mangino, PT, DPT, PCS, C/NDT, PRC Featured at National Forum
Our very own pediatric physical therapist, Lisa Mangino, PT, DPT, PCS, C/NDT, PRC presented her unique approach to treating children at the annual Postural Restoration Institute® (PRI) meeting of PRI certified physical therapists and athletic trainers on April 18th 2015. She discussed how children tend to alter their posture and movement patterns with unbalanced muscle […]
Keep Your Eyes On Those Growing Spines!
Early detection and treatment of abnormal spinal curves during growth can make a tremendous difference in the health of the mature spine. Keep an eye on your growing child’s spine, especially between the ages of 9 and 14 with this simple test: Adams Forward Bending Test: Have your child stand with their feet together and […]
Postural Restoration lends the support our bodies need
Support comes in many forms. I recently completed my certification in Postural Restoration (PRC). I could not have achieved this designation without the support of my co-workers at Advance Physical Therapy, the clients I care for, my family or the faculty at the Postural Restoration Institute. Postural Restoration is an exciting and effective approach to […]
Postural Restoration Institute™ Techniques in Children with Musculoskeletal Pain
Pictured left to right, with , Lisa Mangino, PT, DPT, PCS, C/NDT, PRC is Postural Restoration faculty Mike Cantrell, MPT, PRC, Ron Hruska, MPA, PT, founder of Postural Restoration Institute, and James Anderson, MPT, PRC. In December 2014, our pediatric physical therapist, Lisa Mangino, completed the requirements for obtaining the designation of Postural Restoration Institute™ […]
Advance Physical Therapy and Fleet Feet Sports Wraps Up Winter Coat Collection for Area Children
Dear Friends, On October 19th we concluded our winter coat collection drive. Together with Fleet Feet Sports we were able to collect 28 winter coats. All of the donations went to the John Avery Boys and Girls Club of Durham; this organization provides a safe and warm place for kids to learn, grow and have […]
Do you have a balance problem?
Loss of balance and mobility are not inevitable as we grow older. Sudden falls in older individuals, however, are of concern because the incidence of balance problems is known to increase significantly with age. The number one indicator for fall risk is a previous fall. Other indications include symptoms of dizziness, lack of physical conditioning […]
Awake Tummy Time: A Crucial Part of Infant Movement Development
It’s always a good time to be reminded about the importance of babies experiencing enough “tummy time” through their early developmental months. As happens with many interventions, the Back-to-Sleep campaign1 to prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) has produced some unintentional consequences. The campaign was successful in decreasing the occurrence of SIDS; however, parents […]
Coats For Kids Update
We still need more coat donations! Dear friends, I want to thank you for all the coat donations we have received so far for our Coats for Kids effort. But we still need more coats and we need your help. Let’s try to help as many children that we can! My inspiration to initiate this […]
Give the Gift of Warmth for a Healthy Winter Season
Being cold takes the fun out of winter. Last winter was especially cold and nasty for us in the greater triangle region. Thinking about this may make you cringe and go searching for your winter jacket! For some children in our community, last winter was endured without the warmth of a winter coat. During a […]
Concerns about the way your child or a child you know is moving??
ADVANCE PHYSICAL THERAPY’S Pediatric Physical Therapist Specialist is offering FREE PEDIATRIC MOVEMENT SCREENINGS Wednesdays in July and August from 12-2 pm. Bring your child and/or talk to our specialist. Call ahead at (919) 932-7266 to reserve a time.
To Crawl or Not to Crawl?
Recently, a few parents have asked me if it’s okay for their child to skip the crawling phase of gross motor development. A quick look at the internet reveals an active debate with some people saying that crawling is quite important, while others don’t think it is critical for gross movement development. Here’s what I […]
What are your shoes telling you?
These are the shoes of an active, healthy 13 year old boy. He came to see me at Advance Physical Therapy due to left hip and back pain. His shoes told me that his posture was not centered because of unbalanced muscle use. He told me that his posture was unbalanced because he […]
How do I know if I have a balance problem?
Most people acknowledge a balance problem only after they experience a fall. Understanding potential signs of balance problems will help keep you from becoming a statistic. If you identify with 1 or more of following statements you may have a balance problem. If you find 4 or more to be true for you, you are […]
Children and Back Pain
Last week there was a story on NPR about young athletes and back pain. http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2014/02/03/269521744/young-athletes-risk-back-injury-by-playing-too-much-too-soon The story was about children who are spending increased time with one sport, resulting in overuse injuries, particularly back pain. With the added excitement of the Olympics this month, young people are inspired to compete and to perform to […]
“Back Pain Boot Camp”
Recently NPR featured a program on Back Pain Boot Camp and we began to receive phone calls asking if we had such a program. The nature of the “Back Pain Boot Camp” message is one we rely on every day in treating patients with prolonged painful conditions. It is to help people understand their pain, […]
Make a “BAD BACK” a “GOOD BACK”
A friend mentioned to me the other day that they knew so and so who did this and that and….. it was “too bad they had a bad back”. I said “What do you mean?” “Oh, you know he has just always had a bad back, there’s really nothing you can do about that right? […]
Another APT Therapist Certified in Schroth-Based Scoliosis Rehabilitation
The most recent class of physical therapists certified in Schroth-based scoliosis rehabilitation at Scoliosis Rehabilitation, Inc. with instructors Beth Orthwein, PT, and Beth Jannsen PT (front row). Our pediatric PT, Lisa Mangino, is in the second row on the left. As she returns to work after spending 9 days in Steven’s Point […]
Scoliosis in Adolescents Needs PT Treatment – Don’t Wait!
Last night I spoke with yet another concerned parent about their teenaged child. Like so many others, this child was diagnosed some years ago, as a preteen, with mild scoliosis. This mother sought out the best medical help she could find and was told by a doctor, “Just wait and see what happens – there […]
From One Runner (and Physical Therapist) to Another
I have been using Fleet Feet Sports in Carrborro as resource for my physical therapy clients and for myself since moving to the area 3 years ago. So when I got the chance to perform injury screenings for their community of walkers and runners this past month I jumped at the chance. This […]