What does it mean to be “hypermobile”?
If you are hypermobile, you may be “double-jointed” or very flexible. Are you someone able to perform splits easily, put your feet behind your head, or flatten your hands to the floor without bending your knees? If you are an older adult, maybe you were able to perform these movements easily when you were a […]
Scoliosis and the Importance of Early Intervention
If you are reading this, there’s a good chance you or your child has scoliosis. I’m going to guess you have a pretty good sense of what scoliosis is. The most frustrating part for you might be trying to figure out what to do about it. Your MD may have said, “Come back in 4-6 […]
Chronic Pain in Physical Therapy Students
Our own, Jean Massé, PT, DPT, PRC, OCS, ATC is an adjunct professor at The University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. She teaches physical therapy students about chronic pain, scoliosis and diagnosis. Over the years of her teaching at UNC Chapel Hill, she has had many students approach her with their own chronic pain […]
Summer Heat May Reveal Developing Scoliosis
Summertime – green and gorgeous, heat waves that influence us to wear the minimum clothing needed, bathing suits, sports and camps. This is often the first opportunity parents have to notice scoliosis forming in their growing adolescent’s spine. There may be differences in the height of the child’s shoulders. One hip may appear “shifted” out […]
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 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™ […]
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 […]
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 […]
Cutting Edge is Old News for Conservative Treatment of Scoliosis
I have spent the last year intensively studying, practicing and developing treatment for scoliosis using Postural Restoration and Schroth based Methodologies. Scoliosis is diagnosed when a 10 degree curvature of the spine is present. Since few U.S. pediatricians or spine surgeons are aware of the rehabilitation potential for scoliosis commonly utilized in Europe, families 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 […]
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 […]