The Best of Boulder 2017 recognizes the best local businesses in Boulder County. Please vote for Heafner Health Physical Therapy on this year's survey! Where to vote: 1) Click the button below! 2) Go to question #91: Alternative Health Care Provider under Health and Fitness 3) Write in: Heafner Health Physical Therapy Heafner Health Physical Therapy Blog Posts:![]() Healthiest Sitting Posture While At Work We have all heard about the negative effects of prolonged sitting. In fact, some people argue that sitting is the new smoking. Unfortunately, chairs are not going anywhere, so we need to make sure we are sitting in a healthy position for our spines! In this post, I will discuss how to sit in a healthy posture to minimize the negative effects of the chair. Continue reading... ![]() Knee Pain? Consider this Sleeping Adjustment I was recently teaching a workshop at a local gym when I asked the audience, "Who here has knee pain?" Nearly two-thirds of the crowd raised their hands. While this number may seem alarmingly high, greater than 60% of people report knee pain at some point during their adult life. Generalized knee pain is the 3rd most common reason Americans visit their doctor each year. In the clinic, I find that women are at a greater risk for knee pain than men. Simple postural cues and sleeping adjustments can be made to minimize the stresses placed across the knee each day. Continue reading... ![]() A few weeks ago I was working with an individual who has experienced back pain for the past 20+ years. Recently he experienced an acute flare-up of his chronic low back pain. During this acute episode he stated, "I must have a spinal cord injury...the pain is excruciating...unbearable." Fortunately, a quick neurological screening revealed intact functioning of the nerves and muscles. Upon further questioning, the client said "when I am having the intense pain, it is like I am lost at sea." The phrase 'lost at sea' resonated within me for hours after the treatment. When I imagine being lost at sea, I picture Tom Hanks in the movie 'Cast Away.' The movie character was alone, desperate, and literally fighting for his life. He had minimal outside resources and his only companion was a hand-printed volleyball. Tom Hank's character was physically and psychologically exhausted. To describe one's pain as being 'lost at sea' depicts the intensity of the person's situation. As a chronic pain practitioner, when I hear expressions like this, I immediately know there is a emotional aspect to this acute flare-up of pain. From a treatment perspective, I must integrate and acknowledge the patient's biology (environment, past history, etc...) in addition to any physical impairments that are present. Words and statements such as the one above make my role as a physical therapist greater than simply a triage expert after an injury. Physical Therapists play large roles as diagnosticians, coaches, counselors, and motivators. If you are experiencing any long standing pain, find a healthcare practitioner who has time to perform a thorough evaluation to investigate the true causes of your pain! ![]() Want to learn more about movement and pain? Check out Dr. Heafner's Anatomy of Human Movement. Use Promo Code: Save10 today for $10 off at checkout! (promotional offer valid until 3/10/17) |
Heafner HealthPhysical Therapy Archives
November 2024
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