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Getting OLDER doesn't mean you have to HURT!

"My back is a little sore but I think it's just normal for someone my age." This is a statement that I've heard so many times throughout my physical therapy career. The question I have to ask is, "Why do you accept this as part of normal everyday life?" Pain, stiffness, or soreness is not normal! This is your body's way of telling you something is not moving properly. When joints, muscles, ligaments, or connective tissues move abnormally, they are going to wear out. When your car is out of alignment you take it in to get serviced. If you don't your tires, brakes, bearings or who knows what will wear out. That's when you get the big bill for a major repair. I think it's time we consider our body in the same way. If you are having chronic soreness or pain your body is trying to tell you that something isn't working properly. If you put it off too long guess what? You will be in line for the major repair. Be it knee replacement, hip replacement, back/neck surgery, I think a lot of these procedures could be avoided if you take care of your body with the same diligence as you do your car.

Lets look at a race car for example. The pit crew knows how many laps they can get off a set of tires. If they go too long they get a blowout. When they do a pit stop not only does the crew change the tires, but they make adjustments to the car based on tire wear and how the car is handling. The driver who wins the race is usually the one who made the right adjustments to get their car running the best and pits at the right time.

Now I know we are not all running a race, although a lot of our clients are very active. But think about it as a race against time/age. If you can make the proper adjustments at the right time you will undoubtedly be able to finish the race in better condition. I have clients who are runners, cyclists, swimmers, golfers, and others who like to garden, go for a walk, or just relax and watch some TV. They are all treated the same! What we do is look for dysfunction and correct it. It works out for all our clients. Funny thing is most of the time the problem is not where the pain is. Pain in absence of trauma is usually associated with something else not moving right---just like your car! Many times pain on one side is related to something not moving on the other side. Pain in the back is related to something tight in the front. Pain in the foot is related to the back. Pain in the back is related to the foot, knee or hip. I think you get the idea.

This is why having treatment on a regular basis is important. If we find these sources of dysfunction and correct them, you will begin to feel better. Only then can we get you on an exercise program to maintain this normal movement. Finding a therapist who understands this concept can be an important part of taking care of your body. Making the proper adjustments at the right time may help you avoid a major breakdown. You may not win the race, but you will finish in the best possible condition.

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Mission Statement

We are a community-based, family-oriented physical therapy clinic that will provide excellent service in a friendly environment. Our therapists will utilize a full-body approach using manual therapy techniques, exercise, and various modalities to achieve the best possible outcome for our clients.