Physical Therapy, Personal Training, Nutrition Consulting, Hand Therapy

We help people in Columbia, Laurel, and Ellicott City become pain-free and healthy through functional movement and proper nutrition

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How Important Is Sleep

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How Important Is Sleep?

sleep

People underestimate the power of sleeping.  So many of us work long hours and afterwards, we leave work to take care of things at home.  I encounter many people who say they can get by on 5 hours of sleep.  However, what is the real impact?  How does it affect pain levels and healing from injury?

Good sleep is one of the most important aspects of living.  This becomes especially true for those who are in pain.  Chronic pain is a growing problem in our country.  Nearly 1 in 3 people are suffering from chronic pain.  Chronic pain is any type of pain that has lasted more than 3 months.  Chronic pain and sleeping tend to go hand and hand.  [Read more…] about How Important Is Sleep

Fibromyalgia

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Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a common and complex chronic pain disorder that affects the muscles throughout the body and results in an all over pain.  Many people describing “I hurt from head to toe”. 

The term fibromyalgia comes from “fibro” which means fibrous tissues, “myo” meaning muscle and “algia” meaning pain.  Thus, the term literally means muscle and fibrous tissue pain.  People with fibromyalgia often describe it as flu-like symptoms that leaves them exhausted and unable to think clearly. While others with this disorder have trouble sleeping and often wake up stiff and sore.  The symptoms can be debilitating at times and is estimated that 10 million Americans are effected with fibromyalgia aged 18 or older.  With the average age of first diagnosis being 35 to 45 years old.

[Read more…] about Fibromyalgia

Runner’s Knee

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Knee pain is a common complaint that affects people of all ages and activity levels and is especially common in runners.Knee Pain Running

Patella-femoral pain syndrome (PFPS) commonly referred to as runner’s knee, can be quite debilitating.

What you may not realize is that your knee pain isn’t directly related to damage to the knee itself. More often than not, symptoms of runner’s knee are coming from higher up. The hips and low back are more likely the issue than then knee itself. [Read more…] about Runner’s Knee

Top 5 Foods That Cause Inflammation

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Pain affects more people than you might expect. 

Chronic or severe pain affects nearly one third of Americans.  Chronic pain is pain that is lasting longer than three months.  With so many pain treatments out there, you would expect that these numbers would be in decline.  However, the reality is that they are on the rise. 

So, with all the pain medications, over the counter pills, injections and other treatments out there for pain, something must be missing.  One of the biggest factors to address when it comes to pain is nutrition. 

Often physicians will tell you to lose weight and eat better, but a discussion about specific types of food is rarely mentioned.  There are variety of foods that actually increase inflammation in the body.  It may surprise you how the intake of certain foods will cause more inflammation and pain.  Eliminating these foods or at least moderating your intake may be the solution to treating your pain. [Read more…] about Top 5 Foods That Cause Inflammation

Exercise: A Workout For Your Brain Too

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Brain exercise

Exercise and physical activity play such a vital health role in the body. This isn’t a groundbreaking secret.

Effects range from reducing risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes to improving bone strength and preventing arthritis.

heart health

[Read more…] about Exercise: A Workout For Your Brain Too

Low Back Pain and Sitting

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Low Back Pain is one of the top reasons people go to the doctor.Low Back Pain

The average American spends between 8 and 12 hours a day sitting.

When you factor in sleeping hours it means that most lead a very sedentary lifestyle. These hours of inactivity are causing an increase in lower back pain. Low back pain is on the rise in our country. That means that despite all of the pain medications, injections and other “quick fixes” that are being used to treat low back pain, there is still something missing.Sitting Fatigue [Read more…] about Low Back Pain and Sitting