Are You Foam Rolling Wrong? What It Helps, What It Doesn’t, and How to Make It Work for You

Foam rolling is everywhere — from gyms to Instagram routines to PT clinics.
But here’s the truth: foam rolling isn’t a magical fix, and it’s not always being used correctly.

If you’ve ever grimaced your way through rolling your IT band and wondered, “Why am I doing this?” — you’re not alone.

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From Clinician to Leader: How to Shift Your Identity Without Burning Out

Stepping away from direct patient care and into leadership isn’t just a career move—it’s an identity shift. And for many rehab professionals, it comes with grief, guilt, and confusion.

You’re not alone.

Whether you’re becoming a director, manager, educator, or innovator, the leap from clinician to leader requires more than a new title. It requires a new mindset—and a whole lot of unlearning.

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5 Things Your Glutes Are Trying to Tell You (But You’re Not Listening)

We stretch them, we squat them, we foam-roll them into submission. But what if your glutes have been trying to communicate with you all along?

As a physical therapist, I can tell you: your glutes are speaking volumes—in every ache, imbalance, and compensation pattern your body has adopted. The problem? Most of us just aren’t listening.

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Why Physical Therapists Should Lead the Mind-Body Rehab Movement

In recent years, the phrase “mind-body connection” has become a buzzword in wellness circles—but in physical therapy, it’s far more than a trend. It’s a clinical reality. And it’s time for physical therapists to step forward as leaders in the mind-body movement.

We already understand the body through a biomechanical lens. But now, neuroscience, psychology, and integrative care models are calling us to look deeper—into how the brain, nervous system, and emotions shape healing.

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Reclaim Your Body After the Holiday Feast: A Physical Therapist’s Guide to Post-Holiday Weight Loss

The holidays are a time for celebration, family, and, let’s be honest, delicious food. But between the endless cookies, rich gravy, and indulgent cocktails, it’s easy to find yourself packing on a few extra pounds. While that’s totally normal and nothing to be ashamed of, if you’re looking to shed the holiday weight and get back into a healthy routine, a physical therapist can be your secret weapon. 

 

Why a Physical Therapist?

Physical therapists aren’t just for injuries anymore. We’re trained movement experts who can help you achieve your fitness goals in a safe and effective way. We understand the biomechanics of the body and how different exercises impact your muscles, joints, and overall health. This makes us well-equipped to guide you through a personalized weight loss plan that’s tailored to your unique needs and abilities.

Here’s how a physical therapist can help you reclaim your body after the holidays:

1. Create a Sustainable Exercise Plan:

Forget crash diets and fad workouts. We’ll work with you to create a realistic exercise plan that fits your lifestyle and preferences. This might include a combination of cardio, strength training, and flexibility exercises. We’ll gradually increase the intensity and duration of your workouts as you get stronger and fitter.

2. Address Pain and Injuries:

Overindulging and neglecting your exercise routine can lead to aches and pains. We can help identify any underlying physical limitations that might be hindering your progress, such as muscle imbalances or joint dysfunction. We can then provide targeted exercises and stretches to address these issues and prevent future injuries.

3. Improve Balance and Coordination:

As we age, our balance and coordination naturally decline. This can make it more difficult to lose weight and stay active. We can incorporate exercises that challenge your balance and coordination into your routine, helping you prevent falls and improve your overall fitness.

4. Provide Motivation and Support:

Losing weight can be challenging, and it’s easy to get discouraged along the way. We’ll be your cheerleader, providing encouragement and support throughout your journey. We’ll also track your progress and make adjustments to your plan as needed to keep you on track.

Remember, it’s not about achieving quick fixes or unrealistic goals. It’s about building healthy habits that you can sustain for the long term.

Here are some additional tips for post-holiday weight loss:

  • Focus on whole, unprocessed foods. Fill your plate with fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains. Limit your intake of processed foods, sugary drinks, and unhealthy fats.
  • Stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of water helps you feel full and can boost your metabolism.
  • Get enough sleep. When you’re sleep-deprived, your body produces more cortisol, a stress hormone that can lead to weight gain. Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep each night.
  • Listen to your body. Don’t push yourself too hard, especially if you’re not used to exercising regularly. Take rest days when you need them, and don’t be afraid to modify exercises to make them easier.

With the right approach and support, you can shed the holiday weight and get back on track to your health and fitness goals. And remember, a physical therapist is here to help you every step of the way.

Happy holidays and happy healthy living!

I hope this article has been helpful. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment below.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as medical advice. Please consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new exercise program.

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Navigating Success as a New Grad Physical Therapist in a Nursing Home: A Comprehensive Guide

Embarking on a career as a new graduate physical therapist in a nursing home setting can be both rewarding and challenging. This comprehensive guide is designed to provide guidance and practical hints to help new therapists successfully navigate their roles in this unique environment, fostering both professional growth and impactful patient care.

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Exercise guide for successful hip replacement recovery

Hip replacement surgery, also known as arthroplasty, is a common procedure performed to alleviate pain and improve mobility in individuals with hip joint dysfunction. After the surgery, it is crucial to engage in physical therapy and exercise in order to regain strength and range of motion. The following exercises are commonly prescribed to individuals who have undergone hip replacement surgery and should be done under the guidance of a physical therapist.

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What is Cervicogenic Headache?

Cervicogenic headache is a secondary headache with the primary cause being a pathology in the neck. This means a problem in the neck is causing a headache as a symptom.

The cervicogenic headache typically starts from the back of neck/back, travels up to the front of the head. It usually is on one side of the head. And therefore, this type of headache is a referred pain to the head.Cervicogenic Headache

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Physical therapy for COVID 19 – A complete guide to managing COVID 19 patients with Rehabilitation

Corona Virus has made its way globally. At this point, we all are aware of COVID 19 and the majority of symptoms caused by COVID 19.  While every nation around the globe is fighting hard to design some method that can either manage symptoms or viruses, exercise remains one important factor. This includes various options like vaccines, medicines, antibodies, blood transfusions, etc. In this article, I am going to share some proven exercise strategies, and core outcome measures for patients with COVID 19. 

Physical Therapy for COVID 19 patient

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Neurology Evaluation for Physical Therapy

This article is all about how to perform a neurology evaluation.  Neurology evaluations are long and sometimes time-consuming. It is not really possible to perform every single item during a session.

A while back I did a Physical Therapy general evaluation format. This was more of a general intake form. Here I want to go a little deep in a specific neurological diagnosis/ category in physical therapy.

For me, I go over the categories and check if there are any deficits, and I move to another category. If a patient is unable to answer or shows deficits in one area, then I will perform a detailed assessment of that area. This helps me to go over the eval quickly and also allows me to concentrate on the areas that are weak.

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