All posts in Exercise

It’s Fall, Y’all!

By 04 Oct, 2018 Exercise

 

This is a beautiful time of year in Portland, Oregon.  The trees are becoming more colorful, the air is freshening, and the fall season has officially arrived! On the subject of fall, let’s talk about reducing your risks for having a fall at home!

The first step for fall prevention is to identify whether you have any difficulties with balance. This online assessment tool is a great place to start: http://findingbalancealberta.ca/risk/

If your results show that you are at risk of a fall, or if you suspect your balance has been declining, give us a call and the team at Nick Rinard Physical Therapy may help you have a fall-free fall season!

Margo Burette, PT, DPT

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How do your knees affect your stride? By Nick Rinard MPT, Cert MDT

By 16 Aug, 2018 Exercise, Physical Therapy Tips, Posture

Technically speaking your knees (the joint parts) do not affect stride since running is a “mid-range” motion.  Walking, on the other hand, does involve end range extension, so limited extension could have an effect – but not in running.  Pain in the knee is likely to affect your ability to tolerate a running stride, and your body will find ways to avoid pain – thus affecting your stride in varying ways.  There is no typical way this happens, so if you have knee pain, you need to have a good mechanical examination to find out how to best treat or manage it.

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Beat the Heat

By 01 Aug, 2018 Exercise, Physical Therapy Tips

Beat the Heat

Recently, some of my patients have been lamenting the climbing temperatures!  Oregonian’s who thrive under silver skies and temperate seasons are being scorched with hot weather this July.  Looking ahead, August promises more of the same vivid sunshine, heat haze, and adhesive humidity.

Beating the heat requires that we plan ahead to avoid the brunt of the heat wave and minimize our chance of suffering a heat related illness.  Heat related illnesses include heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Take a look at this article for more information about heat-related illness: https://mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heat-exhaustion/symptoms-causes/syc-20373250

I have some simple strategies that I have recommended for our patients who are looking for ways to be active without suffering from the heat:

  • Get up and get after it. The morning offers the coolest temperatures of the day, and also the long morning shadows offer shade if you are walking/running outside.
  • Do extra laps inside the grocery store before doing your shopping. This provides an air-conditioned environment where you can get your daily step goal accomplished!
  • Hydrate! If you know you are going out to brave the sizzling afternoon heat, then plan ahead by bringing a water bottle to work with you so that you can build up a reserve of hydration before your planned activity.
  • Margo Burette, PT, DPT
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These beautiful summer evenings are perfect for golfing!

By 16 May, 2018 Exercise, Physical Therapy Tips

These beautiful summer evenings are perfect for golfing! If you are struggling getting back on the green, let us know!  We would be happy to help you get back to playing outside and enjoying this nice weather. Avoiding movement can actually increase your osteoarthritis pain.

 

Read this article to learn more about the importance of exercise in reducing pain levels:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/04/180428145108.htm”

 

Margo Burette DPT

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