How Physical Therapy Can Help Patients With Lyme Disease

What is Lyme disease? Lyme disease is a tick-borne bacterial disease transmitted to humans through blacklegged ticks. The Northeast is one of the areas known to have a high number of ticks and therefore has a higher incidence of Lyme disease. What are the signs and symptoms? The most commonly known symptom is a “bull’s-eye” […]

Stretching for Pitchers

Two Stretches All Pitchers Should Do We see lots of general position players and pitchers here at SSOR for various injuries.  According to data from the STOP Sports Injuries organization, there has been a fivefold increase in shoulder and elbow surgeries since the year 2000 and the American Sports Medicine Institute has presented some sobering […]

Heel Pain on the Inside of the Foot?

Heel Pain: Plantar Fasciitis Spikes During Warm Weather Warm weather brings a spike in patients complaining of medial heel pain from plantar fasciitis.  As sure as the seasons change, so too does this aggravating condition that makes every step hurt.  The increased use of flip-flops and sandals leads to the spike in heel pain and […]

Things to Consider Before ACL Surgery

5 Questions To Answer Before ACL Surgery We have a results-oriented population here at SSOR so because of that, we see tons of patients here that tore their anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in their knee.  We’ve heard just about every possible reason why people tear their ACL, some benign, others the results of sports activities.  […]

Learning how to fall

How you can prevent serious injuries by learning the “best” way to fall   If a fall is inevitable, you might as well do it gracefully. Rare is the individual who hasn’t tripped over a pet or on uneven pavement, tumbled off a bike, slipped on ice or maybe wiped out skiing or skating. Some […]

Spasms, Cramps, and Charley Horses…..Oh My!

Have you ever woken in the middle of the night to that horrible cramping pain in your foot with your poor toes all curled up? Or have you been in the middle of a great jog when all of sudden you are hit with a charley horse in your calf or hamstring? I think most […]

Top 10 Snowshoeing Spots

Looking to do some snowshoeing? Check out my list of the top 10 snowshoeing spots in the Greater Portland Area. Key: Low Traffic (encounter 3 people or less) – LT High Traffic (encounter 4+ people) – HT     Sun/shade Gull Crest Trail is a 5.7 mile network in Cape Elizabeth. With many miles and few people, […]

Is climbing ruining your posture?

Climbing is great exercise for your arms and back, but is it also affecting your spine in a negative way? Climbing uses a constant rowing motion, or a downward pulling motion. These types of motions utilize muscles in your back like: the latissimus, rhomboids, middle and lower trapezius. These muscles often play a role in […]

Teens Athletes & Nutritional Supplements

Should Your Teenager Take Supplements? We get asked lots of questions from athletes and parents about various products to help their son or daughter improve performance or get a little extra benefit from all their hard work in the weight room.  They think being a little faster or a little stronger will make them a […]

Pool Workout For Beginners

For years now you’ve lived down the street from the community pool but for some reason you’ve never utilized the facilities; or maybe with the weather cooling down and the days getting shorter, you need a new exercise option. An extremely beneficial, enjoyable, and often overlooked form of exercise is aquatic exercise. No, I don’t […]

What is Dry Needling

What exactly is dry needling? It is a pain relieving technique that physical therapists use involving. A thin mono-filament needle without any liquid in it (dry). Used to penetrate the skin and stimulate underlying trigger points or muscle “knots”. How does this differ from acupuncture? Needles are identical. Dry needling is used to relieve pain […]

Difference Between Physical Therapist, Athletic Trainer, & Personal Trainer

What’s the Difference Between Physical Therapists, Athletic Trainers, & Personal Trainers? Note: This post was written by one of our PT students, Kaitlyn Douglas, SPT, ATC, CSCS from KU Medical Center.  Kaitlyn has a comprehensive background in all three fields and offers a well-rounded perspective on physical therapists, athletic trainers, and personal trainers.  Thanks Kaitlyn! […]