SPOONER BLOG
Toe Walking: A Symptom of Something Larger
By: Khristian McGinley, PT, DPT
Recognizing Underlying Causes of Toe Walking
It is common for parents and caregivers to hear that toe walking in children is “normal” and that their child will naturally “grow out of it.” The reality is that there is always an underlying reason that a child is walking on their[…]
Stuck on the Bench: Common Basketball Injuries
By: Jarad Brisbin, PT, DPT, CAFS
In sport and in daily life, it is impossible to entirely prevent injuries, as there are too many variables outside of our control. However, it is important to control the variables that we can because when ignored they can lead to injury or athlete breakdown. Proper sleep and recovery, balanced and intentional nutrition, as well[…]
Getting JJ Back on the Court
By: Jarad Brisbin, PT, DPT, CAFS
JJ’s popped knee moments after it happened.
Returning to sport following a traumatic injury can be a tricky process, no matter the injury. There is no “protocol” or template to follow, there are countless variables to account for and there is no[…]
Physical Therapy for Swimmers
By: Alix Ungaretti, PT, DPT, CSCS
When the first thing you see is the steam coming off of the water, dew clinging to the lane lines, and you hear the gentle pulsing of the water into the gutters, guided by the winds of the morning, there is always the thought of “how is coach making me win today?”
I grew up[…]
Attitude of Gratitude
Attitude of Gratitude: Gratefulness for “what is” is one of the most powerful tools for creating what is not yet there. You value, you give attention to, you honor whatever is before you at the moment. Gratitude recognizes how the positive things in our lives – such successes in our recovery process or your personal or professional life – are often influenced by multiple forces, such as the efforts of other[…]
Hand Therapy for Congenital Abnormalities in Children
Of all newborns born with congenital abnormalities, over 10% of them are born with upper extremity malformations. Most typically, such hand defects present as undergrowth of bone or as generalized skeletal abnormalities. Sometimes, surgical reconstructive options exist for children to have more “typically” appearing limbs, but other times it’s a better choice to[…]
Flag Football: Preparing for the Season
by: Cassie Olson, PT, DPT, Spooner Ahwatukee
Flag football has long been excluded from the typical list of sports, particularly for women, even though the sport provides many benefits for athletes. Athletes gain skills in teamwork, confidence, and problem-solving, as well as the physical benefits that come with exercise and nutrition. Specifically, athletes learn the game, without the inherent[…]
Baseball Fundamentals: The Throwing Arm
By Chip Gosewisch, CSCS, RSCC, FRCms and Bekah Hibbert, MS, ATC
When it comes to the throwing arm, many variables contribute to an athlete’s continued development. Stance, arm slot, and hand placement are just a few examples that may change over the course of an athlete’s career. One thing that does not change, regardless of experience, from a Little Leaguer[…]
Exercise and Nutrition for Breast Cancer Patients
by Austin Kitteringham, CSCS, FIT Trainer and Emily Rocawich, PT, DPT, CSCS, Spooner East Chandler
A cancer diagnosis can be life changing! Days can quickly become filled with doctors’ appointments, imaging, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, on-going cancer management, and follow-up care. Exercise, nutrition and physical therapy are not necessarily your first priority when considering management of a cancer diagnosis; however,[…]
Physical Therapy is Changing Pain Management
Part 4 of 4: Physical Therapy First
Throughout this series, we’ve covered musculoskeletal disorders, the opioid epidemic, why painkillers are so addicting, where the majority of disabilities originate from, and challenges navigating the healthcare system. But one question is left, what can we do about it? As it turns out, there is quite a lot, both at an industry level and on a personal level.
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