Misconceptions of “The Core”

Core strengthening, training, and stabilization have become popular terms in exercise discussion.  However, they are often misused or referred to incorrectly.  Core exercises are often thought of as exercises of abdominal muscles (crunches, etc), or back muscles (lat pulls, rows, roman chair, etc.).  Although these are great for strengthening certain muscles of the trunk, they [...]

Winter Aches and Pains

With the colder season in full swing, many of us no longer engage in the activity we used to in the summer.  That, combined with the changes in weather can often cause arthritis to flare up.  There are many ways to help prevent these winter aches and pain from getting the better of us.  One [...]

Arthritis Tips: Make your car more user friendly!

Is you car a pain?  Not just because of gas prices but because it makes you literally hurt to use it? Let’s start with simply unlocking and opening the door which could be painful if you have arthritis affecting your hands.  There is adaptive equipment to help you enjoy going for a ride in the [...]

Safe Setup at Work

Ergonomics: the study of work.
            The study of work is important for us to understand because there are many possible ways we can get hurt at work.  From the desk job to the construction site;  there are easy ways to reduce our risk for injury.
            OSHA or the “Occupation Safety and Health Administration” is a [...]

My Favorite Strech-Piriformis.

We see so many patients presenting with lower back pain, and usually from chronic or repetitive use, combined with inner core instability.  We administer the standard inner core exercises focusing on the pelvic floor, the transversus abdominus, and the transversospinales, or multifidus muscles.  These exercises are wonderful for beginning the stabilization process.
 
Also, if indicated, we [...]

New- Back School!

Do you or anyone you know have back pain?  Back School provided through St. Luke’s ♦ Idaho Elk’s Rehabilitation Services will help answer any questions you have and give helpful hints to manage your back pain.
            We will discuss common causes of back pain and why some people are more likely to experience it than [...]

Quick fix for Neck Pain

Ok, here’s the latest quick self-fix i’ve discovered for sore and aching erector spinae muscles(not to rival self trigger point work with the Thera- cane…):  Take two tennis balls, tape them together but leave some of the crease between (duct tape works really well).
 
You now have a little wall massager.  Place it against a wall, [...]

Gardening Tips

Gardening is a popular pastime this time of year, and while most of the time it’s fairly safe there is the possibility of injury.  Aches, pains and other injuries occur every once in a while, but luckily can be easily avoided if you go out prepared.
            Sunscreen, long clothing and sunglasses should be your first [...]

Trampolines: Jump into summer and not the ER

Spring is in the air and so are little kids – when they jump on trampolines that is.  They may be fun, but they can also cause some major injuries.  To avoid injures you should NEVER let more than one person jump at a time.  If there is more than one person, the lighter of [...]

Neosporin Allergy

Knicks and cuts are a part of everyday life; cutting veggies for supper, yard work, kids falling and scraping their knees are all very common this time of year.  Cleaning the area and using medication are an important part of taking care of these cuts, so they don’t get infected.  Often, we go to the [...]