It’s time to rejuvenate your health and set those fitness goals for 2017. At Excel Therapy, we celebrate “Power to the GIRL in 2017”. Women have the ability to transform dreams into reality with one simple quality: Determination. Unfortunately, this determination can also lead to injury if you progress your activity level too vigorously, too soon.

Women have a wider pelvis than men, which results in a large angle (known as the Q angle) at the knee. This alignment creates extra stress on joints and tissues, predisposing women for specific injuries. Typical injuries in women include:

ACL Tears: Women are 5-8 times more likely than men to tear their ACL. In addition to the increased Q angle, women are prone to be more quadriceps dominant. For ACL tear prevention, women need to balance muscle control for the knee with increased hamstring strengthening, core strengthening, stretching, and agility exercises.

Ankle Sprains: Women are 2 times more prone than men to sprain their ankle. This can be combatted with emphasis on balance and agility exercises.

Patellofemoral Pain: Anterior knee pain caused by maltracking of the kneecap which results in grinding of the posterior kneecap against the thigh bone. This can be addressed with emphasis on strengthening the inner quadriceps (VMO) and stretching of the outer thigh tissues (ITB).

Stress Fractures: Small hairline fractures caused by repetitive impact. Women are 3 times more likely than men to experience stress fractures due to lower bone density. Proper rest is a key component in reducing risk of stress fractures.

Iliotibial Band Syndrome: Pain at the outside of the knee due to repetitive friction of the IT Band rubbing over the lateral epicondyle of the femur (thigh bone). The Q angle is a large contributing factor and ITB tightness can be prevented with the correct regime of stretching and balanced thigh/gluteal strengthening.

Plantar Fasciitis: Inflammation of the connective tissue that runs along the sole of the foot. This is most painful in the morning when taking first few steps. Women have a lower center of gravity which affects foot mechanics and tissue stress. Stretching, proper footwear, and intrinsic foot muscle strengthening are key factors to reduce risk of plantar fasciitis.

It’s no surprise that there are differences between men and women that influence training approach. In general, women are naturally more flexible and have better endurance than men. Women recover quicker and can take shorter breaks between sets of exercises. Therefore, it’s a good idea for women to emphasize strength and muscle development, while still including flexibility and endurance. Have a physical therapist help you discover your strengths and weaknesses and address accordingly.

As you launch 2017 as your strongest year ever–Keep the Determination, Add the Savvy. Come see a physical therapist at Excel Therapy Specialists where we can create a personalized fitness plan that is fun, effective, and safe. Achieve your 2017 goals with confidence and power, while reducing the risk of injury. At Excel Therapy, no physician referral is needed. Contact one of our 16 locations to get started today!

— Molly Manuel, PT, DPT at Excel Therapy Chickasha, OK

If you’ve ever struggled with chronic pain, then you understand just how debilitating it can be. It can negatively impact physical and mental well-being, and can be a drain on personal relationships and overall satisfaction with life. Desperate for a cure, many sufferers are turning to prescription pain medication for relief. While this decision is most definitely warranted in many instances, the addition of physical therapy can also be very beneficial

Research shows that opioids may in fact increase a patient’s sensitivity to pain, making it even more likely to become dependent on them. It is for these reasons that Excel Therapy encourages and empowers patients to take control of their bodies by seeking alternatives for chronic pain management. At Excel Therapy, we employ a variety of techniques to treat chronic pain, ranging from manual therapy to more specialized treatment through dry needling and ASTYM therapy.

Are you experiencing pain and feel like you’ve tried everything under the sun? If you are prescribed prescription medication, we encourage you to also give physical therapy a try. Our innovative, highly trained therapists are standing by to answer your questions, provide a through examination, and offer a wide range of treatments to fit your needs.

The choice is in your hands. Choose PT!

I have been a practicing Physical Therapist for 26 years. I am often asked, “Should I see a Chiropractor for my problem? Or, should I see a Physical Therapist?”

I have had the opportunity, over the years, to work with many skilled Chiropractors to treat and help patients recover from their injuries or movement dysfunctions. Depending on the type of problem which may be acute or chronic, spinal, or dealing with the extremities, the skill set or specialty of the Physical Therapist or Chiropractor, are what determines a successful outcome.

A Physical Therapist or Chiropractor, in my experience, can work together using their unique skills and area of specialty, to help all patients that have a spine or extremity problem.

The Chiropractor will typically treat with manual or mechanical adjustments/manipulations of the spine or extremities, to reduce dysfunction and pain. In addition, it is also common that the Chiropractor will utilize, but not be limited to heat, cold, massage, and electrical modalities, for  pain management.

The Physical Therapist will approach a patients problems by evaluating movement imbalances, strength, balance and pain assessment.  It is common practice that both the PT and Chiropractor’s treatment approach can overlap and be quite similar. In the end, both professional interventions can compliment each other for the purpose of helping the patients we treat.

In my opinion…communication, mutual respect for each others treatment skills, and understanding the patients needs, will determine a successful outcome for the patient.  When dealing patients that have spine injuries, I feel that there is a time that both professions can benefit the patient.

So back to the question, “Should I see a Physical Therapist or a Chiropractor?  I believe this should be answered by looking at the patients age, physical condition, or type of problem/injury. It is possible that both the PT and the Chiropractor would be beneficial for the patient.  The best advice would be to discuss the issues at hand, with your primary care physician or call one of the Physical Therapist at Excel for recommendations. Remember, we as professionals  are all working together to improve YOUR quality of life.

— Todd Petty, PT, Central Tulsa Excel Therapy Location