Need a Little Help Getting Active? Try Physical Therapy

You know that regular exercise is crucial to living a healthy lifestyle. The CDC recommends adults aim for 150 minutes of moderate activity a weekโ€“about 22 minutes a day, so you donโ€™t have to toil away in the gym for hours. But hitting those numbers can still be a challenge, especially if you struggle with persistent pain or limited mobility.

Thatโ€™s where physical therapy at H2Orthopedic Aquatic and Physical Therapy comes in. Weโ€™re movement experts who understand all the impairments in your musculoskeletal system that can keep you from living the active, healthy lifestyle you crave. From pain management to maximizing your athletic performance, weโ€™ll help you meet your exercise goals.

Here are just a few of the ways we can help you get healthier. Ready to get started? Call our clinic today!

We Can Reduce Pain and Restore Mobility

Many orthopedic conditions and injuries can make regular exercise feel difficult (if not impossible).  Osteoarthritis, herniated discs, tennis elbowโ€“all can make you feel like itโ€™s easier just to sit this one out. In reality, though, all these conditions (and others) benefit from regular exercise.

Dealing with persistent pain or limited mobility? Our physical therapists offer several options for pain relief, including several manual therapy techniques, such as soft tissue manipulation, joint mobilization, or myofascial release. We use these techniques as the first step in preparing your body for regular movement.

Weโ€™ll also show you targeted, tailored exercises to reduce pain in the affected area. Joint pain often stems from muscular imbalances or postural impairments that stress the impacted joint, leading to discomfort and setting you up for more serious injuries. Strength training will help reduce your pain and get you moving again.

We Can Let You Know If Youโ€™re At Risk for an Injury

Did you know you donโ€™t have to wait until youโ€™re in pain to visit the team at H2Orthopedic Aquatic and Physical Therapy? Weโ€™re in the business of preventing injuries, not just treating themโ€“and we can help you enter into a new workout plan without fear!

Our comprehensive physical evaluations test the following:

  • Muscle strength and endurance
  • Overall mobility
  • Biomechanics, which looks at how your bodyโ€™s systems work together to get you moving
  • Balance and fall risk
  • Posture
  • Walking patterns
  • Functional movements that you might perform for work, hobbies, or recreation

During the screens, weโ€™ll look for potential impairments that might cause injuries down the line and suggest corrections to address themโ€“before they become a problem.

For example, letโ€™s say that you want to take up running after some time away. During your assessment, we noticed that you tend to bend forward at the waist when jogging. This habit means that every time your foot hits the ground, you cause more impact in your feet than necessary, which could, eventually, lead to an injury. 

By catching the form mistake nowโ€“and working with our physical therapists to correct itโ€“you lower your chances of suffering a knee injury (which could prevent you from exercising altogether).

Starting a new exercise program for the first timeโ€“or restarting one after some time awayโ€“can be deeply intimidating. You donโ€™t know which exercises you should do. You have no idea if youโ€™re performing movements correctly. Youโ€™re not even sure what types of exercise you would enjoy.

Our physical therapists can help with all these concerns and more. We can suggest an exercise program that suits your abilities, interests, and goals and work with you one-on-one to guide you through any unfamiliar movements or equipment. We can also suggest movement or activity modifications if somethingโ€™s too difficult and offer reassurance that even small changes can have a big impact.

Our team doesnโ€™t just help beginners, either. As you progress, you may find yourself plateauing or struggling with certain aspects of your performance. Our therapists can get to the bottom of things and develop a performance improvement plan so you can see the results youโ€™re looking for.

Tips for A Heart-Healthy Valentineโ€™s Day!

This year, donโ€™t forget the most important Valentine of all: your heart! With February being the month of love and American Heart Month, here are a few tips to combine them into one fabulous celebration:

  • Try a heart-healthy treat: Pomegranate seeds, good dark chocolate, and sweet strawberries are all delicious alternatives to candy hearts. 
  • Take a ballroom dance class with your sweetheart: Nothingโ€™s more romantic than a sweeping waltz or sultry tango. But ballroom dancing is also a great cardio workoutโ€“making it the perfect date night for American Heart Month!
  • Sink into a relaxing bubble bath: Stress contributes to cardiovascular disease, so this month, set aside time to rest and relax with a bubble bath. Dim the lights, burn a few candles, and settle down with your favorite romantic read.

Want more healthy heart tips this Februaryโ€“or any month of the year? Schedule an appointment with H2Orthopedic Aquatic and Physical Therapy today!

โ€“1 tbsp white chocolate chips

โ€“1/2 cup nonfat vanilla Greek yogurt

โ€“3/4 cup frozen raspberries

โ€“1 cup almond milk/milk of choice

โ€“1/2 cup ice

Fresh raspberries for garnish (optional)โ€“Fresh raspberries for garnish (optional)

In a small microwave-safe bowl, heat white chocolate chips for about 30 seconds and stir until smooth and melted through. Set aside to cool slightly. Add all ingredients, including melted chocolate, to a blender (or bullet, food processor, etc). Blend until smooth. Pour into glasses and top with fresh berries. Enjoy!

(Core, Lower Back)

Lie down on your back with your arms by your sides, your knees bent to 90-degrees, and your feet on the floor. Raise one arm up straight and one knee up towards the ceiling at the same time. Your arm should stay straight and be pointing straight up at the top and your knee should be at 90-degrees and be pointing straight up at the top.
3 Sets, 10 Reps.

Meet Our Team

  • Nicki-Birdsall-Front-Office-Coordinator-The-Fit-Institute-Chicago-IL.jpg
    Nicki B.
    Practice Manager
  • Wyatt W.
    PT, DPT
  • larry-l
    Larry L.
    PT, Co-Owner
  • Amy L
    Amy L.
    MBA, LMT, Certified Pilates Instructor, Co-Owner
  • Stefan-Gustafson
    Stefan G.
    PT, DPT, CI