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How Texting and Typing Can Affect the Hand and Wrist

Have you ever felt pain after typing or texting? If so, you’re not alone. More and more office workers and heavy phone users find themselves facing wrist pain from hours of intensive texting and typing. The repetitive motions required to … Continue reading →

Holiday Shopping Guide for 2023

Tis the season to start shopping for loved ones, coworkers, and friends! Now that Thanksgiving is over, it is time to start thinking about what gifts you are getting for the holidays. Not sure what you should get? No worries! … Continue reading →

Thanksgiving Exercises

Have you ever wondered how to make Thanksgiving enjoyable without gaining extra pounds? Although this holiday is all about enjoying delicious food, with some creativity and discipline you can have your cake (or pie) and eat it too. With a … Continue reading →

Items That Can Help with Diabetic Care

Are you interested in ways to better manage your diabetes? Managing diabetes can be challenging, but there are tools available that can make the process easier. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or have been managing diabetes for many years, there is … Continue reading →

National Diabetes Month 2023

As we enter November, it’s time to recognize National Diabetes Month. Now in its third decade, the American Diabetes Association has spearheaded this annual event devoted to spreading awareness about diabetes. Each year in November, diabetes patients across the nation … Continue reading →

Halloween Activities to Improve Fine Motor Skills

Happy Physical Therapy month and Happy Halloween! Are you looking for ways to help your kids have fun this Halloween while also sharpening their motor skills? Halloween is the perfect time to get creative and explore some unique activities that … Continue reading →

Yoga Poses You Can Do to Fight off the Common Cold

Yoga Poses You Can Do to Fight off the Common Cold Are you sick of being bogged down by cold symptoms like nasal congestion, sneezing, and the never-ending cycle of tissue boxes? If so, then know that relief is closer … Continue reading →

How Yoga Can Help You with a Cold

Having a cold is always an unpleasant experience. Sneezing, coughing, and feeling completely exhausted can be debilitating – and not to mention, all the over-the-counter medicines you need to take just to relieve some symptoms! But if you’re looking for … Continue reading →

What Does a Chiropractor Do?

Have you ever wondered what a chiropractor does? Chiropractic care has long been praised for its ability to provide relief from muscle and joint pain, but there is far more to it than that. Chiropractic practitioners are knowledgeable professionals who … Continue reading →

National Chiropractic Health Month 2023

Chiropractors have an incredible opportunity to make a difference in the health and well-being of our communities. They all strive for excellence in providing personalized, safe, and effective care. The month of October has come to represent National Chiropractic Health … Continue reading →

How to Use a Yoga Block

Yoga blocks are great add-on accessories for yogis of all levels, allowing you to explore new poses and deepen your practice with ease. When it comes to the best yoga blocks around, the CanDo® Yoga Block is the one to … Continue reading →

Why You Need to Use a Yoga Block

Are you looking to deepen your yoga experience? If so, then it might be time to consider investing in a yoga block. Yoga blocks are an incredibly versatile tool that allows yogis of all levels to feel the enhanced benefits … Continue reading →

Best Tools to Use for Hydrotherapy

Are you looking to better utilize hydrotherapy in your physical therapy practice? Hydrotherapy is a great tool for helping patients manage pain, muscle soreness, and other muscular ailments. And when armed with the right equipment and resources, you can make … Continue reading →

Why Swimming is Beneficial

It may be the beginning of September, but it is still warm enough to go swimming. Swimming is the perfect way to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. Whether you’re an adult, senior, or someone who needs physical therapy, the … Continue reading →

How to Strengthen Your Ankles

Whether you are an active adult or a senior looking for ways to improve your balance and flexibility, strengthening your ankles is key. After all, our ankles play such an important role in how we move about daily. Below are … Continue reading →

The Importance of Strong Ankles

Many of us take our ability to stand and move around for granted, but the truth is that having a strong set of ankles is essential in order to prevent injury and maintain healthy balance and mobility. Ankles that are … Continue reading →

What Do Monofilaments Do?

Monofilaments can truly be a lifesaver. As a health care professional or patient, it’s important to be aware of these tools commonly used in the medical setting. Monofilaments are small instruments designed to test sensation on the skin and can … Continue reading →

What is Active Sitting?

It can be hard sometimes to stay productive and focused on work while having to sit in a chair all day. If you have ever noticed your coworkers shifting more often in their chairs or slowly rising from one position … Continue reading →

How to Sit Correctly at your Desk

Calling all office workers! Are you spending most of your day sitting in a chair? Maybe your back starts to ache or your neck gets sore. If you’re slouching and uncomfortable while trying to concentrate on tasks, it might be … Continue reading →

Training for a Stronger Back

Are you dealing with back pain on a regular basis? We’ve all been there, struggling with the discomfort and frustration of recurring aches and pains. If so, you may have considered how training for a stronger back could be beneficial … Continue reading →

What to do if you have Back Pain

If you’re one of the millions of people who suffer from back pain, you’re not alone! Back pain is one of the most common complaints amongst adults. The good news is there are several things you can do to help … Continue reading →

Best Hand Massagers

Do you experience tension, pain, and discomfort in your hands? Many adults today are increasingly using their hands more and more frequently. Whether you’re looking for relief from constant typing or want something to help ease muscle tension, a hand … Continue reading →

Stay Healthy this July 4th

July 4th is a time for celebration and fun, but with all the BBQs and family gatherings it’s easy to forget about our health. Fortunately, there are so many simple ways to stay healthy while still participating in all your … Continue reading →

Why Aquatic Therapy is Important

Have you ever considered incorporating aquatic therapy into your physical therapy sessions? Aquatic therapy is an increasingly popular form of physical rehabilitation and fitness that takes place in a pool. It can be incredibly beneficial to patients suffering from chronic … Continue reading →

How to Stay Hydrated this Summer

Tomorrow is the first day of summer! Summertime is the perfect opportunity to soak in all that warm sunshine, spend time with friends and family outdoors, and enjoy seasonal fruits and vegetables. But it’s also important to remember how crucial … Continue reading →

Protect Yourself from Wildfire Smoke Particulates with N95 Masks

Smoke particulates from the severe wildfires in British Columbia and Alberta, Canada, have blanketed parts of the U.S. East Coast and spread as far south as Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Mississippi. Though wildfire season has just begun, the Canadian wildfires have … Continue reading →

How to Evaluate for Scoliosis

Scoliosis is an incredibly common condition that can affect young people at an early age. Evaluating this spinal curvature disorder can help diagnose and address any present issues before they become major concerns. Thankfully there are tools available that make … Continue reading →

National Scoliosis Awareness Month 2023

It’s National Scoliosis Awareness Month and it’s time to take a closer look at this common medical condition. It is important to make sure those diagnosed with scoliosis are properly informed about any conditions they may have, particularly for young … Continue reading →

The Benefits of Lifting Chairs

Do you care for the elderly or a person with limited mobility? If so, have you heard of lift chairs? While they may sound like furniture found in a gym, lift chairs are specialized chairs designed to help those who … Continue reading →

Stretches To Help with Lower Back Pain

Do you suffer from lower back pain? If so, you’re certainly not alone. Lower back pain affects 72.3 million people, or three out of 10 adults in the U.S., according to a survey from The Harris Poll. The survey, which … Continue reading →

How Can I Improve My Fascial Fitness?

Fascia is a thin casing of connective tissue that envelops every organ, bone, muscle, blood vessel and nerve fiber, and keeps it all in place. As you can imagine, fascia health is extremely important. Performing exercises to strengthen the fascia … Continue reading →

Using Warm Compresses to Alleviate Arthritis Pain

May is Arthritis Awareness Month! Nearly one-fourth of adults in the U.S. suffer from arthritis, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Arthritis, which has symptoms that include swelling, pain, reduced range of motion and stiffness, … Continue reading →

What is Fascial Training and Why is it Important?

It seems everywhere you look; people are talking about the benefits of fascial training. But what is it exactly and why should we care? This new and exciting fitness method is rapidly gaining popularity among athletes and everyday fitness enthusiasts … Continue reading →

Beginner Exercises That Can Help You Stay Active

If you take anything away from National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, it should be to exercise regularly. Regular exercise is one of the best things you can do for your health because of all the associated benefits. Exercise can … Continue reading →

National Blood Pressure Month: A Reminder to Know Your Numbers

May is National Blood Pressure Month. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, affects one-third of Americans, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is a major contributor to heart disease, heart attack and stroke, which are leading causes of … Continue reading →

National Physical Fitness and Sports Month 2023

May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month! This annual month-long recognition is dedicated to inspiring people of all ages and abilities to be more physically active. Whether you’re a fitness or sports enthusiast, or you’re new to exercising, this … Continue reading →

StayPut®: Your Ultimate Safety Solution

Slips and falls are some of the most common accidents that occur in homes, hospitals, and workplaces. Resulting injuries can range from minor bumps and bruises to serious head injuries and fractures. Fortunately, you can take proactive measures to prevent … Continue reading →

Why Non-Slip Material is Important

Patient safety is one of the most important responsibilities of health care and assisted living facilities, and it’s no secret why. Accidents happen in the blink of an eye—which is why non-slip material is so valuable to have in your … Continue reading →

How to Exercise on a Budget

It’s no secret that gym memberships can be quite costly. Depending on the type of gym you join—i.e., boutique fitness studios versus health club chains—the extra fees can be a source of frustration, especially in addition to other monthly bills. … Continue reading →

Tools of the Trade – Occupational Therapy Edition

Occupational therapists (OTs) help patients develop, improve, and maintain the skills needed to participate in daily living. In therapy sessions, OTs simulate everyday life activities, or occupations, so patients can work on regaining and retaining their independence. Basic physical activities … Continue reading →

Occupational Therapy Month 2023

April is Occupational Therapy Month; a time to celebrate, honor and recognize the work of occupational therapy practitioners around the country. Nearly 130,000 people in the U.S. work in this extraordinary profession, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Over … Continue reading →

Best Home Gym Equipment for 2023

Since the pandemic happened, a lot of people started working out from home and have not looked back. Working out from home has its benefits. The biggest one being not having to leave the convenience of your own home. One … Continue reading →

Workout While Sitting Down

If you work in an office, you spend a lot of your time sitting down. Making you inactive during most of your day. Our bodies are meant to be active throughout the day, so we can get that blood flowing … Continue reading →

How to Choose the Right Pillow for a Better Night’s Sleep

Sleeping on a pillow that’s hard as a rock? Sometimes the easy solution to better sleep is having the right pillow. This week sparks the 25th anniversary of National Sleep Awareness Week, it’s a reminder to choose the right pillow … Continue reading →

National Sleep Awareness Week 2023

“Am I getting enough sleep?” is a common but important question that we should all ask ourselves from time to time. A good night’s sleep is essential to feeling refreshed and energized the next day. Without sufficient rest, we become … Continue reading →

How to Prevent Heartburn

Heartburn can be very uncomfortable, especially if it happens frequently. That burning pain in your chest and throat can make doing everyday activities more difficult. But the good news is that you can manage it. By changing your lifestyle, you … Continue reading →

What Causes Heartburn?

Having frequent heartburn? Even though the name suggests it, heartburn has nothing to do with the heart. (So much for another heart-related blog for American Heart Month.) Heartburn is identified as an uncomfortable, burning pain felt in the chest and … Continue reading →

Get Your Heart Healthy for Valentine’s Day

Nothing makes the heart grow fonder or stronger like a good workout. Not only is the heart a symbol of love, but it’s also what’s keeping you alive and healthy. To ensure your heart stays well and strong, it’s important … Continue reading →

American Heart Month 2023

Ah, February! The time of the year where you learn what your heart desires… and we are not talking about Valentine’s Day. February is American Heart Month, a great time to learn and focus on your cardiovascular health. This year, … Continue reading →

Grip Strength Can Be a Prognostic Factor for Dexterity.

Did you know that grip strength can tell you a whole lot about an individual’s dexterity. Dexterity is extremely important to allow us to perform various tasks and activities of daily living. Understanding the relationship of grip strength and dexterity … Continue reading →

Quick Exercises to Help You Lose Weight

Feeling lost when it comes to weight loss? Weight loss isn’t something that happens magically overnight, but with some hard work and dedication, you can certainly reach your goals. Diet and exercise are both key, as well as patience and … Continue reading →

Exercises are Strategies. Strategies are Exercises.

Clinicians will often prescribe therapeutic exercises to address various impairments and functional limitations. These exercises are specific in nature to help patients improve strength, range of motion, decrease pain, decrease disability, and improve overall general functional mobility.  Exercises can have … Continue reading →

How to Maintain Your New Year’s Fitness Resolution

For some, it is easy to keep their gym goals as they have been doing it for years. But what about the people who have made it their goal to go to the gym for their new year’s resolution? Around … Continue reading →

Can’t Grip Dumbbells? Here Are Some Alternatives.

Some patients may experience difficulties with gripping exercise equipment, such as dumbbells. Grip strength can be affected by impairments and functional limitations due to a medical condition or injury. The clinician may have trouble choosing alternative exercises for these clients, … Continue reading →

Exercises to Help Manage Knee Pain

Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or someone who simply enjoys walking, your knees play a vital role in everyday activities. So, it can be quite debilitating when you start experiencing knee pain—at any point in life. Knee pain is a … Continue reading →

What Can I Do for Achilles Tendonitis?

Achilles tendinopathy is a common condition experienced by many individuals. Those who participate in recreational or competitive sports may be susceptible to developing this condition.1 Evidence indicates clinicians should utilize mechanical loading to decrease pain and improve overall function.1 Exercises … Continue reading →

How to Manage Knee Pain

Click. Click. Click. You know you’re getting older when your body starts making sounds in areas that you’ve never heard before.   If you hear a clicking sound when you go up or down the stairs, it’s probably your knees. … Continue reading →

What are the Most Important Questions to Ask During an Initial Interview with a Patient?

The initial interview is probably one of the most important moments of a patient’s episode of care. This is an opportunity for clinicians to learn how to receive prudent information that will help guide them during clinical decision making. The … Continue reading →

4 New Exercises for the New Year

Happy New Year! It is a new year and possibly new you. If you are one of the many people who made their new year’s goal to start exercising again, it is time to get motivated! Sometimes it can be … Continue reading →

How to Individualize Pinch Grip Strength Evaluations? The Baseline BIMS Pinch Dynamometer.

Pinch grip strength is an important objective measurement that is generally taken during regular physical examinations of patients presenting with various impairments and functional limitations. Pinch grip strength is important to assess as it allows us to perform everyday tasks … Continue reading →

How You Can Prepare for a Healthy New Year

With the holiday season ending and the new year fast approaching, it is important to set your goals on what you want to accomplish for next year. Since the pandemic, having and maintaining a healthier lifestyle has never been more … Continue reading →

How To Individualize Hand Flexion Strengthening? Try the CanDo® Digi-Flex Multi®.

Hand strengthening is important to help address grip strength deficient, muscular imbalances, and improve overall function.  Hand flexion strengthening is important for certain tasks including activities of daily living.  Hand flexion strengthening is also important as it makes up many … Continue reading →

Best Exercises to do with a Cold

Want to work out before or during the holiday season but have a slight cold? If you are feeling under the weather but still feel up to exercising, by all means go for it. Just know that your body is … Continue reading →

Can You Objectively Measure Pain?

Pain is a common symptom associated with a patient’s clinical presentation.  Understanding pain is extremely important to help guide clinical decision making as well as the entire episode of care.  Pains allows us to truly understand what the patient is … Continue reading →

Can You Exercise with a Cold?

Aaachoo! The weather is getting colder, and you know what that means…a lot of people are getting sick. Sometimes it can be unavoidable because both your coworkers and the people you live with at home have a cold. But can … Continue reading →

Trouble Measuring with Goniometers? Give These a Try!

Goniometry is important to objectively measure the range of motion of a given patient. This information will help guide clinical decision making and help the clinician develop the most effective plan of care. However, sometimes it can be difficult to … Continue reading →

Holiday Shopping List 2022

Tis the season to start shopping for loved ones, coworkers, and friends! Now that Thanksgiving is over, it is time to start thinking about what gifts you are getting for the holidays. Not sure what you should get? No worries! … Continue reading →

The CanDo® Wrist/Forearm Exerciser.

Clinicians will prescribe certain exercises to help address individual impairments and functional limitations of a given patient. Typically exercises may include very general exercises including wrist curls and stretches. A lot of these exercises are very generic and can be … Continue reading →

How to Begin Exercising

Exercising is one of the best things you can do to keep your body healthy. If you are a beginner, it can be a daunting task to try to figure out where to even begin. You go to the gym, … Continue reading →

7 Ways to Measure Posture.

Measuring posture is important when we are evaluating our patients.  Understanding the clinical presentation of our patients allows the clinician to further understand how this may influence their respective impairments and functional limitations. However, sometimes we do not possess the … Continue reading →

Preparing for the Thanksgiving Feast

This Thursday is turkey day! Thanksgiving is a great holiday to spend with family. It is also a bit of an excuse to gorge yourself with all the delicious food. Only to regret it later that you consumed too many … Continue reading →

Treating the Wrist and Hand? Don’t Forget About Proximal Stability!

When we are treating a specific region of the body, we also need to understand how other regions contribute to what the patient is experiencing. This can be true when treating a patient for hand or wrist pathologies. Sometimes we … Continue reading →

How to Stay Safe During Flu Season

Have you noticed people starting to cough and sneeze in your office yet? You may think they just have a cold, but it might be the flu. Yes, flu season is here, so it is important to be well informed … Continue reading →

What Tools Do I Need for Long-Term Self-Management?

Once patients are discharged from an episode of care, they usually will review a self-management program to be performed at home. Self-management programs are crucial for patients to continue to progress and reach their respective goals. For patients to be … Continue reading →

Fight Diabetes with Exercise

For people who have diabetes, the benefits of exercise can’t be said enough. This is because exercise helps lower your blood sugar levels and boosts your body’s sensitivity to insulin, thus countering your body’s insulin resistance. Here are some exercises … Continue reading →

How to Make Pinch Strength Testing Individualized? The Baseline BIMS 5-Position Pinch Dynamometer.

Pinch strength testing is an essential objective measurement that should be performed with every physical examination. This information is important as it can tell us a lot in regard to a patient’s function and their overall quality of life. However, … Continue reading →

National Diabetes Month

November is the month where you start thinking about eating turkey and buying presents. It is also a month about raising awareness about diabetes. Every year during the month of November, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) has an event to … Continue reading →

How Should We Evaluate In-Hand Manipulation?

So, what is in-hand manipulation (IHM)? In-hand manipulation, or IHM, is defined as the “adjustment of an object within the hand for optimal orientation after grasp.”1 IHM can be classified as the skill into shift, rotation, and translation. It plays a major … Continue reading →

Hand Exercisers for Gamer’s Wrist

Gamer’s wrist is an injury that everyone who uses a keyboard or game controller wants to avoid. It can happen with age, certain medical conditions such as arthritis or the overuse of your wrists and thumbs. It can be incredibly … Continue reading →

Pain Scores. Is the Glass Half Full or Half Empty?

We often will subjectively measure a patient’s pain level to capture what they are currently experiencing.  This can be achieved with obtaining different values including numerical, visual, or even with faces.  Gathering this information is important as it can help … Continue reading →

What is Gamer’s Wrist?

Do you enjoy playing video games during your free time? Well, you are a part of the majority then, according to the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) roughly two-thirds of Americans play video games regularly. That is more than 215 million … Continue reading →

If You Have a Balance Pad, You Need a Mat to Go with It!

Does your cell phone have a case on it? Of course, it does!  Anyone with a smart device typically will want to protect it using a case. Users want to keep their investment safe and secure.  The same goes for … Continue reading →

The Most Popular Chiropractic Tools

The number one most popular chiropractic tool is the chiropractor’s own hands, but sometimes their hands need some additional help to provide the best care possible. If you ever looked around a chiropractor’s office, there are all sorts of tools … Continue reading →

How To Improve Shoulder Range of Motion?

Individuals who experience shoulder pain may have difficulty with performing shoulder range of motion to participate in daily activities.  Daily activities may include dressing, bathing, grooming, reaching, among many other tasks to help us throughout the day.  Those who are … Continue reading →

National Chiropractic Health Month 2022

Wow it is October already! It is that time of the year for all ghosts and ghouls to come out. Alongside this spooky month comes the appreciation for chiropractic health. That is right, this October the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) … Continue reading →

How Do I Manage Tight Muscles?

Individuals may experience tight muscles or muscle spasms on occasion whether it was the result of an injury or insidious onset.   Those individuals may seek the guidance of a medical professional to help decrease pain and improve overall function.  However, … Continue reading →

Fall into Physical Fitness with these Fun Tips

This week marks the first full week of Fall! With the end of summer comes changing leaves and dropping temperatures. But that does not mean you can’t still enjoy some outdoor physical activity. You might just have to adjust your … Continue reading →

Want to Feel Your Core Working? Try Pressure Biofeedback Gauges

Core stabilization exercises are excellent to improve strength, flexibility, range of motion, and better balance. However, performing these exercises can feel challenging. Sometimes we aren’t sure if we are activating the ‘right’ muscles when performing the exercises. Perhaps we need … Continue reading →

Postnatal Exercises You Can Do After Pregnancy

Postnatal exercises can help you recover, make you stronger and even improve your mood. If you’re eager to get moving, you might be wondering when it would be safe to return to exercise. While every pregnancy is different, if you … Continue reading →

How Should We Strengthen the Shoulder? Rhythmic Stabilization.

Shoulder pain is a common condition experienced by many people. Individuals may need to strengthen specific muscles to help reduce symptoms. Traditional shoulder exercises typically will focus on one plane of movement.  However, the human body moves and functions in … Continue reading →

Is it Safe to Exercise While Pregnant?

Pregnancy might seem like the perfect time to quit exercising or even allow you to put it off until after childbirth. This is likely due to feeling more tired than usual, and possible back aches associated with carrying extra weight. … Continue reading →

Should Grip Strength Testing Positions be Standardized?

Grip strength testing is an objective measure that is highly utilized among clinicians.  Grip strength testing can tell us a lot about an individual.  However, when we proceed to test these individuals, the question becomes, how should we test them? … Continue reading →

How to Clean Your Yoga Mat

Have you thought about cleaning your yoga mat? The truth is, with frequent usage, your yoga mat can quickly accumulate all your sweat, skin oils, dirt and grime. Between yoga classes and core workouts, your yoga mat might be harboring … Continue reading →

Grip Strength: A Prognostic Factor of Dexterity

Clinicians may choose from several objective measures when evaluating an individual for dexterity dysfunction including manual muscle testing, range of motion, special tests, and dexterity tests. All of these will provide valuable information to help guide clinical decision making throughout … Continue reading →

What Can I Take for Back Pain?

Back pain is no joke. Sometimes the pain can be so bad that you end up in urgent care. Which is why it is important to listen to your physical on what exercises you can do to help manage back … Continue reading →

Don’t Forget About Hand Extension Exercises!

Commonly, clinicians will prescribe wrist and hand exercises that primarily focus on hand flexion.  While this is important for performing activities of daily living, we cannot forget about hand extension. Strengthening hand extensors is important to prevent imbalance of antagonist … Continue reading →

How Physical Therapy Can Help with Back Pain

Backaches are no fun, especially when they happen suddenly and for no real reason. One minute you are fine and the next minute, you bend down wrong to pick something up and now you are in pain. While becoming a … Continue reading →

Boring Pronation/Supination Exercises? Give this one a try

Are you still prescribing boring pronation and supination exercises to your patients? Looking for something new and different? I would recommend looking at the CanDo Pronation/Supination Wrist Exercise Wheel.  What is the CanDo Pronation/Supination Wrist Exercise Wheel? The CanDo Pronation/Supination … Continue reading →

Exercise You Can Use to Practice Pilates

Pilates is a very popular exercise method that can be done by just about anyone. This is because Pilates uses your core and your whole body to gain balance, strength, mobility, and flexibility. This can help you with your everyday … Continue reading →

Let’s Cut to the Chase: You Need CanDo® Perf 100 Exercise Bands

Let’s start with these questions: How many of you still use scissors to cut exercise bands for your patients? How many of you waste time trying to cut exercise bands with lousy scissors? How many of you struggle doing this, … Continue reading →