I’m in the weight room at the Y. Focused in. Feeling my shoulders work, then my hips and knees and always my core. It is 8 a.m., quiet and only a few people here. I am in my zone. I
The Art of Physical Therapy
Celebrating Nordic Skiing in Concord
You may wonder what a flatlander from Indiana knows about Nordic skiing? Growing up in the midwest, we did our fair share of sledding and ice skating. After moving east, I went into Eastern Mountain Sports on Boston’s Commonwealth Avenue
Tools in the Toolbox: Dry Needling
Ask anyone at the office: I’m the “can do” person. The table won’t move up or down? Ask Maggie. She can fix it. Window stuck? Ask Maggie. She can get it unstuck. Computer not behaving? Ask Maggie. She will get
Forty Years as a PT: Life-Long Learning and Following Clues
After 40 years practicing as a physical therapist, I’ve been thinking a lot about what has kept my interest going all these years, long after graduating from PT school, and what’s helped to keep it all fresh. From the beginning,
Finding New Exercise Routines with Ankylosing Spondylitis
I’m a 28 year-old woman with a young daughter, dog, husband, demanding job and an overall active life. After a time of troubling symptoms, frustrations and some worrying, I was given a diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis (AS), a type of
Old Dog, New Tricks: When Dog Paddling Doesn’t Work In the Triathlon
Four years ago, I completed my first triathlon. I knew I would be able to do it, but there was just one thing. Triathlons involve running, biking and swimming. Running and biking I had mastered—hard work, but I have confidence
Shake Hands with Your Feet: Simple Strategies for Plantar Fasciitis
This may sound like a hokey way of thanking your feet for keeping you upright and moving for an average of 5,000 steps per day. But, if we multiply that number by 365 days in a year, that means our
Can What I Eat Really Change My Arthritis Pain?
I am a physical therapist and I have arthritis pain. There, I said it. Not a hard admission after all! Recently, many of my patients have been asking about things they’re hearing about helping arthritis pain by eating an anti-inflammatory
Going for Red: Women and Heart Health
This month I celebrate Go Red For Women, a campaign for heart health by American Heart Association. I write about this public health awareness effort in memory of my dad, and in honor of my mom. Every minute in America,
The Vital Heart: Breathing to Support Heart Health and Resilience
I am always ready, if not quite happy, for this time of year. The earth has entered a period of darkness and stillness. In the evening I am ready to retire to bed at an earlier, healthier, hour. After the