Traction Pain Relief & Wellness

Do you have chest pain or tightness?  Have you had breast cancer?  Have you undergone a mastectomy, partial mastectomy, breast reconstruction (TRAM Flap), augmentation or had your lymph nodes removed?  Do you feel like there is an “ace bandage” wrapped around you?  Do you have cording or tightness in your armpit?  Do you also have neck, shoulder or back pain? Have you had any major surgery or trauma to your abdomen or chest wall? If you answered yes to any of these questions, physical therapy and myofascial release can help you move better, feel less pain and return to the activities you enjoy most. There is a significant relationship between women with breast cancer and shoulder pain, frozen shoulder and rotator cuff injuries injuries. Here are a few (of the many) research articles highlighting this relationship: Quantitative analysis of shoulder function and strength after breast reconstruction Latissimus Dorsi Flap Reconstructi...

As a physical therapist I frequently have patients ask me if an orthotic is the answer to their foot pain. Recently, a patient came to me after a visit to the “Good Feet Store” where she was in search of a solution to her nagging foot pain that has negatively impacted her ability to go for walks around the neighborhood with her husband. She was excited as the salesperson at the store explained how their system of arch support would help "stretch and strengthen her feet". However, she was very disappointed at the price tag of such a solution. So she came to me seeking an alternative. Is an arch support the solution? To that I say “maybe”, but there are many other factors to consider. In 2014 the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) found the majority of Americans (77 percent) say they have experienced foot pain. Foot pain can have a profound impact on quality of life. Half of all adults say that foot pain has restricted their activities—like walking, exercising...

Not too long ago CrossFit gyms and their members  around the country were competing in the CrossFit Open. Maybe you've never heard of the Open...maybe you have. In short it's the first qualifying stage to make it to the CrossFit Games (the world's premier test to find the "Fittest on Earth). It sounds like CrossFit is just for the elite athletes of the world, right? WRONG Over the past few weeks I've developed a relationship with Chelsea Greenwood, owner of CrossFit Buckroe Beach. Chelsea is so passionate about her gym and the community and culture she is building to #makebuckroegreatagain and help people live full and healthy lives! Recently, she sat down for an interview with me to help me (and you) understand exactly what her CrossFit gym is all about and who is welcome. Hint: it's not just the elite athletes of Hampton Roads, VA. Dr. Elizabeth Brewer: When did you get into CrossFit and why? Chelsea Greenwood: I got into CrossFit in 2014 after my...

Muscles that feel tight are usually weak. This isn't 100% always the case, but from my experience, people that come to me complaining of chronic "tightness" in their muscles usually have perfectly normal flexibility.  Many time they are even more flexible than most people! So why do they always feel "tight"? The theory for why this occurs is that muscles that are underutilized or weak tend to fatigue very easily. This fatigue gives a sensation of discomfort to the nervous system and brain.  Since, many times, it is difficulty for most people to decipher what this sensation actually means without anyone telling them otherwise, it is interpreted as "tightness" rather than "weakness". So the natural response is to feel that we should stretch these muscles.  In some cases, stretching does seem to relieve this "tightness" in the short term, but the muscle(s) never really STOPS feeling "tight" all the time. You may h...

Are you working through back pain, knee pain, neck and shoulder pain, hip pain, or some sort of exercise injury? Have you ever been taught how to take care of your joints so you can recover better as you exercise or prevent arthritis from occurring or progressing as an aging human? Does learning strategies to bulletproof your body for life or physical activity sound like it may benefit you? Then, Physical Therapy might be for you! Maybe you're not sure what physical therapy does or if it can help. Maybe you've even tried PT before for your neck and shoulder pain and it didn't work so you don't think it can. Maybe you're skeptical and think surgery and/or painkillers are the only option for your back pain, and maybe even your physician told you that. Maybe you're working through some painful or stiff joints and you've been told to stop physical activity or exercise. That was probably not the answer you were looking for, but you just accepted it becaus...