Balance: not what it used to be? Have you noticed that your walking or balance is just a little different than it used to be? Gait is the manner in which a person walks and can tell us a lot about certain strengths, weaknesses, balance impairments, flexibility deficits or other dysfunctions that one should address to prevent falls or other injuries. Balance is the ability to maintain body equilibrium and is made up of the sensory and motor systems. The sensory systems include visual, vestibular and somatosensory systems which help tell your brain where you are in space and then […]
Managing TMJD
TMJD, or temporomandibular joint dysfunction, can be quite the mouthful! An estimated 10 million Americans suffer from TMJD due to hereditary and environmental contributing factors such as posture, hormones, occupation, and stress. Only 5 to 10 percent of those affected seek medical treatment, and on average wait more than 4 years to do so! What can we do? Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJD): First, let’s get acquainted with the key players: the temporomandibular joint (the TMJ of TMJD) acts like a hinge to connect your jawbone to your skull. Dysfunctions (the D in TMJD) can cause pain in the joint […]
Do Gratitude Activities Increase Mental Wellbeing in Healthy Adults?
Do Gratitude Activities Increase Mental Wellbeing in Healthy Adults? A study by Brianna Munson, PT, DPT My family has a tradition that every year at Thanksgiving we go around the table and share what we are thankful for. My dad was grateful for his current passion for the guitar, my brother for the new Fallout 4 video game and my mom for her upcoming retirement. High on my list was sleep, having just finished my Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT). As part of this doctorate I completed a systematic review and meta-analysis exploring the practice of gratitude. My ultimate goal […]
Get Your Year Started Right!
Get Your Year Started Right! A lecture by Travis Moore, PT, DPT Missed our lecture? Don’t worry! Catch up with us on our “In Case You Missed It” blog! We’ve all heard “new year, new you” and watched as our local gyms crowd with a surge of resolution-makers that tapper off by February but at Lafayette Physical Therapy we want to help you make it a lifelong habit! In a lecture lead by Wellness Services Coordinator, Travis Moore, PT, DPT we learned about the key components to a well-rounded and effective exercise program to keep our fitness and wellness resolutions. […]
Mommy Mechanics
The Mommy Body Mommies (and caregivers) are constantly bending over to pick up baby, toys on the floor, the dog bowl, the spilled peas and the arsenal of strollers, car seats and diaper bags. The constant and repetitive bending adds up to strain and unfortunately pain in our body’s tissues. Ultimately the best way to save our backs is to use alternative methods of lifting and carrying: we can encourage our toddlers to walk more, employ a stroller or place our child at our center of gravity in front of our body in a carrier or wrap, but when those […]
