Frank Martello, DDS: How PT Helped Me

Frank Martello, DDS: How PT Helped Me

dr_frank_martelloAs we continue to celebrate Physical Therapy month, we want to highlight another one of our PT superstars: Frank Martello, DDS.

In this video, Dr. Frank explains how back pain can affect dentists, surgeons and other professionals who lean over patients all day. Having a good relationship with a physical therapist and knowing the right stretches can help you develop the right strategies to protect your back and neck in the workplace.

 

Tips to help dentists practice without pain:

  • Evaluate your work environment: desk, treatment chairs, equipment. There are many modifications that can be made to help you work smarter without pain.
  • Regular stretching and strengthening exercises are a must! Stretch between each patient.
  • Use eye magnification at the proper focal length to manage your postures.
  • Modify your patient’s position to help you maintain good posture.

If you already have pain, try these physical therapy interventions for relief:

  • Joint and soft tissue mobilizations to reduce knots, cricks, and spasms.
  • Dry needling to reduce trigger points and normalize movement patterns.
  • Postural exercises.
  • Ergonomic assessment.

If you or someone you love experiences back or neck pain, please talk to a physical therapist today! Living with pain is not the best solution!

Billy Crawford: How PT Helped Me

Billy Crawford: How PT Helped Me

As we wrap up National Physical Therapy month, we have one more PT superstar we’d like to highlight: Billy Crawford. Billy is a retired school administrator that has developed a love of tennis in his free time.

While playing tennis, Billy started experiencing pain in his R hip. The pain affected him both physically and emotionally and “upset the rhythm on his daily life” so he decided to seek out a physical therapist to find relief.

In this video, Billy shares how physical therapy has helped him eliminate pain, restore daily function, and perform better on the tennis court.

 

Warming up before you play tennis can help reduce the risk of injury. Here are a few tips for our tennis players that will help warm up your muscles before you play:

  • Get to the court about 10 minutes early.
  • Use the walk from the parking lot to the court to walk briskly to get your blood flow going.
  • Exercise the big muscle group
  • Don’t be afraid to take 2-3 laps around the court to stay loose and keep the body moving.
  • Take 5-10 practice swings (forehands and backhands) gradually increasing the length and speed of your swing.

If you already have pain and it is affecting your daily life on and off the tennis court, please talk to a physical therapist today!