Our Monthly Newsletter
HEALTH & WELLNESS NEWSLETTER
INTRODUCING OUR BEND DON’T BREAK PROGRAM (details inside)
THE CONNECTION BETWEEN HIP & KNEE PAIN
412.278.1221 | FRITZPHYSICALTHERAPY.COM
Did you know that for a lot of people, their knee pain is not actually due to a problem with the knee, but one with the hip? At Fritz Physical Therapy, we frequently observe that a problem originating in the hip can be first felt as knee pain and vice versa. You might wonder how this is possible. The answer lies in what’s known as the kinetic chain, where the hip and knee joints work together. The interconnection means that an imbalance or dysfunction in one joint can lead to compensation and pain in the other. The good news is our therapists can help you figure out the source of your pain and, more importantly, guide you back to health. To move towards a healthier, pain-free life, we recommend you consult with one of our physical therapists as soon as possible! THE CONNECTION BETWEEN HIP & KNEE PAIN YOUR GUIDE TO RECOGNIZING THE SIGNS OF HIP & KNEE PAIN
At Fritz Physical Therapy, we believe in a holistic approach to healing. As musculoskeletal experts, we are trained to pinpoint the root cause of your condition, differentiate between hip and knee pain, and develop a plan that addresses the whole person, not just the symptom. THE TELLTALE SIGNS OF HIP PAIN
• Localized Discomfort and Stiffness: Hip pain generally starts as a localized discomfort in the groin area, often accompanied by stiffness restricting the range of motion. As the severity worsens, this pain can sometimes extend to the thigh and even the knee. • Morning Stiffness: One of the most commonly reported symptoms is morning stiffness, which typically eases as the day progresses. • Difficulty in Performing Daily Activities: Individuals with hip pain often find it challenging to bend over to tie shoes or picking up objects from the floor. This pain can intensify during movements like getting up from a seated position or walking uphill. (continued inside)
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CLASSIC INDICATORS OF KNEE PAIN
• Localized Pain and Swelling: A primary indicator of knee issues is localized pain, often accompanied by swelling. This can be especially noticeable after prolonged periods of activity. • Stiffness and Reduced Range of Motion: Another hallmark of knee pain is stiffness, which often restricts the knee’s range of motion. • Popping or Crunching Noises: Experiencing popping or crunching noises during knee movement is a sign that shouldn’t be ignored, as these sounds often signify underlying knee issues. • Difficulty in Bearing Weight: A large number of individuals with knee pain report difficulty bearing weight on the affected knee. This is often described as a feeling of weakness or instability, making activities such as climbing stairs or even simple walking difficult. While interconnected, the hip and knee are distinct structures with unique roles in our body’s movement and different responsibilities. Understanding these differences is vital in diagnosing and treating pain effectively. This is where the expertise of our physical therapist can help! NAVIGATING THE PATH TO RECOVERY At Fritz Physical Therapy, our physical therapists will conduct a comprehensive evaluation, and distinguish whether you’re dealing with an issue in your hip, knee, or both. After completing the evaluation, we’ll design a program focusing on the actionable steps you can take to ensure long- term relief and prevention of future injuries, including the following: • Tailored Therapeutic Exercises: Our therapists will provide you with stretching and strengthening exercises to help restore your mobility and function. For example, eccentric training focuses on elongating a muscle under tension, proving particularly effective in strengthening muscles and improving mobility. • Neuromuscular Re-education: This involves using exercises and manual techniques to restore normal muscle function and movement patterns. These techniques are especially effective in reducing pain and enhancing function, especially in individuals with hip and knee pain. Our therapists go beyond the surface, digging deep into your symptoms to identify the underlying issues and determining the true origin of your pain, whether the hip, the knee, or both. Our goal is to build a program that helps you get back to living your best life! Sources: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32643252/ • https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31621559/ • https:// pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30407271/ • https://journals.lww.com/jgpt/fulltext/2020/04000/hip_muscle_ strengthening_for_knee_osteoarthritis_.6.aspx •https://www.jospt.org/doi/10.2519/jospt.2018.7877
412.278.1221 | FRITZPHYSICALTHERAPY.COM
INTRODUCING OUR BEND DON’T BREAK PROGRAM
We are excited to introduce our new “Bend Don’t Break” program at Fritz PT! The ‘Bend Don’t Break’ program consists of 2 services meant to keep you strong, flexible and ready to move! We will be adding additional services to this program during the year – so stay tuned! • StayStrong – 40 minute customized sessions with our specialist focusing on what matters most – Staying Strong so you can maintain pace with the responsibilities and adventures of life! Whether it is keeping up with household chores and errands or wanting to gain a competitive edge on the course or court, we design strength programs to match your exact level of expertise – thus improving your health without any significant fatigue or soreness to slow you down later! Don’t lose what you spent a lifetime earning – StayStrong! • Ready, Steady…GO! – 40-minute small group class led by Catherine that focuses on balance, posture and confident movement! Classes run 1x week for 6 weeks and are limited to 5 participants. Catherine will be with participants every step of the way as she guides the class through a variety of movements and challenges shown to improve coordination, balance and confidence. INTRODUCTORY PRICING: • StayStrong: $55/Session, 10 session packages at $45/session • Ready, Steady .. GO!: $125/6 week Session; Classes meet 1x/week; Maximum 5 participants per class. Mention this newsletter when signing up for $50 off a 10 session StayStrong package or $20 off your Ready, Steady .. GO! 6 week session!
StayStrong & Ready, Steady .. GO! Sessions Are Led By Our Very Own Catherine Rodgers
Catherine brings over 40 years of dance and fitness experience to Fritz Physical Therapy. She holds a BA in Dance from Point Park University, and has taught ballet and modern dance in Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, and England. She was a member and soloist with Katja Biesanz Dance Theater in Los Angeles, and later served as Creative and Performing Arts instructor at Mattersey Hall College in S.Yorkshire, England. After returning to Pittsburgh in 2007, she became a Zumba and Zumba Gold instructor while working at Pitt, and soon added a Group Fitness Instructor certification through AFAA (Athletic and Fitness Association of America), followed by a Personal Trainer certification through NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine). Catherine uses an integrated approach incorporating posture, alignment and core strength to every move, because moving better = feeling better, and that makes each day more enjoyable! Catherine loves to hike and travel with her husband of 40 years and can still do ‘ninja moves’ with her grandkids. Catherine has earned and holds the following certifications: NASM Certified Personal Trainer, AFAA Certified Group Fitness Instructor, Silver Sneakers Instructor, Certified Revelation Wellness Instructor Space and availability is extremely limited and will be offered on a first come, first served basis – email Catherine or Brian with questions or to register for services (crodgers@fritzphysicaltherapy.com, bfritz@ fritzphyhsicaltherapy.com) FOLLOW THESE SIMPLE STEPS TO A PAIN-FREE LIFE Are you ready to embrace a lifestyle that promises better mobility and less pain? At Fritz Physical Therapy, we are here to guide you every step of the way, fostering a future where you feel better, move better, and live better! Scan the QR code to get started today!
412.278.1221 | FRITZPHYSICALTHERAPY.COM
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