Treat DIY Home Improvement Projects Like a Workout

The past several weeks has proven that most people are not inclined to sit idle at home as the world protects itself from the coronavirus. On the contrary, as people spend more time social distancing, DIY home improvement projects have surged. Related box stores have reported increased profits, and some industry surveys (i.e., Fixr.com) show […]
Summer Pro Tip: Wear your flip-flops with caution

Warmer weather means lighter clothing all around, and footwear is no exception. But before you grab the flip-flops for summer outings and activities, physical therapists join other medical professionals in offering a word of caution: long-term flip-flop use can be bad for the feet, as well as other parts of your body. Why? Because not only do flip-flops offer little […]
Creating New Health Habits to Get Through the Pandemic

Many of our daily routines have been upended by COVID-19 and the attempts we’ve all made to abide by phrases that weren’t so familiar at the start of 2020: social distancing, sheltering-in-place, and flattening the curve. And, as we “self-isolate” at home, we’ve often been forced to greatly alter old routines related to nearly all aspects of […]
Walk Away from Back Pain & Toward a Healthier You

The man who wrote the words, “We hold these truths to be self-evident,” was later quick to document what he discovered to be another unquestioning truth. “The sovereign invigorator of the body is exercise, and of all the exercises, walking is best,” Thomas Jefferson wrote during the mid-1780s. “There is no habit you will value […]
Physical Therapists Offering Virtual ‘Telehealth’ Visits

It’s said that necessity is the mother of invention. The team at Renew Physical Therapy is proving this by offering a new way to see and help patients during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. During this time of uncertainty, while social distancing is paramount, the Renew Physical Therapy team in Seattle is now offering patients a “virtual” option that ensures both personal […]
5 Exercise Ideas Amid COVID-19 Social Distancing

As the country bands together to slow the spread of COVID-19 (a.k.a., the coronavirus) through the practice of social distancing, many have found their regularly exercise routines disrupted. Gym closures, group fitness class cancellations and the closing of popular parks and trails have become commonplace, making it more difficult for people to get their recommended weekly dose of exercise. And yet, we’re in a time when exercise and physical fitness could do a […]
Seattle Health: Your Surgery Delayed by COVID-19? PT Can Help.

In an attempt to salvage supplies and resources during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, many U.S. hospitals and medical institutions have opted to postpone elective surgeries. This includes non-emergency surgeries scheduled to relieve pain and repair injuries related to the musculoskeletal system – arthroscopy, ligament and tendon repairs, joint replacement surgeries, and so on. Despite these […]
Artists: Don’t Let Pain or Injury Dampen Your Creative Spirit

We often don’t consider the long-term impact that practicing the fine arts can have on the body. Yet, according to physical therapists, dancers, musicians, visual artists and even performing artists are not immune to experiencing pain and injury related to their crafts. Artists of all types express themselves in ways that require various levels of strength, […]
Seattle Wellness: Why Flexibility Matters as You Grow Older

Though it often takes a back seat to strength and cardiovascular fitness, flexibility plays a critical role in ensuring one’s able to maintain a high level of independence and mobility during their Golden Years. While our muscles and tendons tend to naturally shrink and tighten as we age, that doesn’t put seniors at the mercy […]
Create Heart-Healthy Habits During Heart Month

February is American Heart Month, a time when health professionals like Seattle physical therapist Erik Norwood strive to raise awareness about maintaining and improving cardiovascular health. The month also serves as a sobering reminder that, as a society, we must do a better job of preventing heart disease, which continues to be the leading cause of death in the U.S. […]