The Benefits of Physical Therapy and How it Can Help You

What is Physical Therapy for? 

The American Physical Therapy Association states that a physical therapist is a licensed medical professional that specializes in treating and restoring physical mobility, maintaining physical function and promoting physical activity. 

Trained Physical Therapists develop a treatment plan to help clients recover, restore and maintain physical functions. Physical therapy is often used when clients have an injury, pain during physical activities or other health conditions that need treatment. 

Trained physical therapists typically specialize in different areas of physical therapy. Here at Klein Physical Therapy, we specialize in: Pelvic Floor Therapy, Pregnancy and Postpartum Care, and Spine Physical Therapy. Both Katie and Lea utilize trigger point dry needling, myofascial decompression, and other techniques to maximize results for patients. They also have a heavy focus on joint mobilization, soft tissue work, and other myofascial work, such as cupping.

Who needs Physical Therapy? 

Physical therapists treat people of all ages who experience discomfort and/or pain during physical activities. Patients get specialized treatment plans to help recover or deal with pain management. 

Physical therapy can be beneficial to you whether you are battling a chronic condition, a short term injury, or recovering from pregnancy and giving birth (this is one of our top modalities - helping women with pelvic floor dysfunction).

Licensed physical therapists typically treat people who are experiencing abnormal physical function in at least one specific area as a result of an injury, disability, disease, or condition. After restoring physical function to the affected area(s), the physical therapist’s aim is to maintain that physical function, as well as promoting physical activity through different methods, such as at-home exercises the patient can practice by themselves.

Promoting physical activity after the body has healed from the discomfort/pain they experience ensures that the patient will continue to gain strength in the affected area(s), as well as improving their overall mobility. The simple answer to “who needs physical therapy?” is anyone who experiences pain or discomfort on a regular basis as a result of a past trauma/physical injury.

Top Benefits of Physical Therapy?

Reduces Pain 

Exercises in physical therapy can help to treat pain in the muscles and joints for example. These therapies also have been effective at preventing returning pain. 

A reduction in pain could also potentially lead to decreasing or stopping pain medications all together, which is definitely an added benefit.

Recover from an Injury or Pregnancy

Physical therapists constantly see athletes of all skill levels and can design appropriate recovery plans. 

Depending on the pregnancy, some people may need to attend physical therapy postpartum. For example, if a pregnancy causes a lot of physical pain and discomfort or injury that continues into the postpartum period, physical therapy might be necessary.

Prevents Surgery 

Physical therapy can be used as an off ramp for surgery because muscle and joint pain is reduced for clients eliminating the need. 

Oftentimes healthcare professionals prescribe physical therapy before resorting to surgery. 

Depending on the severity of the injury, physical therapy is almost always recommended either in replacement of surgery or as a part of a patient’s recovery plan.

Improves Movement

Physical therapists use stretching and muscle building exercises to help reduce discomfort and improve general muscle mobility.

Often clients’ balance is improved after attending appointments. 

Physical Therapists must determine where a loss of range of motion is coming from.  A lack of movement can come from strength or motor planning (coordination), or from joint or soft tissue restrictions. 

If the loss of motion comes from the joint, joint mobilization is necessary to restore movement. If the loss of motion is from soft tissue, we use soft tissue mobilization (massage), myofascial release, or other tools such as trigger point dry needling or myofascial decompression. When movement in restored, healing and pain relief are possible.

Manage other Health Conditions

Physical Therapy helps a range of health conditions from diabetes,  stroke recovery, arthritis, osteoporosis, heart and lung diseases, constipation, fibromyalgia and much more.

By practicing different methods such as cupping and myofascial decompression, physical therapists can not only improve and heal the body from past trauma or injury, but help manage other health conditions related to the bodily injury.

What to expect in Physical Therapy?

Your first appointment involves an evaluation in which you will be asked to answer questions such as: When did the pain start? And what activities cause this pain? 

TIP: Wear athletic clothes, like gym shorts for knee pain, so that your therapist can see the joint movement. 

After the evaluation and reviewing your medical history, you and your therapist will go over your assigned treatment plan.

Often, you will have to participate in home exercises as part of your program and have regular appointments.

At Klein Physical Therapy, we work very hard to ensure your whole experience is great. “When you arrive at Klein Physical Therapy, you will immediately feel as though you are entering a warm, holistic environment, instead of a doctor's office.” Rather than focusing on the affected area(s) alone, we utilize a “whole body approach” that examines the area(s) where the patient is experiencing pain, and any potential areas that could be contributing to the pain.

How long is Physical Therapy?

Physical therapy can range from a week to month long treatment plans. Every person is different and there are a multitude of factors that go into developing a prognosis.

Once you meet with your physical therapist they will help to develop a personalized plan to help you achieve your health goals!  It is good to know that most patients will have at-home exercises they need to practice, as this usually increases progress in terms of mobility and pain management.

About Klein Physical Therapy, P.C. | Denver PT 

Klein PT, 2401 S Downing St, Denver, CO 80210.

Lea and Katie are experienced with helping athletes with physical therapy (helping runners is a top focus for us) as well as helping mothers and soon-to-be moms with pelvic pain and pelvic floor dysfunction. We are also trained in dry needling, which can be an excellent complement to physical therapy and total wellness.

Get to know us and consider scheduling a 30-Minute Discovery Session (new clients only please!). We look forward to meeting you!

Reviews from Our Physical Therapy Clients at Klein Physical Therapy

“Katie Peters is an exceptional physical therapist! I was nearly hobbled with foot pain, and over the course of seven sessions the difference is remarkable. She does a great job explaining what she is doing and provides detailed descriptions via an app for home care.  I can't recommend her highly enough.” - Jim Teas

“Lea is an incredibly knowledgeable pelvic floor PT. You gain so much information about the source of your pain, and have visible progress after each appointment. Lea has an incredible way of explaining your medical conditions to you and encouraging you with practical ways of overcoming pain and living optimal health! Highly recommend for anyone even thinking of exploring pelvic floor PT. See Lea first!” - Emily Gilbert

 

RESOURCES AND FURTHER READING ON PHYSICAL THERAPY: 

https://www.burke.org/blog/2015/10/10-reasons-why-physical-therapy-is-beneficial/58

https://www.summitortho.com/2019/12/31/what-happens-in-a-physical-therapy-appointment/

https://gtc-pt.com/do-i-need-physical-therapy-4-ways-physical-therapy-can-be-helpful/

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/160645

https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-to-expect-from-pt-during-the-first-appointment-2696665

https://www.oleanpt.com/library/4298/WhatIsPhysicalTherapy.html

Celebrating Black Physical Therapists

Meet Thelma Brown, PT and Theodore “Ted” Corbitt, PT, MPT

At Klein PT, we are striving to include more heroic black stories. These two individuals have contributed so much to our industry of Physical Therapy that we were inspired to research and write a brief history of their contributions. Our industry is thankfully now an inclusive one for all. We treat every human as a human we seek to heal. We’ve included links for further reading in the footnotes if you are interested in learning more about these amazing PT’s.

Thelma Brown, PT

Photos courtesy of American Physical Therapy Association Archive. From left: Lynda Woodruff, Vilma Evans, Arnold Bell, Thelma Brown Pendleton, Mary McKinney Edmonds, and Leon Anderson. (Read More)

Thelma Brown was born in Georgia and became a nurse in the 1930’s. She had always wanted to become a physical therapist, yet at the time, as with so many fields, the classes to become one were generally barred to black Americans. 

When that policy was lifted, she was able to successfully become the fifth black American to become a PT in the 1940’s. Brown graduated from Northwestern University with her physical therapy certificate and went on to lead several renowned physical therapy departments including the Provident Hospital and La Rabida Children’s Hospital and Research Center. 

Ted Corbitt, PT, MPT

Theodore “Ted” Corbitt

An Olympian, Ted Corbitt became the United States’ first African American to represent the country as a marathon runner in 1952. He then graduated from New York University, earning an MA in physical therapy and teaching at Columbia University for 20 years. (Pictured in the header image of this article.)

Not only that, he was a US Army Veteran and worked as both professor and clinician for 44 years at the International Center for the Disabled in NYC. He’s set records upon records including “walking 303 miles in a single six day race.” Corbitt founded the course certification used today for distance runners and was the first physical therapist ever to teach “connective tissue massage, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, progressive resistance exercise and applied kinesiology.” 

Further Reading

There are so many black Americans that contributed to our field in this country and we encourage you to read more about their incredible stories. Below are a few links to get you started. Thank you for reading!

Resource Links:

American Physical Therapy Association, “Vision, Courage, Compassion: Black Physical Therapists Who Transformed the Profession,” Feb. 19, 2019. 

Athletico Physical Therapy, Health Resources, “Celebrating Black History in Physical Therapy,” Feb. 19, 2020. 

Theodore “Ted” Corbitt, An American Pioneer, “For Distance Running He Was Like Jackie Robinson, Lou Gehrig, and Bill Russell.”

Arch Med Health Sci 2014;2:257-60, “The Rise of Physical Therapy: A History in Footsteps,” 2014.

21 Surprising Facts About Your Pelvic Floor

Your pelvic floor is a (somewhat) rarely discussed part of the human body.

It helps us urinate, has a role in intercourse, helps with bowel movements, and stretches quite a bit during pregnancy and giving birth. The latter of which is why many of our clients reach out. 

How can we coordinate the pelvic floor to reduce pain during sex, stop leakage, and “get back to normal”? Physical therapy helps! And, we recommend seeing a PT before getting pregnant (if possible), during, and definitely after pregnancy to properly strengthen this vital set of muscles. 

Did you know? 

1. The pelvic floor is made up of layers of muscles and other tissues

2. It’s shaped like a hammock, from your tailbone to your pubic bone

3. Exercises can help reduce the need for surgery for pelvic floor dysfunction

4. Passing wind from the vagina when bending over can be a sign of PFD

5. Pelvic floor issues can affect both men and women 

6. If you’re experiencing chronic jaw soreness, your pelvic floor could be why

7. Pelvic floor work is part of strengthening your core

8. Doing Kegels on your own is not recommended (ask a professional - these could actually harm you!)

9. Pain when inserting a tampon or having sex is not considered “normal” and could be a pelvic floor issue

10. Overexercising your pelvic floor can also lead to problems

11. The pelvic floor is controlled by the brain and nervous system

12. Pelvic floor dysfunction can cause lower back pain

13. The stronger your pelvic floor… the stronger your orgasms (yes, truth!)

14. Lower estrogen levels can result in weakened pelvic floors

15. You can experience pelvic floor issues even if you had a C-section

16. Caffeine and alcohol can negatively affect your pelvic floor as they are diuretics and cause your kidneys to create more urine (if you can, try to switch to decaf as much as possible!)

17. Pelvic muscle spasms can be attributed to pelvic floor dysfunction

18. A frequent need to urinate could be a sign of pelvic floor dysfunction

19. Almost one-quarter of women face pelvic floor disorders

20. Women and men who are overweight or obese may have more pelvic floor issues

21. You can fix many, many problems associated with your pelvic floor through targeted, specific exercises and PT!

Both Lea and Katie of Klein Physical Therapy in Denver, Colorado can treat pelvic floor issues. It doesn’t have to be something you “just live with.” Life can be more enjoyable with a healthy pelvic floor. Join us in-person and virtually with pelvic floor workshops and education, as well as one-on-one sessions with either of our specialized physical therapists.

Living With Pain and Injuries

(And Why You Shouldn't Put Off Trying Physical Therapy)

“And when I go like this, it hurts,” says the patient. So the doctor says, “Don’t do that.” Yet, the physical therapist says, “how about trying this, so that you can still do that.” 

When Doing the Things You Love, Hurts

No matter the activity, running, yoga, “momming”, cycling, climbing… when you injure yourself and have to stop, it has devastating results. Not just physically, but emotionally too. And, it can spiral to where you stop trying to be active, because the pain keeps coming back. 

Our bodies are interconnected in amazing ways. Take acupressure for example. Have a pounding headache? Squeezing the area between your thumb and pointer finger can reduce the pain. Similarly, with physical therapy, we use modalities to strengthen parts of the body that support other “weaker” parts. In short, physical therapy can reduce pain by helping you get stronger, diversifying the muscles you’re using, and reducing strain. 

Living With Pain Might Not Have to Be Your Only Option

“I’m fine,” you tell yourself. But are you really? Maybe for most of the day until you bend in that one particular way or come down hard on that knee during a run. Ouch. There it is again. What if you didn’t have to feel so much pain? What if it could be reduced so that you really could enjoy the activities you love? Cue physical therapy. 

“Have you tried __________________ ?”

If you’re someone who has been living with an injury, pain or chronic pain, you’re probably straight up sick and tired of (well-meaning) people asking you if you tried this or that. Yes, yes, I’ve tried that med, that herb, that stretch, that modality… you might say. 

But simply because you’ve tried a lot, doesn’t mean you’ve tried it all. It could simply be that you haven’t been matched with the right person, or that the timing of that particular remedy was off. Please, don’t give up. You do not have to live with gripping pain each and every day of your life. 

Worried that Physical Therapy Might Not Work? 

It’s an investment, simply put. Yet, it could be the one thing that (finally!) pays off. We offer a complimentary 30-minute Discovery Session so that you can try out physical therapy without risk or detriment. You are worth it. 

Come on “in” - virtual sessions available! Or, come on in to our Denver office to meet us (safely) in person.

How To Be a Better Runner (Tips from a Physical Therapist)

Hi! I’m Katie Peters, one of the physical therapists at Klein PT in Denver, CO.

Katie Peters, DPT (that’s me!)

As some of you may know, I love working with athletes and that’s something I was so excited to bring to Klein PT. Even more than working with athletes… I LOVE working with runners.

Coming from a long history of running myself, I easily feel connected to this population. I love introducing simple principles to these athletes that can change their sport so quickly, help them finally accomplish a pain free race; and now, help the female runner complete her morning jog around the park without any pelvic floor dysfunction.

(If you haven’t heard, I too am now treating pelvic floor patients and I am thrilled to bring my two interests together.)

Enough about me. I’m here today to tell you how you can be a better runner. I want to share with you my knowledge and the current research on how to be faster, stronger and more efficient. And finally, I’m going to share with you how the pelvic floor works and supports you during your run. 

One of the most common questions that I get from runner’s is “how do I become a better runner?” Well, that depends… What does “better” mean to you? Faster? More endurance? Perhaps more efficient or decreased injury? The answer is: all of these things are achievable if you train your body properly. 

Let’s start by talking about speed. Running faster isn’t as simple as just taking quicker steps. 

The world record for cadence is between 180-200 steps per minute. You and I could do that if we had a metronome- but not for very long because this would require so much energy and effort on our part.  Speed ultimately comes down to power. If you want to be faster, you must generate more force through the ground with each step that you take→ more force through the ground equals more power and more power equals more air time.

Confused yet? Keep reading, and I promise this will start to make sense. Something I hear from patients all of the time (no matter what their endurance sport) is “I run x number of miles per week, I’m already strong!” The truth of the matter is running doesn’t actually put a high demand on your muscle fibers. So as a runner progresses, they actually start losing the ability to access different groups of muscle fibers. 

Don’t worry, I’m going to tell you how to start recruiting those muscle fibers to provide your body with more power and stability; but first I want to dive into why runner’s are at such a high risk for injury. I’ve been that person, you may have been too or at the very least have known someone who has trained for an endurance race, gotten injured mid training and pushed through anyway.  So why is running such a “high risk” sport? Every step you take while running is 2.5x your body weight and just so you understand what that means… that’s 250% more impact than walking.

With such repetitive activity, that’s a lot of stress through our bodies! How do we minimize that increased stress level while at the same time improving performance? The answer is reducing your loading rate AKA where your foot lands in relation to your body and having the stability and strength to absorb impact. An article from the Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy shows that individuals with patellofemoral pain demonstrated 26% less hip abduction strength and 36% less hip external rotation strength than their matched controls. What does that have to do with anything? I’ll give you a hint- your hip abductors and external rotators are where you get all of your stability!

Okay, so you’re probably wondering when I’m going to start giving you some useful tips. Well here it is. To be a better runner, you need to develop STABILITY and POWER.

This is done through form training exercises, developing strength in your proximal hip musculature and creating power through explosive movements. My advice to my running population is that you need to include 1-2 leg specific strength days in your routine per week; yes this means you shouldn't run EVERY day. Include a variety of exercises from traditional lifts such as deadlifts and squats to form training specific movements such as a Running Man to explosive movements such as squat jumps.

A systematic review in 2016 concluded that a strength training program which included low to high intensity resistance exercises AND plyometric exercises performed 2-3 times per week is an appropriate strategy to improve running economy in middle to long distance runners. 

So now you know why you need to strength train… but is that going to stop urinary leakage from happening? Not necessarily. Although hip strength and stability absolutely have to do with our pelvic floors, there could be many more contributing factors to why a person can’t jog a mile without needing to wear a pad.

At Klein PT, we see a lot of moms, and I think something we hear frequently is that they leak the “normal” amount during a run for a mom. I’m here to tell you that any leakage during a run (or any activity) is not “normal”. Okay, if it’s not normal… why is it so common? An article from 2011 looked at a group of 106 female athletes and found that 41% of those women had urinary leakage. Another article from the Journal of Human Kinetics established that over 40% of elite female runners experience urinary incontinence during running or other high impact activities. 

We know that running increases our intra-abdominal pressure. In other words, during a movement (this could be running, coughing, sneezing, jumping on the trampoline), there are forces that go through our abdomen and pelvis and our body has to work to disperse these forces. In order to disperse these forces, we need a properly timed, coordinated and strong inner core.

Oftentimes, dysfunction in our inner core (whether it be a weak transverse abdominis or pelvic floor, dysfunctional breathing patterns, poor posture, etc), can lead to poor dispersal of these forces leading to leakage with impact. Intra-abdominal pressure isn’t the only contributing factor however.

The following are some things we need to take into consideration when we experience urinary incontinence while running:

• Flexible, strong and properly timed gluteal musculature

• Proper breathing patterns (i.e. holding of breath, timing with the rest of inner core)

• Posture (are you leaning backwards, slumped forwards, is your sports bra providing the support you need?)

• Appropriate footwear

• Strong, well timed inner core (abdominals, back muscles, pelvic floor).

So, to sum it up… urinary incontinence during running (or any activity) is not normal and can be changed with the proper training. 

So… Want to Be a Better Runner?

Schedule an appointment with me at Klein PT!

---

Studies and Resources:

• Bo K, Backe-Hansen KL. Do elite athletes experience low back, pelvic girdle and pelvic floor complaints during and after pregnancy? Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2007 Oct;17(5):480-7. Epub 2006 Dec 20.

• Poświata, Anna, et al. “Prevalence of Stress Urinary Incontinence in Elite Female Endurance Athletes.” Journal of Human Kinetics, vol. 44, no. 1, 2014, pp. 91–96., doi:10.2478/hukin-2014-0114.

• Davis, I et al (2003). Hip strength in females with and without patellofemoral pain. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 2003 Volume:33 Issue:11 Pages:671–676 DOI:10.2519/jospt.2003.33.11.671

• Balsalobre-Fernández, C, Santos-Concejero, J, and Grivas, GV. Effects of strength training on running economy in highly trained runners: a systematic review with meta-analysis of controlled trials. J Strength Cond Res 30(8): 2361–2368, 2016

Telehealth PT Available Now at Klein Physical Therapy

Time heals most things, but for injuries, sports recovery, pelvic floor disorders and chronic pain, time does not heal. We have to heal ourselves. And, if you are one of our PT clients or are needing a virtual physical therapist right now, we are here to help with telehealth appointments. 

The only thing time doesn’t heal: injuries and chronic pain. (PT helps!)

COVID-19 and the worldwide pandemic has created a new world for us to live in. We don’t want your world to be more physically painful than it already is now. Virtual physical therapy is a way to make sure that when we get out of this (and we’re in this together), you’ll be stronger, experiencing less pain, and in the best physical shape to get back to the things you love.

Physical therapy can help you get through a day of parenting (with less back pain), run that marathon (without hip pain), swim in that triathlon (with more strength), reduce the frustration and embarrassment of leakage (for those with pelvic floor dysfunction), enjoy sex with less pain, be able to sit on the computer or stand for longer lengths of time… whatever it may be.

That said, the good news in all this is that there is a wonderful platform out there that is HIPAA compliant for doing telehealth PT sessions!  

As you know, your pain and impairments don't stop because the world is on hold. In fact, many times these are exacerbated in times of stress!  Social distancing offers the opportunity to stop and care for yourself! There are many companies out there who have been doing this for awhile with great results.  You would be surprised about how much we can still accomplish with a telehealth session! So, what does a telehealth session look like? Especially, a virtual pelvic floor physical therapy session?

The virtual visit actually looks in many ways very similar to an in person session.  

We actually still watch your body move through functional movement analysis to see where our focus needs to be.  We check in with you on your goals and any recent happenings. We already have a lot of information from assessing you in person, so then can give you guidance on how to do some manual self treatment, and getting creative with using regular everyday things at home as helpful therapy tools.  We can instruct you in diaphragmatic breathing and other exercises which are pertinent to you. We can modify and progress your exercises, and help you to continue to improve your function.

We want you all to have access to this and be able to try it out, so we are offering both 30 min and 60 min sessions right now at a discounted rate.  

A 30 min session will be $60, and a 60 min session is $110. You can either text Katie or I if you are interested, email us, or go online and schedule from there!  If you have a scheduled time set up, we will send you the website to "join the meeting", and you just want to be sure to have your camera and microphone turned on.

Schedule a Telehealth Physical Therapy session with us today. 

While we follow orders to stay at home, we are faced with two options. We can live in fear, or we can grow through the fear like this flower growing out of a rock…

It seems impossible… but we actually can use this time to get in the best physical and emotional shape of our lives. Klein Physical Therapy is here to help. 

Book Online Today

Experience less pain. Reduce stress. Take care of you.

Click to Book

30-minute and 60-minute telehealth PT sessions available now.  Please check the schedule regularly for virtual openings.

Click to book a session. We’ve opened up 30-minute and 60-minute sessions to accommodate most budgets and have a limited number of sliding scale options as well. Don’t let your health take a back seat, let’s work together to help you find the strength now, during COVID, and after we get through this, so that you can be the best YOU there is. 

To your health, 

Lea & Katie

(“Meet” us by clicking here. We look forward to “meeting” you too.)

Dry Needling and Physical Therapy

What is Dry Needling and How Does it Work? 

While the name of the treatment may sound intimidating or scary, dry needling is safe, minimally discomforting and often an effective technique for patients with certain musculoskeletal presentations. Dry needling is a treatment performed by skilled, trained physical therapists, certified in the procedure. A thin monofilament needle penetrates the skin and treats underlying muscular trigger points for the management of neuromusculoskeletal pain and movement impairments.

What’s a trigger point, you ask? It’s a tight band in a muscle fiber that can cause disruption in function, change or restrict range of motion, or can cause pain and tenderness. When the trigger point is treated with dry needling, it can increase blood flow and decrease tightness and pain. 

We Typically Use Electronically Stimulated Dry Needling

Although dry needling sounds very similar to acupuncture, and they use similar equipment, they are entirely different procedures. Dry needling is performed by different practitioners with different training. Acupuncture is based on Eastern medicine, while dry needling is rooted in Western medicine and evaluation of pain patterns, posture, movement impairments, function and orthopedic tests. 

In fact, at Klein Physical Therapy, we typically use electronic stimulation when we dry needle. The electronic “stim” helps with more effective release and also improved facilitation of the muscle as well (how it contracts). 

Who can Benefit from Dry Needling and is it Painful?

Dry needling is typically used as one treatment in an overall plan that may also include physical therapy, heat therapy and education. Those patients experiencing any of the following symptoms, may benefit from dry needling: joint or disk problems, tendonitis, migraines, jaw and mouth problems, whiplash, pelvic pain, phantom pain, or spinal problems. Patients who are pregnant or who are very afraid of needles should avoid this treatment in the first trimester and consult with a medical professional before moving forward. 

Dry needling may benefit me, but will it hurt? Dry needling can be painful depending on the severity of the injury and the location of the sore or tight muscle(s). The muscle may experience a slight contraction once the needle is inserted through the skin which may cause some pain or twitching. Interestingly enough, this reaction can be a good sign because it means the trigger point has been hit. 

After the treatment, patients may experience soreness in the area for up to 48 hours, but this should not be cause for concern. Each patient should always keep open communication with their provider should they be experience pain that lasts for more than 48 hours or if they feel the pain is too intense. 

Possible Side Effects from Dry Needling

Although there are typically always minor side effects with dry needling, such as bruising, minimal bleeding or temporary soreness, major side effects are extremely rare. The biggest risk factor to always double check with your provider is if they’re using sterile needles and that they dispose of these needles after each treatment. Also, be very sure that your practitioner is qualified, educated and trained in this method. Pneumothorax (when needling in the lung field) is a rare possibility.  That’s why it's so important to go to a provider who is proficient at it. (Hint: we are highly experienced in Dry Needling)

Conclusion on Dry Needling

Overall, dry needling can be effective if used within a comprehensive health plan. It’s always a good idea to look at the root of the problem and try to prevent injuries first. Be sure to seek out a medical professional you can trust and who has a legit background in dry needling. Lastly, dry needling isn’t always covered by health insurance agencies. Be sure to call your health insurance provider to inquire about costs first.  

Interested in Dry Needling? Come in for a Discovery Session at Klein Physical Therapy, P.C.



References:

Mayo Clinic Health System https://mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/on-pins-and-needles-just-what-is-dry-needling

American Physical Therapy Association https://www.apta.org/PTinmotion/2015/5/dryneedling/

Healthline https://www.healthline.com/health/dry-needling-vs-acupuncture 

Fast Track Physical Therapy https://www.fast-tracktherapy.com/services/dry-needling/

Runners Connect https://runnersconnect.net/dry-needling-effective-safe/ 

Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/16542-dry-needling

PT for LBP (Lower Back Pain)

Ouch!!! Not again….

If you’re a lower back pain sufferer… you know when you’ve pulled “that” muscle again. And, you know that you’re in for 2 or more weeks of acute pain. This can limit your activity and impair your work performance. It can stop you from playing with your kids, exercising, or enjoying nearly every activity.

Physical Therapy for Lower Back Pain

If you’re an “LBP” sufferer (what we call it at Klein Physical Therapy in Denver), you know that there isn’t much that helps…. except physical therapy. The muscles in your lower back (the erector spinae muscles), help support your spine and connect to your gluteal muscles. They have a lot of work to do! When your core is weak, your back muscles can try to support everything on their own… which can lead to inflammation when they are agitated. (aka, pain!)

Physical therapy for back pain in Denver is a very highly searched phrase. That’s because this kind of lower back pain is so common for so many of us humans. I mean technically… we aren’t “supposed” to even be walking upright. When our ancestors started this trend, it helped us a lot, but also created some issues… such as babies having to develop outside the womb in the fourth trimester, and, you guessed it, lower back pain.

Can You Heal Chronic Lower Back Pain with Physical Therapy?

So, we know it helps, but can physical therapy actually heal lower back pain? Yes, you actually can. And if you can’t heal it all the way, physical therapy can severely reduce the pain you experience. If you’ve tried other healing modalities (massage for one), you might have discovered that the muscles in your lower back are extremely hard to get to. It takes muscle training and strengthening to get the right tension in the supporting muscles so that one is not doing the job of two, three, four or more others (which can result in a strain or sprain).

Welcome to Klein Physical Therapy

We are a team a physical therapists that are dedicated to making sure you can move! (Properly and in a way that doesn’t create pain!). We can help you strengthen your core and live a life that doesn’t have to be so painful. Lower back pain is difficult to live with. If it’s affecting areas of your life (sleep, work, family), we can’t encourage you enough to try physical therapy. If you’ve done everything except tried PT and you’re curious if it could help, try a complimentary discovery session by clicking here. 

Try a Discovery Session

On a limited, first-come, first-served basis, we are offering 30 minutes of our time to help you determine whether Physical Therapy might be right for you. Never tried PT? Wondering if it will work for your specific issue? Try a 30-Minute complimentary Discovery Session with one of our Physical Therapists and get back to doing the things you love.

Request a Session

Diastasis Recti: Diagnosis and Treatment

Diastasis Recti and How it Occurs in Women

Diastasis Recti is the partial or complete separation of the rectus abdominis, or “six-pack” muscles, which meet at the midline of your stomach. This separation is often seen during and following pregnancy due to the uterus stretching the abdomen muscles to accommodate the growing fetus. Additional causes can be attributed to excessive abdominal exercises after the first trimester of pregnancy.  

Do I have have Diastasis Recti? Diagnosis and Differentiators 

If you’re pregnant or recently gave birth and you notice a ridge or bulge in your abdominal area, especially when straining or contracting your abdomen muscles, you could have Diastasis Recti. Other symptoms can include lower back pain, poor posture and bloating. This can also present itself as the belly “pooch” that can still make you look pregnant even months after delivery. No matter the symptoms, it’s always best to consult with a doctor or physical therapist to discuss these changes. Diastasis Recti can typically be diagnosed by a physical examination, but can also be seen via ultrasound or CT scan if necessary. 

Diastasis Recti can oftentimes be confused with hernias, however the two are very different and require individual methods of treatment. With a diastasis, there is a widening of the muscles but the fascia of the abdominal wall stays intact. The fascia is the collagen sheet that covers the muscles and gives patients the shape and form of their abdominal wall. If there is an actual hole or defect in the fascia, this would be considered a hernia.  Additionally, the Linea Alba (collagen connective tissue) can be weakened and also stretched out during pregnancy.

Diastasis Prevention and Treatment

It may seem as though the biggest factors affecting Diastasis Recti are out of your control. However,  stronger abs are more likely to resist separation. If you’re trying to get pregnant or are already expecting and don’t yet have Diastasis Recti, you can try pregnancy-safe ab exercises led by a physical therapist (hint: we can help!). Later on in pregnancy, around the third trimester, you could consider wearing a belly band for a bit of extra support as well, in addition to continuing to see a specialist.

If you already have Diastasis Recti, time will be the biggest healer, but there are postural and strength training exercises that help (as directed by your physical therapist). Both transverse ab exercises and pelvic tilts can be very effective in building strength again. To ensure you’re accomplishing the correct techniques for your individual body, it is a good idea to reach out to a specialist in your area (our own Katie Peters, DT helps new mothers and women with Diastasis Recti).

At your appointment, you can expect pinpointed exercises, recommendations on support garments and suggestions on how to modify your day-to-day movements to prohibit further Diastasis Recti.  This is all great, but I would talk about the fact that it’s not JUST the strength in the muscles as much as it is HOW we contract our abdominal wall. We are teaching this efficiency of our abdominal wall as well as managing intra-abdominal pressure-this is a biggie!!

Diastasis Recti can be healed! Ready to start? For a Discovery Session or to schedule a follow-up session, click here. 

---

About Klein Physical Therapy in Denver

Klein Physical Therapy is a haven for new and expecting mothers experiencing physical pain and seeking relief from Diastasis Recti, and many other common perinatal conditions. Located in Wellshire Flats in Denver’s University Hills neighborhood (also near Cherry Creek), Klein Physical Therapy is a practice that gentle nurtures moms back to a place of peace with our bodies. Learn more about Klein Physical Therapy here.

Get help for Diastasis Recti

You can heal and recover.

Book Online Here

---

References:

Healthline Media https://www.healthline.com/health/diastasis-recti#outlook

Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diastasis_recti

Prisma Health https://www.ghs.org/healthcenter/ghsblog/is-it-a-hernia-or-diastasis/ 

What to Expect https://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/pregnancy-health/diastasis-recti-and-pregnancy/

Pelvic Exercises  https://www.pelvicexercises.com.au/diastasis-recti-exercises/

Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy | Klein Physical Therapy

What are Pelvic Floor Muscles and Why Do They Matter? 

If you’re a new Mama, you might know this already. Pelvic floor muscles are the layer of muscles that support the pelvic organs and span the bottom of the pelvis. For women, the pelvic organs include the bladder, bowels, and uterus. For guys, just the first two.

So why the big deal? Why should I care about my pelvic health so much? Pelvic floor muscles provide support to the organs that lie on it. Any sort of trauma or overuse of the pelvic floor muscles can cause issues with urination or defecation (bowel movements), negative sexual health impact, and pain or “loose-ness” following childbirth.

Pelvic Floor Dysfunction 

Normally, pelvic muscles are firm and thick. Although they can’t be seen, they can be consciously trained just like your leg, arm or abdominal muscles. Pelvic floor dysfunction is the inability to coordinate these muscles. The causes of pelvic floor dysfunction can include childbirth, traumatic injury to pelvic region, obesity and nerve damage. Surprisingly, even straining with constipation and straining during weight lifting can cause pelvic floor dysfunction. Common symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction are urinary issues, constipation, discomfort during sex, lower back pain or muscles spasms in the pelvic area. 

Pelvic Health: Beyond Kegels  

If you’re struggling with symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction, you are not alone! According to The National Institutes of Health study, this dysfunction affects:

• 10% of women ages 20-39

• 27% of women ages 40-59

• 37% of women ages 60-79

• Nearly half of women 80 years and older

Luckily, there are many resources available for people struggling with pelvic floor dysfunction and the leading method is physical therapy. A trained physical therapist is able to not only work on strengthening, relaxing and coordinating. pelvic muscles. Studies have shown with regular therapy, many of the unpleasant symptoms disappear as well. 

A physical therapist specializing in pelvic floor therapy can use many methods including biofeedback, massage, stretching, and supportive exercises, to name a few. And, the good news is, you can heal! 

Physical Therapy is a whole-istic method of healing. So many of our clients have tried online programs or even tried to heal themselves at home, finding that they only have minimal or temporary success. Simply put, they aren’t able to address the entire dysfunction. 

Yes, you can return to a place of body contentment with your pelvic floor with direction from a PT. Ready to begin? Simply click here to schedule your appointment at Klein Physical Therapy.

Pelvic Floor Healing

Physical Therapy for Postpartum Women

Click to Book with Lea

---

Klein Physical Therapy, P.C. is a Denver area physical therapy clinic focused on whole-istic healing. Lea Klein, MSPT is the owner and founder of Klein Physical Therapy. To schedule an appointment, call (720) 252-6304 or click here to book online.

 

---

References:

Continence Foundation of Australia https://www.continence.org.au/pages/how-do-pelvic-floor-muscles-help.html

Heathline https://www.healthline.com/health/pelvic-floor-dysfunction

The University of Chicago Medical Center https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/conditions-services/pelvic-health/pelvic-floor-disorders#targetText=Causes%20of%20pelvic%20floor%20disorders&targetText=A%20National%20Institutes%20of%20Health,women%20ages%2060%20to%2079

Harvard Health Publishing https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/pelvic-physical-therapy-another-potential-treatment-option

Medical News Today https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322720.php

Denver Sports Physical Therapist for Athletes

Sports recovery and injury prevention is made possible with Physical Therapy. 

Physical Therapy for athletes is unique in its modality, offering trained competitors a chance to improve their performance, reduce injury, and accommodate for the intense activity level that is required of various sporting activities.

Meet Katie Peters, DPT

Expert Physical Therapist for Sports Injury and Recovery,

Schedule Online

Sports Recovery Denver | PT for Recovery and Prevention

Considering PT in Denver? Try a discovery session with Katie Peters, DPT (just click here to pick a convenient time.) Expert Denver PT, Katie Peters, DPT, received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, CA in 2003 and a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from CSU Monterrey Bay in 2009. Katie is dedicated to always learning about movement, especially as it relates to healing athletes with sports injuries and preventative therapy. 

Physical Therapy Prevents and Heals Injury

Athletes push themselves hard (Katie knows! She’s a longtime runner and athlete herself!). It’s simply required of the passion or profession (whichever applies to your athletic status). Yet, with the right care from a Denver Physical Therapist, athletes can work on preventative exercises to help prevent injury and heal faster from them when they happen. 

Get Stronger and Heal Faster with Physical Therapy for Athletes

Sports performance is directly linked to how well we take care of our bodies. With gentle and effective Physical Therapy, you can train your body to respond well to rehabilitation and even avoid recurring or chronic pain. Our office is located at 2401 S. Downing St. Denver, CO 80210

You can reach us at (720) 252-6304 or click here to contact us and schedule an appointment. 

Top Rated Sports Physical Therapy in Denver

Klein Physical Therapy

There’s a reason that our clients love us… read real reviews here! The reason is that we put all our energy and expertise into helping our athlete clients find solutions that work for their lifestyle and create real change in their health and wellness. We care about our clients. It’s our passion and dedication that we seek to give you at every Physical Therapy appointment. 

“I tried multiple therapists for a knee injury before meeting Katie Peters. Not only was she immediately able to diagnose the problem, but after just several visits, I was back to running without any pain! Since then, Katie has been my go-to PT helping me through my pregnancy and with sciatica post c-section. She's efficient, direct and makes your "homework" do-able. Previous therapists would provide a laundry list of exercises that made it impossible to keep up with on a daily basis. I highly recommend her for all injuries!” - Megan O.

Click Here to Schedule with Katie at Klein Physical Therapy.

Healing is around the corner. We are here for you.

---