By Cierra Washington, ATC Wellness Blog Contributor [twitter-follow screen_name=’@toCME4PT’] (March 8, 2017) — March is National Athletic Training Month! The month is dedicated to spreading awareness about who Certified Athletic Trainers (ATCs) are, the environments in which they work and the importance of their role in rehabilitation. What are ATCs? According to the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, ATCs are highly qualified, multi-skilled healthcare professionals who collaborate with physicians, physical therapists and other healthcare professionals in a variety of settings. ATCs can provide preventative services, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation to injuries and various medical conditions. Distinguishing an ATC’s…

By Abbey Fecher, DPT Wellness Blog Contributor [twitter-follow screen_name=’@toCME4PT’] (February 15, 2017) — It’s no secret that regular exercise is important to your overall health. It’s not too late to keep that New Year’s resolution you might have set for yourself to be more physically active. Exercise is defined as planned and structured physical activity with the purpose of training a specific part of the body.  So how much do you really know about exercise and why it is so important? Exercise has many proven health benefits Exercise can help control weight to keep your BMI (body mass index) in…

Loudoun County, Va. — Can you believe that 2017 is already a month old? Even though January has come and gone, it’s never too late to set some New Year’s Resolutions and goals. While starting a new year is always a great opportunity to start a new fitness plan, so is the beginning of a new month. It’s a chance to work towards a new and improved YOU. The challenge is making resolutions you can actually keep. For those of you who want to start exercising and improving your overall fitness level, you might not be sure where to even start.…

Loudoun County, Va. — It’s the beginning of the year and you’re, hopefully, still committed to your New Year’s Resolutions. Some common ones that come to mind might be eating healthier, getting more sleep and exercising more. Have you noticed people sporting their exercise pants and race t-shirts at the gym or around town? You may have noticed stickers on cars advertising that the driver has run a 5K, 10K or even marathon! What about you? Is running a race like a 5K on your list of goals for 2017? You hear about runners “high” and what great exercise it is. Maybe…

By Kate Zanoni, LPTA Wellness Blog Contributor [twitter-follow screen_name=’@toCME4PT’] (January 4, 2017) — “Pop!” That’s the dreaded sensation an athlete may feel in his or her knee while maneuvering around an opponent on the field. Following an awkward landing or a sudden change in direction, the popping sensation is often followed by severe pain with weight bearing, loss of range of motion and swelling of the knee. The injury may indicate an ACL tear, which can certainly sideline you from returning to your sport for months, sometimes even years. However, surgery is not always necessary depending on the severity of the…

https://youtu.be/Xqw6wMDXaXI Loudoun County, Va. — We could be in for the first big snow of the season any day now which means you might have to dust off that snow shovel and do some work. Shoveling snow is often a common cause of low back injuries this time of year. However, low back injuries can be easily prevented when you use correct body mechanics. Try these tips to keep your back pain-free this winter: Choose a Shovel that Works with Your Body An ergonomic snow shovel will help take the stress off your back and make your snow shoveling a much…