Articles

athlete patient at physical therapy in gray t-shirt working on machine to recover from most common shoulder injuries in sports

Most Common Shoulder Injuries in Sports

By Dr. JJ Thomas, DPT, MPT, CMTPT | June 24, 2022

Shoulder injuries in sports can create painful levels of discomfort and worry. Athletes do everything they can to avoid hurting themselves. Still, accidents happen. Individuals need to keep an eye on their injuries to protect themselves in the future. Significant damage can impact the body, even after recovery. Shoulder injuries are one of the most […]

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JJ Thomas explaining to patient how long physical therapy takes

How Long Does Physical Therapy Take? Well, It Depends

By Dr. JJ Thomas, DPT, MPT, CMTPT | May 20, 2022

If you’re dealing with an injury or recovering from a surgery that requires physical therapy, you’re probably wondering, “How long does physical therapy take to help you recover?” Unfortunately, physical therapy varies dramatically for different injuries, so there is no simple answer to this question. However, this article will cover the physical therapy timelines for […]

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a golfer with a harness doing a swing mechanics with physical therapy

Case Study: Golfer Improves Swing Mechanics With Physical Therapy

By Dr. JJ Thomas, DPT, MPT, CMTPT | April 29, 2022

The Problem The patient presents with a history of right shoulder and right-sided lower back pain and left oblique/flank pain that worsens with increases in golf play or practice time. The patient’s chief functional complaint is difficulty with maintaining an erect trunk during the drive phase of his swing.  Notes right hip and knee tend […]

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physical therapist JJ Thomas working with triathlete patient to resolve calf pain at Bryn Mawr Physical Therapy Clinic

Case Study: Movement Analysis Resolves Triathlete’s Calf Pain

By Dr. JJ Thomas, DPT, MPT, CMTPT | April 29, 2022

The Problem Our patient is a triathlete with calf pain that began gradually worsening with increases in mileage to prepare for a long race. The patient couldn’t run more than 1 mile without calf pain causing him to have to stop.  The Solution Physical therapist, JJ Thomas, treated the patient’s calf 4 times along with […]

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laser therapy for bone healing treatment for patient at Primal Physical Therapy

The Benefits Of Laser Therapy For Bone Healing

By Dr. JJ Thomas, DPT, MPT, CMTPT | April 7, 2022

Laser therapy is a treatment that involves the use of light-emitting diodes on the body’s surface to stimulate the body’s natural ability to heal. There are many different types and uses of Laser Therapy, including applications for dermatological treatments, surgical applications, and musculoskeletal healing/repair. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT)  was cleared by the Food and Drug […]

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a woman doing a squats physical therapy exercise

Physiotherapy vs. Physical Therapy: Is There a Difference?

By Dr. JJ Thomas, DPT, MPT, CMTPT | April 5, 2022

There are many similarities between the terms physiotherapy and physical therapy and the focus of each within the allied health professions. The topics range from being equal in performance to varying degrees of distinction. So, are they the same, similar, or vastly different? According to Wikipedia, the terms are interchangeable, stating, “Physical therapy, also known […]

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a woman performing a repetitive straing injury stretching exercise on the floor

9 Repetitive Strain Injury Stretching Exercises

By Dr. JJ Thomas, DPT, MPT, CMTPT | January 23, 2022

Repetitive Strain Injury stretching exercises can help relieve pain and soreness throughout your body. Setting aside 15 minutes per day for the stretches in this article will help reduce your RSI tension, soreness, and pain. What is a Repetitive Strain Injury? A repetitive strain injury (sometimes referred to as repetitive stress injury) is an injury […]

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patients wearing comfortable athletic clothes to physical therapy session with physical therapists working on their recovery

What to Wear to Physical Therapy (and What NOT To Wear)

By Dr. JJ Thomas, DPT, MPT, CMTPT | December 20, 2021

If you’re starting your recovery journey with a physical therapist for the first time, it is completely natural to wonder what to wear to physical therapy. The answer is easy. Comfort is critical – wear comfortable clothing that is easy to move around in and choose appropriate footwear.  To choose clothing that allows you to make […]

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dry needle inserted into shoulder

The Pros And Cons Of Dry Needling: An Expert Analysis

By Dr. JJ Thomas, DPT, MPT, CMTPT | November 20, 2021

Considering Dry Needling therapy as a recovery option? Naturally, you may be curious about the Pros and Cons of Dry Needling.  The term Dry Needling has gotten a lot of attention in recent years.  Dry Needling’s rise in popularity is due, in part, to an increase in: It’s an interesting term that often comes with […]

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Physical therapist with blue gloves performing dry needling

Dry Needling for Myofascial Trigger Point Pain

By Dr. JJ Thomas, DPT, MPT, CMTPT | May 28, 2021

JJ was recently a co-author of an article published in the International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy (IJSPT) co-authoring a piece focused on dry needling for myofascial trigger point pain. For more insight into her clinical commentary review the abstract below: Abstract:  Sports and orthopedic physical therapists have long used a multitude of techniques in […]

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