Toe Walking in Children

Baby walking on toes of feet known as “toe walking”. Toe walking is observed when a child walks on the balls of his or her toes or walks with a ‘bouncy’ gait pattern. Often kids will experiment with going up onto their toes as they are learning to walk, but if they don’t spend a lot of time in this position and easily transition...

Essential Foam Roll Exercises for Runners

Foam rolling is a type of Self-myofascial release. Typically a physical therapist will use a hands-on, soft-tissue technique to increase blood flow to the connective tissue (fascia). Increased blood flow allows the tissue to “release” and mobility is restored. The foam roller achieves this release by mimicking the hands-on,...

Healthy Hydration: Sipping Smart!

Did you know that today 38 out of 50 states have obesity rates higher than 25 percent? Twenty years ago no state had an obesity rate above 15 percent. One reason could be that in recent studies, it has been found that the average person gets more than 20 percent of their total caloric intake each day from beverages or approximately 450 calories...

Special Summer Activities

There are so many ways for kids of all abilities to get active and involved in community programs. Here are some local resources to help you plan your summer activities: Buddy Baseball This program is designed for boys and girls ages 4-18 with mental and/or physical challenges, helping them to enjoy the full benefits of Little League baseball...

Happy National Bike Month!

  Happy National Bike Month! With sunny skies and warm temperatures, spring is the start of bike season. Before you head out to the forest preserve path with your family, the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) has a few tips to help you find the right fit for your bike and minimize the risk of injury. Postural Tips Change hand...

Avoiding Aches and Pains in the Garden

Gardening is a strenuous activity and it is very easy for people to overdo it. Common gardening tasks, such as digging, planting, weeding, mulching and raking can cause stress and strain on muscles and joints, especially following the more sedentary winter months. The shoulders, back, neck and knees are prime targets. Following these tips from...

Spring Cleansing: Assessing the Detox Diet

By Gina M. Gilchrist, RDN, LD (Registered, Licensed Dietitian) April showers bring warmer days, and for some, spring cleansing. The juice cleanse business is drawing in customers, promising weight loss, body detoxification, and the treatment and prevention of everything from the common cold to cancer. What is a juice cleanse? According to...

Kids Length and Strength Class

Fox Valley Physical Therapy and Wellness hosted their first yoga session for kids 5-10 years old. It was a great opportunity to get everyone together for some stretching, sun salutations, and fun. The kids brought an incredible energy to each class, and we are looking forward to providing more yoga opportunities this summer! Hear what our...

Treating the Clumsy Child

Many children have difficulty with coordination that impacts their ability to perform everyday tasks, such as throwing and catching a ball or tying shoe laces. These children often shy away from activity and exercise, which may lead to a more sedentary lifestyle. Often these children display decreased self-confidence and decreased self-esteem...

New Year, New You! Keys to Eating Healthy

By Gina M. Gilchrist, RDN, LD (Registered, Licensed Dietitian) Healthful eating is one of the most important things you can do for your body. You can decrease your risk of diabetes, obesity, heart disease, osteoporosis, and certain cancers. Use the Food Plate (www.choosemyplate.gov) and food labels as tools to plan and balance your choices. Pick...

Backpack Facts

Improper backpack use can contribute to injury, especially to children with young, growing muscles and joints. Children may experience any or all of these symptoms from improper use of a backpack: Shoulder pain Hip, knee, or ankle pain Back or neck pain Headaches Red marks on the shoulders Numbness and tingling in the arms Backpack Maximum...

Backpack Do’s and Dont’s

Our growing children are at risk for postural concerns, back pain, shoulder pain, even headaches as a result of carrying a backpack that is poorly fit or too heavy. Their small and rapidly changing frames are often not equipped with the strength and stability necessary to support the weight of their textbooks, lunches, and other school items. It...

What is Torticollis?

Torticollis is a common condition among infants characterized by an asymmetrical positioning of the head and neck. Typically with torticollis, an infant will present with a preference for tilting the head in one direction while turning it to the opposite side. Neck tightness, muscle weakness, and abnormal balance reactions are often observed with...

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a common source of knee pain in the physically active population, particularly active women. Conservative rehabilitation is the primary treatment option for PFPS, a diagnosis often attributed to muscular dysfunction. Quadriceps muscle dysfunction has a well-known association with PFPS, however it has been...