If you were watching the Olympics this year wondering what were the big, red circular marks on the athletes you weren't the only one. As a physical therapist, I had to do some reading to figure out what type of treatment these athletes were going through and for what purpose. Cupping was made very popular this year in Rio, as almost all athletes were seen trying it at least once after competing. Michael Phelps, the swimmer, had new cupping marks on both shoulder and across the back every time I saw him swim. Cupping is a type of treatment that...
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Physical Therapist
Nancy Whelan,PT is the owner and director of the West Palm Beach Physical Therapy Center. She has 31 years of experience in the practice of Physical Therapy.
Cupping for relief of muscle pain Featured
If you were watching the Olympics this year wondering what were the big, red circular marks on the athletes you weren't the only one. As a physical therapist, I had to do some reading to figure out what type of treatment these athletes were going through and for what purpose. Cupping was made very popular this year in Rio, as almost all athletes were seen trying it at least once after competing. Michael Phelps, the swimmer, had new cupping marks on both shoulder and across the back every time I saw him swim. Cupping is a type of treatment that...
Standing Core Exercises Featured
Back pain relieved in sitting? Featured
Get that wallet out of your back pocket!
That's what I tell almost every guy that walks through the door. Over time, sitting on a big wallet can lead to muscle imbalance and back pain. (see photo of what your spine looks like while sitting on a wallet).
It's like sitting on a phone book, but under only one buttock for years on end. Over time, this can cause a hip hike or rise on one side and not the other.
Research has shown that people with chronic low back pain typically have the pain on the side that they keep the wallet on. Sometimes the position of the wallet can even push on the sciatic nerve, creating pain down the leg.