AzOPT If you’re dealing with aches, pains, or an injury, you may wonder whether you should see a physical therapist, chiropractor, or massage therapist. While these professions all help people feel better, they have different approaches, training, and treatment goals. Massage Therapy Massage therapy is commonly associated with relaxation at spas and wellness centers, but…
Tag: 2 Your Health
Features, July 2026
2 Your Health: The Power of Diaphragmatic Breathing: Why the Way You Breathe Matters
AzOPT.net Is There a “Wrong” Way to Breathe? The way you breathe affects much more than just your lungs. Proper breathing mechanics play an important role in core strength, spinal support, posture, pelvic floor function, and overall movement efficiency. Whether you’re dealing with back pain, recovering from an injury, exercising regularly, or simply looking to…
Features, June 2026
2 Your Health: What Is Osteoarthritis?
AzOPT Your primary care physician diagnosed you with osteoarthritis and now you’re wondering, “What is that?” More importantly, what are your options? Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common condition in adults that results from the progressive wearing down of your joint tissue. This process is not to be confused with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which is an autoimmune…
Features, May 2026
2 Your Health: How Does Nutrition Affect My Physical Therapy?
AzOPT Oftentimes, patients will ask if the food they eat before and after their physical therapy appointments will affect their rehabilitation results. Regardless of whether you are healing from a surgery, recovering from a sprain, or managing chronic pain—yes, the food and drink you consume does make a difference. As your body heals, it requires…
Features, March 2026
2 Your Health: How Physical Therapy Helps Headaches
AzOPT Headaches affect approximately 47% of the population. Headaches are a type of pain or discomfort that occurs in the face or head that can be described as throbbing, dull, constant and/or sharp. Headaches can differ depending on pain type, severity, location, and frequency. Having frequent moderate to severe headaches can disrupt quality of life…
Features, February 2026
2 Your Health: The Importance of Hydration: Please, Drink Water!
AzOPT A simple fact of life is that we need three things to survive: food, air, and water. The human body is essentially made of 50% water throughout the lifespan. It varies by age, gender, and body size, but in general, we are mostly fluid. Read on to find out the vital importance of hydration.…
Features, January 2026
2 Your Health: Squats—The Ultimate Functional Strength Exercise
AzOPT Typically, knee arthritis (osteoarthritis or OA) is characterized by reduced articular cartilage on the femur and tibia bones that make up the knee, and can lead to increased bony formation. Inflammation is usually associated and present at the knee when this occurs. The good news is, strengthening, flexibility/stretching, and mobility training can greatly improve…
Features, December 2025
2 Your Health: Why Physical Therapy Is More Than Just a Massage
AzOpt Some patients come to physical therapy with the expectation that their treatment will primarily involve massage. It’s not uncommon for first-time visitors to ask, “When will I get my massage?” or to believe that a massage alone will resolve their pain. While massage therapy can provide temporary relief, physical therapy offers a comprehensive approach…
Features, October 2025
2 Your Health: Understanding Pain: A Complex and Subjective Experience
AzOPT “It REALLY hurts.” Pain is a tough subject. It is subjective. Not to say that your pain is not real or to say something does not REALLY hurt. However, pain can be perpetuated, magnified, and catastrophized based on your perspective and attitude towards your pain experience. My Personal Experience with Pain as a Physical…
Features, August 2025
2 Your Health: Is Your Modern-Day Lifestyle Contributing to Your Chronic Pain?
AzOPT According to Casey Means, MD, author of the No. 1 New York Times bestseller Good Energy, it certainly could be—and in many cases, it’s the root cause of chronic pain, inflammation, and disease. In her book, Dr. Means details the various environmental and lifestyle factors that contribute to chronic inflammation, many of which are linked to our…