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…
Tag: 2 Your Health
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…
Features, July 2025
2 Your Health: Aquatic Therapy for Knee Osteoarthritis Relief
AzOPT Are you or a loved one struggling with knee osteoarthritis (OA)? While OA is a progressive, irreversible condition that may eventually require surgery, starting physical therapy early—especially aquatic therapy—can significantly delay the need for surgical intervention and improve quality of life. Why Physical Therapy for Knee Osteoarthritis? There’s a common misconception that physical therapy…
Features, June 2025
2 Your Health: 5 Benefits of Strength Training to Prevent Osteoporosis in Postmenopausal Women
AzOPT Osteoporosis is a condition where bones become fragile and brittle, making them more susceptible to fractures—especially in the spine, hips, and wrists. This condition is a major health concern for postmenopausal women, largely due to decreased estrogen levels after menopause. One of the most effective strategies to combat bone loss and potentially reverse declining…
Features, May 2025
2 Your Health: Pickleball Injuries: Understanding Risks and How to Prevent Them
AzOPT, AzOPT.net Pickleball has become one of the fastest-growing sports in recent years, with an estimated 13.6 million players in the U.S. in 2023. This sport’s popularity is largely due to its inclusivity, making it accessible to nearly all ages and athletic abilities. However, like any sport, pickleball comes with the risk of injuries—especially among…