Geaux to Physical Therapy - Latest Comments

Re: Anti-aging Exercise: Part II

replenish102 — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 22:11:54 -0000

Anti aging cream products will help your appearance to look younger while having a healthy lifestyle at your early age will give that youthful spirit and feeling.

Re: Anti-aging Exercise: Part II

moniqueserpaspt — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 21:37:56 -0000

Thanks for reading! I think everyone should be exercising to improve posture, strength, and mobility.

Re: Run Less to Run Better

moniqueserpaspt — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 10:30:43 -0000

Ha! Apparently there was also a guy in a banana suit. Whatever keeps people moving....

Re: Run Less to Run Better

Paula — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 21:02:51 -0000

Monique, I'm not a runner, but maybe if I had a chicken suit it would motivate me to try it.

Re: Run Less to Run Better

moniqueserpaspt — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 20:40:49 -0000

Your blog has a great breakdown of yoga and pilates... in addition to other great stuff, you should check out her blog if you haven't already! ptjess.com
Great point and tip. Sprint Interval Training is a great idea in addition to intervals such as fartleks (geek runners will know what I'm talking about) to improve performance and strength.

Re: Run Less to Run Better

Jess — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 10:53:02 -0000

Great Blog Monique and thanks for the shout out:)
I also like to incorporate Sprint Interval Training (SIT) in to my running workout. That way you get short bursts of running in, between other necessary exercises (ie PT exercises) and still get a cardio work out. Sprinting also helps the stride turn over and glut power. Awesome use of the video to illustrate running mechanics.

Re: Heeey Ya! Let the Music Motivate You

moniqueserpaspt — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 15:36:30 -0000

Jennifer, thanks for those links. It makes sense that people would feel like pushing harder when listening to something like "Vertigo" or "Just Dance" rather than anything slow and melodic.

Re: Heeey Ya! Let the Music Motivate You

Jennifer Miller — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 12:39:45 -0000

http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/122610656/abstract
https://www.thieme-connect.com/ejournals/abstract/sportsmed/doi/10.1055/s-2004-815715

I'm with you all the way on this one, and there are some more sticks for the fire. Also, the fact that the British cyclists preferred rythym and tempo to melody and harmony explains why I too like U2 all the time, but Lady Gaga only appears on my cardio playlist!

Re: Runners Get Their Kicks

moniqueserpaspt — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 17:27:51 -0000

I do think this is a trend. Short and long distance training has included some barefoot running. I think this is fine as a training tool. To wear it for all of your running... I'm not sure it would be a good idea. If you are thinking of trying it, definitely break yourself into using it. In other words don't run your usual route- 3 miles, 5 miles..... when you try it for the first time do a smaller portion of what you do. In terms of joint stress, I think it depends on your running surface. There are a lot of people that run on the road and concrete, which is much harder, thus more joint impact, especially if you are basically wearing a sock. We'll see if I start seeing more patients because of them...I haven't seen any yet.

Re: Runners Get Their Kicks

SPOTonChicago — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 22:10:58 -0000

I don't understand the new trend. I would have to think that shoes like the Vibram Five Fingers are horrible for your joints and put more stress on your legs. What do you think?

Re: Smoking Stinks, Quitting Comes Out Smelling Like a Rose

janiceladden — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:26:11 -0000

I quit smoking because at first, my Physical Therapist Texas based doctor asked me to do so. Of course it was hard to refrain from smoking as it is already one of my habits but as the months pass by, I started feeling much better physically. I can now do marathons with my friends and not tire easily. I would suggest that everyone try not to smoke. The advantages of not smoking are already stated in the previous blog post. Be safe you guys!

Re: Anatomy of the Vestibular System-Inner Ear

Jess — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 11:05:50 -0000

Thanks Monique.

Re: Your First PT Appointment – Expectations

moniqueserpaspt — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 23:28:41 -0000

In most states, including Wisconsin and Louisiana, you can go directly to a physical therapist without a referral first. Some insurances require a prescription from a physician. There are lots of insurances that allow "direct access" to a physical therapist without a physician referral. You just need to check with your insurance plan. At our clinic we see many people without a referral first, and then depending on insurance plans we fax something to their primary care physician to get a prescription for therapy if it is indicated. We can get patients scheduled quickly at our clinic- if we have an availability we'll see you same day. I think this is going to make a good blog in the future...

Re: To Stretch or Not to Stretch- That is the Question

moniqueserpaspt — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 23:16:22 -0000

If the exercise you are about to do will require maximum effort (prior to sports or moving furniture for example), then yes, do a "dynamic" stretch where you only hold for a second or two and do more reps- like 20-30. If you are exercising: out for a walk or run, doing aerobics, sub-max strength training; you are safe to do "static" stretches prior: holding stretch for 20-30 seconds and doing 2-3 repetitions.

Re: Anatomy of the Vestibular System-Inner Ear

moniqueserpaspt — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 22:12:59 -0000

The course I took was through Peak Function,LLC. Their course was a nice overview of the "greatest hits." I tried to get into the Herdman course and certification this year, though it was full and I'm on the waitlist for next year. I think the Herdman course is the most respected. I also got a flyer in the mail from the Rehab Institute of Chicago that looked like an excellent several day course on vestibular rehab.

Re: Anatomy of the Vestibular System-Inner Ear

twitter-30916384 — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 08:43:48 -0000

Monique- great post! The neuology section had a few courses on "dizzyness at CSM last week. Which con Ed course do you think is best for learning differentiation/rx?

Re: Your First PT Appointment – Expectations

serpymom — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 15:21:37 -0000

Is it possible to go to a physical therapy clinic on your own or do you need doctor's orders first. If you can go without orders, is the insurance coverage different? There are times when you feel like if you could go to a clinic and get a muscle worked on that that would be great. If, on the other hand, you have to first go to a doctor and get him to agree that you need pt then it becomes too much to go through.

Re: Anatomy of the Vestibular System-Inner Ear

serpymom — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 14:37:43 -0000

Very, very, interesting. I had no idea that so many things took place in order to keep you from getting dizzy. It really is amazing to learn how the processes work in the body. As long as everything is working correctly we just take it all for granted. Thanks for a very informative blog.

Re: Anatomy of the Vestibular System-Inner Ear

serpymom — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 14:37:43 -0000

Re: To Stretch or Not to Stretch- That is the Question

serpymom — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 14:28:41 -0000

Just so I understand completely, we should stretch before exercising, but we should only hold the stretch for a second or two. Is this correct?

Re: Compression Garments in PT

moniqueserpaspt — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 11:11:03 -0000

I was glad Kim shared this information with us, because many people get confused over the real purpose of TED hose. I don't see why TED wouldn't hurt on a long airplane ride... though the best way to avoid DVTs (deep venous thrombosis) or clots in the legs is to get them moving. Make sure you pump the ankles, squeeze your buttocks together, and tighten the tops of your thighs every hour at minimum and get up during the flight if you can!

Re: Golf Conditioning in the Off-season

moniqueserpaspt — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 11:06:09 -0000

If I had to only choose one leg strengthening exercise, it would be the squat. It really doesn't require any equipment and works. If you haven't done many squats lately, start by sitting in a chair and stand up, focusing on really squeezing your buttocks and pressing your feet down into the ground. Go SLOWLY and perform 3 sets of 10 repetitions. From there you can make it harder by increasing repetitions and squatting without the chair, going deeper into the squat. Just make sure your knees are pointing in the direction of your toes and they do not go past your toes!

Re: The Importance of Being Compliant: PT works best as prescribed

moniqueserpaspt — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 10:57:38 -0000

The APTA has the "Book of Body Maintenance and Repair" which I think does a fairly good job of going through the different body parts/ areas and exercises to maintain or begin a strength training and flexibility program. Another book by two PTs looks pretty good, but I have not seen this one before-- but it's on my wish list: "Age Defying Fitness: Making the Most of Your Body for the Rest of Your Life." The book includes a self-test and then chapters to focus on different performance areas and exercises to improve.
Here are the links: http://www.amazon.com/American-Physical-Therapy-Association-Maintenance/dp/0805055711/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1261582977&sr=8-1#noop
http://www.amazon.com/Age-Defying-Fitness-Making-Most/dp/1561453331/ref=pd_sim_b_1

Re: Smoking Stinks, Quitting Comes Out Smelling Like a Rose

moniqueserpaspt — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 10:40:58 -0000

Quinn, thanks for the great picture! You had some really pretty flower shots. I did add your name to the bottom of the picture. When you mouse over any of my pictures I have a photo credit there as well!

Re: The Importance of Being Compliant: PT works best as prescribed

serpymom — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 16:06:02 -0000

There are so many exercise books out there that it's hard to know which exercises are right for you. Are you aware of any books that give you exercises to do not necessarily to lose weight or to become musle bound, but just to maintain the strength in your muscles that you have now. As I've gotten older, I can tell how much my muscle strength is diminishing. I may not be doing anything differently in my life, but age has taken over. Things aren't the same as they used to be.