Misc Archives - Page 2 of 3 - Damien Howell PT

Body Proportions – Musculoskeletal Pain – Sports Performance

The importance of knowing how tall we are is somewhat obvious. What is less obvious is the importance of knowing the proportionality of our vertical height. The ideal proportionality of a human body’s stature was defined by Leonardo da Vinci. The “Vitruvian Man” or “drawing of proportions of man” is the ideal human proportions…

Creditability of Shoe Selection Based on Foot Print Shape and Injury Risk

Running magazines and internet shoe sales sites often recommend that the shape of the wet foot print should be used to determine which type of running shoe should be selected. There is a common belief that a foot print reflecting low arch (flat feet) should select shoes designed for “motion control”. Motion control shoes are presumed to control excessive motion…

Everybody has got their guy

Paul Ingraham writes a blog www.saveyourself.ca. Paul is a health science journalist and a former massage therapist. In a recent blog entitled “Every little thing a nice physical therapist does is magic”, he presented an interesting concept that “every body’s got their guy”. Individuals with chronic pain often have a healthcare practitioner that is their favorite that they “swear…

Expectations Treatment Outcomes

The expectations of a patient, patient satisfaction regarding treatment and treatment outcomes are related in a very complex manner. Whether you have an over use injury as a result of recreation sports, a traumatic injury, or chronic musculoskeletal disease process like rheumatoid arthritis awareness of the interaction of your expectations, satisfaction with treatment provided, and…

Joint Sounds and Noise

Sounds often are used to assist a healthcare professional in making a diagnosis. The characteristic sounds and noise coming from the heart or lungs provide clues to determine whether something is wrong. Listening to the sounds of the stomach and bowels is an important clinical tool in diagnosing bowel obstructions. Sounds and noise coming from…

Selfish Athlete Syndrome

Irish Runner and double Olympic medial winner Noel Carroll said “Runners may make better lovers but sometimes (there’re) lousy spouses”. Exercising for health is different from training for a marathon, Ironman Triathlon, or double-century bike ride. Exercising for health requires 3 hours a week. Training for competitive sports can require 14 plus hours a…

Withstanding the Test of Time

Hearing a song on the radio that was released when I was a teenager often reminds me of a specific bygone year. For instance, … For some popular songs it is more difficult to recognize when the song was released because the song has played throughout the decades. Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get it On” is…

Second Opinion Physical Therapist

Getting and providing second opinions regarding medical care is a common practice. Getting and providing second opinions from a physical therapist is a less common practice, but why? Decisions regarding healthcare can by very important. There are times and situations when getting a second opinion regarding healthcare advice are a prudent action. Studies have shown…

Attributes/Values When Dealing with Chronic Medical Conditions

If, I have seen farther than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants Isaac Newton, 1676. I believe I have seen more, understood more, because I have figuratively been lifted on or climbed on the shoulders of mentors and role models. I have had opportunity to be exposed some remarkable Giants, role…

Running Injury – Asking better questions – Socratic Method

As a clinician and as a participant in internet discussion forums related to running injuries I have the opportunity to observe and respond to questions. The questions asked by individuals who are striving to solve repetitive use injuries are varied, in terms of type of questions and the degree of sophistication of the questions. Many…