5 Exercises for Improving Balance & Preventing Falls
When we’re young, falls are treated as teaching opportunities. “Get back on your feet, brush yourself off and keep moving toward your goals,” we were told. But as we age, falls take on a much greater significance. When someone of advanced age falls, they tend to suffer greater distress to their health as well as their pocketbooks. In other words, a fall can greatly impact a senior’s ability to […]
Save the RICE for First-Aid, Not Healing & Recovery
For decades, the standard and recommended response to an injured muscle, tendon or ligament was to “apply RICE,” an acronym that stands for a protocol of rest, ice, compression and elevation. Yet these days, according to Chicago physical therapist Dr. Marc Gregory Guillen, the application of RICE as a treatment for these sports-type soft-tissue injuries isn’t 100 percent supported by […]
To Stretch or Not to Stretch? Tips for Optimizing Flexibility
Many have grown up with the understanding that, whenever you’re about to work out, compete or otherwise push your body, it’s important to stretch immediately before the activity in order to prevent injury and perform your best. Yet, despite these long-held beliefs – and perhaps surprisingly – there’s little evidence to support this theory. Today’s evidence suggests that there’s no connection between injury prevention and stretching – static, or reach-and-hold-type stretching – before a workout. Performance-wise, there’s also no […]
Concussion Symptoms can Improve with Managed Exercise, Physical Therapy
With high school sports starting up soon and NFL training camps in full swing, concussions are certain to ramp up within the mainstream consciousness. And, while talk will often point to conventional wisdom which states that “time and rest” are the best and only options for recovery from concussion, Chicago physical therapist Dr. Marc Gregory Guillen says that studies now […]
Parents: Be Aware of the Signs of Sports Injuries
As student-athletes train over the summer, preparing to head back to the practice fields later this season, injuries are going to happen. Despite concerted efforts to reduce and prevent sports injuries, it’s impossible to eliminate them from sports. So in order to ensure injuries are diagnosed and treated quickly, before they worsen, it’s paramount parents and […]
Local PT Debunks 6 Common Back Pain Myths
Despite being one of the top causes of disability in the U.S., affecting around eight in 10 people in their lifetimes, back pain is an ailment often misunderstood by those affected, says Chicago physical therapist Dr. Marc Gregory Guillen. Such misconceptions, Guillen adds, can cause those suffering from back pain to seek solutions, potential treatment paths, and even lifestyle alterations that aren’t necessarily in their best interests. “Back pain can be as frustrating as it […]
Chicago Wellness: How to Talk Positively with Your Kids about Exercise
All kids need exercise. Stacks of scientific research through the years support the myriad ways exercise helps young bodies and minds as they develop and grow. It’s important, then, for parents to encourage their children to be active and develop healthful habits as they grow and develop. During such conversations, however, Chicago physical therapist Dr. Marc Gregory Guillen says setting […]
Jump into March Madness Mindful of Jumper’s Knee, says Chicago PT
As a large portion of the nation’s attention turns to the “March Madness” NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament in the coming days, Chicago physical therapist Dr. Marc Gregory Guillen says now is an ideal time to educate fans, young competitors and even blue-collar workers about an injury prevalent in jump-heavy activities: jumper’s knee. Among the most common injuries in sports, jumper’s […]
5 Exercise Myths for People 55 and Older, according to Chicago PT
While it’s expected that most older people tend to slow down with age, the notion that seniors and soon-to-be seniors should trade in exercise and their active lifestyles for bingo and rocking chairs is definitely antiquated, says Chicago physical therapist Marc Gregory Guillen. And yet, when it comes to exercise for the 55-and-older population, plenty of myths continue to […]
5 Fitness Tips to Keep Introverts Moving
Finding a workout routine that fits your personality is one of the key ways to achieve optimal results, says Chicago physical therapist Dr. Marc Gregory Guillen. And, that holds particularly true for introverts – those who may be uneasy about joining a gym or a fitness class due to crowds of people, loud music, or […]
