We twist it, we turn it, we roll it…nothing seems to be a more common injury in all facets of life than the ankle sprain. ATC Eric Saxton, currently studying in the masters program for Physical Therapy at Northern Illinois, explains the basics behind the twists and the turns.
When most of us think about “Stretching” before or after a workout, we more than likely are thinking of Static Stretching, the practice of holding for a period of time to increase range of motion, done when muscles are already warm and you are finished with your work out. However, there’s another form of stretching we use….Dynamic Stretching. Dynamic Stretching prepares the body for activity, kind of like how warming up on the treadmill or an elliptical does. However when people dynamically stretch, they are moving their bodies in all different kinds of ranges of motion and all planes, allowing the body to be fully prepared for any activity, whereas a treadmill or elliptical works only one or two ranges of motion in only one specific plane.
Certified Personal Trainers Paul Kelly and Alison Key demonstrate a series of introductory exercises that dynamically work the entire body…from bottom to top….all in just over 7 minutes!
From the Desk of Jeff Schade:
Champion Fitness Physical Therapy-Jill Bane Memorial Scholarship
Jill Bane was well known for serving the Pontiac community as an Athletic Trainer and Physical Therapist Assistant at Champion Fitness Physical Therapy. Highly regarded by the athletes, parents, and patients she worked with, Jill built her reputation by putting patients first. Jill truly loved her career, and she held close to her heart the family of co-workers and friends that she made in her eleven years at Champion Fitness Physical Therapy. Jill worked with numerous students and served as a mentor and inspiration to new employees and students interested in the athletic training and physical therapy fields. In the spirit of her commitment to advancing patient care, Champion Fitness Physical Therapy is offering the Jill Bane Memorial Scholarship.
This scholarship is available to any senior who plans to pursue a career in either physical therapy or athletic training. Applicants must reside within a thirty-mile radius of any of the fifteen Champion Fitness Physical Therapy clinics in central Illinois and have maintained a 3.0 GPA. One letter of character reference from a non-family member is required, along with a 1-2 page essay discussing the following prompt-“How have my high school experiences prepared me to enter the physical therapy/athletic training field?” Deadline for all materials is April 16. Winners will be announced by May 1.
Applicants should submit all materials (Letter & Essay) to:
Mick Peterson (e-mail: mpeterson@champfit.com)
Champion Fitness Physical Therapy
924 W Custer Ave.
Pontiac, IL 61764
Targeting the core area of the body is not difficult; however, figuring out a good rehab program for that area sometimes is. Michael Bennington, Physical Therapist for Champion Fitness Physical Therapy, along with PTA Nick Foster, demonstrates some basic exercises we can all learn to do to assist the trunk portion of our bodies.
The upper body….too often we ignore…or just don’t take time to work those areas. PT Michael Bennington and PTA Nick Foster of Champion Fitness Physical Therapy show us how to work the shoulder area at home and also the back, neck, and scapula areas. Simple, but effective and beneficial.
SHOULDER
BACK, SCAPULA & NECK
Got a bad ankle? A sore knee? Here are some easy home exercises anyone can do to rebuild the afflicted area in the lower body. Champion Fitness Physical Therapy Physical Therapist Michael Bennington, assisted by PTA Nick Foster, demonstrate a basic rehab program to benefit the ankle or the knee.
ANKLE
KNEE