Julie Moon, Physical Therapist | Jun 3, 2020 | Health, June-July 2020
Core training is one of the most popular concepts in the field of fitness and physical therapy. Core stability training is often associated with strengthening your abdominal muscles — the “abs.” The ab muscles play a very important role, but the core also includes multiple muscles in he mid-lower back, pelvic floor, hips and buttocks. This ring of muscles, or the “internal belt,” holds us up during the day, reducing falls, decreasing back pain and improving posture and even bladder control.
Julie Moon, Physical Therapist | Mar 27, 2020 | April - May 2020, Health
The popularity of the foam roller has been growing so steadily in the world of fitness that it is often used as a cure-all for many different conditions. It is a great tool for increasing mobility of the spine and soft tissue if used correctly. If it’s not used the right way, you could be doing more harm than good.
Julie Moon, Physical Therapist | Jan 31, 2020 | February - March 2020, Health
Golf is a popular sports activity. Unlike most sports, it can be played throughout the golden years, if you can stay in shape and avoid injury. The American Physical Therapy Association says that older golfers often forget that while their passion for the game remains high, their bodies have aged. As we age, we lose flexibility, muscle mass and strength. Because the golf swing’s extreme bending and twisting movements are not natural for the body, senior golfers are at a greater risk of injury.
Julie Moon, Physical Therapist | Dec 7, 2019 | Dec 2019 - Jan 2020, Health
The majority of patients who come into my office do not realize they lock or hyper-extend their knees while standing or walking. They often do this out of habit or because of weakness. Generally, locking your knees transfers stress from supporting muscles to the knee joint, compressing it. The result is decreased mobility and blood flow and increased friction that can lead to pain or wearing away of the joint.
Julie Moon, Physical Therapist | Sep 30, 2019 | Health, October - November 2019
Whether your goal is to reduce low back pain or slim your waist, adding exercises to your workout that engage your core can make a significant difference. The most important, yet often overlooked muscle that must be strengthened, is the transverse abdominis (TA) which is the deep, inner abdominal muscle that begins at the spine and wraps around your waist.
Julie Moon, Physical Therapist | Aug 1, 2019 | August - September 2019, Health
Weekend warriors often develop shoulder discomfort when performing overhead movements while playing tennis, baseball or tackling DIY projects around the house. The longer you suffer, the more damage can occur. Here are simple tips to relieve some symptoms:
Julie Moon, Physical Therapist | May 24, 2019 | Health, June - July 2019
The reality is most of us sit too much. A study published by Microsoft revealed that U.S. workers spend an average of seven hours per day on a computer — more hours than they sleep at night! Sitting at a desk for hours on end can result in increased muscle tension at the neck, back and shoulders. And if it’s not addressed, over time it can lead to spinal pain, headaches and even more serious symptoms —pain, tingling or numbness down the arms. Here are some tips to help you stay healthy behind your desk:
Julie Moon, Physical Therapist | Apr 5, 2019 | April - May 2019, Health
Diaphragmatic breathing is beneficial for your physical and mental health as it reduces stress, lowers heart rate and blood pressure. For those with pulmonary disease, such as COPD, the diaphragm often becomes weakened causing it to work less efficiently. A physical therapist experienced in pulmonary rehab can teach proper breathing to reduce anxiety, slow breathing rate, increase full oxygen exchange, and improve physical activity.
Julie Moon, Physical Therapist | Feb 1, 2019 | February - March 2019, Health
With a new year comes new goals to better ourselves. Whether you have been exercising for years or are just starting out, be especially careful to avoid injury. Loss of flexibility and of bone and muscle mass increases the risk of injury and slows down recovery.
Julie Moon, Physical Therapist | Dec 2, 2018 | Dec 2018 Jan 2019, Health
Appropriate footwear is key to preventing injuries. So, knowing your foot type is crucial when choosing walking or running shoes. To find your best shoe type, stand in front of a mirror in bare feet and shift your weight, observing your inner arch.
Julie Moon, Physical Therapist | Sep 26, 2018 | Health, October - November 2018
October is National Physical Therapy Month and National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Physical therapy may not be the first healthcare field that comes to mind when someone is undergoing cancer treatment, but physical therapists can play an integral role in promoting a speedy recovery and in assisting a return to previous levels of activity following surgery and radiation/chemotherapy treatments.
Julie Moon, Physical Therapist | Jul 29, 2018 | August - September 2018, Health
If you are one of the 100 million Americans who experience chronic pain, know that physical therapy can be a safer alternative to potentially addictive medications. Physical therapy plays a vital role in helping to manage and overcome chronic pain through proper strengthening and flexibility exercises, manual therapies, posture and body mechanics instruction.
Julie Moon, Physical Therapist | May 19, 2018 | Health, June - July 2018
Knee pain while descending stairs is often due to the force on your kneecap (patella), which studies show is 3.5 X your body weight. If you weigh 140lbs, the force on your patella can be as much as 490lbs! That is a lot of stress on your knee, and the pain will be magnified if you have weak muscles or degeneration of the cartilage in the joint.
Julie Moon, Physical Therapist | Apr 10, 2018 | April - May 2018, Health
In our younger years we didn’t think twice about sprinting up and down steps. As we age, however, climbing a flight of stairs can often seem like scaling a mountainside due to limited mobility and pain. According to Harvard Health Publishing, the force on each knee is...
Julie Moon, Physical Therapist | Feb 1, 2018 | February - March 2018, Health
There is no better gift that you can give your loved one than taking care of your health and staying fit. Living well means that you will be able to enjoy your time together for decades to come.
Julie Moon, Physical Therapist | Dec 1, 2017 | Dec 2017 - January 2018, Health
Adults of all generations, from millennials to baby boomers and “maturers,” struggle with managing stress. Life can often be chaotic. When we are stressed, the body releases hormones adrenaline and cortisol. This increases heart rate and blood pressure, and interferes...
Julie Moon, Physical Therapist | Oct 1, 2017 | Health, October - November 2017
Core training is one of the most popular concepts in the field of fitness and physical therapy. Core stability training is often associated with strengthening your abdominal muscles — the “abs.” The ab muscles play a very important role, but the core also includes...
Julie Moon, Physical Therapist | Jul 24, 2017 | Aug-Sept 2017, Health
By Julie Moon, Physical Therapist Back surgery is a serious procedure and often requires significant recovery time. Exercise is a critical part of healing, although during the post-operative stages, patients must be careful to avoid undue stress on the surgical site...
Julie Moon, Physical Therapist | Jun 6, 2017 | Health, June-July 2017
by Julie Moon, Physical Therapist HEALTH As we age, we lose flexibility, strength and balance, which affects our general health and mobility. The good news is therapeutic exercise can help improve mobility and function. Balance, flexibility and strength are essential...
Julie Moon, Physical Therapist | Apr 11, 2017 | April – May 2017, Health
Diabetes affects people in different ways, but those with type 2 diabetes frequently suffer from heart disease, high blood pressure and nervous system damage, including impaired sensation or pain in the hands and feet. Physical activity and keeping a healthy weight...
Julie Moon, Physical Therapist | Jan 26, 2017 | February - March 2017, Health
Difficulty getting out of bed in the morning? Or taking longer for joints and muscles to loosen due to stiffness? The basic causes of morning stiffness are lack of physical activity, not sleeping properly and chronic conditions like arthritis. Try these strategies to...
Julie Moon, Physical Therapist | Dec 1, 2016 | December – January 2017, Health
Even for the fittest of grandparents, taking care of grandkids can really take a toll on your body. The most common areas of injury are the neck, shoulders, back and knees. Here are tips to prevent those aches and pains. If you are inactive, wrestling on the floor or...
Julie Moon, Physical Therapist | Oct 1, 2016 | Health, October - November 2016
Walking on an Underwater Treadmill by Julie Moon, Physical Therapist from the Oct-Nov 2016 issue of Generations Magazine, Hawai‘i’s Resource for Life
Julie Moon, Physical Therapist | Aug 1, 2016 | August - September 2016, Health
Avoid Luggage Injuries by Julie Moon, Physical Therapist from the August-September 2016 issue of Generations Magazine, Hawai‘i’s Resource for Life
Julie Moon, Physical Therapist | Jun 1, 2016 | Health, June - July 2016
Lumbar Stenosis Misdiagnosis by Julie Moon, Physical Therapist from the June-May 2016 issue of Generations Magazine, Hawai‘i’s Resource for Life
Julie Moon, Physical Therapist | Apr 1, 2016 | April - May 2016, Articles, Health
Many confuse rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with osteoarthritis (OA), which stems from different causes and demands a separate therapeutic program. Unlike OA, RA is an autoimmune disorder that affects any age. Onset and loss of mobility may appear almost overnight. Sanchia...
Julie Moon, Physical Therapist | Dec 1, 2015 | Articles, December - January 2016, Health
Statistics show that a majority of U.S. patients who require an amputation are age 65 and older. Amputation will likely intensify feelings of dependency, depression and helplessness: I’m too old now to learn to live without a limb. Who cares anyway? Who knows how many...
Julie Moon, Physical Therapist | Oct 1, 2015 | Articles, Health, October - November 2015
Pain affects more Americans than diabetes, heart disease and cancer combined. The American Academy of Pain Management estimates that more than 100 million Americans suffer from chronic pain. Patients often explore multiple options for relief, but pain medication...
Julie Moon, Physical Therapist | Aug 1, 2015 | Articles, August - September 2015, Health
Golf is a popular sports activity. Unlike most sports, it can be played throughout the golden years, if you can avoid injury and stay in shape. The American Physical Therapy Association says that older golfers often forget that while their passion for the game remains...
Julie Moon, Physical Therapist | Jun 1, 2015 | Articles, Health, June - July 2015
The knee is the most often replaced joint in the body. Usually, total knee replacement (TKR) surgery is performed when people have knee damage and pain caused by osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or alignment problems in the leg that make walking or performing...
Julie Moon, Physical Therapist | Apr 1, 2015 | April - May 2015, Articles, Health
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 33 percent of adults 65 and older suffer from osteoarthritis (OA). Mayo Clinic reports that OA is the most common form of arthritis, when protective cartilage wears down, creating...
Julie Moon, Physical Therapist | Feb 1, 2015 | Articles, February - March 2015, Health
The letters “p” and “t” for physical therapy should NOT be confused with “pain” and “torture.” Unfortunately, many people will share their horror stories of how painful their experiences were. The old-school approach of “no pain, no gain” has been scientifically...
Julie Moon, Physical Therapist | Dec 1, 2014 | Articles, December - January 2015, Health
If starting a new exercise routine is part of your self-improvement plan this year, you may want to consider Ai Chi. Ai (meaning “love”) Chi (“breath/essence/ being”) is a graceful form of aquatic exercise that involves a series of movements performed in a slow,...
Julie Moon, Physical Therapist | Aug 1, 2014 | Articles, August - September 2014, Health
Many will experience some kind of lower back pain at some point in their lives. If a back injury has short-circuited your daily activities or regular workout routine, aqua therapy might be a good alternative during the healing...
Julie Moon, Physical Therapist | Jun 1, 2014 | Articles, Health, June - July 2014
We have all heard the term “rotator cuff.” What is a rotator cuff? A group of four muscles: supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis and teres minor that connects the shoulder blade (scapula) to the arm bone (humerus). The rotator cuff tendons are key to a healthy...
Julie Moon, Physical Therapist | Apr 1, 2014 | April - May 2014, Articles, Health
More than 50 million Americans suffer from debilitating joint pain, making day-to-day living a challenge. As a result, many people choose not to undergo land-based rehabilitation, which is often times very painful. But without treatment, further joint damage,...
Julie Moon, Physical Therapist | Feb 1, 2014 | Articles, February - March 2014, Health
Cardiac rehabilitation, as defined by the American Heart Association, is a medically supervised program to help patients who have sustained a heart attack, undergone heart surgery (bypass) or those with identified risk factors (coronary artery disease or angina)....
Julie Moon, Physical Therapist | Dec 1, 2013 | Articles, December - January 2014, Health
One-third of the population over the age of 65 falls each year, and the risk increases proportionately with age. At 80 years, over half of seniors fall annually. Those who take a spill often develop a fear of falling. Fear gone unchecked may lead to limiting...
Julie Moon, Physical Therapist | Oct 1, 2013 | Articles, Health, October - November 2013
Unlike “water aerobics,” aquatic therapy is a specialty of physical therapy performed in a warm-water pool to assist patients in healing. The effectiveness of an aquatic program rests largely on the physical properties of water, along with the skilled guidance of a...
Julie Moon, Physical Therapist | Aug 1, 2013 | Articles, August - September 2013, Health
As the most vital member of your own health care team, it’s important for you to know how to choose the right physical therapist who can maximize your healthcare dollars. Tips for choosing a physical therapist: Freedom to Choose: You are not obligated to accept the...