Pointe Readiness: When is the Optimal Time to Start Pointe Work? Michelle Perry PT, DPT The combined forces from body weight and momentum when dancing en pointe places significant stress on a dancer’s leg; the equivalent of up to 12x the individual’s body weight. Thus, adolescent dancers looking to start pointework and even those dancing…
By Michael J. Velsmid, DPT, (Part II in a series on orthotics) Are you faced with getting a new pair of custom orthotics? Whether your doctor prescribed them or they were recommended by a family member or friend, you are about to get sticker shock. I have had my patients tell me that they paid…
by Justin Wu, DPT “What are minimalist shoes and what do they hope to accomplish?” is a question that I ask myself every time I see someone using them. Well here’s a simple gist of what this specific type of shoe hopes to achieve: reduce the amount of stress on legs and lower the incidence…
by Rebecca Lingerfelt, DPT These days, you walk into a running store looking for new shoes and there are way too many choices- how do you even begin to find the right shoe?? We hope to shed some light upon that conundrum by the time you finish reading this blog. First things first, there are…
by Rebecca Lingerfelt, DPT You’ve heard that song about how the foot bone’s connected to the leg bone and the leg bone’s connected to the knee bone; well, it’s true! Our bodies are intricately connected and issues in one location can affect other areas of your body in ways you didn’t even realize. Your foot…
by Jennifer Mohns, DPT “Your legs look so sleek”… “Your heels are so cute”… “You’re calves look amazing.” These are a few of the many things us women love to hear when we wear high heels, BUT to what price should we put beauty above health? Most women do not realize the detrimental effects that…
By Michael J. Velsmid, DPT, MS (Part I in a series on orthotics) Depending on whom you ask this question, you will get different answers. Some will say that everyone will benefit from orthotics, but those who prescribe to minimalist running will tell you that you should never use anything in your shoes. When I…
by Rebecca Lingerfelt, DPT The latest shoe technology has introduced unstable shoes like Reebok EasyTones and Skechers Shape-Ups. The theory of the unstable shoe is that walking on uneven surfaces improves posture and muscle strength by requiring muscles to be active more frequently. It is important to note that the majority of these shoes are…