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Articles by Kim Gladfelter
After physical therapy ends: How Pilates keeps your progress going
The step between “feeling better” and “staying better” Finishing physical therapy is a great day. The pain has settled, the stairs feel normal again and your calendar opens back up. It is also the moment I most want people to keep moving with intention, because the strength they just rebuilt is still new. Feeling better and staying better are two different goals. Therapy calms pain and restores the basics.
Why one-on-one work catches what a busy class misses
Most people who come to me for Pilates aren’t just looking for a good sweat. They want to move without paying for it the next day. They are dealing with a lower back that throbs after a long drive, a hip that catches on the stairs or a shoulder that refuses to reach the top shelf. Many have already tried a packed studio class, only to walk away feeling like something wasn’t quite right. The room was crowded, the pace was relentless and no one was actually watching their form. Trust that instinct.
Why I built a Pilates program around groups of just 2 to 4 people
If you have ever stood in the back of a fitness class quietly working around a body that hurts, you already know the problem I am about to describe. The class is moving. The instructor is calling out the next position. Everyone around you seems fine. And you are in the corner making a private negotiation with your low back, or your hip, or your shoulder, trying to guess which version of the movement you can get away with. Nobody notices. Nobody adjusts anything.
Pelvic pain and weakness: What most people don’t realize
Many people live with back or sacroiliac (SI) joint tension, bloating, pelvic discomfort, urinary leakage or stubborn hip tightness for years without ever connecting these issues to a surgery they had long ago. Whether it was a cesarean section, hysterectomy, laparoscopic procedure or even a seemingly routine appendectomy, abdominal surgeries often leave behind hidden internal changes. Most individuals only notice the surface scar, assuming that once it fades, the body has fully recovered.
Unlocking vitality - overcoming pelvic floor challenges for a renewed life
The pelvic floor is a remarkable network of muscles, ligaments and tissues that forms the base of your core, supporting organs like the bladder, intestines and reproductive system. Yet, for millions of people, pelvic floor dysfunction can silently disrupt daily life, leading to discomfort, embarrassment and limitations that erode confidence and freedom. Issues arise from factors like childbirth, aging, surgery or chronic strain, causing weakness or tightness in these muscles.
Therapies help athletes stay in the game
Pickleball, softball, baseball, golf, jogging and tennis aren’t just hobbies – they’re essential to how many active adults stay fit, social and energized. These sports offer benefits such as cardiovascular health, improved coordination, mental well-being and community connection. But injuries can sideline even the most seasoned players for weeks or even months. That’s where regenerative therapy (shockwave and high energy magnetic therapy) comes in.
Building core strength: The foundation of physical health and vitality
In today’s fast-paced world, where sedentary habits clash with physical demands, maintaining a strong core has become a cornerstone of overall health. The core is often misunderstood as “abs,” but it is far more integral to daily life. A resilient core enhances performance, prevents injury and safeguards against common ailments like back pain and instability. The core represents the body’s central hub – a network of muscles stabilizing the spine and pelvis.
How Stimpod therapy can better treat nerve-related conditions
If you’ve been living with chronic pain, nerve dysfunction or frustrating conditions like sciatica, carpal tunnel, or stress incontinence, there’s good news. A cutting-edge approach known as Stimpod therapy is offering new hope to people suffering from a wide range of neurological and muscular disorders without the need for surgery or medication.
Relieving chronic pain with Regenerative Shockwave Therapy
Chronic pain is one of the most significant barriers to living a full, active life. Whether it stems from an old injury, overuse or a degenerative condition, pain that lingers for months or years can severely affect mobility, mood and overall wellbeing. For millions of people, this daily discomfort becomes a quiet burden, limiting activities, disrupting sleep and diminishing quality of life.
Understanding pelvic floor dysfunction and its treatment
Pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) is a common yet often misunderstood condition that affects women. The pelvic floor consists of muscles, ligaments and connective tissues that support the bladder, bowel and uterus. When these muscles become weak, tight, or uncoordinated, they can lead to various uncomfortable and sometimes debilitating symptoms. Pelvic floor dysfunction can manifest in different ways. Urinary incontinence is the leakage of urine due to weak or overactive pelvic muscles.
Stimpod therapy: Treatment for chronic pain and nerve dysfunction
Chronic pain and nerve dysfunction can be debilitating, but Stimpod therapy is a great treatment option. Stimpod therapy is an advanced, FDA-cleared treatment that uses pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) therapy to target and restore nerve function, offering relief for chronic pain and neuropathy.
Shockwave regenerative therapy: Relief for chronic hand and foot pain
W e often think of injuries in terms of physical pain and limitations. But when it comes to hand and foot injuries, the impact extends far beyond the physical. These seemingly minor injuries can trigger a cascade of challenges, affecting everything from mental health and self-esteem to career prospects and social interactions.
The use of shockwave regenerative therapy for hip and knee pain
Chronic knee and hip pain are more than just discomforts – they are debilitating conditions that can significantly impact mobility, daily activities and overall quality of life. Chronic hip pain can arise from a variety of conditions affecting the joint itself, the surrounding soft tissues, or even referred pain, which is when pain originates from one location but is felt in other areas. Common sources include: • Osteoarthritis: age-related “wear-and-tear” of the hip joint cartilage.
The benefits, principals and considerations of Pilates for rehabilitation
Pilates for rehabilitation is a specialized approach within the broader Pilates method. It integrates the foundational elements of Pilates with orthopedic principles to address specific musculoskeletal issues. It combines strength, flexibility and stability exercises with careful attention to body alignment, posture and injury rehabilitation.
About the symptoms, causes and what to do about shoulder pain
Because of the shoulder joint’s complexity and frequent use in daily activities, shoulder pain can affect people across various demographics. It can be debilitating, whether it’s due to sports, aging or poor posture. However, there’s growing interest in regenerative therapy, a cutting-edge healing approach that transforms how shoulder pain is managed alongside traditional treatments.
Why are so many people choosing custom orthotics?
Custom orthotics are specially designed insoles or shoe inserts that support all three arches in your feet, tailored specifically to fit your unique foot shape and needs. Unlike over-the-counter insoles, which come in standard sizes, custom orthotics are made based on your precise alignment assessment. This process involves a thorough but quick scan in a weight-bearing position, taking only a few minutes to evaluate your arch height and any specific foot or lower limb conditions.
Treating pain with regenerative therapy: A faster way to heal
Regenerative therapy is revolutionizing how we approach acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain and connective tissue disorders. Instead of further stressing a musculoskeletal injury or damage, regenerative therapy enhances the body’s natural ability to heal, offering an encouraging solution if you are struggling with tissue damage, overuse, arthritis, degenerative joints, poor blood flow or weakness.
Understanding TMJ disorder and the role of physical therapy in treatment
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder is a condition that affects the joint connecting the jawbone to the skull. It’s characterized by pain, discomfort, and limited movement in the jaw joint and surrounding muscles. TMJ disorder can be caused by various factors, including jaw injuries, arthritis, teeth grinding, stress, or misalignment of the jaw or teeth.
Hypnotherapy: Exploring benefits, payment options & dispelling myths
Embarking on the journey of hypnotherapy opens doors to transformative change, directly influencing your physical, mental and emotional well-being. In the hands of a skilled professional, hypnotherapy becomes a personalized tool, offering benefits that stretch beyond traditional therapies designed specifically for you. The potential benefits of hypnotherapy are vast, offering a versatile approach to holistic well-being tailored to your unique needs.
Physical therapy can help with vestibular disorders
Vestibular disorders can significantly impact an individual’s quality of life, causing symptoms such as dizziness, vertigo and impaired balance. Fortunately, a physical therapist who specializes in vestibular rehabilitation offers a powerful solution for such problems. By leveraging specialized techniques and exercises, an expert physical therapist can help you overcome these debilitating conditions, restore balance and regain control over your life.
How specialized PT helps manage lymphedema
Lymphedema is a chronic condition characterized by the accumulation of lymphatic fluid, resulting in swelling and discomfort. While there is no cure, a physical therapist who specializes in lymphedema can help provide life-changing progress to those who face managing the condition.
How physical therapy and Pilates can address, manage back pain
Back pain is among the most common physical problems many people experience at some point in life. It can be caused by many factors, including poor posture, incorrect lifting techniques or body mechanics, repetitive stress, sustained positions, sports-related injuries, accidents or trauma, musculoskeletal conditions, post-operative care and underlying medical conditions. Surrounding areas also can contribute to pain, such as muscle tightness, abdominal weakness and lack of hip mobility.
Pilates power: The benefits of therapeutic exercise on aging bodies
As we age, our bodies go through various changes, including a natural decrease in muscle mass and strength. These changes can lead to a range of health problems, including chronic pain, osteoporosis and reduced mobility. The good news is that therapeutic exercise such as Pilates can help prevent such problems by keeping your muscles strong and healthy In general, therapeutic exercise is a type of physical activity specifically designed to improve our physical function and reduce pain.
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How full-body Pilates workout can transform both your health and happiness
Our health affects every aspect of how we live our lives, from work to activities, relationships and how we fare in retirement. As a result, your health is the best long-term investment that is the foundation of your most priceless possession. Pilates is a form of exercise that focuses on a full-body workout that helps improve your ability to remain injury-free while staying active. This is an important priority if you want to continue to enjoy the activities you love most as you get older.
Shouldering the pain: Don’t let it keep you up
Courtesy of Physiofit Shoulder pain can often be exacerbated at night, by position, bedding, and the stillness of sleep. Let’s face it: Pain and sleep aren’t a great mix. People in pain often struggle to fall asleep, wake up frequently throughout the night or fail to enter restorative deep sleep stages once they do manage to get a few Zzzs. This is something I hear about a lot from my patients – especially those who come to see me with a stiff, painful shoulder.
Physical therapy can help ease pelvic floor dysfunction
Courtesy of Physiofit Weakness in the muscles supporting the pelvis can be addressed and does not have to be an inevitable result of childbirth or aging. Struggling with problems such as urinary incontinence and pain during sex can be uncomfortable – and not just physically. Many people find it difficult to talk to their health-care providers about these kinds of symptoms. But such conditions are often treatable, especially if they are related to pelvic floor dysfunction.
Staying Active: Why lengthy sitting can be risky
Photo Courtesy Physiofit Excessive sitting can lead to weaker muscles and bones, stiffer joints and impaired digestion. Most of us have heard the phrase, “Sitting is the new smoking.” The implication, of course, is that sitting too much is actually harmful to your health. What might surprise you, however, is just how detrimental sitting can be. With one in four Americans sitting for eight hours per day or more, there’s never been a better time for all of us to get up and get moving.
Staying Active: Workout mistakes to avoid during forced lockdowns
Just because you’re staying home doesn’t mean you can’t stay active. In fact, exercise is more important than ever now that we’re in the middle of cold and flu – and COVID-19 – season. Courtesy of PhysioFit The pandemic has affected people’s ability to be active, but there are still ways to stay healthy and fit. That’s because moderate physical activity is supported by research as an effective and all-natural way to regulate your immune system, fight inflammation and reduce the risk of illness.
Tight hamstrings: Why stretching might help, but isn’t always the answer
If your hamstrings are tight, you should stretch them, right? Courtesy of Physiofit Many factors could contribute to hamstring tightness, and the solution is likely more than stretching. While the answer may seem obvious, stretching your muscles may not always be the best approach to alleviating your problem, whether it’s limited range of motion, pain or impaired athletic performance. As a physical therapist, I run into this apparent conundrum often. Take my client Mark, for example.
Golf injuries: Effective recovery solutions to get back on the course
In the past few months, I’ve noticed that golf courses in the area have never been busier. Admittedly, I get a bit of an inside scoop, as my husband works at a major golf course. But there’s another way I can tell more people are getting back on the fairway: Golf injuries are definitely on the rise. So many people have walked into my clinic over the past couple of months with aches and pains that started on the back nine or the driving range.
Do I have plantar fasciitis or spurs? Diagnosing and treating heel pain
Courtesy of Physiofit Approximately 2 million Americans are treated each year for heel pain, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Pain in the bottom of your foot and heel area can be incredibly frustrating and prevent you from doing even the simplest things – like getting out of bed in the morning without wincing, let alone making it through a full day at work.
Staying Active: Why sheltering in place might be causing your back problems
Details Published: 22 July 2020 Written by Kim Gladfelter Photo Courtesy PhysioFit Sheltering in place during the pandemic could be leading to your back problems. Ever since people started sheltering in place because of COVID-19, we’ve heard from many clients that they’re experiencing more back pain. We can think of plenty of reasons why you may be struggling with a stiffer-than-usual back.
Telehealth video visits offer pain relief while at home
Courtesy of Kim Gladfelter While some physical therapy clinics choose to remain open right now, PhysioFit is slowing the spread of the virus and protecting neighbors, loved ones and first-line medical providers by offering clients video visits. The COVID-19 pandemic is a growing global concern unlike anything that’s ever been seen. In response to this uncertain and unprecedented event, people are encouraged to slow the spread of the virus by practicing social distancing.
You don't need to shoulder the pain
Courtesy of Kim Gladfelter Applying ice or heat, hugging a pillow while sleeping and undergoing physical therapy are the best ways to cure shoulder pain, according to physical therapist Kim Gladfelter. Shoulder pain is an extremely common problem these days. The shoulder is a complicated joint with movement in all directions. Use of modern technology is a great contributing factor because of the poor posture and increased compensation it creates.
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