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Plantar Fasciitis:  5 Steps To Avoid A Painful Tug Of War In Your Foot Plantar Fasciitis is an irritation of the plantar fascia, a band of fibrous tissue on the bottom of the foot.  It’s characterized by pain in the particular area of the bottom of the heel, and is very point-tender when bearing weight, especially first thing in the morning.   The plantar fascia is one of the three main structures which support the main arch of the foot (medial longitudinal arch).  This arch is one of the main structures which supports the full weight of the body in the standing position.   Plantar Fasciitis often seems to come out of nowhere and can be quite painful for those who suffer from it.  Many times it stems from a “tug of war” between the main tissues of the foot and ankle: The plantar fascia and the achilles’ tendon.  Tightness in...

Sesamoiditis – The Pain In The Foot Nobody Knows About Ever hear of sesamoid bones?  Most people haven’t. That’s because there aren’t very many of them, and they typically don’t cause too many problems for people.  The sesamoid bones are those bones in the body which are joined to muscles by tendons. The most famous of the sesamoid bones is the patella, or knee cap.  Notice in the picture that the patella is joined by the patellar tendon and the quadriceps tendon on either end.  But today we will be discussing the two sesamoids on the bottom of the foot, near the big toe.  These two little bones are about the size of a kernel of corn, and act like pulleys, allowing forces to be transferred efficiently and smoothly through the foot when walking and running.  Sometimes the tendons can become irritated for a variety of reasons, including over-use...

Top 5 Reasons You Need A Certified Athletic Trainer More Than Your New Jerseys Although Athletic Training has a rich history, the profession as an organized entity is relatively new.  As with all new professions, it can take time for the field to reach its full potential. Athletic Trainers can be seen in all types of settings; High School, Collegiate, and Professional sports, performing arts, outpatient rehabilitation, physician practices, and many others.  However, one of the places an AT is needed most is on the field of sport, caring directly for the physically active population. There is no health professional more qualified to provide comprehensive care for athletes on-site than a Certified Athletic Trainer. Their expertise is valuable, their services needed, and their presence is an absolute necessity in today’s world of competitive sport.  Take a look at some of the unique qualities Athletic Trainers possess, and you’ll clearly...

5 Ways Active PT Is Changing The Game With Technology and Innovation Technology plays an ever-increasing role in just about every aspect of society.  In many ways we’ve come to rely on gadgets and technology for the function of our daily lives.  It’s no different in the world of Physical Therapy, and we are continuing to find new ways to serve our patients using cutting edge products and techniques.  Have a look here at some of the ways we’re staying on point to provide our patients with the latest and greatest.   Gaming   Gaming can have several uses in Physical Therapy.  From creating a fun and interactive experience to challenging balance, video games can be an effective therapeutic treatment for a variety of conditions which affect balance, coordination, reaction time, strength, endurance, and others.  At Active we utilize the Nintendo® WiiFit to make Physical Therapy more fun, engaging,...

The 5 Best Ways to Make Sure You’re Getting High Quality Physical Therapy Not all Physical Therapy is the same.  There are a variety of factors which can be used to determine the quality of your Physical Therapy team.  Recovery following injury or surgery is often the longest (and definitely most important) part of restoring your function.  When it comes to your rehabilitation, quality is what you want.  Choosing the right Physical Therapist is paramount to restoring your normative function and returning to a healthy, active lifestyle.   Outcomes This is the most fundamental measure of the Physical Therapy service you receive.  Are you getting better?  Do you feel better following your appointments, or worse?  Do you feel encouraged, challenged, and that you have hope for your recovery?  Outcomes generally speak volumes about the quality of a Physical Therapy clinic.  Ask your clinician about things like the timeline for recovery,...

5 Secrets to Prevent Heat Illness During Pre-Season Sports Many athletes are returning to their sport this fall, starting with practices during the middle to end of August.  Because these can be some of the hottest and most humid times of the year, athletes and parents should be aware of some special considerations during this time.  Understanding heat-related illness is a great place to start, and there are several different types. Exercise-associated muscle cramps (EAMCs):  This type of condition is characterized by tics, twinges, stiffness, tremors, or contractures.  They are often uncomfortable or painful. Although they are often referred to as heat cramps, they can occur in hot, cool, or temperature-controlled environments.    Heat Syncope:  This is a condition in which an athlete will become dizzy, or even faint because of the heat.  It usually occurs during the first 5 days of unaccustomed heat exposure.   Heat Exhaustion:  This condition is...

NMU’s School of Health and Human Performance (SHHP) hosted a conference on July 19th for Local and Regional Certified Athletic Trainers.  As a continuing education event, the conference featured several local clinicians and educators who presented on a variety of topics, including concussions, treatment of hip pain, oral airways, and several others. Aho and Lowery specifically discussed the science and process of treating patients with chronic pain.  This is such a timely and valuable offering from NMU’s SHHP. Athletic Trainers are now required to take continuing education courses on pain management to maintain their licensure in the state of Michigan.  They are also required to fulfill education requirements on recognizing and reporting signs of human trafficking. Continuing education requirements for Athletic Trainers in the state of Michigan can be found here. Lowery said of the event:  “This was such a great opportunity and and well-organized event.  What a privilege...

This year marks the 12th year featuring young football talent across the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  The U.P. Football All-Star Game is the brain-child of Todd G Goldbeck, DPT, ATC, CSCS, STC. He is a physical therapist and owner of XCel Physical Therapy near Madison, WI.   The mission of the U.P. Football Allstar Game is to showcase U.P. high school football and give the fans an opportunity to enjoy a competitive game between the U.P.’s best graduating seniors. This is Active’s 6th year participating in the event.  This year, our Licensed Athletic Trainers will be providing expert care for both teams, which will allow great communication and top-notch care for all participants.   But the U.P. Football All-Star Game is more than a game.  Players report to camp on Monday, June 24th, and stay in the dorms all week at NMU.  Athletes are purposefully placed in rooms with athletes...

Soccer season is here! And if you didn’t know, our Sports Medicine Staff is providing free injury assessments on Monday Nights for the Superiorland Soccer Association from 6:30-730PM at Kaufman field in Marquette!So to kick off the season, let’s take a look at 5 common injuries that you may want to watch for this coming season. Ankle SprainThis is quite a common injury for athletes who participate in sports which require lots of running, agility and cutting. Step wrong, or step in a pot-hole, and you can “roll your ankle”. Signs and symptoms of an ankle sprain are pain, swelling and discoloration. Sometimes an athlete will get bruising on or near the ankle. If an ankle sprain is suspected, it’s best to have it evaluated by a Licensed health professional. ACL injury The Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) is a major stabilizing ligament of the knee. It can become injured...

This year, we’re very grateful to add some really great people to the Active team!   Kelly Wood joined the team at Active in November of 2018.  She has been in medical administration for over 18 years. She lives in Ishpeming with her husband of 27 years and enjoys four wheeling, snowmobiling and quilting in her spare time. Noelle Champion was born and raised in Ishpeming. Noelle has over 25  years of customer service experience & enjoys the daily interactions with the patients. Noelle has been married for 28 years to her spouse  Kevin. Family is very important to her and she loves spending time with them whenever she can. Tori Escovedo comes to us with a wide range of work experiences including phlebotomy, OBGYN, Family Medicine, Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapies.  Tori is married and has three grown...