by Stephanie Hartman PT, DPT, PRPC | May 27, 2021 | Pain, pelvic floor, Physical Therapy, Wellbeing
“My labia feel like a cactus…” “My underwear feels like sandpaper…” “When I try to have sex, it feels like my tissue is tearing…” These are all soundbites from patients I’ve treated who have been diagnosed with Vulvodynia. Vulvodynia is one of many diagnoses I... 
by Erin Courtney PT, DPT | Nov 25, 2020 | Exercise, Physical Therapy, Sports Physical Therapy, Wellbeing
Winter in the Pacific Northwest brings with it an abundance of outdoor activities to enjoy. From skiing and snowshoeing to a simple walk or run in cold weather, exercising outdoors can be an enjoyable way to get through the winter. At Life’s Work Physical Therapy, our... 
by Stephanie Hartman PT, DPT, PRPC | Oct 27, 2020 | Exercise, Headaches, Jaw Pain, Neck Pain, Wellbeing
It has been several months since we started wearing masks more often to protect ourselves and the safety of others. Although masks play an essential role in reducing the spread of COVID-19, they are something new for our bodies to learn and adjust to. Here at Life’s... 
by Stephanie Hartman PT, DPT, PRPC | Sep 2, 2020 | Low Back Pain, Pain, pelvic floor, Physical Therapy, Wellbeing
Chances are that at some point in your life, someone has told you to ‘brace/engage/contract your core.’ What exactly does this mean though? And why are you instructed to do this so often before and during exercises? Let’s dig a little deeper into what the ‘core’ is,... 
by Stephanie Hartman PT, DPT, PRPC | Sep 2, 2020 | Low Back Pain, pelvic floor, Uncategorized, Wellbeing
Diaphragmatic breathing has become a popular recommendation among Physical Therapists, Personal Trainers, Healthcare providers, and Fitness Instructors alike. The connection between breathing dysfunction and the development or presence of low back pain has been... 
by Sandra Stryker PT, MPT, COMT, FAAOMPT | Mar 6, 2019 | Exercise, Pain, Physical Therapy, Wellbeing
After 22 years of practicing as a physical therapist, thousands of my patients have complained of what I call, “cold weather pain.” In Oregon where I live, when the hot and dry summer weather changes to cold and wet fall weather, joint pain complaints increase. As the... 