Need a Little Help Getting Active? Try Physical Therapy

Need a Little Help Getting Active? Try Physical Therapy

You know that regular exercise is crucial to living a healthy lifestyle. The CDC recommends adults aim for 150 minutes of moderate activity a week–about 22 minutes a day, so you don’t have to toil away in the gym for hours. But hitting those numbers can still be a challenge, especially if you struggle with persistent pain or limited mobility.

That’s where physical therapy at Pro-Active Physical Therapy comes in. We’re movement experts who understand all the impairments in your musculoskeletal system that can keep you from living the active, healthy lifestyle you crave. From pain management to maximizing your athletic performance, we’ll help you meet your exercise goals.

Here are just a few of the ways we can help you get healthier. Ready to get started? Call our clinic today!

We Can Reduce Pain and Restore Mobility

Many orthopedic conditions and injuries can make regular exercise feel difficult (if not impossible).  Osteoarthritis, herniated discs, tennis elbow–all can make you feel like it’s easier just to sit this one out. In reality, though, all these conditions (and others) benefit from regular exercise.

Dealing with persistent pain or limited mobility? Our physical therapists offer several options for pain relief, including several manual therapy techniques, such as soft tissue manipulation, joint mobilization, or myofascial release. We use these techniques as the first step in preparing your body for regular movement.

We’ll also show you targeted, tailored exercises to reduce pain in the affected area. Joint pain often stems from muscular imbalances or postural impairments that stress the impacted joint, leading to discomfort and setting you up for more serious injuries. Strength training will help reduce your pain and get you moving again.

Staff Spotlight: Sarah Phillips

PT | Clinical Director

Sarah and her husband Jordan are current residents of Sheridan, AR. They have 2 wonderful boys Mason and Morgan. In her spare time Sarah likes playing with her kids, reading, exercising and going to ballgames. One day she would love to visit every continent (except Antarctica)! She is a member of First Landmark Baptist Church and she also stays involved in school activities with her husband who teaches and coaches at Sheridan High School. Sarah graduated from UCA in 2017 and joined our team in May, 2018 and since has completed her certification in Dry Needling. Sarah says she loves meeting new people and being an encouraging light in their life. When asked what a favorite part of her job is she says “I thrive on seeing people improve physically and mentally after coming in to our clinic”

Southwest Cowboy Casserole

Ingredients:

• 6 oz. trumpets pasta or other short pasta
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 (1 oz.) packet taco seasoning + amount of water according to package
• 1 (15 oz.) can petite diced tomatoes
• 1 (15 oz.) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (12 oz.) bag frozen mixed vegetables
• 1 (8 oz.) bag Mexican blend cheese, shredded

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare a 3-quart casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray. Prepare pasta according to package directions to 2 minutes from al dente.

2. Drain and place in prepared dish. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add beef and cook until crumbled. Season with taco seasoning and add water.

3. Simmer until slightly thickened, then pour into dish. Add tomatoes with juices, beans, mixed vegetables and 1 cup cheese to the dish. Toss until combined.

4. Sprinkle with remaining 1 cup cheese and bake 20-35 minutes, until hot and cheese is melted. Serve and refrigerate leftovers.

We Can Let You Know If You’re At Risk for an Injury

Did you know you don’t have to wait until you’re in pain to visit the team at Pro-Active Physical Therapy? We’re in the business of preventing injuries, not just treating them–and we can help you enter into a new workout plan without fear!

Our comprehensive physical evaluations test the following:

During the screens, we’ll look for potential impairments that might cause injuries down the line and suggest corrections to address them–before they become a problem.

For example, let’s say that you want to take up running after some time away. During your assessment, we noticed that you tend to bend forward at the waist when jogging. This habit means that every time your foot hits the ground, you cause more impact in your feet than necessary, which could, eventually, lead to an injury. 

By catching the form mistake now–and working with our physical therapists to correct it–you lower your chances of suffering a knee injury (which could prevent you from exercising altogether).

We Can Help You Exercise with Confidence

Starting a new exercise program for the first time–or restarting one after some time away–can be deeply intimidating. You don’t know which exercises you should do. You have no idea if you’re performing movements correctly. You’re not even sure what types of exercise you would enjoy.

Our physical therapists can help with all these concerns and more. We can suggest an exercise program that suits your abilities, interests, and goals and work with you one-on-one to guide you through any unfamiliar movements or equipment. We can also suggest movement or activity modifications if something’s too difficult and offer reassurance that even small changes can have a big impact.

Our team doesn’t just help beginners, either. As you progress, you may find yourself plateauing or struggling with certain aspects of your performance. Our therapists can get to the bottom of things and develop a performance improvement plan so you can see the results you’re looking for.

Making New Year’s Resolutions?

We Can Help You Keep Them

Setting New Year’s resolutions is a time-honored tradition this time of year, but how many of us will still stick to those resolutions come June–or even February? Firm statistics on the success of New Year’s resolutions are hard to come by, but one study found that 45% of people surveyed felt their resolutions were unsuccessful one year out.

Don’t despair. There are ways to ensure your resolutions are successful, especially if they’re health- and fitness-related, as the vast majority are. In fact, one of the most popular New Year’s resolutions is to exercise more–and that’s one habit Pro-Active Physical Therapy can definitely help you develop!

Physical therapists are movement experts who understand the importance of regular exercise–not just on your appearance, but on your overall health. And if you’re going to make just one resolution, exercising more is a great one! Regular exercise has a radiating effect that impacts your mental health, sleep quality, joint pain levels, mobility, and so much more.

How Physical Therapy Will Keep You Moving All Year Long

One of the biggest challenges in starting a new exercise program is having no idea what to do. Joining a gym is most people’s first step, but it’s also an intimidating maze of unfamiliar equipment and wall-to-wall mirrors. Our therapists will help you develop an exercise program that suits your needs, interests, and ability levels–eliminating that initial hurdle.

Another trick to keep you moving is to track your progress. While many people default to monitoring their weight or appearance, our therapists can provide other measures to give you a complete picture of your overall health and wellness. Range of motion, balance, and strength: all paint a comprehensive portrait of your overall progress.

Knock This Resolution Out of the Park!

Make 2026 the year you stick by your resolution! With the Pro-Active Physical Therapy team in your corner, you’ll build an exercise habit for life. Call us today to learn more!

Start the Journey to An Active Lifestyle Today!

No matter your needs, the physical therapists at Pro-Active Physical Therapy will help you get active in a way that works for you. Call us to schedule your initial consultation!

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