EXERCISE & AGING
As we age, it may seem harder to move. But exercise becomes crucial to prevent the effects of aging, like loss of muscle mass and bone density. Let’s look at the benefits of exercise as we age and how it improves physical, mental, and overall well-being.
KEEP CALM & CRANBERRY ON
Thanksgiving: a magical time of year when we gather with loved ones, give thanks, and stress out over dry turkey, weird relatives, and attempting to cook 7 side dishes in a single oven.
Let’s face it, between travel delays, grocery store madness, and pretending you like Aunt Judy’s "casserole," this holiday can turn even the calmest pilgrim into a full-blown Butterball of tension.
But fear not, weary holiday warrior, massage therapy is here to gravy your nerves and carve away your stress.
HYDRATION & MASSAGE
You’ve probably heard it a thousand times: “Make sure you hydrate!” But did you know water actually helps your muscles move better? Fascia, the web of tissue that holds everything together, needs hydration to stay smooth and flexible. When it’s dry or tight, you might feel stiff, sore, or less mobile.
Let’s break down why hydration matters so much for your recovery and how massage therapy can help keep your body feeling balanced and free.
GETTING THE MOST FROM YOUR MASSAGE: TIPS FOR YOUR FIRST TIME
Getting a massage for the first time can be both exciting and a little nerve-racking. Not knowing what to expect for your first time is a totally normal experience; even your therapist was in your shoes once! We’ll go over a few simple tips to get the most out of your massage experience so you can come in with excitement and leave feeling rejuvenated.
RELAX, REJUVENATE, REPEAT
Big news, relaxation lovers! PFP is now offering CBD massage oil as an add-on to your favorite massages—and trust us, your muscles (and your mind) are going to thank you.
Whether you’re melting into a Swedish massage or targeting tension with deep tissue work, our CBD-infused oil takes your session to the next level. Think: the same amazing massage you love, now with plant-powered support for sore muscles, stiff joints, and overall zen.
ARTHRITIS & AGING
Recently, I experienced knee swelling while training for a half-marathon. A later trip to an orthopedist and some X-rays confirmed what I probably already knew: I had osteoarthritis. After over 40 years of competitive running, it wasn’t a huge surprise.
But how could I deal with arthritis and aging? Let’s look at how the millions of people worldwide who experience this condition can make life better.
CREEPIN’ IT REAL: HOW MASSAGE CAN IMPROVE YOUR MOBILITY
How massage can improve your mobility, even if you walk like a zombie!
Are your joints cracking like an old haunted house? Do you shuffle into the office every Monday morning like a creature from the crypt? Well, don’t scream just yet—massage therapy might be the spooky secret to bringing your body back from the dead.
Let’s get into the ghoul stuff.
BONE HEALTH AS WE AGE
Bone is an active tissue that makes up our skeletal system. It provides numerous functions, but as we age, our bones get less dense. Our peak bone density typically occurs in early adulthood, but it drops off after menopause in women and after age 70 in men.
Healthy bones mean fewer fractures as we get older and help maintain our mobility. So, how do we maintain our bone health as we age? Let’s look at what you can do to keep your bones strong.
BALANCE & AGE
Proprioception is the ability to sense where your body is in space. It involves position, movement, and balance. Today, I’m going to focus on balance and why that skill gets more important as we age.
BEATING ALLERGY SEASON
The fall is allergy season for many people. How can you beat your allergy symptoms and still enjoy outdoor activities? Let's look at some pointers to help get through this time of year and still have fun when you’re outside.
HOW TO BEAT THE WINTER COLD & FLU SEASON
The start of the school year ushers in football season, brisk fall days, and the upcoming holidays. It’s also the start of cold and flu season. So, how do we beat cold and flu season to prevent illness? Let’s look at some tips to stay healthy this time of year.
A GUIDE ON TALKING TO YOUR PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER
As a primary care physician, I spent years of training learning about the human body. Many of the terms we learn to communicate with other providers come from Latin or Greek words. So, cardiomegaly, meaning “big heart,” might be the medical term to describe someone’s enlarged heart, but it doesn’t hold meaning for anyone else.
SUMMER FOOD SAFETY
Summer cookouts are great. Burgers, hot dogs, fruit and potato salad are all summer favorites. But the summer’s heat can increase food safety concerns. Let’s review some summer food safety tips to keep your summer fun!
THE SUMMER SEASON & OUR MENTAL HEALTH
Summer is a great time to be outdoors and escape those dreary Pittsburgh winters. But the summer season also benefits our mental health. Let’s look at some ways you can use the summer season to literally brighten your day.
BEAT THE HEAT: AVOIDING HEAT ILLNESS IN THE SUMMER
It’s summertime, and we all want to enjoy a break from Pittsburgh’s winter season. But, the summer also brings heat waves.
How do we beat the heat and avoid heat illness? Let's look at simple steps that you can take to avoid heat-related problems this summer.
SUMMERTIME ACTIVITIES & RECOVERY
We are officially well into summer, and Jason has been seeing more people out on the trails and in the parks. He wants to remind you that there are things we should do before and after an outside activity!
HOW MASSAGE THERAPY HELPS ATHLETES MAINTAIN PEAK PERFORMANCE
Athletes are constantly pushing their bodies to the limit—training harder, running faster, and lifting heavier, all in the pursuit of peak performance. But to perform at their best, recovery is just as important as training. That’s where I step in, your friendly massage therapist—not as a luxury, but as a crucial part of an athlete’s routine.
THE PELVIC FLOOR & PREGNANCY
Are you pregnant and want to know more about how pelvic floor physical therapy can help you prepare for labor and delivery?
SUNSCREEN SEASON IS ALL YEAR
I write about sunscreen this time every year because we get a lot of sun exposure with the summer’s longer days. But it is important to remember that sunscreen season is actually all year. You can even get a lot of sun exposure from the snow or when you’re out on the water.
Let’s look at some FAQ’s about sunscreen.
ATHLETIC INCONTINENCE
Athletic incontinence is urinary incontinence ONLY experienced during athletics or sport. About 40-50% of female athletes report athletic incontinence, many of whom have not had children! The most common movements that cause athletic incontinence are deadlifts, squats, jumping, and running. Leakage tends to happen with more weight on the bar, higher impact (like a higher or longer jump), and under fatigue (at the end of a workout). What do all these movement patterns have in common? They cause more STRESS on the pelvic floor and increase the intra-abdominal PRESSURE (the pressure within the abdomen resulting from the interaction of the abdominal wall and internal organs).
How can you learn to address athletic incontinence?