Stronger, Steadier, More Active: Your Summer Starts Here
We’ve got some good news, though: physical therapy at Blue Sky Physical Therapy offers a practical way to address the movement limitations that can keep you from making the most of summer.
How Physical Therapy Supports an Active Lifestyle
Many of our patients assume physical therapy is just for treating pain or injury. In reality, our goal is to help improve how your body moves and functions in real-life situations. We do this by assessing several key areas, including:
- Joint mobility
- Muscle strength and endurance
- Balance and coordination
- Movement patterns, such as how you walk
We also take the time to learn your specific goals, whether that’s returning to your favorite sport, walking longer distances, or being able to play with your grandkids.
Together, this information allows us to create a care plan tailored specifically to your needs.
Why Does Physical Therapy Work?
Movement Efficiency Reduces Strain
Many aches come from compensation patterns that occur when one part of the body overworks to make up for another. Physical therapy corrects these patterns so movement feels smoother and less taxing.
Strong Muscles Protect Joints
Strengthening key muscle groups can reduce stress on joints affected by wear and tear, such as those affected by arthritis.
Balance Training Lowers Fall Risk
Falls are a leading cause of injury in older adults. Targeted balance exercises improve stability and reaction time, making daily activities safer.
Gradual Progression Builds Confidence
Avoiding activity can lead to further weakness and stiffness. Physical therapy uses a step-by-step approach to safely reintroduce movement.
Pain is Addressed at Its Source
Instead of masking symptoms, treatment focuses on the underlying cause, such as joint stiffness, muscle imbalance, or poor mechanics. This helps improve long-term outcomes.
Three Ways Physical Therapy Can Help You Stay Active
1. When Low Back Pain Makes Walking a Challenge
You know that daily walks can help boost health. Unfortunately, every time you try to go for a walk, your back starts hurting after 10-15 minutes.
In most cases, this doesn’t indicate anything seriously wrong. Instead, it’s usually a combination of limited spinal mobility, weak core muscles, or poor posture, all of which can increase strain on the lower back.
How Physical Therapy Helps
- Gentle mobility work improves range of motion in the spine
- Core stabilization exercises support the spine during movement
- Walking mechanics are adjusted to reduce strain
- Gradual walking programs build endurance safely
2. When Knee Arthritis Keeps You Indoors
You want to spend time in your garden, but the pain and stiffness from knee osteoarthritis make it harder for you to kneel down and tend to your plants.
This is a common complaint, particularly among older people. Osteoarthritis causes degeneration in the affected knee’s tissues that reduces the joint’s capacity to handle loading. Furthermore, muscles around the knee can weaken and further increase joint stress.
How Physical Therapy Helps
- Strengthening the quadriceps and hip muscles reduces pressure on the knee
- Manual therapy can improve joint mobility and decrease stiffness
- Movement strategies (like proper squat technique) protect the joint
- Low-impact exercise plans keep the joint active without overload
3. When Balance Concerns Leave You With a Fear of Falling
Your balance hasn’t felt as steady lately, and you find yourself avoiding walking on uneven surfaces, such as a nature trail, due to fear of falling.
This is another common concern among older people. Several factors can contribute to balance concerns, including muscle weakness, vision changes, or vestibular (inner ear) function. And as balance becomes difficult, it’s easy for confidence to fall.
How Physical Therapy Helps
- Balance exercises retrain the body to respond to shifts in position
- Strength training improves stability in the legs and core
- Gait training increases walking safety in different environments
- Functional drills simulate real-life situations, like stepping over obstacles
Making the Most of Summer Movement
The key to staying active is addressing any issues that might keep you on the couch. And with the right support from the Blue Sky Physical Therapy team, movement becomes something to enjoy, not avoid.
Give us a call today to learn more about how we can help.
Your Progress Matters To Us!
Return to Blue Sky Physical Therapy and Let’s Continue Your Journey to Wellness Together. Schedule Your Appointment Now!
In the Community
Five strong, one finish line – Team Blue Sky IT Band crushes the Colfax Marathon Relay!
Due to popular demand, Blue Sky Physical Therapy is bringing back our ‘Creating Confidence’ fall prevention workshop designed to help older adults feel safer, stronger, and more prepared for everyday life. Led by expert physical therapists, this interactive seminar will provide practical guidance and hands-on strategies to help participants reduce their risk of injury and build confidence with movement and mobility. Both Level 1 and Level 2 workshops will be available for participants who wish to complete the full series.
Topics in Level 1 will include:
• Strategies to get down to and back up off the floor
• The best falling strategies to reduce risk of injury
• Practice standing-to-floor transitions and falling methods in a safe environment with guidance of PTs
Topics in Level 2 will include:
• Advanced fall strategies, including backwards & sideways loss of balance
• Insight into current fall prevention research + how confidence impacts health outcomes and long-term independence
• Education on the physiology of balance
• Practice in a safe environment with the guidance of PTs
This workshop is ideal for older adults who want to maintain independence, improve confidence with movement, and learn proactive ways to stay safe and active. Participants will leave with practical skills they can use at home and in everyday situations.
Build resilience, improve confidence, and prepare your body for when the unexpected happens!
Exercise of the Month
BIRD DOG
Start on your hands and knees on a mat or table. Brace your abdominals and keep your back flat. Slowly raise one arm straight out in front of you while simultaneously raising your opposite leg back behind you until both limbs are straight and parallel with the ground. Lower them back down and repeat with your other limbs.
3 Sets, 10 Reps.
Staff Spotlight
Renee Jones, PT, DPT
I am originally from Houston, Texas where I grew up dancing at the age of 3. I was introduced to physical therapy due to various injuries from dancing and found the profession extremely vital in helping individuals restore movement and improve their quality of life. I attended the University of Texas at Austin for my undergraduate where I got my Bachelor of Science and Arts in Biology with a minor in Business of Healthcare. After completing my undergraduate studies, I pursued my dream of moving to Colorado and becoming a PT and obtained my Doctorate in Physical Therapy at CU. I have a passion for orthopedics and am so excited to begin my post-graduate career at Blue Sky. In my free time you can catch me dancing, cooking, hiking, and snowboarding!
Professional Experience and Education:
I earned my Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Colorado: Anschutz Medical Campus Physical Therapy Program. During my time there, I had various inpatient and outpatient clinical experiences including my last one at Blue Sky. I grew to have special interests in outpatient rehabilitation, post-surgical care, pelvic floor therapy, and geriatric care.
Certifications:
Dry Needling: Evidence in Motion Level I
Continuing Education:
- Pelvic Function: Herman and Wallace Level I
- Maitland-Australian Physiotherapy Seminars: MT-2: Essential Spinal Seminar
I am looking forward to continuing my education with courses in manual therapy techniques, dry needling, pelvic floor therapy, pain neuroscience education, and geriatric care.
June Word Scramble
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Answer Key
strawberries
vacation
sunscreen
summer
lemonade
graduation
Prepare to Swim in the Water Safely
Swimming is a great way to stay active and cool as the weather warms up. However, it’s essential to take the necessary steps to ensure that you’re safe in the water. Check out these important swimming safety tips before heading out to the beach or pool this summer!
Ensure That A Lifeguard Is Present As You Swim
Having a trained lifeguard watching over you at the pool or beach is a must. A lifeguard can prevent you from sustaining a severe injury or drowning and can generally ensure that you’re following the best practices for swimming.
Swim With A Buddy
Not only is swimming with a friend a great way to stay safe, it’s also more fun! Swimming with a buddy can also help you hold yourself more accountable and stay determined as you progress through your laps.
Never Leave A Child Unattended
It is essential to make sure your child never swims alone– this is how accidents happen. Teach your children to ask permission before going in the water, and let them know that an adult should always be there to supervise them.
Drink Plenty Of Water
It can be easy to get dehydrated under the hot sun, even if you are in a cool and refreshing body of water. Remember to drink plenty of liquids and avoid dehydrating drinks with excess caffeine.
Wear Your Sunscreen
Invest in a quality waterproof sunscreen with a high SPF to protect your skin from the sun’s harsh rays. Wearing sunscreen can make a massive difference in the fight against skin cancer and can help you avoid painful burns.
Been to a number of PT clinics over the last few years for various sports injuries, and Blue Sky PT is one of the best. From day one, Rachel listened to my concerns, established a comprehensive workout routine, and helped me develop a longer-term plan beyond PT. I couldn’t have asked for better care! The clinic itself is well organized, clean, and the staff is all exceptional. I can’t recommend Blue Sky enough to anyone seeking physical therapy!
Crispy pastry, creamy brie, tender asparagus, and savory prosciutto come together perfectly in these delicious bundles. This easy recipe makes an elegant appetizer or brunch favorite that tastes as good as it looks.