They used to say that over a long period of time, running could end up causing your knees to become arthritic. Interesting. Only a couple years ago, I read where researchers had studied the knee cartilage in runners’ knees and found that the cartilage was thicker than in others who weren’t runners.

Now there’s even more good news for the knees. People who run tend to show better health effects over the long haul, including the health of their knees! So let’s put that old wive’s tale to bed once and for all. K? Read on!


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Put Those Shoes On: Running Won’t Kill Your Knees
Yes, it’s true: Jogging, long thought to hurt knees with all that pounding and rattling around, may actually be beneficial for the complex and critical joint. There are caveats, though, especially for people who have suffered significant knee injury or are overweight. But for the most part, researchers say, jogging for your health seems like a good idea.

For the rest of this excellent article posted on NPR.org, click here.
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Also, for information about the Runner’s Clinic at Alpine, be sure to visit our clinic website at www.AlpinePTmissoula.com.

Next we’ll be placing a framed group of Marathon pictures from years past on the south wall. And we’ll be placing three framed Missoula Marathon posters on the west wall. Alpine Physical Therapy wishes to thank everyone involved with the Missoula Marathon. We look forward to serving you again this year and in the years to come!
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For more information on the Missoula Marathon, check out their website at www.MissoulaMarathon.com.

According to 8 decades of research, newly compiled information may be giving us new clues on improving longevity. Surprisingly, they say finding an activity you enjoy doing is more important than simply working out a gym.

Interesting. Having consistently worked out hard for the past 6 years (generally for short periods of time, say 5 to 15 minutes per day), I’ve discovered it’s an activity I love. And, since I’m always a little stressed, perhaps I’ve got some of the tell-tale signs to live happily into my 80s. Throw in a little broccoli, and I think I’ll be good to go.

Great information. Check it out. . .

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Secrets to Longevity: It’s Not All About Broccoli
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To live a long life, we’ve been told, eat well, exercise and manage stress. Now an eight-decade study indicates that’s only part of the equation. Health scientists Howard Friedman and Leslie Martin explain how factors such as social connections, personality and marriage affect long-term health in The Longevity Project.

Friedman and Martin drew upon the work of Stanford University psychologist Lewis Terman, who began studying intellectual leadership in 1921.

For the rest of this intriguing article published online at NPR, click here.

We’re putting the finishing touches on the nearly 1,200 square feet of additional space we acquired within the Peak Health & Wellness Center. Given the steady and fantastic growth of Alpine Physical Therapy over the past 6 years, we direly needed this additional space. Many thanks to the foresight of the owners of the Peak Health & Wellness Center for allocating this new space for us.
Along with expanding our space for CoreAlign and Pilates Method, we put some delightful accents in our main clinic area. We repainted and applied lots of nice accents using our new color for the clinic, “Grizzly Maroon!” It looks really cool with black trim!

We’re putting the finishing touches on the nearly 1,200 square feet of additional space we acquired within the Peak Health & Wellness Center. Given the steady and fantastic growth of Alpine Physical Therapy over the past 6 years, we direly needed this additional space. Many thanks to the foresight of the owners of the Peak Health & Wellness Center for allocating this new space for us.

We are dedicating our newest treatment room to the Missoula Marathon. In it, we will place our annual plaques we’ve received for sponsoring this fantastic Missoula event. We’re on board to continue our role as the sole physical therapy sponsors of this event! In addition to the plaques, we will be placing a framed picture that depicts the coolness of the Missoiula Marathon. Check out the accent wall, which we painted “Grizzly Maroon!”
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We’ll use the big-screen for use with our Wii balance training system, along with patient education videos.

Our thanks to Samantha Schoeneman, PT, of Alpine Physical Therapy. As one of the co-founders of Fit to Fight, Sam has made great inroads into helping many people who have survived cancer. The Fit to Fight program is such an encouragement and helps many people regain courage and strength to resume active exercise in the face of the challenges from cancer. Here’s the article published on March 5th in the Missoulian.

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Fit to Fight helps those at various stages of cancer build strength

They came into the room beaten down by fear, radiation, medication and the threat of death. Some had survived their cancer; some were just diagnosed. All of them – the dozen or so stretching their hamstrings and learning good posture at Missoula’s Peak Health and Wellness Center – were hell-bent on defeating the disease and reclaiming control over their lives.

They are all, said Peak trainer Jen Alderson, “so authentic, and so salt-of-the-earth.” Because while none chose to be victims, all have chosen to take their fight to the mat.

For the rest of this excellent article, please click here.

And for more information on Fit to Fight, please click here.

Along with directing our north clinic for Alpine Physical Therapy, Angela oversees all inservice education and mentorship for our entire team of therapists. Resultantly, our team of 11 therapists is constantly attaining greater clinical mastery.
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Angela attends the annual conference of the AAOMPT. For the year following each conference, Angela leads and directs our ongoing training and mentorship, giving our therapists a steady flow of new information and techniques. This is yet another reason why area doctors and patients know us as the top spot for orthopedic physical therapy.

For a list of other reasons that answer the questions Why Us? Why Alpine? click here

Certified Ergonomic Assessment Specialist Cheyenne Rivers of Missoula-based ErgoWellness gives the following insights and recommendations for staying energized while working at your computer.

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Here are some quick tips to feel energized while working at the computer! Implementation and commitment to health and wellness while computing will help you feel relaxed energized and more efficient throughout your work day!

Do

1. Energize and Exercise!

2. Warm up.

3. Ensure your workstation is comfortable for your body.

• Alignment: body is properly aligned
• Placement: all items are within comfortable reach, use all vertical space well
• Movement: move comfortably and stretch frequently

4. Use the 20/20 rule.

• Every 20 minutes, take a 20 second break.
• Every hour, get up and stretch for 5 minutes.

5. Get set up at RSIguard.com for easy exercise reminders!

6. Change your relationship with the computer, and mix up the tools you use. Try a computer tablet for the mouse, and what about a Dictate program?

7. Drink water and eat well!

8. Become efficient.

9. Get help if you are in pain!

Don’t

1. Stay stagnant

2. Twist, crowd legs and arms

3. Keyboard and mouse click without frequent breaks

4. Stay silent if you are uncomfortable or in pain

5. Forget to eat and stay hydrated

Cheyenne Rivers, CEAS

ErgoWellness@gmail.com