Welcome Alex Garay, PTA!

A little bit about Alex: I was born in Los Angeles, California and moved to Arizona in 1995. In 2002 joined the Army as a combat medic and was assigned to 3rd Infantry Division, 3rd Brigade, 1st of the 15th Infantry Battalion. During the invasion of Iraq in 2003 I was assigned to Headquarters Company. During my second tour to Iraq in 2005, I was the medic for the reconnaissance scouts and sniper section of Read more…

What exactly is a Physical Therapist Assistant?

  What is a Physical Therapist Assistant?    Let’s begin by defining what is physical therapy. Physical therapy is the restoration of mobility, stability, power, function, and reduction of pain and/or limiting compensation. A Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) is an assistive personnel to the physical therapy (PT). A PTA is required to have an associates degree in applied science as a PTA. Once he or she completes all school work they are eligible to take Read more…

What to Expect on My First Visit to Physical Therapy

If you’re here, you’ve most likely struggled recovering from some sort of injury or condition and have been recommended (or have had success in the past with) physical therapy.  That is all and well, but I’m guessing you might have questions… like,  “What is Physical Therapy? What can I expect on my first visit?” In a nutshell, Physical Therapists work on restoring your body’s ability to function and move with less pain and more ability Read more…

Gabriella Troggio- Student Post: From Classroom to Clinic

  Detail. Ever since I was a little girl I was always consumed with detail. Some might classify that as a flaw, but I thought it made me precise, intellectual, and unforgetting. There have been many trying times in my life where detail has saved the day, and times where it has ruined me. Then, I got into Physical Therapy School. For four semesters (equivalent to a year and a half), I sat in 4 Read more…

Metal Tools – How They Can Help Neck Pain

One of the many treatment techniques that can be used in physical therapy to assist in the rehab process of neck pain is called IASTM (instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization). In our clinic here at Chandler Physical Therapy we use Graston Technique, which is one of many different options when it comes to IASTM. Often times, this technique comes in the form of metal or plastic tools of various sizes and shapes. IASTM isn’t used Read more…

Adjustments and Manipulations and How to Maintain Them

Have you ever have had an adjustment to your neck or back by a chiropractor or a physical therapist? Did the adjustment provide pain relief and or make you feel like you could move better? Usually these adjustments do provide relief, however something common that I see with a lot of patients is that they are getting adjustments and the relief from the adjustment is short lived. Some people will keep going back for adjustments Read more…

Neck Pain and Phone/Computer Work

  Did you know that the average head weighs around 12-15 lbs?  Did you also know the more your head falls forward, the heavier that load gets?  What that simply means is that an upright posture puts the least amount of stress on your neck, while looking down at your phone, a book, or computer places the most stress on your neck.  Image holding a 10lb weight in your hand for a full day (24 Read more…

Neck Pain and Sleeping Positions

    Sleeping Away Neck Pain What is the best sleeping position for your neck pain?   Awareness of sleeping position is an important part in minimizing neck pain. There are two positions that are ideal for your neck: Sleeping on your side Sleeping on your back   Although it can be hard to maintain the same sleeping position throughout the night due to tossing and turning, being aware and starting off in these positions Read more…

Neck Pain and Computer Positioning

                      Are you a desk jockey? If you spend any portion of your day at your desk on the computer, you may (or may not) have given at least some thought to your positioning. In general, it is better to move throughout your day instead of sitting in one position for 8-10 hours in a row. The body just doesn’t like this and can create pain particularly in the Read more…

Is your head spinning? Vertigo, Dizziness and How to Fix It.

Have you ever been suuuper dizzy? “Of course I have Jake, but why?” Dizziness can take all forms. Maybe you occasionally feel like the room is spinning around you? Does it feel like YOU are spinning in the room? Do you ever feel like you are rocking on a boat while you lay in bed? Perhaps you feel light-headed like you’re going to pass out? There are literally dozens of reasons for dizziness. You know Read more…

What to do About Ankle Sprains – How Physical Therapy can Help

“I totally just sprained my ankle. I was walking across the parking lot, stepped off the curb funny, and rolled my ankle. I have been icing it, and got a brace at Walgreens and it’s getting better. Is there anything else I should do for it?” Having heard this from a few friends and family members now, it’s probably time to address the elephant in the room, take the ankle by the horns, if you Read more…

Top 5 Self Care Gifts to Give This Year

This time of year can be rough- gift giving is never easy, and likely getting expensive!  And, with the New Year right around the corner, fitness and resolutions of healthier living are imminent. So we here at Chandler Physical Therapy have put together a fun list of the items we recommend every day to help our patients stay at the working best! Check out the list 1. Foam Roll: A Trusty Sidekick who won’t talk Read more…

Headaches – an informative blog with solutions.

Does your head hurt? Did you know that more than half of adults will experience a headache at any given time during during any part of the year? Headaches can occur in any part of the head or multiple parts during a given episode. There are two main types of headaches-primary headaches which are standalone episodes that directly affect pain sensitive structures around the head including vessels, muscles, and nerves. Secondary headaches are symptoms resulting Read more…

The Breathing Connection Workshop

We had a wonderful workshop- if you missed it catch the replay above. Unfortunately, the hands on portion got cut off, you can check the techniques in the FREE Online Course HERE. Chandler Physical Therapy is here for you – if you have any questions, or wonder if this might be a good approach for you, we would love to chat one-on-one to see if physical therapy is a good fit for you. You can Read more…