Why we care about wildfire smoke Wildfire smoke is made up of several components, including carbon monoxide, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and particulate matter. Particulate matter (PM) is the main pollutant in wildfire smoke, and the amount of PM in the air increases when there are wildfires. The smaller the PM, the more our health…
Why Does Oral Health Matter? Oral health is incredibly important for not only having a healthy mouth but also a healthy body. When the mouth is not healthy, bacteria and other pathogens can enter the bloodstream through the gums, creating inflammation both locally in the mouth as well as systemically. Having a clean mouth not…
When you’re in pain—especially chronic or recurring pain—the last thing you might think about is your breathing. But here’s the surprising truth: how you breathe can directly affect how your body experiences and holds pain. This isn’t just about stress relief or relaxation. It’s about how your nervous system, muscles, and brain work together to…
If you’ve ever felt like your body is stuck in overdrive—tense muscles, racing thoughts, trouble relaxing—you’re not imagining it. Your nervous system plays a huge role in how your body heals, how pain is processed, and how safe you feel in your own skin. That’s why in my physical therapy practice, I integrate something called…
If you’ve ever been told you’re “just flexible” or dismissed when your body feels unstable or painful, you’re not alone. Hypermobility often flies under the radar in traditional physical therapy—yet it requires a completely different approach to truly support your body. Hypermobility Isn’t Just About Being “Bendy” Hypermobility means your joints move beyond the typical…
Marijuana has become increasingly popular over the past decade. With legalization and recreational dispensaries now found on nearly every corner, cannabis use is skyrocketing. It’s often seen as relatively benign, especially when compared to alcohol or tobacco, however the data is not particularly supportive of this. One key issue is that the harms and side…
If your workday blurs into a nonstop stretch of screens, artificial light, and “just one more thing before I take a break,” you’re not alone. Most of us spend up to 90% of our time indoors, which can take a toll on our mood, cognitive function, sleep, and even immune health. The good news? You…
Are you going through menopause and wondering what kind of exercise is best for your body right now? You’re not alone. As hormones shift and symptoms emerge—like fatigue, hot flashes, or changes in body composition—many women find themselves searching for the right kind of movement to feel strong and supported. Let’s explore why strength training…
What Is Pelvic Floor Therapy? Pelvic Floor Therapy is a specialized form of physical therapy focusing on rehabilitation of the pelvic floor muscles. The muscles of the pelvic floor not only support the reproductive organs, but also organs and tissues within other body systems including the urinary and gastrointestinal systems. Since these muscles are involved…
The Why: Physiology of Menstrual Symptoms To understand why menstrual symptoms can cause the discomfort they often do, it is first important to understand what is happening during menses (and parts of the cycle leading up to it). During your follicular phase (days 1-14 of your cycle), a part of your brain called the hypothalamus…