The cliché “don’t bend over backwards,” serves as a key reminder to not overextend ourselves, however, backbends are important to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Backbends have a variety of key health benefits. It is also essential to understand what to balance while back-bending to prevent short and long-term back injuries, and how to practice backbends…
May serves as Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD) and Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDS) Awareness Month. Additionally and aptly May also represents Mental Health Awareness Month. Those of us with lived experience trying to manage these conditions and navigate healthcare systems can appreciate the two go hand-in-hand. The goal of HSD & EDS Month is to raise awareness,…
When you come to Yoga for Chronic Pain you will be greeted with warmth, compassion, and respect for your courage. We will discuss your experience of chronic pain so we can explore slow, gentle, and mindful movement; breath work, and guided relaxation that is responsive to your needs on any given day.
When you think about chronic pain, you probably think about inflammation, muscle tension, or maybe nerve irritation. But what if one of the most powerful tools for easing pain isn’t physical at all—what if it’s your imagination? It might sound surprising, but your brain doesn’t fully distinguish between what’s real and what’s vividly imagined. That…
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…
Look to the organs when there is musculoskeletal pain Up to 90% of musculoskeletal problems are in some way related to internal organ motility and function, according to the founder of visceral manipulation, Jean-Pierre Barral, DO. Our internal organs and musculoskeletal system, as well as other structures of the body, including our blood vessels, lymphatic…
I’d like to preface this article by mentioning that shoulder pain is certainly not exclusive to climbers or athletes. Don’t hesitate to book an appointment with me if you’ve been dealing with nagging shoulder pain and would like to find resolution. Shoulder injuries are a prevalent concern among climbers due to how much our sport…
Portland climbers, are you tired of dealing with stiff, sore, achy, and swollen fingers? If so, then this article is for you. Most climbers can attest to having dealt with sore finger joints at some point in their careers. Others have had the misfortune of dealing with a significant degree of persistent soreness over weeks,…