Eagle River Wellness: Tips for Reducing, Managing Plantar Fasciitis Pain

Studies show about three-quarters of all Americans will experience foot pain at some point in their lives. Of them, more than 2 million people who seek treatment each year will learn they suffer from an overuse condition called plantar fasciitis.  Fortunately, according to Eagle River physical therapist Chris Wilson, most cases of plantar fasciitis are both manageable and treatable.  […]

Holidays an Ideal Time for Lifting Techniques Refresher

Digging out boxes of holiday decorations, hauling packages to and from the car, hiding gifts away on the higher shelves at the back of your closet … the Holiday Season certainly requires its fair share of bending, lifting and reaching. This, coupled with the cooler weather, makes December the ideal time for a refresher on […]

Rethinking back pain treatment paths during National Physical Therapy Month

While an estimated eight in 10 people will experience back pain at some point in their lives – up to 30 percent of Americans, in fact, over the past three months – few people actually get to the bottom of the cause of the pain.  This is a problem, says Eagle River physical therapist Chris Wilson.  “When you don’t […]

Mind your Back(pack) during Back-to-School

From homework and tests to extra-curricular activities, students already shoulder plenty of weight during back-to-school time. Their backpacks should be the least of their worries, says Eagle River physical therapist Chris Wilson.  “Backpacks are so practical, but they’re also so easy to misuse,” said Wilson, owner of Ideal Motion Physical Therapy in Eagle River. “If they’re too heavy or just worn incorrectly, backpacks can cause […]

Muscle Balance, Not Just Strength, is Critical for Health and Athletic Performance

Muscle Balance

While working to build a solid and stable foundation is certainly a critical component to personal health and athletic performance, Eagle River physical therapist Chris Wilson warns that focusing only on muscle strength can, over time, make a person more susceptible to injury. “Achieving optimal muscle balance, not just strength, is critical both for improving […]

Protect your back in the yard & garden this spring

Longer, warmer days mean more time outdoors – and more time in the yard and garden raking, lifting, digging, hauling, spreading, pushing, and so on. Whether you consider this work enjoyable or intolerable, Eagle River physical therapist Chris Wilson has a message for all who partake in gardening and landscaping this spring: watch your back. […]

Bad posture can ‘sneak up’ as shoulder pain as you age

Shoulder pain in older adults often appears suddenly, as if caused by a sudden trauma or injury. But for many, says Eagle River physical therapist Chris Wilson, shoulder injuries are often the result of musculoskeletal conditions directly associated with aging and, more specifically, weakening posture. “Some people may think ‘I slept on it wrong’ or […]

Be safe by being aware of the signs of overtraining

As the New Year serves as the starting line for many who are bound and determined to get into shape this year, Eagle River physical therapist Chris Wilson is quick to remind well-meaning people that overtraining is a real thing – and if it’s not identified early, it can derail your efforts before they truly get started.  “Being a physical […]

Shovel intelligently, save your back this winter

With winter just around the corner, Eagle River physical therapist Chris Wilson would like Eagle River residents to keep in mind that shoveling is a strenuous activity that shouldn’t be taken lightly. When done correctly, says the owner of Ideal Motion Physical Therapy, it can offer you a beneficial, full-body workout. If approached haphazardly, however, […]

Lower risk of ACL injury this sports season

ACL Knee Injury Prevention

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), high school athletes account for about 2 million injuries and around a half-million doctor visits each year. But few of these injuries, says Eagle River physical therapist Chris Wilson, are as costly to a student-athlete and his or her family that a torn ACL.  “An […]