Archives: 2018

Last week, SPEAR was honored to help 9/11 Veterans and Service Members through the Wounded Warrior Project, while also enjoying some great basketball.

SPEAR Physical Therapy, proudly displayed at the World’s Most Famous Arena

For the third year in a row, SPEAR was the official Physical Therapy Provider for the 2K Empire Classic at “The World’s Most Famous Arena,” Madison Square Garden! This annual college basketball tournament raises money for the Wounded Warrior Project and brings together top NCAA basketball teams from around the country.

SPEAR on a courtside banner! Proud to help support the Wounded Warrior Project with a 2K Classic sponsorship

This year, the #14 ranked Iowa Hawkeyes defeated UConn to become the tournament champions, beating out top teams like Syracuse and #18 Oregon.

Bol Bol, son of late NBA star Manute Bol, earned all-tournament honors. Picture credit: SPEAR Regional Director Lisa Yirce, PT, DPT

SPEAR Physical Therapy has an additional unique connection to this event. All-Tournament standout Bol Bol is the son of the late NBA star Manute Bol, who played college basketball at the University of Bridgeport. Mr. Bol’s coach at Bridgeport was the father of our own Jimmy Olayos, PT, DPT!

Basketball star Manute Bol, father of 2K Empire Classic standout Bol Bol, playing pickup basketball with the father of SPEAR Regional Director Jimmy Olayos.

Mr. Bol was a true activist and great person, who became good friends with Jimmy’s family. In fact, in the picture below (circa 1992), that is Mr. Bol letting a young Jimmy Olayos nap next to him on the Olayos family couch.

Manute Bol helps SPEAR’s Jimmy Olayos, PT, DPT catch up on some sleep

Being a part of this year’s 2K Empire Classic was especially meaningful for the SPEAR Physical Therapy team. With our close connection to the Bol family, and our ability to help 9/11 Veterans and Service Members, we truly appreciated this opportunity.

By: Jessica Weinberg, PT, DPT, CSCS
Physical Therapist
Director of Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy

1 in 7 American women suffer from chronic pelvic pain (CPP), however 61% of these women do not have a diagnosis. What is that about?! 25% of women with CPP may spend 2-3 days per month in bed, 90% have pain with intercourse and 50% feel sad or depressed.

Chronic pelvic pain is often defined as pain in the abdomen or pelvis that has lasted longer than 3 months. So what causes pelvic pain – and how can you fix it?

Causes of Pelvic Pain

A common cause of pelvic pain can be pelvic muscle dysfunction. This is a common diagnosis treated by physical therapists. Pelvic muscle dysfunction has several other names including:

• Levator ani syndrome
• Pelvic flor tension myalgia
• Non-relaxing pelvic floor
• Short pelvic floor

Pelvic pain can also be caused by several different conditions, listed below are the most common conditions that potentially cause pelvic pain:

• Endometriosis
• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• Interstitial cystitis
• Abdominal or pelvic trigger points
• Nerve entrapment
• Constipation
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

What To Do

In a recent Mayo Clinic study, pelvic floor physical therapy is described as a “cornerstone of management” and early referral by providers is recommended. Your physical therapist will help you to retrain your pelvic floor muscles. You may be thinking, “what can I do in the mean time?” Below are three exercises to help relax your pelvic floor muscles.

Diaphragmatic Breathing (belly breathing)

Diaphragmatic Breathing (belly breathing)

Inhale through your nose, let your belly rise and exhale through your mouth and belly goes back down. Do this 4x/day. Not only does it help relax your pelvic floor, it will also make you feel calm and relaxed all around!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Butterfly Stretch

Butterfly Stretch

 Sit up straight with the soles of your feet touching and your knees apart. With good posture, lean forward and hold. 5 x 30 seconds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deep Squat Stretch

Deep Squat Stretch

 Stand against a wall and with your feet flat squat all the way down so that your buttocks are just above the ground. Breathe deeply and hold 3 x 30seconds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you’re experiencing pelvic pain, reach out to a medical professional specializing in pelvic floor treatment. View our list of pelvic floor physical specialists here. And remember, no prescription is necessary for physical therapy treatment.

Marie sums up why physical therapy matters.

Meet our patient, Marie Cajou. At 86 years old, Marie suffered a stroke that left her with visual impairments in her left eye and reduced spatial awareness along her entire left side. She came to us because she had been spending a lot of time in her wheelchair and developed lower back pain as well as right shoulder pain. She spent two months in physical therapy, treated by Marc Jacobchick, PT, DPT, and came to each visit with a new, brightly colored hat.

According to Marie, her favorite part of the day is when she gets to go to SPEAR and dance to some salsa or merengue music. We’re so grateful to be part of Marie’s healing process because we know that any age, #lifecantwait!

Our annual baseball functional movement screen to decrease injury risk in kids

SPEAR’s Investment in Youth Sports & Our New Charitable Partnership

As the Yankees and Red Sox get set for another playoff showdown, SPEAR is announcing our renewed commitment to the youth of NYC by teaming up with Pitch in for Baseball & Softball (PIFBS), a charitable organization that shares our dedication to supporting young local athletes and helping them become the very best versions of themselves. In the past year, SPEAR has offered three free injury prevention clinics for young baseball and softball players across the city. Now that SPEAR has joined forces with PIFBS, we are excited to contribute even more. SPEAR is thrilled to announce that, with your help, we will match at least $10,000 in donations to PIFBS by the end of this year.

You can click here to join us in supporting young athletes in NYC – even a ten dollar donation helps!

At SPEAR, we have a passion for helping baseball players of all ages. For example, during the 2017 World Baseball Classic, CEO Dan Rootenberg was  selected by MLB to be a team Physical Therapist and Strength & Conditioning Coach in Asia. Dan also coaches local little league which is close to his heart. This year Dan coached a SPEAR-sponsored team of 10-12 year old baseball players throughout their 2018 season, providing guidance and physical therapy (as needed)  along the way. Each week the team discussed topics like teamwork, grit, handling adversity, goal-setting and focus. “Personally, I love coaching little league baseball because as a coach I’m not just teaching baseball skills, I’m teaching life lessons.” The players learned how to think like champions, practiced team building skills, and gained confidence. They also grew as baseball players: after a slow start, the team won the Peter Stuyvesant Little League Majors Championship and, from there, members of the team went on to become the Manhattan champs in their quest to reach the Little League World Series!

Pitch in for Baseball & Softball (PIFBS) is a registered 501(c)(3) not for profit organization that provides new and gently used baseball and softball equipment to boys and girls in NYC and around the world who want to play ball but lack the equipment to do so. SPEAR is thrilled to join forces with PIFBS, an organization that has helped over 800,000 kids gain access to baseball and softball through their equipment donations since 2005.

The 2018 SPEAR-sponsored little league championship team, coached by our CEO Dan Rootenberg (top left)

We’re committed to keeping kids healthy so they can grow up to be the best versions of themselves. Because of this, in August we partnered with the USTA Foundation to provide a free injury screen for a group of 25 children from the Harlem Junior Tennis & Education Program. Five of our physical therapists donated their time and expertise to help the young tennis players learn injury prevention exercises and stretches tailored to the specific child’s current strength and ability levels.

James Blake, former top-five player in the world and current Chairman of the USTA Foundation, answers the questions of a youth athlete from the Harlem Junior Tennis & Education Program

In addition to receiving a personal injury prevention assessment, SPEAR also worked with the USTA Foundation to bring some very special guests for the kids including professional tennis stars James Blake, Mike Bryan & Bob Bryan as well as celebrity Leon Robinson. The kids took advantage of the time by asking Blake and Bryan for tennis & life guidance to help them build their own futures in tennis.

About SPEAR’s Pediatric & Adolescent Program

We have an expert team of PTs specializing in pediatric/adolescent care. Learn more here.

If you’re interested in injury prevention for your own young athlete, request an appointment today.

SPEAR CFO Jon Brilliant & CEO Dan Rootenberg supporting the top tennis players of today and tomorrow