Undergoing surgery can be a challenging and overwhelming experience, but recovery doesn’t have to be. Physical therapy plays a critical role in post-surgical recovery, helping patients regain strength, mobility, and function while reducing pain and the risk of complications. In Richmond, physical therapists at Ascend Physical Therapy provide personalized care that ensures a smooth and effective recovery, allowing patients to return to their normal activities faster.

Living with pain, whether it’s from an injury, chronic condition, or surgery, can severely affect your quality of life. Fortunately, physical therapy offers a personalized and non-invasive approach to pain management and rehabilitation. Ascend Physical Therapy in Richmond, VA, specializes in developing customized treatment plans that address each individual’s unique needs. By focusing on pain reduction, improved mobility, and long-term recovery, physical therapy helps patients regain control over their lives and return to their daily activities without discomfort.

At Ascend Physical Therapy in North Chesterfield, VA, we believe that movement is medicine. Whether you're recovering from an injury, managing chronic pain, or looking to optimize your athletic performance, our dedicated team is here to guide you every step of the way.

The hamstrings are a set of 3 muscles on the back of our thigh that is often lumped together into one group.  However, individually they are set up to contribute to our movement in very different- and sometimes opposing ways.

The biceps femoris is a major muscle in the Deep Longitudinal Subsystem. It runs from our pelvis to our lower leg and is important for bending our knee and extending our hip. This muscle also helps keep our knee stable and helps control our pelvis when we walk or run.

The most common dysfunctional pattern of the biceps femoris is to be overactive and tight.  This is in direct contrast to the other two muscles of the hamstring group- the semitendinosus and semimembranosus.  These muscles are set up to contribute to the work of our Deep Front line as well as lower leg function...and they tend to be weak. 

Why is the warm-up so critical to a better practice? What does the single-leg deadlift have to do with injury prevention?

You know the person- maybe it was you. Your thumb touches your forearm, you can dislocate your shoulder at will, your skin is really, really stretchy. Remember when you put your feet behind your head and walked on your hands? Everyone loves that trick.

Hypermobilty Spectrum Disorder and Ehlers Danlos Syndrome go beyond your joints. The spectrum represents a myriad of symptoms linked to disrupted collagen production. These symptoms can show up as GI issues, cardiovascular impairment, chronic fatigue, anxiety, depression…to name a few. If you have extreme flexibility and a litany of internal medical issues, perhaps its time to learn more about the spectrum.

Always, ALWAYS, consult with a medical professional. Never self-diagnose…But always be your own best advocate. Read on…

The first step to a better core and less pain is breath control. When you know how to improve your breathing, you know how to control your core.