Patrick Donovan, Author at Heather Lane Physical Therapy

25Apr 2022 by Patrick Donovan

How to Build Physical Resilience

Health content

Physical resilience is our ability to bounce back following a negative health stressor. Whether it's stress-related or a physical injury, building a reservoir of resilience allows room for setbacks in life. Health stressors come in many different shapes and sizes. They could be the emotional toll of taking care of your spouse, they could be an acute injury or even cancer treatment. These setbacks are unavoidable and often unpredictable. So how do we physically bounce back from events we can't even prepare for? We become a rubber band. The strongest most, flexible rubber band we can. A rubber band encapsulates our collective strength flexibility endurance and overall fitness the more we can pull our bodies safely in each direction, the less likely we are to encounter a pulled hamstring, back…

18Apr 2022 by Patrick Donovan

Gait Speed as the Sixth Vital Sign

ankle, foot, Health content

Hello everyone Dr. Donovan here and today, we will be talking about travel speed as the sixth vital sign. The 5 commonly accepted vital signs are: Blood pressure, Heart rate, Oxygen saturation, Respiration, And temperature. One of the biggest things I have observed in my work is that any adult's walking or hiking behaviors are a marker of their health. You can also find greater control over your mental health and environmental control by improving your travel speed, and measuring the speed of movement according to the predicted health condition. There is something to be gained by improving your gait speed for everyone. For example, if you have a single gait speed, which is another name for walking speed, you can potentially increase it for an overall positive impact. There…

04Apr 2022 by Patrick Donovan

The Lifespan of Health

Health content, Prevention

We all have been raised by hearing the most famous proverb, "Health is Wealth". This proverb indicates that nothing is more important than good health, but as we grow up, a significant deterioration can be noticed in our health. The branch of physical health and sciences did amazing wonders in the sciences and paved new ways for people to enjoy a long healthy life as much as possible. Physical therapy is also a part of this phenomenon that is leading wonders to people's lives. This branch of wonders constitutes therapists who provide services to individuals and make efforts to restore, develop and maintain the utmost movement and functional ability for the whole Span of life as the active movement is an integral component of good health. Physical Therapy brings an…

30Sep 2019 by Patrick Donovan

6 Physical Therapy Myths during National PT Month

Health content

October is National Physical Therapy month, a time when physical therapists like Dr. Patrick Donovan of Denver not only celebrate their profession, but also educate others about the role physical therapy plays in improving the health and vitality of their patients … and of health care in general. While a physical therapist’s roles are both broad and diverse, Dr. Donovan says several misconceptions still exist about what physical therapy is, what it isn’t, and the various ways it can help people improve the health and lives of people at all stages in life. “When a lot of people think about physical therapy, they think rehabilitation. But that’s just part of what we do,” said Dr. Donovan, owner of Heather Lane Physical Therapy in Denver. “Physical therapists can improve the lives of people of all ages dealing with several common ailments, and even people with no ailments…

04Sep 2019 by Patrick Donovan

Save the RICE for First-Aid, Not Healing & Recovery

Health content

For decades, the standard and recommended response to an injured muscle, tendon or ligament was to “apply RICE,” an acronym that stands for a protocol of rest, ice, compression and elevation. Yet these days, according to Denver physical therapist Patrick Donovan, the application of RICE as a treatment for these sports-type soft-tissue injuries isn’t 100 percent supported by science. “Multiple studies have come out over the years that question the wisdom behind our reliance of RICE as a treatment for injuries, specifically as it relates to rest and the application of ice to the injured area,” said Donovan, owner of Heather Lane Physical Therapy in Denver. “Because of this, the role of RICE has changed in recent years.” RICE was coined in 1978 by Gabe Mirkin M.D., a legendary sports physician who introduced the procedure as author of “The Sports Medicine Book.”…

06Aug 2019 by Patrick Donovan

Concussion Symptoms can Improve with Managed Exercise, Physical Therapy

Health content

With high school sports starting up soon and NFL training camps in full swing, concussions are certain to ramp up within the mainstream consciousness. And, while talk will often point to conventional wisdom which states that “time and rest” are the best and only options for recovery from concussion, Denver physical therapist Patrick Donovan says that studies now suggest managed exercise and movement can hasten recovery. Concussion Treatment “It wasn’t very long ago when concussion sufferers were told not to move – to rest, with no exercise, until symptoms improved,” said Donovan, owner of Heather Lane Physical Therapy in Denver. “Today, while rest remains important, it’s become increasingly important to get moving with a careful, managed exercise program that can benefit recovery.” In 2010, researchers at the University of Buffalo were the first to show that specialized exercise regimens can relieve…

10Jul 2019 by Patrick Donovan

 Local PT Debunks 6 Common Back Pain Myths

Uncategorized

Despite being one of the top causes of disability in the U.S., affecting around eight in 10 people in their lifetimes, back pain is an ailment often misunderstood by those affected, says Denver physical therapist Patrick Donovan.  Such misconceptions, Dr. Donovan adds, can cause those suffering from back pain to seek solutions, potential treatment paths, and even lifestyle alterations that aren’t necessarily in their best interests.  “Back pain can be as frustrating. It can become debilitating and we quickly seek out any and all treatments,” said Dr. Donovan, owner of Heather Lane Physical Therapy in Denver. “This can lead a person down paths that don’t result in the best outcomes and most necessary evidence-based treatments.”  Such paths, Dr. Donovan points out, can sometimes lead to treatments that are more expensive or personally invasive – and perhaps even unnecessary – such as MRIs and surgery.  “MRIs, surgery, medication … these are last resort-type treatments,” Dr. Donovan says. “Most common back pain issues will go away on their own in a few days. And even when they don’t, most remaining cases can be successfully resolved less…

05Jun 2019 by Patrick Donovan

Denver Wellness: 7 Fitness Tips for Summer Vacation Travel

Exercise

It’s vacation season, and for many that means visiting faraway friends, exploring new places and possibly even crossing some things of the ol’ bucket list. Unfortunately, traveling often also means lots of sitting, interrupted sleep patterns due to time zone changes, unhealthy eating, and workout routines that are sporadic, if not nonexistent. According to Denver physical therapist Dr. Patrick Donovan, however, travel doesn’t have to be synonymous with unhealthy habits and a lack of exercise. “Vacations are a time to reboot mentally while reconnecting with friends and family, but this doesn’t have to happen at the expense of your health,” said Dr. Donovan, owner of Heather Lane Physical Therapy in Denver. “With just a little forethought and planning, you can stay active and healthy throughout your trip, whether it ‘s…

10May 2019 by Patrick Donovan

Denver Wellness: Tips for Reducing, Managing Plantar Fasciitis Pain

foot

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 Denver physical therapist Dr. Patrick Donovan, most cases of plantar fasciitis are both manageable and treatable. “Plantar fasciitis will typically present itself as sharp pain in the heel or in the arch of the foot, most often when you’re taking the first steps of the day,” said Dr. Donovan, owner of Heather Lane Physical Therapy in Denver. “The pain is the result of your plantar fascia – the thick band of tissue connecting your heel to the ball of your foot – becoming inflamed due to overuse.” The inflammation that causes plantar fasciitis can come from a sudden…

02Apr 2019 by Patrick Donovan

Denver Wellness: How to Talk Positively About Exercise with Your Kids

Exercise

All kids need exercise. Stacks of scientific research through the years support the myriad ways exercise helps young bodies and minds as they develop and grow. It’s important, then, for parents to encourage their children to be active and develop healthful habits as they grow and develop. During such conversations, Denver physical therapist Dr. Patrick Donovan says setting a positive tone is paramount. “Learning the values of good fitness and nutrition should be a confidence-building exercise for kids and adolescents,” said Dr. Donovan, owner of Heather Lane Physical Therapy in Denver. “We don’t want them to feel like they’re being shamed or criticized. Rather, the goal should be to focus on the positive – on health, on fun, on long-term benefits and on being part of the journey together.” Such…