Burley Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation

12/26/2025

The gingerbread results are in! 🥇 Our big winner was Ximena with the barn gingerbread house with a close second place to Kristi with the log cabin! Thanks everyone for participating and voting!

12/18/2025

🎄🍪 The gingerbread showdown is ON!
Which house deserves the bragging rights?
Vote by commenting your two favorite (you may only vote once) — may the best build win! 🏆 Voting ends Christmas Eve at midnight!

12/17/2025

🎄 DAY 3 — Hamstrings & Calves (Posterior Chain)
Stretches for the Back of the Legs:

1. Seated Hamstring Stretch

How to do it:

Sit tall with one leg straight and the other bent.

Hinge forward at the hips (don’t round your back).

You should feel the stretch behind the thigh.

Hold 20–30 seconds, switch sides.

Why it helps:
Tight hamstrings increase strain on the low back when bending, lifting, and shoveling.

2. Standing Hamstring Stretch (Hip Hinge)

How to do it:

Stand with feet hip-width apart.

Slightly bend your knees and hinge forward at the hips.

Keep your back flat and stop when you feel a stretch in the back of the legs.

Hold 20–30 seconds.

Why it helps:
Improves bending mechanics and prepares your body for repetitive lifting motions.

3. Standing Calf Stretch (Wall or Counter)

How to do it:

Place hands on a wall or counter.

Step one foot back, keep heel down, knee straight.

Lean forward until you feel a stretch in the calf.

Hold 20–30 seconds, switch sides.

Why it helps:
Flexible calves improve balance and ankle motion — critical for icy or uneven winter surfaces.

12/07/2025

12/07/2025

Day 2 of 12 days of PT stretches! Tag us if you try them!!

🎄 DAY 2 — Hip Mobility for Winter Chores
Stretches for the Hips:
1. Figure-4 Piriformis Stretch

How to do it:

Lie on your back with both knees bent.

Cross one ankle over the opposite knee (like a figure 4).

Gently pull the bottom thigh toward your chest.

Hold 20–30 seconds each side.

Why it helps:
Loosens the deep glute muscles that often contribute to low-back tightness and hip stiffness, especially before shoveling, walking in snow, or prolonged sitting.

2. Half-Kneeling Hip Flexor Stretch

How to do it:

Kneel on one knee with the other foot planted in front.

Gently shift your weight forward until you feel a stretch in the front of the hip.

Keep the core tight (don’t arch your back).

Hold 20–30 seconds.

Why it helps:
Releases tight hip flexors — a huge contributor to low-back pain and poor lifting mechanics. Great before bending and lifting snow.

3. Standing Lateral Hip (IT Band) Stretch

How to do it:

Stand tall and cross one leg behind the other.

Lean your upper body away from the back leg until you feel a stretch along the outer hip.

Hold 20–30 seconds each side.

Why it helps:
Helps loosen lateral hip structures that stabilize you when walking on uneven or icy ground.

12/02/2025

The 12 Days of PT Stretches!
❄️ Winter is here — and so is snow-shoveling season! At Burley Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation, we’re kicking off our “12 Days of PT Stretches” to help you stay strong, mobile, and pain-free all month long.

Every 2–3 days, we’ll share a new set of stretches focused on a different part of the body — low back, neck, shoulders, hips, and more — all designed to keep you moving well through the holidays.

We’re starting with the low back, since it’s one of the most common areas to tighten up when winter chores (like shoveling ❄️) begin.

🎁 Day 1 – Low Back / Snow-Shoveling Prep Stretches

1. Knee-to-Chest Stretch

How to do it:
Lie on your back and bring one knee toward your chest.
Hold 20–30 seconds, repeat on the other side (or bring both knees up).
Why it helps: Loosens the lower back and glutes — great for relieving stiffness before bending or lifting.

2. Supine Lower-Back Rotation (Supine Rotational Stretch)

How to do it:
Lie on your back, arms out to the side.
Drop both knees gently to one side, keep shoulders flat.
Hold 20–30 seconds and repeat on the opposite side.
Why it helps: Mobilizes the lumbar spine and hips, improving twisting tolerance — ideal before shoveling.

3. Cat–Cow Spine Mobilization

How to do it:
Start on hands and knees.

Arch your back downward (cow), then round it upward (cat).

Repeat 5–10 controlled cycles.

Why it helps: Gently warms up the spine and surrounding muscles to reduce strain during winter chores.

Try them, save them, and tag us if you do them!
Let’s get your body Christmas-ready, one stretch at a time. 🎅🎄

11/23/2025

Get Your Assistive Devices Winter-Ready! ❄️

Even though it’s been unseasonably warm here in Mini-Cassia… winter weather is right around the corner.
Icy sidewalks, slush, and packed snow dramatically increase fall risk — especially for our seniors and community members who rely on walkers, wheelchairs, canes, or crutches.

Now is the PERFECT time to inspect and tune up your mobility device to keep you safe and steady all winter long.

✅ Winter-Ready Assistive Device Checklist:

WALKERS
Check rubber tips/bumpers for wear or cracking
Tighten loose screws or wobbly legs
Test & adjust brakes on wheeled walkers
Clean wheels & lubricate internal cables if needed

CANE + CRUTCH USERS
Replace worn-out rubber tips (cheap and EXTREMELY important!)
Consider installing spring-loaded ice tips for extra traction
Inspect grips for tearing or slipping
Make sure height adjustments are secure

WHEELCHAIRS
Check tire tread & inflation
Tighten casters; clear debris from wheel bearings
Test brakes (they should hold firmly on an incline)
Clean metal surfaces and lightly lubricate moving joints

📊 Winter Falls: Quick Stats
Winter months see a 30–40% increase in fall-related ER visits.
Over 3 million seniors are treated for falls each year.
Fractures, head injuries, and loss of independence are common consequences — but most winter falls are preventable with preparation.

❤️ Need Help Getting Your Device Ready?
Stop by our main Burley Physical Therapy office — no appointment needed. We’re happy to inspect, adjust, clean, and prepare your walker, cane, crutches, or wheelchair as a free community service.
Because keeping Mini-Cassia safe is part of who we are!

11/21/2025

Fall Prevention: Why Staying on Your Feet Matters More Than Ever!

By Nick Greenwell, MPT at Burley Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation

Falls are one of the leading causes of injury in older adults, but the truth is this: most falls are preventable. With the right strategies, the right exercises, and the right guidance, you can dramatically reduce your risk—and stay active, confident, and independent.

At Burley Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation, we specialize in creating customized fall-prevention plans that help you stay safe while continuing to do the things you love.

Why Falls Happen More Often With Age:

As we get older, multiple systems that keep us balanced begin to change:

Muscle weakness, especially in the hips and legs
Slower reaction time
Decreased joint mobility
Vision changes
Inner ear and vestibular issues
Medications that affect balance

A small change in just one system can increase your fall risk. But when several systems change at once—which is common as we age—balance becomes much more challenging.

Why Physical Therapy is Critical for Fall Prevention:

Physical therapy is one of the most effective tools to reduce fall risk because we target every system involved in balance. With a personalized evaluation, we identify exactly where your balance is breaking down and create a tailored program that strengthens your body’s ability to keep you upright.

Your fall-prevention plan may include:

✔ Strength training (especially the legs and hips)
✔ Balance retraining
✔ Gait (walking) training
✔ Vestibular and dizziness rehabilitation
✔ Functional training (stairs, curbs, household tasks)
✔ Reaction-time training
✔ Flexibility and joint mobility
✔ Assistive device recommendations
✔ Home safety modifications

Our programs are practical, effective, and easy to integrate into your daily routine.

The Statistics Are Clear — But You Can Beat Them!

1 out of 4 adults over age 65 will fall this year
Falls are the #1 cause of hip fractures
Falls are the #1 cause of ER visits in older adults
After one fall, your chances of falling again double
But with the right intervention, you can dramatically reduce these risks.
Studies show that balance and strength training can reduce fall risk by up to 40%.

What We Do Differently at Burley Physical Therapy:

We go beyond basic exercises. Our therapists use:

Cutting-edge vestibular rehab for dizziness and imbalance;
Cognitive dual-task training (walking + memory tasks) to mirror real-life situations;
Strength testing and individualized progression;
Fall-proofing strategies for home and daily life;
Our team is trained to address the underlying causes of your imbalance—not just the symptoms.

The Goal: Confidence Without Fear

It’s not just about preventing falls,
It’s about restoring:

Confidence
Mobility
Independence
Peace of mind

Most people don’t realize how life-changing balance training can be until they experience it for themselves.

You Don’t Have to Live in Fear of Falling!

If you or someone you love has experienced a fall, feels unsteady, or simply wants to be proactive about aging safely, we’re here to help.

📞 Call Burley Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation! 208-678-1191
🌐 www.burleyphysicaltherapy.com

Your future can be strong, stable, and confident.

11/11/2025

🇺🇸 Honoring Our Heroes on Veterans Day 🇺🇸
As a proud veteran of the United States Air Force, I understand first-hand the sacrifice and service our men and women in uniform give every day.
At Burley Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation, we are deeply honored to serve those who served—because you’ve given your time, dedication and commitment so that each of us can enjoy the freedom of this great country.
To every veteran in our community—past, present and future—thank you. Your courage protects our liberties, preserves our values, and extends opportunity to all who live in the land of the free and the home of the brave.
May God bless the USA, and may God bless our veterans.
-Nick and the amazing crew at Burley Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation

11/01/2025

Super fun day at BPTR on Halloween! It’s always fun to see our patients smile and laugh with us!

10/31/2025

Thank you for attending our fall prevention event, it was a huge success!

10/28/2025

Don’t forget about our fall prevention event tomorrow night! Free balance assessments, fall prevention tips, assistive device maintenance, and we are excited to have Dr. Garret Child attending to do foot and ankle assessments! Come and enjoy a hot bowl of soup and get your personalized balance report card! 2273 overland Ave (the old King’s plaza)