North Island Physical Therapy

11/12/2025

Did you know? 🤔 You can see a physical therapist in New York without a doctor’s referral!

It’s called Direct Access, and it means you can start treatment faster — no waiting for appointments, no extra paperwork, just results. New York’s Direct Access law allows you to see a licensed physical therapist without a prescription or doctor’s referral for up to 10 visits or 30 days (whichever comes first).

❗️Direct Access does not apply to Medicare, No-Fault, or Workers’ Compensation cases.

💪 Move better, heal faster, and take control of your recovery today!

11/11/2025

Thank you🫶🏻🇺🇸✨

11/06/2025

There is some great research beginning to shape up suggesting links to poor sleeping patterns and those that suffer from chronic pain. As I read this article I think of many of my patients suffering from persistent pain who also suggest terrible sleep habits.

The article also suggests that light daily exercise can be a great way to offset the effects of poor sleep hygiene. There are always factors that prove to be out of our control relative to sleep (early work schedules, kids waking up at night🙋🏻‍♂️, late work shifts,etc) but what we can do in these cases is bring in some light exercise to help regulate pain.

Start to explore your own "sleep hygiene" to get a better handle on pain

💥Poor Sleep vs Exercise — Who Wins in Recovery After Injury?
🧠 A recent study (Klyne et al., Brain, Behavior & Immunity – Health, 2024) highlights a crucial interplay between sleep and aerobic exercise in whether pain resolves or persists after injury. This study was performed on rats, but has many implications in how the mammalian system responds to poor sleep and exercise after injury.

Clinical Takeaway for PTs:
👉Sleep disturbance may amplify central sensitization and delay recovery.
👉Aerobic exercise may mitigate some of the harmful effects of poor sleep and help prevent some of the pain chronicity that is correlated with poor sleep.
👉Reinforces the value of combining graded exercise with sleep hygiene strategies in managing persistent pain.
Ignoring sleep may mean missing a major piece of the recovery puzzle 🧩The path from injury to recovery runs through both movement and sleep. Let’s make sleep a vital sign in rehab. 🙌

🔍 Key Findings:
🔹Poor sleep kept pain sensitivity high — suggesting it can drive the transition from acute to chronic pain.
🔹Exercise restored normal pain sensitivity — even when sleep was disrupted. It also boosted protective biomarkers (estradiol, & white blood cells), supporting tissue healing and pain reduction.
🔹BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) rose with poor sleep but stayed normal with exercise, linking it to pain sensitization.

💤Bring sleep science into your clinical toolkit
Check out IPA’s On-Demand Course: Sleep Health and Recovery with Trudy Messer, PT, OCS, RYT, CKTP, CFMT
This evidence-informed course will help you:
✅ Understand the science of sleep and its impact on healing and performance
✅ Identify and screen for sleep disorders in your patients
✅ Apply treatment interventions and practical sleep hygiene strategies
✅ Discuss how pillows, mattresses, and positioning affect recovery
🌐 This course is open to all health care professionals and their patients

👉 Register now on our website!
https://instituteofphysicalart.com/scheduled-courses/on-demand-courses/ -shr-sleep-health-and-recoverystrong

Wanna read the article? - Read the article here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S266635462300128X?via%3Dihub

10/31/2025

Happy Halloween from North Island PT!🎃👻💀

10/28/2025

It’s getting a little spooky around NIPT👻👻

10/22/2025

🔴 What Is Red Light Therapy? Let’s Talk Benefits!

You may have heard about red light therapy — a popular, non-invasive treatment that uses specific wavelengths of light to promote healing at the cellular level. It’s often discussed in the world of physical therapy and rehabilitation because of its potential benefits for:

💪 Reducing inflammation
🩹 Supporting tissue repair
⚡ Enhancing muscle recovery after exercise or injury
🦵 Improving joint mobility
😌 Decreasing pain and stiffness

Research continues to explore how red light therapy can complement traditional rehab and wellness programs by helping the body’s natural healing processes.

We believe knowledge is power! The more you understand about how your body heals, the better equipped you are to take an active role in your recovery and overall wellness.

10/21/2025

Tip Tuesday! Let’s talk about keeping your knees happy this fall 🍂

Whether you’re walking your pup, hiking your favorite trail, or just enjoying the crisp air — these simple moves can help prevent aches and keep you moving strong

1️⃣ Keep moving — but gently. Don’t skip walks altogether! Movement keeps your joints lubricated and muscles strong. Try shorter walks more often instead of long, tiring ones.

2️⃣ Watch those chilly temps. Cold weather can make joints feel stiff — warm up indoors first or use a light knee wrap to stay comfortable.

3️⃣ Hydrate! Even mild dehydration can affect joint comfort and muscle recovery.

4️⃣ Choose soft surfaces. Grass, tracks, or trails are easier on your knees than pavement.

5️⃣ End with a stretch. A gentle hamstring or quad stretch helps keep your knees happy after activity.

🍁 Your challenge this week: Go for a 10–15 minute walk, take in the fall colors, and tag North Island Physical Therapy! Tell us where you love to move outdoors this season.

Let’s keep those knees (and spirits) feeling great this fall!

10/17/2025

Neck and shoulder pain slowing you down? You’re not alone!
In this video, Rob shares simple at-home release techniques using items you probably already have around the house.

These quick and effective mobilizations focus on key areas — the upper traps, pectoralis, and scapular muscles — to help relieve tension, improve posture, and get you moving more comfortably.

No fancy equipment needed, just a few minutes and a little self-care! 💆‍♂️💆‍♀️
Check out Rob’s tips below and start giving your neck and shoulders the attention they deserve.

North Island Physical Therapy — keeping you moving, strong, and pain free!

10/16/2025

At our clinic, we’re always finding fun and effective ways to challenge the body and mind! These colorful Blazepods light up the table—and our sessions—as we work on balance, coordination, and reaction time.

This type of training helps reduce fall risk by improving how we react when reaching outside of our base of support. It’s always beneficial to think about maintaining a wide, stable stance so we can safely transfer our weight as we move and reach.

Every step toward better balance is a step toward greater confidence and mobility! 💪✨

10/15/2025

🍂 Wellness Wednesday is all about fueling your body with the right foods — especially during these chilly fall days!

Here’s a PT-approved snack that’s packed with fiber, healthy fats, and just the right amount of fall flavor.

🍎 Apple Cinnamon Energy Bites
A great grab-and-go snack for busy days or post-therapy energy!

Ingredients:
• 1 cup rolled oats
• ½ cup natural peanut butter (or almond butter)
• ¼ cup honey or maple syrup
• ½ cup finely chopped dried apples
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:
1️⃣ Mix all ingredients in a large bowl until combined.
2️⃣ Roll into bite-sized balls (about 1 inch).
3️⃣ Chill for 20–30 minutes before serving.
4️⃣ Store in the fridge for up to a week.

These bites stabilize blood sugar and keep your energy steady all day long. 💪

What’s your go-to fall snack? Share it with us in the comments!

10/10/2025

At North Island Physical Therapy, we believe movement is medicine. Whether you’re recovering from surgery, returning to sport, or just trying to live pain-free — we’re here to guide you every step of the way. 💪 🏃‍♂️