Do the words “weight training” bring to mind sweaty 20-somethings in tank tops pumping iron? It may surprise you to hear that the group that benefits most from weight training is actually senior citizens, especially those who are sedentary or in poor health. As we age, our muscles slowly begin to atrophy, a process called […]
If you are currently at risk for developing diabetes or have already been diagnosed with it, regular exercise can offer surprising benefits due to its ability to lower both stress and blood sugar levels. The National Institutes of Health suggests you get at least 150 minutes of aerobic exercise each week, and the American Diabetes […]
You don’t need to be a pirate to engage in plank exercise. In a plank exercise, you move your entire body into a certain position and hold it for a given length of time—a duration that increases the more experienced you become. An excellent way to strengthen your core (trunk-stabilizing) muscles, plank exercises help prevent […]
A high cholesterol level puts you at an increased risk for a heart attack or stroke. Perhaps your physician has recommended that you take a statin, a drug that helps block your body’s ability to make cholesterol. Statins lower cholesterol levels but can also reduce the amount of plaque in your arteries. They are known […]
If you are undertaking a physical therapy program for knee pain or injury, it might strike you as odd that so much focus is put on increasing strength and flexibility in your hips. After all, your hips aren’t the problem. But here’s something you may not know: While your pain and difficulty moving may be […]
Fun and engaging, tennis can be played at any skill level and at any age—well into one’s retirement years. Because it can help those over 50 maintain their physical fitness, tennis may prevent some of the injuries that so often plague seniors and proactively counter natural age-related changes. As a tennis player who has reached […]
First, the bad news: It doesn’t matter if you ran a marathon in your twenties or were the star quarterback of your college football team. Being physically fit at one point in your life—even on an elite level—does not mean that you will stay that way without committing time and energy to doing so. In […]
High-intensity home exercise programs, such as Insanity or P90x, have been touted as safe and effective. This may be true, but only under certain conditions—and even if you meet the criteria to practice these programs independently, it still might be a good idea to use caution when engaging in one. A high-intensity workout can be […]
Some people view their workouts as a chance to grab some personal, meditative time, while others think of exercise as a social event. Some find that they adhere better to an exercise routine if they work out with a friend or family member. Does exercising alone or with others make a difference to your health? […]
Many of the fitness programs advertised on television can be used safely—by some people. Those people are most likely to be young, strong and relatively free of physical limitations, injuries or recurring “problem” areas such as knees or shoulders. If that doesn’t describe you, then you should probably refrain from making that toll-free call or […]
Education: Dr. John earned his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota in 2018. Prior to that, he pursued an Advanced Master’s in Orthopedic Physical Therapy at Quinnipiac College (now Quinnipiac University) in Connecticut in 1996. His journey in physiotherapy began with a Bachelor’s degree from Hogeschool Midden Nederland (Central Netherlands Polytechnic, The Netherlands) in 1993. He is a Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist, a Board Certified Direct Access Provider, and a Certified Clinical Instructor through the American Physical Therapy Association.
Specialties: With over 30 years of experience, John has a profound interest in various orthopedic areas. His expertise extends to treating a diverse range of post-operative, traumatic, overuse, and sports injuries. He has honed his skills in spinal manipulation and dry needling through various institutions. John holds certifications in Spinal Manipulative Therapy (Cert. SMT) and Dry Needling (Cert. DN) from the Spinal Manipulation Institute & Dry Needling Institute, both under the American Academy of Manipulative Therapy (AAMT). His commitment to advancing his knowledge recently led him to complete his Diploma Osteopractic® through the AAMT, a comprehensive post-graduate training program in the use of high-velocity low-amplitude thrust manipulation, dry needling, instrument-assisted manual therapies, and differential diagnostics for neuromusculoskeletal condition management. After completing training in dry needling under ultrasound guidance, He is currently pursuing certification as a Registered in Musculoskeletal® (MSK®) sonographer.
Fun Facts: John used to compete and teach ballroom and Latin dance, even owned, and operated a dance studio at one point. He holds a private pilot certificate, and on weekends can be found flying his Mooney to various airfields in search of the perfect hamburger.