Author Archives: Karena Wu, PT, MS

Today’s blog is written by a guest writer: I have lived with pain for years. To begin with, I have S-curve scoliosis, which sets off a whole gamut of pain from my lower back to my neck. I have dealt with this pain since I was about 15. Then in the recent years, between ages… Continue Reading

Karena was honored to be cast as a ‘Licensed Physical Therapist’ in the DePuy Knee Exercise Video Series. She plays a Physical Therapist instructing a patient on how to do exercises as part of their Home Exercise Program. The videos were created for hospitals and their post-surgical patients. Some of the videos are showcased on… Continue Reading

Physical therapy emphasizes strength, stability and endurance exercises, and for that reason the kettlebell is one of the hot new equipment pieces that you can work into your routine. As holistic practitioners, we recommend safe, efficient exercise equipment but as this little ‘bell’ works the whole body at once, you’ve got to be prepared both… Continue Reading

several holistic therapies can work as an adjunct treatment for physical therapy, and reiki is one of them. During the course of physical therapy, there is more than just the physical aspect of healing happening. There is also an energy component at work. Did you know that it takes more calories to heal? Or that… Continue Reading

I’m proud and excited to be featured on Kinesio Taping Association International’s website. Click on the link below to be taken the KTAI website. As of this writing 11/19/2011, my article is on top. When it is no longer the top article, scroll down and click on “CKTP Karena Wu Featured in Advance for PT”.… Continue Reading

Maybe it’s just me, but it seems like the flu is going around earlier every year. We’re busy; we’re burnt out; we’re ignoring injuries, rather than treating them. And with the holidays coming up, it seems like the stress will only be increasing. So now is a particularly important time to remember that exercise is… Continue Reading

If you spend any time at the gym or playing sports, you’ll hear a lot of talk about the core. What’s it all about? Well, a lot! The core is at the center of everything that we do physically. It’s the powerhouse of the limbs. It powers your golf swing, tennis and karate kick, to… Continue Reading

In playing soccer, you need a lot of ankle joint awareness to make the sprinting, quick stops and sudden turns that the game requires. This awareness is called proprioception, and it can be improved through specific exercises that develop balance, strength and endurance. The proprioceptors are responsible for joint awareness, such as your position in… Continue Reading

  Patients of mine often ask me about why I use manual therapies in conjunction with strengthening exercises. Well, the short answer is that these two therapy protocols used together can create the most effective healing. But let me explain a little more. Manual therapies — which include joint/soft tissue mobilizations and passive movement (where… Continue Reading