Los Altos, CA
Health columns written for our community.
For years I've been writing about pain, movement, recovery, and how to take care of your body, in plain language, for the Los Altos Town Crier. This is the full archive.
Articles published in:
Most of what people get told about pain and recovery isn't actually accurate.
Patients walk in with the same misconceptions every week. That you should rest a sore back. That cracking joints means damage. That if surgery is on the table, it's the only path forward. Most of these aren't true, or they're true only in specific circumstances most people don't fall into.
I started writing these columns because I wanted to put accurate information about the body into our community's hands. The Town Crier reaches people who'd never sit through a clinical lecture, and that's the point. If one column changes how somebody approaches their own pain, knee surgery decision, or pelvic floor symptoms, then it was worth writing.
You don't have to be a patient at PhysioFit to read these. Pick the topic that matches what you're dealing with and start there.
Pick a topic that matches what you're dealing with.
Years of columns organized by what they're about. Click any topic to see the columns inside.
- "Avoid back surgery, even with 10-plus years of chronic pain"
- "Could stretching actually be making your sciatica worse?"
- "How physical therapy and Pilates can address, manage back pain"
- "How you can strengthen your core safely for a strong, pain-free back"
- "Sciatica: How physical therapy can help"
- "Secrets to keeping fit with a bad back"
- "Staying Active: Why sheltering in place might be causing your back problems"
- "Why lengthy sitting can be risky"
- "Are opioids safe when prescribed for chronic pain?"
- "Bone up on osteoporosis facts, practice preventive measures"
- "PhysioFit caters to a range of aches and pains"
- "Recognizing the telltale signs of osteoporosis"
- "Relieving chronic pain with Regenerative Shockwave Therapy"
- "Stimpod therapy: Treatment for chronic pain and nerve dysfunction"
- "Pain during sex: Common, but not normal, and can be addressed"
- "Pelvic floor dysfunction: Problems may be treated with exercises"
- "Pelvic health: Pregnancy, postpartum and beyond"
- "Pelvic pain and weakness: What most people don't realize"
- "Physical therapy can help ease pelvic floor dysfunction"
- "Understanding and treating incontinence"
- "Understanding pelvic floor dysfunction and its treatment"
- "Explore the transformational power of Pilates"
- "Kids and Pilates: Fitness made fun"
- "Pilates equipment will take your workout up a level"
- "Pilates Reformer: What's it all about?"
- "Pilates: A friend in cancer recovery"
- "Pilates: A physical therapy alternative"
- "Pilates: great medicine for scoliosis"
- "The benefits, principals and considerations of Pilates for rehabilitation"
- "Yoga vs. Pilates: Which exercise regimen is right for you?"
- "Benefits of prenatal exercise and yoga"
- "Diastasis recti: What pregnant and postpartum women need to know"
- "Mummy Tummy: The postpartum problem no one wants to talk about"
- "New moms are smiling after duct treatment"
- "Pelvic floor health and pregnancy: Conditions expectant mothers can address up-front"
- "PhysioFit offers relief for mothers with blocked milk ducts"
- "Pregnancy plus Pilates provides positives"
- "Staying Active: Why digestive symptoms can be related to pelvic floor dysfunction"
- "Benefits of yoga extend beyond the mat"
- "Building core strength: The foundation of physical health and vitality"
- "Exercises treat and prevent injury, break bad habits"
- "Feeling unsteady? How to recognize signs of a balance disorder"
- "Helping seniors improve balance and reduce the number of falls"
- "Improve your golf swing with physical therapy"
- "Keep your holiday stress level to a minimum"
- "Physical Therapy: An aide in headache relief"
- "Stay healthy and active at home with virtual workouts"
- "Staying Active: How exercise counters cognitive decline"
- "Staying Active: Workout mistakes to avoid during forced lockdowns"
- "Tight hamstrings: Why stretching might help, but isn't always the answer"
- "Where did all of my muscles go?"
A few worth starting with.
If you don't know where to begin, these four are a good entry point into the archive.
Kim Gladfelter, PT and educator.
Kim founded PhysioFit Physical Therapy and Wellness in Los Altos in 2002. She's a board-certified orthopedic specialist, a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists, and one of a small handful of clinicians in the Bay Area trained in advanced Shockwave Regenerative Therapy.
Outside of clinic hours, Kim has spent years writing health columns for the Los Altos Town Crier, speaking at community events, and teaching what she's learned to anyone who'll listen. Her goal with these columns is simple: less confusion, fewer unnecessary surgeries, more people moving without pain.
She lives in the Bay Area and treats patients ranging from new parents to weekend athletes to retirees.
Pick the next step that works for you.
If a column got you thinking about your own situation, here are two simple ways to take the next step. No pressure on either.