Rib Mountain:	M–F 7A – 7P
	SAT 8A – 4:30P
Medford:	M–F 8:30A – 4P
Plover:	M–F 8A – 4P
Merrill:	M–F 8A – 4P

Blog

What are the signs of concussion?

You fell and hit your head. But you didn’t lose consciousness. Do you have a concussion? You may. In 90 percent of concussion injuries, people do not lose consciousness. But there are physical, intellectual and emotional changes that may signal a concussion. Physical symptoms Headache Nausea Vo...

Make your own hot and cold packs

You can find relief for minor injuries using heat and cold packs. Sprains and strains feel better after cold is applied; muscle aches respond better to heat therapy. You can buy commercial products that will provide both kinds of relief. You also can make your own. For just a few dollars, you can cr...

To stretch or not to stretch?

Dear Dr. Messerly: Should I stretch before exercise? To stretch or not to stretch? That is the new controversial question in the athletic world. Actually, athletes and healthcare providers alike believe that stretching does provide benefits. The real questions that we need to ask are, "Which stret...

How can I support a family member who suffers from chronic pain?

The fact that you are asking the question is a great start. There are many ways you can offer support to someone who is in constant and chronic pain. First, understand that chronic pain is not just a symptom. Chronic pain can be debilitating and life-changing. Until recently, pain was considered an ...

Work and school can mean pain for your neck

There's a reason we adopted the phrase "a pain in the neck" to describe something annoying. There's nothing quite so irritating as neck pain. Just think about it. How many times do you turn your head, look down at your desk, or look up at your computer screen. When your neck hurts, it limits your mo...

10 Tips for Safe Shoveling

It’s coming. By tomorrow, we may have 9 to 12 inches of snow to move. If you shovel snow the “good old fashioned way,” it’s a great workout. You can burn nearly 400 calories an hour. However, shoveling snow incorrectly could be one of the main reasons 80 percent of Americans suffer from ba...

What’s the difference between acute and chronic pain?

Acute pain starts suddenly. It’s the type of pain you feel when you are injured or have surgery. It can be treated with a short-term prescription for medication and usually lasts for a few weeks or months as healing takes place. Chronic pain can last for months or years, well beyond the normal hea...

I’m not an athlete, why did my provider refer me to a sports medicine specialist?

Your healthcare provider knows that sports medicine specialists are experts in body mechanics and movement. They know how the body should move, what tendons and ligaments are involved, and most importantly, if you are not moving properly, they can determine the reason why and provide you with a solu...

Keep your hamstrings strong for pain-free movement

Your hamstrings are not the strongest muscles in your legs, but they play a major role in your ability to move. As a result, hamstring injuries have sidelined more than one professional athlete for an entire season. So, what are hamstrings? Your hamstrings are actually a group of three muscles locat...

What causes heel pain?

Heel pain is a common complaint. The question is, “What’s causing it?” Is it plantar fasciitis? A bone spur? Ill-fitting shoes? An overuse injury? You could experience heel pain due to any of those reasons. Planter Fasciitis One of the most common sources of heel pain is plantar fasciitis. Th...