From the Reform PT Blog

Physical therapist evaluating new patient during first session at Reform Physical Therapy.

What to Expect During Your First Week of Physical Therapy

Posted by: in Patient Education & Recovery Guides, Physical Therapy Tips on November 3, 2025

New to PT? Here’s What Happens First Walking into physical therapy for the first time can feel a little uncertain. Will it hurt? What will they make me do? How long will it take to feel better?At Reform Physical Therapy, we want your first week to feel empowering, not intimidating. From your initial evaluation to… Read More

Physical therapist helping an older adult practice balance exercises indoors to prevent winter falls and build leg strength.

From Slippery Sidewalks to Strong Steps: Winter Balance Tips from Our PTs

Posted by: in Fall Prevention & Balance, Healthy Aging & Mobility, Physical Therapy Tips on October 31, 2025

Why Winter Challenges Your Balance Winter in Maine is beautiful — but it can also be a challenge for your footing.From icy sidewalks and snowy driveways to wet entryways, even the simplest walk to your car can turn risky. At Reform Physical Therapy, our team sees an increase in balance-related injuries every winter — slips,… Read More

Physical therapist assessing an athlete’s movement to prevent injury at Reform Physical Therapy.

Why Every Athlete Should See a PT Before They’re Injured

Posted by: in Physical Therapy Tips, Sports Injury Prevention on October 29, 2025

The Smartest Athletes Don’t Wait for Pain Most people think physical therapy starts after something goes wrong — a pulled hamstring, a sprained ankle, or post-surgery rehab. But at Reform Physical Therapy, we see things differently. The best athletes don’t wait for an injury to happen — they work with a PT before it does.Seeing… Read More

Older adult performing safe resistance exercise

Maintaining Strength as You Age: Safe Exercises for Every Decade

Posted by: in Exercise & Strength Training, Healthy Aging & Mobility, Physical Therapy Tips on October 27, 2025

Strength Has No Age Limit Getting older doesn’t mean slowing down — it just means moving smarter.Whether you’re in your 30s, 50s, or 70s, your muscles, bones, and joints thrive when you stay active and strong. At Reform Physical Therapy, we help patients of all ages maintain strength safely through guided movement and personalized exercise… Read More

Physical therapist guiding patient through a stretching warm-up

Why Stretching Feels So Good: The Science Behind Your Warm-Up

Posted by: in Injury Prevention & Recovery, Movement & Mobility Education, Physical Therapy Tips on October 24, 2025

Ever notice how a good stretch can make you feel like a brand-new person? Whether it’s that first big morning stretch or a few shoulder rolls before shoveling snow, there’s a reason your body craves it. At Reform Physical Therapy, we often remind patients that stretching isn’t just about flexibility — it’s about preparing your… Read More

Person walking carefully on an icy Maine sidewalk wearing winter boots, symbolizing fall prevention and balance.

The Most Common Fall Injuries We See (and How to Prevent Them This Winter

Posted by: in Injury Prevention, Physical Therapy Tips, Winter Safety on October 22, 2025

When winter arrives in Maine, so does the ice — and with it, an increase in slips, trips, and falls. Whether it’s a quick walk to the car or a stroll down your driveway, one small patch of black ice can cause big problems. Every year, we see patients who are surprised by how quickly… Read More

Physical therapist helping patient with joint replacement recovery exercises at Reform PT clinic.

Recovering After Joint Replacement: Realistic Timelines & Tips

Posted by: in Patient Education & Recovery Guides, Physical Therapy Tips, Post-Surgical Rehabilitation on October 20, 2025

What to Expect After Joint Replacement Surgery Undergoing joint replacement surgery — whether it’s a hip, knee, or shoulder — is a big step toward regaining your quality of life. Most people decide on this surgery because daily pain and stiffness have made movement too difficult. But while surgery can relieve pain, what happens next… Read More

Southern Maine athlete receiving one-on-one physical therapy for recovery at Reform PT clinic.

Why Southern Maine Athletes Choose Reform Physical Therapy for Recovery

Posted by: in Athlete Wellness & Performance, Physical Therapy Tips, Rehabilitation & Prevention, Sports Injury Recovery on October 17, 2025

When the Game Stops, Recovery Begins If you’re an athlete, you know what it feels like when your body suddenly says “stop.” Maybe it’s the sharp twinge in your knee halfway through practice, or that nagging shoulder pain that’s been getting worse every game. It’s frustrating — especially when you’ve worked so hard to stay… Read More

Woman stretching hands with gloves on during a cold Maine morning

Managing Arthritis Pain in Cold Weather

Posted by: in Healthy Living, Maine Community Health, Physical Therapy Tips on October 15, 2025

For many Mainers, the drop in temperature brings more than just frosty mornings and snowy roads—it also brings joint pain. Arthritis symptoms often worsen during the winter months, leaving people with stiff knees, sore hands, or aching hips. At Reform PT, we frequently hear from patients who feel their arthritis flares up as soon as… Read More

Family snowshoeing on a trail in Freeport

How to Stay Active in Maine Winters Without Risking Injury

Posted by: in Healthy Living, Injury Prevention, Maine Community Health, Physical Therapy Tips on October 13, 2025

Winter in Southern Maine is beautiful, but it can also make staying active a challenge. Cold temperatures, icy sidewalks, and shorter days push many people indoors, while others still brave the elements to run, ski, or shovel snow. Unfortunately, this is also the time of year we see more injuries—slips on the ice, sore backs… Read More