We are excited to announce that our Physical Therapy at St. Luke’s Hackettstown location is officially open! Our dedicated team is eager to provide exceptional care and support to the community, ensuring each patient receives personalized treatment tailored to their unique needs.

Our state-of-the-art facility is equipped with the latest technology and resources to help you achieve your health and wellness goals. Whether you’re recovering from an injury, managing a chronic condition, or looking to improve your overall physical health, our experienced therapists are here to guide you every step of the way.

We look forward to connecting with the Hackettstown community and making a positive impact on your health journey. For more information on our Hackettstown location, please click here!

Maximize Your Performance and Enjoy the Experience

Running a half marathon is a thrilling experience and the St. Luke’s Half Marathon offers a unique and challenging course. To ensure you perform at your best and enjoy every moment, here are some essential tips to help you prepare for this exciting race.

1.) Start Slow

One of the most important rules for a strong start is to begin slow! The first mile of the St. Luke’s Half Marathon features a 100-foot descent, which can allow you to run faster than you planned to but can also burn out your quads if you’re not careful. It’s crucial to conserve your energy. Begin at a relaxed pace to avoid early fatigue and set yourself up for a strong finish.

2.) Store Energy for the Parkway

The course is designed for a net descent of 5 miles followed by a net ascent to the finish line. As you enter the parkway, you’ll encounter rolling hills, which are the steep. Ensure that you store enough energy during the downhill sections to tackle the challenging uphill sections. This approach will help you maintain a consistent pace and prevent burnout.

3.) Hydration Stations

Take advantage of the hydration stations placed throughout the course. Proper hydration is vital for maintaining performance and preventing cramps and dehydration. Make it a point to drink at each station, especially if the weather is warm. Consistent hydration will keep your energy levels stable and help you endure the entire race.

4.) Run Negative Splits

Try to run negative splits, which means running the second half of the race faster than the first half. This strategy ensures that you are pacing yourself well and conserving energy for a strong finish.

5.) Enjoy the Post-Race Festivities

The St. Luke’s Half Marathon is not just about the race itself but also about the celebrations afterward. Stop by the “Stretch Zone” at the finish line to have our Running Center Physical Therapists stretch out those sore, aching muscles. Enjoy the live music and treats provided at the finish.

For more information on how to prepare, prevent injuries, and get race-ready, click here and view our Running Center Half Marathon video series.

We are proud to recognize Alexander Stiverson, PT, DPT, Stephen Kareha, PT, DPT, ATC, Ph.D., and Giovanni Stracco, PT, DPT, on receiving the 22025 APTA Academy of Leadership and Innovation Social Responsibility Award. They are recognized for their outstanding research demonstrating the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary spine care program in reducing unnecessary high-cost services for individuals with low back pain.

Their study, “Referral to a Comprehensive Primary Care Spine Program Reduces Unnecessary High-Cost Services for Individuals with Low Back Pain – A Retrospective Review,” revealed impressive results:

• 55% reduction in advancing imaging (CT/MRI) use
• 70% reduction in standard imaging (X-ray/ultrasound)
• 37% reduction in 30-day ER return rates

By promoting guideline-adherent care, their work has shown that a multidisciplinary approach can significantly reduce unnecessary imaging and ER visits while maintaining high-quality care. This program, where physical therapists serve as the primary director of an individual’s care, helps to reinforce the physical therapist can responsibly order imaging. When given more freedom through to access and imaging rights, physical therapists can save the healthcare system money in the management of lower back pain.

Congratulations to Dr. Stiverson, Dr. Kareha, and Dr. Stracco for their remarkable contribution to advancing patient care.  

Physical Therapy at St. Luke’s is in your neighborhood!

COMING SOON:

• Leesport, PA – June 2nd, 2025

NOW OPEN:

• Hackettstown, NJ
• Allentown, PA – Walbert Avenue
• Reading, PA – Spring Township

Check out Physical Therapist, Christopher Fisher, PT, DPT, MBA, as he discusses shoulder and elbow conditions, physical therapy approaches, recovery exercises, and ways to improve strength and function!

Talk With Your Doctor – Shoulder and Elbow Conditions | St. Luke’s Talk With Your Doctor | wfmz.com

Pelvic Floor Health is crucial for overall well-being, yet it’s often misunderstood or overlooked, especially by runners and those leading active lifestyles. In a recent Runner’s World article, Lauren Garges, PT, DPT, Program Manager of the Physical Therapy at St. Luke’s Pelvic Health Program, explains that Kegel exercises aren’t always the solution for everyone. While Kegel exercises focus on strengthening, many people experience pelvic floor tightness or tension, often caused by factors like birth injury, trauma, or stress. In such cases, performing Kegel exercises can worsen the problem by increasing tension rather than relieving it.

How to Identify Pelvic Floor Tightness:

Lauren suggests a simple way to check if you may have pelvic floor tightness:

1. Sit on a physio ball or rolled-up towel to apply gentle pressure to the perineum
2. Contract your pelvic floor muscles
3. Try to relax the muscles back to their original state

If you find it difficult to relax your muscles after contracting them, you may have pelvic floor dysfunction.

Getting the Right Treatment

If you’re experiencing pelvic pain, tightness, or discomfort, our team of specialized physical therapists can help! We offer personalized treatment plans to restore your proper pelvic function. Don’t let pelvic floor issues impact your quality of life – help is available!

For more information, visit our Pelvic Health page or call 484-526-5025 to schedule your appointment today!

Congratulations to our 2024 Board-Certified Clinical Specialists! We are so proud of all their hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence in the field of physical therapy. This certification not only enhances their professional credentials but also underscores their dedication to providing the highest quality of care to their patients.

Take Your Performance to the Next Level with Advanced Movement Health Assessments!  

Our new device will allow you to see: 

• Your body in a whole new way with advanced 3D visuals 
• Objective data that allows you to track your progress over time  
• A personalized movement score customized to YOU 

This device is used to analyze movement quality with frame-by-frame analytics for dynamic movements.  

Schedule your full body scan today! Schedule online or call 484-526-5025.

Congratulations to three-time All American and 2017 NCAA Champion wrestler, Darian Cruz, who has achieved his goal of representing Puerto Rico at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris. Check out his journey to ensure readiness and health as he worked with Gregory Colvin, PT, DPT. 

Click here to see Darian’s journey!

We are delighted to announce that Physical Therapy at St. Luke’s has been honored with the prestigious 2024 “Who’s Who” in Business award for Physical Rehab/Physical Therapy by Lehigh Valley Style Magazine. This marks our fourth consecutive year receiving this esteemed recognition, a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence. 

The award, bestowed by Lehigh Valley Style Magazine, signifies excellence in the Lehigh Valley business community, as determined by local residents. It acknowledges businesses and organizations that have cultivated strong consumer relationships by consistently delivering exceptional services and upholding the highest standards of quality. 

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated team and loyal patients for their invaluable contributions to our success. Together, we continue to make a positive impact on the community, enriching lives through our commitment to superior care and service.