https://www.cascadiaphysicaltherapy.com/blog daily 0.75 2025-01-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1589847766023-TYF5QZ96XIXRZPA4EGWZ/image-asset.jpeg Blog - 20, Oct. 2020 HOW DOES ONE TEACH CURIOSITY? What is it that moves us forward? What is it that holds us back? Sure, a feeling of desire or ‘need’ can move us in directions of acquiring, but real forward momentum is fueled by curiosity. Forward momentum is created by being engaged in the discovery of the process, not by the ‘fixed’ vision of an end goal. I’ve met a lot of work-a-holics that have their eyes set on a distant goal and are persistent with their effort, yet they seem to be trudging along. They are missing that youthful fervor and ‘bounce in the step’ of someone that cannot wait to see what’s around the corner. What is it that moves us forward? What is it that holds us back? I know that I can be limited in how far I run or how I move when playing basketball with my sons because of the fear of increasing back pain and maybe limiting myself in these scenarios is wise. Yet, this attitude of fear and protection can seep into too many of our decisions, it can begin to limit how we view the world. ‘Curiosity can get me into trouble, I should just keep doing only what I can safely do’. This becomes a subconscious mantra that precedes our actions and undermines our vision. And this is an uncertain time. Employment and financial security are unknowns. The safety of our health is unknown. Maybe we should remain guarded and cautious. Maybe we should not just shelter in place physically but take our spirit and tuck it away, you know, for safety. But this habit of being guarded and protective can overflow into our muscle tension, our emotions. It keeps us tight and skeptical. It feeds our pain and discomfort because it is like driving with our brakes constantly engaged. The friction and heat of indecision or conflicting motivations. So, how does one inspire or facilitate curiosity? How can we develop and enhance this trait in ourselves? Well, curiosity is fed by a sense of awe, by intrigue, by looking at the world to see what it is saying today and not by expecting it to remain a static story of yesterday. Imagine living in a black and white world, without color, and one day, in the distance, there is a field of peach colored tulips. It is this sense of ‘newness’ that creates the intrigue and delight in us that will inspire our curiosity and motivate us to keep walking to discover this newness. Say your physical therapist introduces a unique movement to you that changes how you carry the framework of your posture and you discover that you can now stand without pain or look to the right with greater ease and greater range, and it no longer feels guarded, it feels fluid and pleasant and this feeling of ease and grace is the something new - that if we focus on it, it can inject us with just enough curiosity and appreciation to move us forward. An experience of grace in movement. An experience that painfree movement is possible or to feel that a sense of grace is not just for the ballerina, it is our choice in how to ‘posture’ and how to move in the world. Moving with grace is moving with investment in the moment. It is making the moment count and finding enjoyment and novelty right where we are. It is this novelty and awe that inspires us and drives our curiosity to move forward. A curiosity of ’W hat else is possible?’ A curiosity to encourage us to walk a little further, to pick up a new hobby, to change our perspective, to leave behind the guarding and protection because something else is calling us, something far too interesting to disacknowledge, something we can approach. This is the goal of physical therapy. This is the goal of today. To be engaged in the process of what is possible. https://www.cascadiaphysicaltherapy.com/home daily 1.0 2025-12-13 https://www.cascadiaphysicaltherapy.com/our-physicaltherapists daily 0.75 2025-12-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e974dd517d6364e22a46947/22ca1be7-b120-4e21-8a16-975c9c3eb005/IMG_1662.jpeg Our Physical Therapists - Avilio Halme, MPT, COMS, owner Tobias Keene, D.D.S. Hailing from Richmond, Virginia, Dr. Tobias Keene brings a bit of unabashed Southern hospitality to all his patients. He moved to Washington, D.C. over thirty years ago as a freshman at Ivy College. Right after graduation, he attended World University’s School of Dentistry. Before opening Keene Dental in 1994, he worked for free clinics and some of the finest practices in the District. He is part of the 123 Dental Association and stays up-to-date on the latest dental discoveries. When not striving to keep his patients happy and healthy, he’s enjoys hiking with his family in Rock Creek Park. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e974dd517d6364e22a46947/3d407f47-1602-4eb5-b4ba-498e1c24b285/jdm.png Our Physical Therapists - Darryl Michelson, PT, COMS I have been in practice as a Physical Therapist for 25 years using an approach that fuses both manual and movement therapies. My Joy is in being a part of a client’s progression into healing and assisting them into the rediscovery of their energy and vitality. I began my manual therapy training in the Netherlands and proceeded to specialize in Manual Lymph Drainage and Neural Manipulation training. I have also completed a Feldenkrais-style movement re-education training (Certified Orthopedic Movement Specialist). My wife, Lori and I enjoy hiking in the PNW and Canadian landscapes. I am a cinephile and compete in Extreme Ironing! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e974dd517d6364e22a46947/eb477edd-4f78-4f4a-ae1d-93db274f7975/rene.jpeg Our Physical Therapists - Rene’ Wendt, PTA I have been working as a PTA for 22 years. My passion is helping people meet their goals with manual therapy, creative movement and encouragement. I have pursued extensive training in joint, soft tissue, visceral and neural mobilization. My interest in pain education, osteoporosis and strength training for older adults has inspired me to explore new ideas and ways of approaching movement. As an avid trail runner and hiking enthusiast, I love being outdoors. Line dancing is one of my latest pursuits. I also enjoy the company of my three amazing grandchildren. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e974dd517d6364e22a46947/95674c0f-3911-4cb3-93da-9e3756db9920/kris.jpg https://www.cascadiaphysicaltherapy.com/insurances daily 0.75 2025-01-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e974dd517d6364e22a46947/1587747674078-9WNI2X29HEMC2P9SLAK0/image-asset.jpeg Insurances - Welcome! - and thank you for trusting us with your care! Photo by fizkes/iStock / Getty Images https://www.cascadiaphysicaltherapy.com/location/contact daily 0.75 2025-12-13 https://www.cascadiaphysicaltherapy.com/about daily 0.75 2025-12-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ce592c8732098000152407a/1562825944668-6924WVA1UIKI1IQA5GFZ/Aro-Ha_1182-copy.jpg About Creative and Compassionate Care At Cascadia Physical Therapy, we practice one-on-one, client focused rehabilitation. We take the time to understand the complexities of a pain syndrome so that we can develop a comprehensive and functional treatment plan that keeps the patient engaged and interactive. We strive to instill our patients with the confidence, knowledge and awareness to become independent in their symptom management and home exercise program. To do this, we use a broad scope of manual therapies and movement therapies to improve the active postural alignment and ease in a persons’ daily functional patterns. Our therapists have worked with patients of all ages, including newborns, for the past 22-33 years, including: Acute and chronic pain, post-surgical, total joint replacement, spinal fusion, sports-specific rehab, labor and industry claims, motor vehicle accident, headaches and migraines, craniosacral therapy, visceral manipulation, scar tissue release, TMJ disorder, pelvic floor rehab, vestibular rehab, foot pain syndromes, sensory input challenges and the list goes on. Expertise and focused attention in a relaxed yet inspired setting. https://www.cascadiaphysicaltherapy.com/physical-therapy-jobs daily 0.75 2025-12-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e974dd517d6364e22a46947/cd6aca71-dbc9-412c-a0f4-ccf088b2a55f/399-bellingham-aerial-760x660.jpg