Quick question: How much water have you drank today? For most people, the answer would be “not enough”. From everything we drink and swim in, to the ice that reduces swelling, it is all around us (and even in us). As a matter of fact – it basically is us! Water makes up around two thirds of who we are, and influences every single process in our body. This probably explains why we feel a lot better when we drink enough of it. Now, you might be aware of the many ‘tips and tricks’ that are out there on “how to avoid a bad back”, and “how to relieve pain” – but have you ever heard of drinking more water? My guess is you haven’t! I get that it might sound ‘too simple’ to make a difference, but dehydration really can be one of the culprits of back pain, and one of the reasons why it stays around for longer than it needs to. Let me explain… I know you already know that water affects every organ and cell in your body, but it also plays an enormous role in the health of your back and spine. In between each section of the spine (the vertebrae) lies a disc – these are mainly made up of water. During the day when we’re standing up, they slowly become dehydrated, then at night when we’re laying down, they rehydrate themselves again (so long as there is ENOUGH water in the body!). Here’s Where Water Comes Into Play… Read More

Avoid Low Back Pain with Targeted Exercises… Read More

Most of the time the ache in our neck and shoulders is from overuse of those muscles. Are you sitting up with good posture at your computer? Do you carry your bag repeatedly on one side with considerable weight in it? Do you use the "arm rests" on your chair to rest your arms and decrease the tension in your neck and shoulders? Is the monitor at the right height so you are not leaning forward or bending your neck too far down? All of those posture issues can create neck and shoulder pain. Read More

Dr. Penrose was the featured speaker at "Eye on Health" at Jubilee, an active retirement community in Lacey WA. She spoke about osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. Click to read more and download her presentation and the exercise handout. Read More

Penrose Physical Therapy proudly sponsors Guerilla running club. Read More

Dr. Penrose enjoys teaching the running community how to prevent injuries with the STRONG body workshop. "Most runners lack strength in at least one muscle group, as well as in their neuromuscular pathways, the lines of communication between brain and body," says Jay Dicharry, M.P.T., the director of the REP biomechanics lab at Rebound Physical Therapy in Bend, Oregon, and author of Anatomy for Runners. Read More

Guerilla Running does a wonderful job putting on a 4 mile Turkey Trot race on Thanksgiving morning in downtown Olympia, WA. Penrose & Associates is proud to sponsor this race and provide swag bags. Read More

Penrose & Associates Physical Therapy sponsors local school races such as the Glow Run 5k as a fund raiser for Cornerstone Christian School.  It also sponsors The Friendship Run for the Westside Co-op Preschool. Jennifer Penrose has donated her time as the cross country coach and assisted with the track team at Cornerstone Christian School.  Dr. Penrose enjoys teaching youth in correct running form, dynamic warm ups, and stretching.  She wants kids to just have fun running!… Read More

We want you to know we are here to help in any way we can because we know that life happens. Things don't wait and you shouldn't have to either. We know your time is important so email us using the contact page. You can also find us on Facebook and we will do our best to respond as quickly as possible. We will help you problem solve through what happened. More importantly- we can help you discover what you can do to get back on the fast track to finishing that garage! Read More

Dr. Penrose has been in the Olympia/Lacey community since 2001 and has established solid relationships with local physicians. She has co-lectured with surgeons on shoulder, ankle, and knee rehabilitation. Read More