Physical Therapy Blog

Rotator cuff tears can be painful… or not. Many people are walking around with tears in their rotator cuff but are not experiencing symptoms of should pain. Time is not a great healer when it comes to a rotator cuff injury. There are things that you can do, short of surgery, that help relieve symptoms and regain strength in your shoulder. Let’s take a look at what it means to have a tear in your rotator cuff, and what your treatment options are. What is a Rotator Cuff Tear? There is a group of four muscles with tendons that attach

It usually happens with no warning. One minute you’re walking along, the next you’re wincing in pain. Sprained ankles are painful and can become a chronic problem. In this article, we’ll take a look at how they happen and what can be done to treat them. What Does it Mean to “Sprain” Your Ankle? When you sprain your ankle, you damage the ligaments (the connective tissue) that holds the bones together to form the ankle joint. Depending on the severity, you may need surgery to repair a sprain. Before we jump ahead to that, though, let’s take a comprehensive look

When we call someone “double-jointed” or notice that they have loose joints with an above-average range of motion, we see hypermobility in their joints. For most people, it’s not a problem. But for others, it can cause unpleasant symptoms. Let’s take a look at some issues and solutions for those with hypermobility. What Causes Joint Hypermobility? Joint hypermobility is the result of weaker collagen and connective tissue. Collagen is a type of protein that runs throughout the body. If collagen is not as strong as it should be, tissues will be weak, and joints may become loose and stretchy. Joint

When an adolescent who is active in sports complains of lower back pain, it may be an indication of a PARS Stress Fracture. These injuries are quite common in young athletes, especially if they use a lot of repetitive motion in a particular sport. What Is a PARS Fracture? It is a stress fracture, usually referred to as an overuse injury caused by repetitive motion, especially rotation and hyperextension. The damage is more likely to happen if the athlete does not support his body and bones with proper nutrition. There is an area of the bone that is found in

Your Sacroiliac (SI) Joint is located where your tailbone (sacrum) joins your hip bone.  The joint is kept together by a whole host of tight ligaments.  Over time, it’s normal that these ligaments become loosened as a result of several factors… movement repetition, pregnancy, accidents… even bad posture can contribute to loosening these ligaments.  It can be quite painful, especially in your lower back, as this happens. What to Do to Treat Pain Due to Your SI Joint There are several things you can do to help take the pressure off your SI joint.  Practicing good posture and body movement

Achilles Tendonitis is a painful condition that typically affects runners. Although other people are susceptible to it as well, the pain actually occurs from microtears that take place in the Achilles tendon during particular high-impact strenuous exercise, for example, running. Do you Have Achilles Tendonitis? Achilles Tendonitis tends to sneak up on you. It typically is first noticed as a pain that builds gradually and gets significantly worse over time. The lower part of the leg will feel weak or stiff. The Achilles tendon will actually swell up or display a bump. The pain will occur while running or after

As we age, the body goes through various natural changes. It is common for an older person to be prescribed physical therapy after surgery or an accident, but did you know that being proactive with the physical therapy experience can actually help to alleviate some of the pain, stiffness, and disease associated with the aging process. Is There a Special Kind of Physical Therapy for Older People? Physical Therapy can be useful in many circumstances, but older patients can benefit most from a specialty called “Geriatric Physical Therapy.” This specialty focuses on the unique challenges people experience as they move