Health blog
Avoiding high impact activities because of joint discomfort
Knee injuries are one of the most common injuries that we see in physical therapy, whether it is sports related or just degenerative changes that occur as we age. Some of the most common injuries are sprains and strains, osteoarthritis, ligament injuries and meniscus injuries. All of these cause pain, weakness and a decrease in functional activities.
Ligament injuries more commonly occur with the more active patient population. Sports such as soccer and basketball that involve jumping, planting of the leg or a change in direction can cause ACL tears.
Read full blogEver have an ache that seemed to start for no reason?
Believe it or not, your hips play a large role in the health of your back and limited hip mobility can cause back pain. Do you have an aching back at the end of the day and wonder where the source of your pain is coming from? You are not alone! More than 80 percent of the population will suffer from back pain at least once in their life, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control.
Read full blogHow Your Desk, Phone, TV Can Impact the Neck
How Your Desk, Phone, TV Can Impact the Neck
Raise your hand if you’ve ever fallen asleep in an awkward position and had the unexpected pleasure of waking up to a “crick in your neck.” This unexpected pain and discomfort can make it difficult to turn our heads to check our blind spots while driving and bending our neck forward while working on our computers at the office. When most people complain of a “crick” in their neck, they are referring to either pain or stiffness, most likely in the form of a cramp or a spasm. Awkward sleeping positions can be a culprit, however, understand that there are many other causes for neck pain and stiffness.
Ever slipped or changed directions suddenly?
By: Jeremy Schain PT, DPT, CSCS
Do you ever find yourself limping through the last few aisles of the grocery store? Or maybe you pass up a golf trip with friends for fear of having to quit before the eighteenth hole? Do your first few steps out of bed in the morning cause you to grimace in discomfort? Knee pain can affect the lives of people of all ages, inhibiting both routine daily function and the ability to exercise.
Is grabbing and holding an object difficult because of joint pain?
By: Kiara Holmes, ATC
Arthritis; [ahr-thrahy-tis] – Noun – The condition your parents always said you would get in your hands if you crack your knuckles.
While cracking your knuckles isn’t really a culprit for arthritis, I can tell you that NOT moving your joints will set you up for arthritis much faster.
What is arthritis? It is the degeneration of the cartilage in various joints of the body that lead to pain, stiffness, and inflammation.
Trouble throwing a ball or lifting weights because of shoulder discomfort?
Nov 14th 2018By: Jessica Freedman, ATC
Baseball pitchers, javelin throwers, football quarterbacks; what do all three of these athletes have in common? Each of their sports involves overhead throwing. These sports, as well as many others, require the athlete to constantly move their shoulder through the overhead throwing motion. Over time, this movement puts stress on the shoulder joint and can cause a number of different chronic injuries. So what are some common injuries seen in overhead athletes?
How the body needs to work to walk properly
By: Mike Bills, MS PT
Walking is something that we all do everyday whether that be to simply get from one point to another or for exercise or for relaxation. Because walking is such a necessary part of daily life, it’s important to understand what should and should not be happening when we walk is important to help us live a safe and healthy lifestyle. When you walk there are many major parts of your body that need to be working properly together to ensure that the activity of walking is efficient, safe, and beneficial.
Let’s start with your legs.
Want to shake up a previous workout routine?
One of the most common complaints that runners have after committing to a running program is that their running plan becomes “stale”, “predictable” or “boring.” A primary reason for these feelings is a lack of progression. Running at the same pace for the same distances or for the same duration over and over again can wear you out quickly. As much as it may be tempting to just get out and run a little, taking time to plan can go a long way in terms of keeping your mind and body sharp as well as preventing injury. A running plan with controlled progression can completely change the way you approach your running.
Read full blogWant to get rid of that nagging foot pain for good?
By: Rachel Herrmann, DPT
A lot of people don’t like feet and don’t give much thought to their feet, but our feet and ankles do a lot for us. They help propel us as we walk, they help us stay level when we are hiking through the rugged mountain trails or through the shifting sands on the beach; They help us press on the gas pedal to get us through the yellow lights; they help us rise up taller so that we can look over the crowd of taller people blocking your view at a concert.
What’s the difference between a strain and a sprain?
By Alyssa Burke, PTA
I’m sure you’ve heard someone say they sprained or strained something. Maybe you’ve even experienced these injuries yourself. Sprains and strains are common injuries that affect the soft tissues of your body. You don’t have to be an athlete to experience one of these injuries. People of all ages and activity levels are susceptible to sprains and strains. Sometimes these injuries can be confusing to keep straight, so what is the difference between a sprain and a strain?
