Health blog Category: physical therapy
Sitting for Several Hours Each Day?
Neck pain is a common complaint that we see in physical therapy. Our posture as a society has continued to decline with the increased use of phones and computers. Poor posture when sitting or standing can lead to many neck injuries that can be addressed with physical therapy.
Common Neck Injuries:
Cervical radiculopathy is a term that means radiating pain down into your arms/hands or upper back. This is due to nerve compression in the neck.
Read full blogThe Importance Of Core Strength
When most people think of the core, they think of the abdominals and doing sit-ups and generally know that one needs to have good core strength. Beyond that, most people don’t know much else about the core.
So what are the core muscles and what do they really do?
The core muscles consist of the muscles surrounding and providing stability and postural control to the torso, abdomen and pelvis.
Read full blogCauses of Shoulder Discomfort
Shoulder injuries are one of the most common injuries. Injury or overuse are the most common causes of shoulder discomfort. Some of the most common ailments related to the shoulder include tight/overworked muscles, tendonitis, impingement, and joint stiffness. These not only may cause pain, it may also cause weakness, and limit your ability to drive, prepare your evening dinners, reach into your overhead cabinets and other everyday activities.
Common Causes of Shoulder Injury
- Traumatic injury/dislocation
- Weak muscles
- Repetitive movement
- Poor shoulder mechanics
- Post Surgery
Shoulder pain and discomfort can present itself in many different ways.
Read full blogElbow, Achilles, and Rotator Cuff Tendonitis
Tendonitis can be summarized as inflammation or irritation of the tendon. A tendon is a thick cord like structure that connects muscle to bone. All throughout our body, we have muscles that are attached to bones by tendons, which is why so many people suffer from tendonitis somewhere in their body. Some of the most common types of Tendonitis are; Elbow, Achilles, and Rotator Cuff Tendonitis.
Tendonitis is a result of small micro-tears in the soft tissue.
Read full blogPhysical Therapy Before Surgery
Facing the prospect of joint replacement surgery can be daunting. Attending physical therapy before surgery (pre-operative physical therapy) is the key to a smoother recovery.
You might be asking, “Don’t I do therapy after surgery?” Actually, pre-operative therapy plays a crucial role too.
Why is Physical Therapy Before Surgery Important?
Pre-operative physical therapy prepares you physically and mentally for surgery.
During these sessions you will:
- Learn what to expect and what will happen in therapy after surgery.
Tips to Relieving Neck Pain
Do you find yourself with a nagging neck or headache, especially after a long day or stressful event? The American Academy of Pain Medicine reports that neck pain and severe headaches or migraines make up about 30% of all commonly reported pain conditions. There are many reasons for neck pain, but the majority of episodes are caused by the following:
- Poor posture
- Weak shoulder and neck muscles
- Stress
- Injury
- Arthritis
While many of us will take over the counter medication, such as Advil, to numb the pain, the main source of the problem is still present.
Read full blogWhy is My Shoulder Pinching?
Your shoulder is quite the intricate system, with multiple joints and muscles working together to keep things moving smoothly. But when those muscles of the rotator cuff get caught in a pinch between bones, like the humerus and the acromion process, it can spell trouble. This pinching is a sign you may be dealing with Shoulder Impingement. Initially, it might just feel like a twinge, but over time, it can lead to inflammation and even tears in those muscles.
Read full blogUnderstanding and Overcoming Hamstring Injuries: A Guide to Healing
The hamstrings are vital muscles in our lower body, contributing to everyday movements like walking, running, and jumping. Despite their importance, these muscles are often overlooked, leading to injuries such as strains. Let’s delve into the role of hamstrings, common injuries like hamstring strains, and how physical therapy can aid in recovery.
The Hamstrings: An Overview
Comprising three muscles – the semitendinosus, semimembranosus, and biceps femoris – the hamstrings span from the pelvis to just below the knee joint.
Read full blogHow Does Stress Impact Our Neck?
Many people experience neck pain but aren’t sure what is causing their pain. As silly as it may sound, one source that could be to blame, is stress.
Could stress really be causing me to physically hurt? The answer is yes.
The tension of stress can cause the small muscles in our neck to tighten up and stiffen which can cause pain. This can also cause us to lose motion in our neck and make it harder for us to turn and rotate our head.
Read full blogImpact of Everyday Hip Pain
The impact of hip pain is something that will affect you everyday. The hip is a weight bearing joint, which is why most people find difficulty in creating lasting relief for their symptoms when they are experiencing hip pain.
The common reaction is to cover up the problem with some painkillers or stopping whatever activity bothers you as much as possible- but that is only putting a band-aid on the problem, not getting to the root of it!
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