By Kate Zanoni, LPTAIf you’ve experienced pain behind your kneecap or in the front of your knee, you may be suffering from patellofemoral pain syndrome or ‘Runner’s Knee.’ Runner’s knee is often characterized by pain behind the knee (retropatellar pain), pain around the kneecap (peripatellar pain) or pain in the front of the knee (anterior…
By: Cierra Washington, ATCRaise 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”. For years, I’ve used the phrase “crick in my neck,” and yet I never really knew what it referred to other than general neck discomfort. When…
Balance problems and having trouble balancing might not be what first comes to mind when you think of conditions physical therapy treats. However, balance impairments are something we see and treat in patients of all ages, young people and older population.First, let’s clear up any confusion there may be about balance issues and vertigo. We…
“Why are we focusing on my core if my lower back is what’s hurting?” This is a question that is often heard in the physical therapy world. To answer this question, let’s talk spinal anatomy, muscular imbalances and posture. When patients come in with lower back pain, one of the very first muscle groups assessed…
It’s no secret that regular exercise is important to your overall health. Many of us are probably trying to move more to get in shape. Exercise is defined as planned and structured physical activity with the purpose of training a specific part of the body. So how much do you really know about exercise and…
It’s true! You can get a full body workout with one exercise. It may sound like a myth, but there is one legendary strengthening and stabilization move that will simultaneously work your arms, shoulders, chest, upper and lower back, abdominals, gluteals and quadriceps: the plank! Physical and Mental Challenge Holding a plank is certainly a…
By: Angie Austin, LPTAHip problems make daily activities like simply walking difficult and painful. When you talk to your physical therapist or doctor about your hip pain, it’s important to be able to describe exactly where your pain is located. This helps confirm that your hip is actually the problem. It’s not uncommon for us…
By: Rachel Herrmann, DPTWhen you start to have knee pain, you really start to realize how big of a role your knees play in your day-to-day and leisure activities. Going up and down stairs becomes a dreaded part of the day. Getting on and off the floor when playing with your children is no longer…
By Cierra Washington, ATCHere’s a riddle for you: What holds your body upright, is made up of a series of irregularly shaped bones, appears to be in a straight line but is also curved when you look at it from the side?The answer: YOUR SPINE!Your spine consists of 33 bones: seven cervical, 12 thoracic, five lumbar, five sacral…
Shoulder pain is a very common problem and can cause a lot of difficulty with many daily activities. People frequently come to physical therapy with different complaints involving the shoulder. The number one complaint: pain in and around the joint that in turn radiates up into the neck or down the arm. Some people also…
