Health blog Category: physical therapy
4 Causes of Neck Problems
The neck, a.k.a cervical spine, is comprised of 7 spinal segments and 8 nerves. The nerves that exit out of the neck go on to supply innervation and control function of the arms and hands. It is also important to know that some of the muscles that control neck motion are responsible for shoulder motion too.
Common Neck Conditions:
- Cervical Radiculopathy
- Restricted nerve mobility in the neck that can cause pain into the shoulders and arms
- Muscle Spain/Strain
- Muscle that produces pain with contraction (use)
- The term “strain” specifically refers to faulty tendon contraction. Tendons are where muscles attach to bones.
Common Sources of Knee Pain
Knee pain has many sources, but all of them can be treated here at LSTC!
- Osteoarthritis: wearing of the joint surfaces (cartilage) between the tibiofemoral joint; wearing is most often on the inside (medial) portion of the joint
- Mechanism of Injury:
- Wear and Tear
- Lack of muscular support
- Reduced motor control
- Wear and Tear
- Symptoms:
- Pain worse with prolonged positioning (e.g.
- Mechanism of Injury:
Subacromial Pain Syndrome
Subacromial Pain Syndrome is the preferred alternate physical therapy diagnosis for “Shoulder Impingement.” It was previously believed that structural differences and a loss of space between joint surfaces was the cause of shoulder pain located towards the front/side of the shoulder in absence of known tears in the rotator cuff (group of muscles that hold your shoulder in the socket) or glenoid labrum (a cup that increases coverage over the shoulder bone). Thanks to Evidence Based Medicine, we now know that the experience of shoulder pain isn’t so closely related to the shape of your bones, which is great news. Bone shapes don’t change easily.
What is Subacromial pain syndrome:
It is pain located in the front or to the side of your shoulder and often a precursor for rotator cuff pathology (strains or tears of the rotator cuff muscle at the point of attachment around the front and side of your shoulder).
Read full blogCommon Sources of Low Back Pain
Low back pain is one of the leading causes of disability and lost work time among adults.
What is the low back:
Low back refers to the lumbar curvature of your spine- the last 5 segments before reaching your bum.
Common Conditions:
- Nonspecific Low Back Pain
- most common
- Lumbar Radiculopathy
- Increased compression on a nerve causing burning, numbness, tingling into your glutes, thighs and/or down the length of the leg
- The sciatic nerve running down the back of the leg is commonly impacted this way, hence the term “sciatica”
- Not all radiculopathies are associated with the sciatic nerve
- Increased compression on a nerve causing burning, numbness, tingling into your glutes, thighs and/or down the length of the leg
Common Misconceptions:
- MRI or x-ray findings are associated with your pain experience
- Most people over the age of 25 will have some remarkable finding on an image of the spine (e.g.
Best of Loudoun 2021 Finalist!
Thank you so much to everyone who voted and supported us in Best of Loudoun 2021!
We were a finalist this year!
We are so honored to be able to help our community live a pain-free and active life. Be sure to vote at: https://www.loudountimes.com/best/#/gallery/270032482?group=375244 to see us in the next round of Best of Loudoun 2021!
NOW is the time to handle whatever pain or problem you are experiencing.
Read full blogTop 3 Tests for Knee Injuries
Knee pain and knee injuries is often the result of an imbalance in tension of muscles. When certain muscles are tighter or weaker than others, it affects the way the joint moves. When we assess someone who has knee pain, we often find that their patella, or the knee cap, is not tracking properly due to tight connective tissue. When the kneecap rubs against the sides of the knee joint, it can cause irritation and pain.
Read full blogWarm Up & Cool Down to Prevent Injuries
Many people go out for a run or start a pickup game of baseball without taking the time to properly warm up or cool down afterwards. But making this part of your routine before and after playing a game, running, exercising or engaging in any high-intensity activity is crucial to preventing serious injuries.
Some of these injuries include:
- Strains and sprains
- Shin splints
- Knee injuries
- Tendinitis
- Dislocations
- Fractures
We see these types of injuries on a regular basis.
Read full blogBack or Neck Pain?
When you have an ache or pain it can leave you scratching your head as to where the pain is truly coming from. Just because it hurts in that part of your leg or arm, doesn’t mean that is where the problem is coming from. Is it a bulging disc, muscle strain or did you just over do it?
Being a physical therapist is much like being a mechanic for the body. Where is that pain coming from, what type of pain is it, are you out of alignment, what are you not able to do that you want to get back to, how is your body moving incorrectly, etc.?
Don’t Let Faulty Body Mechanics Ruin Your Day!
I’m sure you or someone you know has had lower back pain at some point in there lives. The majority of low back pain is caused by repeated trauma or repeated movements, decreased flexibility, poor core strength or general muscle weakness. But the one thing people don’t understand a lot about is how body mechanics can attribute to pain.
What exactly are body mechanics???
Body mechanics is a term that describes the way we move and carry out our daily lives.
Read full blogTop 12 Exercises for Senior Citizens
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, folks over the age of 65 should be doing 150 minutes of exercise each week. This can be broken up into three 10-minute sessions of moderately intense exercises.
While pushing to be a more physically active senior citizen, there are some safety precautions that need to be addressed. Getting a physician’s clearance to allow the patient to exercise is the most important step when looking to increase someone’s physical activity.
