Health blog Category: sports medicine
Dogs Run Ahead and Pull on the Leash…
Ever wonder what in the world the “shoulder” actually is?
The main joint of the shoulder is called the glenohumeral joint. This articulation consists of the head of the humerus (arm bone) resting in the small glenoid fossa of the scapula (shoulder blade), some would describe this joint as a golf ball on a tee. If you imagine how unstable a golf ball is on a tee, you can appreciate how hard the supporting anatomical structures must work to keep the “ball from falling off the tee.” The structures holding the joint together that offer passive stability consist of the labrum and a series of ligaments that encapsulate the joint.
Limited Range of Motion, Making Daily Tasks Tough
Shoulder pain and shoulder injuries are one of the most common injuries we see at Loudoun Sports Therapy Center whether the cause is from an injury or overuse. Some of the most common ailments related to the shoulder that we see include tight/overworked muscles, tendonitis, impingement and , joint stiffness. All of these can cause pain, weakness, and decrease ability to perform everyday activities.
Common Causes of Shoulder Injury
- Traumatic injury/dislocation
- Weak musculature
- Repetitive movement
- Poor shoulder mechanics
- Post Surgery
Shoulder pain can present itself in many different ways.
Read full blogWhat is Considered a Properly Conditioned Muscle?
What does the word ‘strength’ really mean?
In order to fully understand how to develop a strengthening program appropriately, you first have to understand what is really meant by the word “strength.” The word itself actually has three distinct pieces to it. Each piece is just as important as the other and all three must come into play in order for a muscle to have what is considered “good strength”.
- How much weight can you lift?
Hip Pain Impacting Weekend Plans?
Hip 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 to hear a patient say ‘my hip hurts’ and then once we’ve done a full evaluation of their area of pain, we find they actually are having a back-related problem.
Read full blogKnee Pain Keeping You from Starting a Workout Program?
Whether you are pounding the pavement for a short jog or you’re a routine racer, running is great cardiovascular training. It is a gratifying way to maintain overall fitness. Although the act of running itself may initially seem daunting if you’re not an avid runner, you will reap the physical benefits within a few weeks. The key is to start slowly and add distance incrementally to decrease the risk of injury.
Here are the top 10 health benefits of running:
- Improve Longevity: Running 1.5 – 2 hours 20- 30 minutes per week can increase your lifespan by 5-6 years!
Is Discomfort Impacting Walking Routines?
When was the last time you could go for a run, walk your kids to the bus stop or go shopping without experiencing nagging foot or ankle pain? If you or someone you know is experiencing foot/ankle pain, know that you are not alone. Approximately one-fourth of the population is affected by foot/ankle problems at any given time!
Foot/ankle conditions can present with a number of signs and symptoms including:
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Redness
- Numbness/Tingling
- Burning sensation
- Inability to weight bear
- Stiffness
- Weakness
The foot and ankle are intricate structures that provide your body its foundation, and when not working properly, can alter the function of your knees, hips, back, and even your posture.
Read full blogTurning over in bed uncomfortable….
The hip is the largest ball and socket joint in the human body. The joint consists of the head of the femur articulating with the rim of the pelvis, with a ring of cartilage (the labrum) sitting between the two bones. When functioning properly, the hip joint allows us to move our legs smoothly in many different directions. However, if something is disrupting the hip, these motions can become very painful. Problems in this ball and socket joint can make just turning over in bed uncomfortable, and using stairs or standing difficult.
Read full blogDifficulty Walking or Standing Up from a Chair?
By Angie Austin, LPTA
Many people associate knee pain with the older population. However, we treat patients of all ages for knee pain. Whether it’s due to arthritis or an injury, it is important to know what causes that knee pain.
The knee is a large hinge joint that gives you the ability to bend and straighten your knee, which is necessary for day to day functional tasks like getting up from a chair or going up and down stairs.
A Leading Cause People Miss Work
Back pain is one of the leading reasons people go to the doctor and a leading reason employees miss work so it’s a very important topic to understand.
There are four main reason our back pain could have started:
- Muscle strains due to heavy lifting or repetitive movements
- Pain that you can pinpoint on the muscle and does NOT radiate down the legs
- Arthritis: Narrowing of the space in the spine where nerves pass; excess bone that forms on the vertebrae; thinning of the discs between the vertebrae
- Structural: Scoliosis is an example of a structural issue that involves the curvature of the spine which can gradually get worse and become painful
- Bulging and herniated discs:
- Pain that is felt in the legs and not necessarily in the back itself
- As disc issues gets more severe symptoms can progress to numbness, tingling, and weakness
- Bulging discs involve the outer layer of the disc protruding out in the space where the spinal cord is
- Herniated discs involve the middle portion of the disc coming out into the space where the nerves are and causes compression.
How we sit at our desk matters
By Angie Austin, LPTA
Understanding ergonomics will help you better apply it to your daily life and well being. Ergonomics is defined by the dictionary as an applied science concerned with designing and arranging things people use so the people and thinks interact efficiently and safely.
Everything you sit in or lie down on refers to how your body is positioned or your posture. They can include everything from the desk you use, the chair you sit on at work, your car seat, your home sofa or your bed.
