Why is my physical therapist talking about using dry needling for my sciatica?

Many people are wary of anything that involves needles, so they may not be keen when their physical therapist wants to use dry needling for their sciatica.  Sciatica affects up to 40% of people in their lifetime. Physical therapy can be a potent treatment option for this painful nerve condition. You have probably heard about […]

Three conditions that can lead to back, shoulder and elbow pain

It can be tricky for you to figure out why you’re feeling back, shoulder and elbow pain. There are many issues that can cause these types of pain, and your pain could originate from any of these three locations.  Fortunately, physical therapists can help you discover why you’re feeling a combination of back, shoulder and […]

Three injuries you might suffer while playing tennis

Most people don’t think of tennis as a contact sport because the players don’t make bodily contact. However, this sport can be considered a contact sport.  Every time your tennis racket hits the ball, it puts stress on many parts of your body. This stress combined with the repetitive movements required during tennis matches can […]

Two exercises that may be used in your lymphedema physical therapy

Swelling is a symptom that can occur as a result of many injuries. However, it can also be caused by a buildup of a fluid called lymph. When this type of buildup occurs, it’s known as lymphedema.  Lymphedema can develop in anyone, but it’s especially common in women who have had breast cancer surgery. One […]

Why should you bother with physical therapy after foot surgery?

A serious car accident. A heavy object falling on your foot. Playing sports. Every one of these factors can lead to a serious foot injury that requires surgery to heal properly.  There are many serious foot injuries that often need surgery. Some of these include serious foot fractures, muscle injuries and dislocations. It’s estimated that […]

Three ways you can address running-related inner knee pain

The soft ruffling of your hair as the wind blows through it. The satisfaction that wells up as you hit your mileage goal. The pain you feel in your inner, or medial, knee? The first two feelings are ones many runners want to experience, but the third is something most try desperately to avoid. Unfortunately, […]

How can physical therapy help your torn meniscus?

Have you recently experienced a popping sensation in your knee? Since then, does twisting your knee cause you pain? People who answered yes to these questions can benefit from physical therapy for a torn meniscus.  The meniscus is a structure in your knee, and it’s made up of two C-shaped pieces of cartilage. These cartilage […]

Three exercises to help address sharp pain in your ankle

Experiencing a sharp pain in your ankle when you first wake up? Do you also feel it when you get up after sitting for a while? If you said yes, then there’s a good chance that you have ankle osteoarthritis.  Your ankle joint is made up of two synovial joints called the talocrural joint and […]

Three reasons you developed elbow pain from sleeping

There is a much higher likelihood of developing elbow pain than you may think. One study found that up to 7 in every 1,000 people develop pain on the outside of their elbow. Learning the cause of your elbow pain from sleeping is the first step toward treating it, and physical therapists can help you […]

What’s causing the pain in the back of my head at the base of my skull?

The area in the back of your head where the base of your skull meets your neck is a common area to experience pain. In fact, there are many issues that can cause pain there.  In general, neck pain is a common problem in the U.S. Medical researchers report that 5.8% of U.S. women and […]

How much time will I need for torn hamstring recovery?

The answer to this question can vary from person to person, and your recovery time can also depend on how seriously your hamstring has been torn.  The term “hamstring” is used to refer to three muscles in the back of your thigh, and these muscles are commonly injured while playing sports. One medical study reveals […]

Two exercises to reduce upper back tightness

Many people who work at a desk all day tend to develop upper back tightness and pain if they don’t sit with good posture, and far too many people end up slumped forward over their keyboard without even realizing it.  The upper back is also called the thoracic spine, and there are far more people […]