Aging occurs in all of our body systems including the spine. Similar to wrinkles and grey hair, the spine will demonstrate age related changes including disk bulges, herniations, facet and ligament changes, as well as, degeneration around age 30. Interestingly, we find a high percentage of these changes in people with and without neck pain. Thus,...
Previous research has documented no difference in long term outcomes between Physical Therapy and surgery for patients with rotator cuff tears. Many patients with rotator cuff tears, including massive tears, do well with conservative treatment of their shoulder injuries demonstrating improvements in pain, strength, and function. Strength training makes up the foundation of conservative care...
Arthroscopic hip surgery rates have dramatically increased in the last decade due in part to increased MRI imaging. MRIs are very sensitive, but lack specificity in many musculoskeletal disorders with high rates of false positives among asymptomatic populations. Hip pathologies such as impingement (cam or pincer) and labral tears can be found in up to...
Manual therapy, including joint mobilization and manipulation, is a Physical Therapy intervention designed to reduce pain and improve mobility. These interventions have been shown to accelerate a patient’s recovery compared to usual care or exercise alone. Although mechanisms behind its’ effectiveness are still being researched, manual therapy unique ability to reduce pain allows an individual...
1 in 2 people in our country suffer from a chronic muscle, joint, or tendon injury. These injuries create pain and lost time from life, work, and sport. We can assume every one of these patients has sought out information or care on the management of these conditions. From their first google search to consultations...
Lateral elbow pain, tennis elbow, is a limiting condition causing pain with repetitive movements including gripping. This condition was previously though to occur secondary to inflammation within the wrist and fingers tendons insertion into the arm, but current researchers have not found inflammatory cells in patients with this condition. Instead, cells of the injured tendons...
Pain located on the outside of the hip has previously been diagnosed as trochanteric bursitis, but more recent research reports less than 10% of patients demonstrate bursal inflammation. This condition is more accurately diagnosed as greater trochanter pain syndrome indicating a breakdown of the glut tendons as they attach into the hip. This condition commonly...
A recent clinical practice guideline was published advising clinicians and patients on the management of achilles tendon injury (tendinopathy). These guidelines are based on both the available medical research and medical opinions from experts in the field. The Journal of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy reported the following for management of mid portion achilles tendinopathy...
If you only have limited time today choose a brisk walk, but if you have additional time consider lifting something heavy. Untrained adults lose on average 3-8% of their muscle mass each decade with an accumulation of body fat. This muscle loss contributes to a lower metabolic rate and continued body composition changes and weight...
Critics say the effects of exercise do not last, but neither does bathing which is why experts recommend doing it everyday. We know the effects of exercise are robust and powerful and if they could be placed in a pill the medication would be the most prescribed drug of all time. Active individuals have significantly...