Blog

Mend Physical Therapy Blog and Injury Information

Spinal manipulation is one of the oldest forms of medical treatment dating to at least Hippocrates. Currently, three professions, including physicians, chiropractors, and Physical Therapists, practice this form of intervention. Medical evidence for this treatment is focused mainly on the treatment of musculoskeletal diagnoses including neck pain, headache, and low back pain. In general the...

Physical Therapy spinal and extremity joint mobilizations are slow passive movements applied to a patient’s joint surfaces. These interventions have been shown to decrease pain, improve range of motion, and increase the immediate force production of a targeted joint’s musculature. In our Boulder Physical Therapy practice, these joint mobilizations are performed with other manual therapy...

Spinal manipulation, dating at least to Hippocrates’ writings, is one of the oldest known medical treatments. Currently, these treatments are commonly performed by Physical Therapists, chiropractors, and physicians to treat a variety of musculoskeletal pains. Evidence supporting spinal manipulation is primarily found in three areas: headache, neck pain, and low back pain. This data supports...

Manipulation, along with strength training, remains one of the most effective treatments for patients with sacroiliac (SI) pain. Spinal manipulation by a Physical Therapist provides a unique stimulus to the nervous system creating a complex therapeutic response in the patient. Researchers continue to investigate the mechanisms behind its’ effectiveness including central and peripheral nervous system...

Photo Credit: IJSPT Dry needling is a commonly utilized Physical Therapy intervention which can effectively reduce pain, improve pain, and improved muscle performance.  Physical Therapists aim to treat trigger points or knots in the muscles thought to either cause pain or limit mobility.  In the majority of cases, dry needling leads to an immediate improvement...

Knee osteoarthritis is a common condition in aging adults leading to pain and reduced performance of daily and recreational activities.  Manual therapy and exercise remain a hallmark of conservative care for this condition and have been shown to delay or prevent the need for a total knee replacement.  In addition to exercise, corticosteroid injections are often...