Chronic or persistent pain is defined by pain that extends beyond 12 weeks or the normal healing time for a given injury/diagnosis despite treatment. Our medical system does a great job treating new or acute pain, but has struggled to be as effective with patients dealing with chronic pain. It is estimated 1 in 4...
A stiff neck can turn ordinary movements into a problem: checking a blind spot, reaching for the overhead bin, even rolling over in bed. The right treatment depends on what’s driving it. A neck that seized up after an awkward night’s sleep often clears on its own in a day or two. Neck pain that...
With the hypervigilance in abstaining from opioid prescriptions due to the opioid crisis, there has been an effort in determining alternate ways of providing analgesic effects for those in chronic pain. One of the most consistent modalities to help benefit with treatment is exercise. There has been many studies exploring the analgesic effect of exercise...
By: Chelsey Vasquez, PT, DPT, PRPC Many breast cancer survivors continue to experience shoulder pain, tightness, weakness, and limited mobility long after treatment ends. A new 2026 study published in the Journal of Cancer Survivorship found that a multimodal physical therapy approach may significantly improve pain, function, and quality of life for women dealing with...
By: Maggie Gebhardt, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT Myofascial pain can mean a lot of things, but in essence it is the painful condition that results from alterations in the muscle and fascial system of the body. Any area of the body can be affected, and it can manifest as muscle pain, referred pain, stiffness, and...
Ehlers‑Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is a group of genetic connective tissue disorders that affect collagen formation—the protein that helps provide the structure to skin, joints, and organs. This condition can lead to joint hypermobility, frequent dislocations, and persistent pain. Because EDS affects the connective tissue throughout the body, it often requires a multidisciplinary management approach focused...
Our nervous system is excellent at notifying us to a painful (noxious) stimulus in acute situations such as touching a hot stove or stepping on a lego. Under normal conditions as the painful stimulus resolves due to avoiding the behavior or tissue healing pain is no longer represented in the brain. For reasons we don’t...
By: John Crawley, PT, DPT, OCS Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain is a common and often debilitating condition that affects the jaw joint and surrounding muscles. This complex joint, responsible for essential functions like chewing, speaking, and yawning, can become a source of significant discomfort and pain that can negatively affect function. Individuals experiencing TMJ pain...
Inherent risks, such as infection and blood clots, are associated with orthopedic surgeries and should be considered in decision making between surgical and conservative treatments for musculoskeletal diagnoses. In addition to these inherent risks, patients should also consider other hidden or less common risks after surgery including increased healthcare costs (office visits, additional surgeries, hospitalization)...
Patients in chronic or persistent pain often do not meet national guidelines for exercise each week. In particular, patients with chronic low back pain have been shown to reduce daily, occupational, and recreational activities due to their symptoms and fear of re injury. Aerobic and strength training exercise remains one of the most important interventions...
