The sacroiliac (SI) joint gets blamed for a lot of pain it probably isn’t causing. It’s not that clinicians are acting in bad faith. It’s that once you’re trained to look for something, confirmation bias makes it easy to keep finding it, even when the evidence says it’s uncommon. A Joint Built Not to Move...
In our Boulder County physical therapy practice, we are observing a resurgence of the use of clinical tests by some area providers to determine mobility and position of the sacroiliac joint (SIJ) not only to explain posterior pelvic girdle pain, but also lower back, hip issues and beyond. Approximately 20 years ago, the tides began...
Sciatica is an umbrella term for leg symptoms, pain, numbness, or tingling, caused by irritation or compression of a nerve root as it exits the spine. Most cases resolve with conservative care, and in our Boulder and Lafayette clinics, that usually means a combination of focused exercise, dry needling, and manual therapy. Spinal manipulation is...
If your physical therapist tells you a segment in your low back or neck is stiff, it is fair to ask whether the manipulation has to land on that exact segment. Clinicians were long taught to find the restricted joint and aim straight at it. Two systematic reviews and one randomized trial have since tested...
If rolling over in bed, climbing stairs, or standing on one leg to pull on your pants sends a sharp pain into the back of your pelvis or the front of your pubic bone, you are probably dealing with pelvic girdle pain. It is the most common musculoskeletal complaint of pregnancy, and it responds to...
By Jeff Ryg, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT If you came in for shoulder pain and your physical therapist started working on your upper back, there’s a reason. The thoracic spine takes part in every overhead movement you make, and thoracic manipulation is one of the quickest ways to reduce shoulder pain in the first few...
Source: Karel et al. 2015. European Journal of Internal Medicine
Our imaging technologies have made tremendous improvements in their ability to detect abnormalities in our body. These positive findings may or may not be related to our current symptoms including stiffness, giving way, or pain. We have seen improvements in the sensitivity of these tests where we are able to detect individuals with the condition...
By Dr. Emily Fuller, PT, DPT If you’re dealing with an injury, one of the first questions you may have is: Do I have to stop CrossFit? In many cases, the answer is no. Training CrossFit while injured often comes down to modifying your workout rather than stopping altogether, and appropriately modifying your training can...
By: Lucas Glomb, PT, DPT, OCS Firefighting is one of the most physically demanding professions, requiring strength, endurance, and agility in unpredictable and high-stress environments. Due to the nature of the job, firefighters are at a heightened risk for musculoskeletal injuries that can impact their performance and long-term health. ✅ Heavy loads + overhead work...
