Steroid injections have become a common recommendation in the case of pain or injury. They are most often used to treat inflammation, especially when it has become chronic. Just like so many other things in medicine, these injections have potential benefits, as well as potential side-effects. And, recently, there has been new research that may […]
The shaping and flow of the arms in dance helps to: add complexity to lines of movement, communicate a story without words, contribute to both the beauty and strength of most styles of dance, and much more. Because arm movement is so crucial to most styles of dance, we tend to do a LOT of […]
When you first hear the term “rhomboid”, it might be a flashback for you in geometry class. In this case, we’re talking about a couple of muscles that help up with shoulder movement and stability, but you wouldn’t be far off with the shape. The muscles really are rhombus-shaped – just check out the diagram […]
The “rotator cuff” is something that a lot of people had heard of, but they’re not really familiar with what it actually does, why it’s important, etc. It’s also commonly called the wrong term – “rotator cup” or “rotary cup”, for example. The name tells you exactly what it does if you really think about […]
When you’re experiencing pain in the shoulder or in the back, there are a lot of things that can be contributing to it. An evaluation with a physical therapist can help assess what all is playing a role in your pain. One structure that can be involved with BOTH areas is a large muscle called […]
As someone who has personally dealt with back pain, I can appreciate how important it is that my hips stay strong to maintain a healthy back. By having good strength in the hips, some of the extra work and strain can be taken out of the back and can even help decrease the workload on […]
There are many important muscles and other structures to consider in the hips, and it’s important to have strong hips. One that is often neglected or underused is called the gluteus medius. The Anatomy & Function This muscle sits at the back of the hip and pelvis, underneath the gluteus maximus. It originates from the […]
In some cases, tightness in a variety of muscles can contribute to low back, hip, or knee pain. We wanted to share a couple of basic ideas to try. It’s best to contact your physical therapist if you’re suffering with pain in any of these areas. You will get evaluated and your PT will ensure […]
You’ve been seeing a rise in the new stretch session fad. New businesses are popping up across the country and existing businesses are adding it as a new service. In doing research about these sessions, I found that companies offer appointments that range from 15 minutes all the way up to 90 minutes. They often […]
As a physical therapist, I spend a good portion of my day working with my patients to make changes to their musculoskeletal systems, helping them to overcome problems associated with pain, movement, and strength. The musculoskeletal system is a complex system made up of bones, muscles, tendons, cartilage, ligaments, joints, and other connective tissue. It […]