If you’ve ever woken up with a stiff back or suddenly tweaked your back lifting something simple, you’re not alone. Back pain is more common than most people think. Most American adults report that they have experienced back in their lives. In fact, a national health survey revealed that 39% of adults aged 18 and over experienced back pain within the previous three months1.
Often on this blog we refer to personalized treatment or exercise programs developed by professional physical therapists. This personalized approach is often cited as one of the key benefits of physical therapy. How much of a benefit is it really, though? In a world awash in fitness apps, “30-day programs”, and thousands of hours of YouTube workout videos,
For many people, winter and the holiday season can mean less movement, more sweets, and a tendency to spend a little more time indoors and less time being physically active. If you find yourself nearing the end of a cold and sedentary winter, you may be looking forward to getting active out in the beautiful spring weather.
The word mobility may make you think of how well a person can walk or run. When you hear a football announcer talk about a quarterback’s “mobility”, they are talking about how well that quarterback can escape the pocket and make plays with his feet. When a physical therapist talks about mobility, though, they are more likely talking about your ability to move your joints and use your muscles easily and comfortably – not your ability to scramble for a first down.
About 1 in 4 American adults suffer from arthritis. The joint stiffness, pain, and general discomfort can make nearly every aspect of their lives more challenging. Working, playing, and performing basic household tasks can be annoying, frustrating and, at times, excruciating.
Arthritis is a broad term for conditions that affect the joints, joint tissue,
Almost everyone does some amount of walking, and the health benefits are easy to understand. It makes sense to expect running to be even better for your health. If so, how much better is it? How do the risks compare to the benefits? These questions matter because we want to get the most from our exercise routines,
The new year always provides a great opportunity to set goals and make plans for the near future. We often resolve to eliminate a bad habit or create a good one, to improve our health or strengthen our relationships. And while many of these resolutions may go unfulfilled, it’s never a bad idea to aspire to something better.
One of the great joys of the holiday season is reuniting with friends and family members we don’t get to see for much of the year. Of course, this often means traveling long distances. Whether we travel by air or over the ground, it often means long periods of sitting, fitting into cramped spaces, lifting luggage,
Physical therapy can benefit people in far more situations than most realize. Physical therapists help people with chronic pain, mobility issues, balance issues, and are invaluable resources for someone recovering from surgery or rehabbing an injury. They can even help prepare your body before surgery. Because of their training and whole-body approach to medicine,
Our hips are a central part of so much of what we do every day that it’s easy to take them for granted. Hip rotation and mobility affect our walking, sitting, bending, balancing, and so much more. This becomes obvious as soon as we experience some pain or stiffness in our hips. Suddenly, many simple tasks and activities can become excruciating,