Trigger points (TrP) are irritable points in your muscle that feel like knots, lumps, or bundles right underneath the skin. Common areas for trigger points are postural muscles such as muscles of the neck (like the upper trapezius, sternocleidomastoid, and levator scapulae) and muscles of the low back such as the quadratus lumborum. The hamstrings
Physical therapists have a wide variety of therapeutic tools and technologies at their disposal to help aid in your recovery process. One that is commonly used in treatment is electrical stimulation (e-stim). There are many types of e-stim used that serve different purposes depending on the condition being treated and the intended goal of its
Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of foot pain, with 10% of people experiencing the condition at some point in their life. The plantar fascia is a thick connective tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot to support the arch of the foot. When the tissue becomes inflamed due to
Have you ever noticed that one or both of your shoulder blades stick out away from your back, almost giving the appearance of wings? Although it may seem relatively harmless, this condition, known as scapular winging, is abnormal. The “wing” that you see is your shoulder blade which has pulled away from where it is
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive disorder of the nervous system that causes significant movement impairments in addition to non-motor symptoms such as cognitive changes, fatigue, pain, and mood disorders. Over 10 million people around the world, and almost one million people in the U.S. alone, suffer from Parkinson’s disease. Some of the most common
Do you ever have pain or difficulty when reaching overhead to get something off of a high shelf? What about when reaching your arm behind your back to bathe or put on clothes? Can’t participate in throwing activities without pain? If you answered yes to any of these, it is likely that you are experiencing
Hamstring injuries are some of the most common injuries among athletes, especially those in sports that involve sprinting or sudden starting/stopping of movements. Unfortunately, a sprained or torn hamstring muscle can force an athlete to stop participating in their sport for weeks, or even months at a time. Hamstring injuries occur when the muscles are
Breathing is one of the most important functions that takes place in our bodies. The oxygen that we take in with each breath powers every system in our body. We breathe naturally without even thinking about it, but did you know that controlling and practicing your breathing can improve your performance when exercising and even
Falls are common, but serious events that have the potential to lead to life-altering injuries. In fact, 20% of falls result in injury like fractures or head/brain injuries. Although falls can happen at any age, they are more common in older people. It is estimated that at least 3 million older people go to the
