The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and their associated tendons that surround the shoulder joint. These muscles and tendons play a crucial role in stabilizing the shoulder and allowing it to move in various directions. The four muscles that make up the rotator cuff are the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis.
Grip strength, a measure of force produced by the muscles of the forearm, is necessary to grasp objects and is related to a person’s ability to perform activities of daily living independently. The first sign of this for many is noticing a frequent dropping of objects. For some, these deficits can present over time and
There are so many activities that we perform daily that require pushing through the wrist and hand. When healthy, you may not notice how frequently we rely on the wrist to help us to, for example, push up from a chair, push a door open, carry heavier objects, or support the body as we change
Muscle tightness can result in localized dense areas of muscle tissue that people commonly refer to as “knots.” Many people experience this between their shoulder blades or in the upper trapezius/shoulder. These tense, stubborn knots can cause discomfort, limit your range of motion, and even lead to headaches. Fortunately, physical therapy offers effective techniques to
When it comes to our daily lives, we often take for granted the simple tasks that allow us to function independently. From reaching for that morning cup of coffee to bending down to tie our shoelaces, our ability to move freely plays a vital role in maintaining our quality of life. However, range of motion
Many people are familiar with the idea that issues pertaining to discs can result in severe back pain, but there is often some uncertainty about what this means and what is happening. Back pain can occur for many reasons, but disc herniation often has specific characteristics that make it easier to identify this condition. What
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) allows you to open and close your mouth and shift your jaw forward and backward and side-to-side. Normally, these motions are pain-free and smooth. In some cases, opening and closing of the jaw can cause clicking and pain. This is something that may warrant a closer look to identify any problems
Joint stiffness is a common complaint among people of all ages, and it can significantly impact one’s mobility and quality of life. Stiff joints can occur in various parts of the body, such as the knees, hips, shoulders, and hands. In this blog post, we’ll explore the causes of stiff joints and discuss how physical
We may think about our ankles and knees as separate joints but what happens at one is likely affecting the motion of the other. For this reason, if there is inadequate muscular support, excess forces can be placed through a joint. This can present as pain in one or both joints when tasked with more
