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The Orthopedic Growing Pains of Parenting

Posted on June 18, 2021 by Erik Krol, MOT, OTR/L

Have you ever considered how often you lift or carry your newborn or toddler throughout the day? From bulky yet practical changing stations to running strollers, ergonomic carriers, standing towers, and bassinets, each of these require lifting and positioning your child, which can often lead to aches and pains. As parents, you do what you must, but it’s important to think about how you’re accomplishing these tasks and the potential orthopedic impact. Below is a list of common overuse injuries along with some tips that can help prevent them with just a little extra thought and planning! (more…)

No Big Toe, No Big Deal?

Posted on June 16, 2021 by Heather Strickland, B.S., PTA

Walking, running, jogging, dancing, are all functional activities we do daily without thinking about it. They simply come second nature to us and are essential to a healthy life. What if your big toe, also known as the hallux, was amputated? Would you still be able to do what you love at all or even with ease? (more…)

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How Can Physical Therapy Help Your Headache?

Posted on June 14, 2021 by George Zakharia, DPT

Physical therapists are special health practitioners, but did you know they can treat people from head to toe? That certainly includes treating those dreaded headaches. Read on to learn more about headaches and the power physical therapy has in treating them. (more…)

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Will Cracking Your Knuckles Cause Arthritis?

Posted on June 11, 2021 by Shelia M. Tenny, OTR/L, CHT

Knuckle cracking or popping is a habit that many people develop, despite being told it could cause arthritis or harm, but is that really accurate? Long story short, no it does not cause damage in a healthy person. Many start cracking their knuckles as a nervous habit, tick, restlessness, or they’ve noticed the looser feeling in their joints. (more…)

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Strength Training Considerations for Youth Athletes

Posted on June 9, 2021 by Tara Hackney, PT, DPT, OCS, KTTP

As young kids’ participation in sports increases, strength training in youth athletes also continues to be seen more frequently. Strength is an important part of daily life as well as for participation in sports. Strength training at a young age can be beneficial for coordination, flexibility, and bone density as well as general health. We know that preventative exercise (prehabilitation) focuses on strengthening muscle groups that are overused in specific sports (i.e. rotator cuff for overhead throwing athletes) and it may reduce overuse injuries in these athletes. Increasing incidence of strength training may lead to questions about safety and how much training children should be doing for their age and level. (more…)

How to Fall Correctly to Prevent Hand Injuries

Posted on June 7, 2021 by Lizzy Miotti PT, DPT

As a physical therapist and hand therapist, one of the biggest concerns I hear from my patients is that they are worried they are going to fall and hurt themselves. It is not uncommon for a therapist to be treating injuries that resulted from a fall. The upper extremity (shoulder through the fingers) is a common place for injuries to occur following a fall as many will use their hands to brace their fall in order to protect their face or head. This type of fall is called a F.O.O.S.H or a fall on an outstretched hand. This blog will briefly look into common injuries of the upper extremity with a fall and will talk about ways to prevent these injuries. (more…)

3 Conditions You Didn’t Know Dry Needling Can Help

Posted on June 4, 2021 by Athletico

Updated: August 1, 2025 As is true with many things in life, there may be more contributing to your pain than meets the eye. In fact, the point of pain may not be the source. Muscles throughout the body can create myofascial trigger points, often referred to as “knots.” These palpable tender spots are a group of muscle fibers that maintain a semi-contracted state for too long. The fascia, which is a non- contractile tissue, covers nearly every muscle fiber, can also be a part of this point restriction. These restrictions can be very tender to touch and can have a greater influence on how the entire muscle activates. Through years of research, medical professionals have been able to map common referral patterns for each muscle1. (more…)

4 Tips to Prevent Achilles Pain or Injury

Posted on June 2, 2021 by Kathleen Warner PT, DPT, OCS

Achilles pain or injury can prevent itself in the form of tendinopathy (i.e. tendinitis or tendinosis), or the more critical Achilles tendon tear or rupture. The Achilles tendon is the tendon to the gastroc and soleus, which together are known as the calf muscles. The role of a tendon is to transfer the force from the contracting muscle to the intended joint of movement. Together these muscles plantarflex the ankle joint, or point the foot downwards. This action creates the force needed to push the ground away and help propel the body forwards (or upwards) when we are walking, running, or jumping. The Achilles tendon is the strongest tendon in the body, and the gastroc and soleus are the primary ankle plantar flexor muscles. (more…)