It’s 2 or 3 PM, and right on schedule, that familiar tension builds at the base of your skull. You reach for pain relievers, assuming it’s stress or eye strain. But what if your recurring afternoon headaches aren’t starting in your head at all? Understanding Cervicogenic Headaches Cervicogenic headaches originate from problems in the cervical spine—your neck. The pain you
Most people think of the knee as a single joint like a hinge that bends and straightens. This region of the body is actually made up of 3 joints. Tibiofibular joint is made up of the fibula and tibia. This joint moves a small degree. When it gets stuck pain can be severe on the outside of the knee. Patellofemoral
Direct access is a term used to describe using physical therapy as an entry point to healthcare. It used to be a fact that referral from a physician was needed to see a physical therapist. This is no longer, legally speaking. Insurance companies may have different rules that are stricter. The common insurance that does not allow direct access is
Pinched nerves often coming from the spine, can cause several problems but basically two main problems. If the nerve is inflamed it will cause pain for most of the length of the nerve that is constant but can be aggravated by activity and position. The pain is often fairly severe. This condition is called ridiculitis. “Itis” indicates inflammation. If the
Constant pain often severe that becomes widespread beyond the initial area of injury or pain. Often burning, aching, sensitivity to light touch and gentle movement. Difficulty sleeping, poor response to traditional treatments of medication, PT, rest. Cortisone injection may give some partial, temporary relief. Although the initial problem may have been joint/ligament/tendon, this pain is caused by nerve irritation and
From caring for the kids to picking up groceries, bending and lifting is part of everyday life. But how we do this can make a huge difference in how our spine and bodies feel now and over the course of our lives. Begin with Good Awareness Before any stressful activity, take a moment and check your position. Are your feet
You got your full eight hours, yet when your alarm goes off, your body feels locked in position. Your neck is tight, your back aches, and it takes ten minutes of moving around before you feel remotely human. If this sounds familiar, you’re right to wonder why quality sleep doesn’t always lead to waking up refreshed. How you sleep matters
Do you have neck and shoulder tension? Do you experience headaches, sore shoulders, or an achy back? Your bodies posture could be to blame. The position we spend our day in plays a major role in how the rest of our body feels. Spending time at a computer or desk, as well as driving creates asymmetry across the upper body. The eyes draw you
Ribs have three different motions depending on the rib. The upper most 5 ribs move forward and backward. The middle ribs (6-10) move in an up and outward motion. The last 2 ribs (floating ribs) move almost outward exclusively. The degrees of motion of ribs are small when compared to other joints, so when they are dysfunctional or move abnormally,
Humans today are not nearly as physically active as we once were, and while our societies and technology have changed to fit these sedentary lifestyles, our bodies and muscle systems have not. Although offices are designed to keep us productive, they are also filled with many situations that can leave us feeling stiff and sore as we walk out the