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Do You Have Back Pain or Core Weakness?
Many people complain of back pain that they can’t seem to get rid of. Standing or walking for long periods of time causes pain. You have tried those lumbar pillows for posture, or tried to work out more to strengthen your back due to “bad posture,” or you have even tried core stabilization exercises. These things might have worked temporarily, but have…
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ARE YOUR RUNNING SHOES HELPING OR HURTING YOU?
There are so many different running shoes available on the market today, and there are hundreds (if not thousands) of websites offering advice on which shoes are right for YOU. The goal of this article is to inform readers of shoe anatomy, things to consider when purchasing running shoes, and to offer practical information regarding shoe care and replacement. Experienced runners know…
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In Low Back Pain Part 1: Origins, we discussed possible anatomic sources for low back pain (LBP) and other conditions that can cause LBP. It is important to see a physician for a diagnosis and a good physical therapist or chiropractor to address your particular movement impairments and functional limitations. Depending on the specific anatomical diagnosis, rehabilitation of LBP will vary. However, in this article, we will focus on five things…
THE PROBLEM
Low Back Pain (LBP) is an epidemic in our modern society. LBP is reported as the #1 reason for missed work and #2 reason for seeing a doctor. According to National Institute of Neurologic Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), Americans spend over $50 billion each year on the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of LBP. It is the second most common “neurological ailment”; second only to headaches. Many clinicians and…
The Anatomy
There is somewhere around 640 skeletal muscles in the human body. Skeletal muscle is a complex network of muscle fibers, connective tissue, nervous tissue, and blood vessels. The connective tissue forms a framework of support by surrounding individual muscle fibers, bundles of muscle fibers (called fascicles), and finally the individual muscles that are made up of these fascicles. Another type of connective tissue, called fascia, plays an integral…
For those of you who have had the unfortunate run in with a sprained ankle, this article is for you. For those of you who have never sustained an injury, this article is also for you. The next time you walk into the bathroom to brush your teeth, think multitask and save your ankles from a devastating sprain with these easy strengthening exercises.
The ankle is held together by many…
THE ANATOMY
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) connects the femur to the tibia at the knee. It runs from the front of the tibial plateau (top of the tibia) towards the back and inside surface of the end of the femur. The primary role of the ACL is to prevent anterior translation of the tibia on the femur. In other words, it prevents the lower leg from sliding too far…
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Shoulder Impingement Syndrome is a term used to describe pain and inflammation in the front and outside of the shoulder, which is a result of repetitive micro-traumas to the rotator cuff (supraspinatus tendon), biceps tendon, or subacromial bursa. All of these structures are considered to be “soft” tissue. In an efficient shoulder, when the arm is lifted overhead, the head of the humerus moves lower within the joint, providing more space…
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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is the most common nerve compression disorder of the upper extremity. Carpal tunnel syndrome results in the highest number of days lost among all work related injuries. Almost half of the carpal tunnel cases result in 31 days or more of work loss.- National Center for Health Statistics.
Musculoskeletal disorders, including carpal tunnel syndrome, are among the most prevalent medical conditions in the U.S., affecting 7%…
“Shin splints” is one of the most diagnosed injuries among recreational runners. Shin splints is a periostitis (“itis” = inflammation of) of the lower 2/3 of the leg. When the pain is along the inner edge of the leg, it is often termed Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome. The periosteum is a connective tissue membrane that lines the bone and serves as an attachment site for muscles. Through overuse and poor…
What is knee tendonitis?
Tendonitis of the knee refers to inflammation of the tendons that surround the knee joint. In general, the patellar tendon, or the tendon that connects your patella (knee cap) to your tibia (shin bone) can become irritated when asked to meet the high demands of physical stresses and loads. The patellar tendon is necessary for knee and lower leg extension during activities such as walking, running,…
Stretching helps prevent injuries by increasing the length of your muscles, but it does not improve the quality of your muscles. If you exercise regularly, you are bound to develop trigger points, adhesion, scar tissue, and other negative things in your muscles. When ignored, these things build up over time and can cause pain. The only way to get rid of these is through active release techniques (ART), also known…
