Back pain is both very common and very annoying. Lower back pain in particular is one of the most common reasons for people to seek medical help. This is partly due to how frequently it occurs, and also due to how much it can frustrate so many of the basic daily tasks we take for granted.
There are many physical changes that come with aging. People often experience a loss of muscle mass, reduced flexibility, reduced reaction time, and many other undesirable side effects of getting older. Unfortunately, these changes can often lead to an inability to perform many basic tasks that younger folks take for granted, and these changes can often lead to a loss of independence.
Many of us have had someone in our lives who has experienced balance problems as they aged. In fact, it’s easy to think of balance problems as a regular and expected part of aging, something that we all just have to learn to live with. Eventually, we all may feel a bit unsteady when walking and find ourselves occasionally reaching for a wall or piece of furniture for some extra stability.
Many people spend at least 8-10 hours a day sitting, whether it’s in a car during a long commute, at a desk during a day of work, or on a couch enjoying a movie. Most of us realize that extended periods of sitting can lead to back pain, but it’s less well-known that prolonged sitting can affect nearly every system in the body.
We ask a lot of our shoulders, and for that reason shoulder pain is very common. Maybe you reached a little too high for something overhead. Maybe you lifted something a little awkwardly. Maybe you just slept on it wrong. A little dull ache or discomfort in a shoulder is something most of us have had to deal with at one point or another.
Anyone who has spent time outside on a hot summer day in Florida knows how oppressive the heat and humidity can be. Trying to do a little yard work, playing a pickleball game, or even making a leisurely visit to a theme park can be a completely different experience than it is during cooler months.
Modern surgery is one of the greatest examples of human ingenuity and innovation. The preparations, procedures, and recovery times for many operations have improved immensely in recent years. While these advances are great for people who need surgery, the downside is that surgery often seems like a quick and easy fix for persistent pain. The truth is that for many common orthopedic and musculoskeletal conditions,
Most of us have had the experience of “pushing through” pain or “walking it off”. Minor aches and pains are fairly common, especially as our bodies age. Nobody wants to treat a little pain like it’s a medical emergency. Are you going to take time off work for a doctor’s appointment? How much are you willing to sacrifice to deal with something that is likely minor and temporary?
Many of us have probably heard someone with chronic joint pain mention how they can feel the weather changing. They may say they can “feel the rain coming”. It’s true that many people often associate sore joints with cold, rainy weather. These same people may think that warm weather can make sore joints feel better.
Rest seems like the best way to react to pain. Tweaked your back? Rest it. Pulled a muscle? Rest it. This is the advice we’ve heard all our lives, and it’s true. Rest is an important part of recovery, but like any other good thing, there is such a thing as too much. Yes, too much rest can actually slow your recovery.
You’ve tried stretching your back, resting, medicating, and nothing seems to keep your back pain away. Maybe it’s because your back isn’t your real problem. Sure, that’s where you feel the pain, but the source of the pain may be somewhere else. In some cases, back pain actually originates in the hips, and finding a long-term solution often means treating the pain at its source,
One of the great benefits of living in the Sunshine State is the weather. It’s why many Florida residents are transplants from northern states, having moved here to escape the winter cold of the north or Midwest. Springtime can bring with it some beautiful days, even if the afternoon heat and humidity can sometimes be a bit much.
In today’s fast-paced world of demanding jobs, family and social obligations, side hustles and hobbies, it can seem like a chore to find a way to fit in time for health and fitness. While most people recognize the importance of exercise, it’s not always obvious what types of exercise we should prioritize. If you spend your days sedentary in an office chair,
Our backs are a central part of almost all our movement, and it can be easy to turn, twist, or bend in a way that causes pain. When this happens, it’s reasonable to think that maybe your back isn’t strong or flexible enough, but often the core is the real key. Building a strong core can help to protect your back,
Back pain and injuries are among the most common reasons for doctor and hospital visits. Back pain is also a common reason for missed work and lost wages. In short, it can be a real problem. Not all back pain is the same, however, and understanding the differences can play a role in how effectively you treat it.
Lower back pain is one of the most frustrating and debilitating types of pain a person can experience. It also turns out to be one of the most common, especially as modern lifestyles involve more sitting and less movement. This prolonged sitting, along with poor posture and general muscle weakness can contribute to stiffness and pain in the lower back.
If you’ve ever woken up with a stiff back or suddenly tweaked your back lifting something simple, you’re not alone. Back pain is more common than most people think. Most American adults report that they have experienced back in their lives. In fact, a national health survey revealed that 39% of adults aged 18 and over experienced back pain within the previous three months1.
Often on this blog we refer to personalized treatment or exercise programs developed by professional physical therapists. This personalized approach is often cited as one of the key benefits of physical therapy. How much of a benefit is it really, though? In a world awash in fitness apps, “30-day programs”, and thousands of hours of YouTube workout videos,
Most people don’t look forward to old age, though as the saying goes, it beats the alternative. Aging can bring with it a decline in many of our bodies’ most basic functions. Muscles can weaken. Joints can stiffen. Even our brains can lose the sharpness and acuity we enjoyed in younger years. Luckily, we know that staying physically active can help keep our muscles and joints healthy into our later years.
For many people, winter and the holiday season can mean less movement, more sweets, and a tendency to spend a little more time indoors and less time being physically active. If you find yourself nearing the end of a cold and sedentary winter, you may be looking forward to getting active out in the beautiful spring weather.
