Five issues that could be causing your stiff finger joints

Do you have trouble bending your fingers? Are stiff finger joints making it tougher to do normal daily tasks? If you answered yes to these questions, then you should consider talking to a physical therapist.  There are multiple joints in your finger that could become less flexible. In fact, each of your fingers has three […]

Elbow pain when lifting? Here’s what you should do

Strength training, or weightlifting, is a great way to get active and improve your health. However, some people may experience elbow pain when lifting that can make strength training more difficult.  The reality is that the elbow is a complex joint; it’s a structure that includes tendons, bones, bursae, cartilage and other structures. An issue […]

What it could mean if you have pain in the back of your hand

Opening your front door to head out for work. Typing work emails and other documents. Playing with your kids or grandkids. These normal daily activities can make you flinch if you have pain in the back of your hand.  Unfortunately, you’re far more likely to develop this type of pain than you might think; a […]

Why do I have pain on the outside of my wrist?

The answer to this question might not be too easy to find on your own, but an experienced physical therapist can help you figure it out.  The answer can often depend on what type of job you have or how active you are: Research shows that 24% of people who have physically demanding occupations or […]

What causes neck and jaw pain at the same time?

The most common answer to this question is that you have a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. However, this is a broad category of conditions that includes many issues.  The TMJ is more commonly called the jaw joint, and it’s instrumental in activities like chewing and talking. A TMJ disorder can cause both jaw pain and […]

What is that constant crunching sound in your knee?

It happens when you bend your knee. You hear it when you sit down. Figuring what to do about the crunching sound in your knee starts by learning what that sound is.  These sounds are likely something known as crepitus, and there are many reasons that you could be hearing it. One medical professional who […]

Why are my hips so stiff all the time?

The most likely answer is that you’re one of the many people affected by hip osteoarthritis. This condition occurs naturally as the hips age, and it can also be related to past hip injuries.  Medical researchers agree that hip osteoarthritis is a common reason why people’s hips are so stiff. They estimate that 1 in […]

What causes a stabbing pain in the side of my foot?

Mild to moderate foot pain can often be linked to shoes that don’t fit well or other minor issues. But the story may be different when you’re having sharp, stabbing pains in the side of your foot.  Dealing with foot pain isn’t something that you alone are going through. Medical research reveals that 77% of […]

Why do I keep waking up with stiff ankles in the morning?

In many cases, the answer to this question can be simple. For instance, you might have walked too far the day before. But such a cause is less likely if you wake up with stiff ankles every morning.  Ankle pain and stiffness are more common than you might think. A medical study reports that up […]

Three goals of stroke rehab from a physical therapist

Sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body. Difficulty walking. Sudden confusion or difficulty understanding speech. These are signs of a medical issue called a stroke.  Strokes typically occur when blood flow to the brain is blocked. They’re also far more common than you might think. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention […]

What to expect from physical therapy for knee pain

Walking your dog. Biking through the park with your family. Sitting down at your desk. These are just some of the times when having knee pain can make things more difficult for you.  Unfortunately, there are far too many people who are dealing with knee pain. Medical researchers estimate that 1 in every 4 adults […]

Why you need physical therapy for a hip labral tear

Pain in the hip or groin that gets worse by lots of standing, walking or sitting. Clicking sounds when you move your hip. Increased hip stiffness. These are all symptoms that you can experience when you have a hip labral tear.  The labrum is a ring of cartilage found in both the shoulder and hip. […]