Lower back pain and sciatica are among the most common reasons people seek physical therapy. These issues can cause sharp, burning, or radiating pain down the leg, and can make sitting, standing, or sleeping uncomfortable. Fortunately, one of the most evidence-based and effective treatment systems for these conditions is the McKenzie Method® of Mechanical DiagnosisContinue Reading »
If you’ve ever felt a sharp, nagging pain on the outside of your knee while running, cycling, or hiking, you’ve probably heard someone mention IT Band Syndrome (also called Iliotibial Band Syndrome or ITBS). It’s one of the most common overuse injuries among endurance athletes—and one of the most frustrating to overcome. For years, the go-toContinue Reading »
Ruling Out the SI Joint: The McKenzie Method ExplainedIf you’ve ever had nagging low back or hip pain, you may have wondered if your sacroiliac (SI) joint is the culprit. The SI joint connects the sacrum (the base of your spine) to the ilium (part of your pelvis). It plays a key role in transferringContinue Reading »
Piriformis Syndrome OR Disc Herniation? How to Differentiate Can Be a Pain in the Butt!This can be tricky and confusing to tell the difference between these two conditions for both the physical therapist and the patient. A thorough history of the patient’s problems, current activities, paired with solid clinical examination testing range of motion, strengthContinue Reading »
After months of dodging friends’ invitations to play pickleball, I finally gave in. It was the 4th of July, and we were in Easton, Maryland, with friends and family. As part of our Gunshenans family tradition, every gathering includes games like Taboo, volleyball, or cornhole. This time, our friends took it up a notch and rentedContinue Reading »
IntroductionIn physical therapy, various methodologies have been developed to address musculoskeletal issues effectively. One such approach that has gained significant recognition is the McKenzie Method, also known as Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT). This method, developed by New Zealand physiotherapist Robin McKenzie in the 1960s, focuses on self-treatment and empowering patients to manage their painContinue Reading »
Many years ago while I was attending University of Miami for physical therapy school, one of my fellow teammates, Luke Menke, talked about joining the local Miami rugby club. Our home field or “pitch” was in a park off of Key Biscayne, just a stone’s throw from South Beach in Miami. We were playing a teamContinue Reading »
Do you have pain on the inside of your ankle? It could be a posterior tibial tendon problem. As a local physical therapist, I often get questions while coaching or at the local food store or the gym. After I saw a friend wearing a walking boot due to his being recently diagnosed with aContinue Reading »
As the temperatures drop and the leaves change color, we all know that flu season is just around the corner. While the changing seasons bring a sense of coziness, they also bring an increased risk of falling victim to the flu. Let’s discuss why getting a flu shot is crucial, how it can help, andContinue Reading »
To understand why rowing is so prevalent let’s take a quick look at the history of rowing The history of rowing can be traced back to Egyptian times as early as 1000 BC but the first recorded competition was a boat race in 1828 between Oxford-Cambridge.In North America the first race was held in the NewContinue Reading »