If you have fibromyalgia, you know what it's like to live with the chronic pain and stiffness it can cause. And while medication and therapy are key to controlling symptoms, incorporating physical activity can vastly improve your quality of life. "Try to keep moving�that's my motto for patients," says Maura Daly Iversen, PT, DPT, SD, MPH, spokesperson for the American… Read More
The TFL, or tensor fascia latae, is a complex muscle which is intricately arrangement anatomically with the ITB, or iliotibial band, and it performs various essential functions, such as allowing hip mobility as well as transmitting fascial tension through the fascia latae located in the thigh and the iliotibial band. The TFL also provides postural support during one-legged stance and… Read More
Millions of Americans are affected by fibromyalgia, a mysterious debilitating disorder. Here's what is known so far about its symptoms, causes, and risk factors. Fibromyalgia is a widely misunderstood and sometimes misdiagnosed chronic condition, commonly characterized by widespread muscle pain, fatigue, concentration issues, and sleep problems. According to the National Fibromyalgia Association, it affects an estimated 10 million people, mainly… Read More
During single extremity weight bearing exercises, such as stance phase of walking or running, lunging and landing from a jump, amongst others, the lower extremity joints are designed to naturally absorb the impact of gravity being placed against the body. When the force of gravity acts upon the body, the joints move into distinct directions and the muscles need to… Read More
Lumbar spine disc herniation is a well-known type of injury which often causes impairing low back pain, however, it can also compress the nerve roots in the area and generate radicular pain and other symptoms along the lower extremities, such as altered sensations and muscle weakness. Furthermore, this type of injury will not only affect the athlete�s ability to perform… Read More
The predominance of neck injuries in sports is believed to be rising, mostly due to the increased improvements in injury recording and observation. However, the growth of physical, extreme sports has led to higher risks of injury among unprepared athletes.For instance, athletes who participate in sports such as skeleton, where individuals sprint on ice and hurtle head first down an… Read More
A number of studies have shown a link between anxiety and fibromyalgia, however, the nature of the link is not yet understood. Some experts, according to a report, "Fibromyalgia," in The New York Times, "believe that fibromyalgia is not a disease, but is rather a chronic pain condition brought on by several abnormal body responses to stress." Others believe that… Read More
Muscular imbalances around the complex structures of the shoulder can develop abnormal activation patterns and inherent myofascial restrictions, both which can cause a significant decrease in the athlete�s scapular control and dyskinesis, leading to glenohumeral joint injuries resulting from instability and impingement.The serratus anterior, or SA, is one of the muscles of the scapula that functions by providing a connection… Read More
Many variations of SLAP lesions can primarily be treated conservatively with methods to initially improve the patho-mechanical factors that affect SLAP lesions, such as glenohumeral internal rotation deficit (GHIRD) and scapular dyskinesis. With a majority of type 1 lesions, this can be significantly effective in eliminating the symptoms of the lesion without the need for surgery. However, once an athlete… Read More
The semitendinosus, or ST, the semimembranosus, or SM, and the biceps femoris long and short heads (BFLH and BFSH) are part of the hamstring muscle group. They primarily function with the extension of the hip and flexion of the knee as well as providing multi-directional stability of the tibia and pelvis. These three muscles which make up the hamstring muscle… Read More