treatment - Physical Therapy Articles & Insights

Physical Therapy Improves Pain, Strength, and Function Among Patients with Full Thickness Rotator Cuff Tears

June 5, 2018

Previous research has documented no difference in long term outcomes between Physical Therapy and surgery for patients with rotator cuff tears. Many patients with rotator cuff tears, including massive tears, do well with conservative treatment of their shoulder injuries demonstrating improvements in pain, strength, and function. Strength training makes up the foundation of conservative care...

Back Injuries

Physical Therapy Shown To Be Deterrent of Future LBP Flare Ups

March 16, 2018

Death, taxes, and low back pain are three of the certainties of life with over 90% of individuals reporting low back pain at some point in their lives. Our previous posts have described the ability of Physical Therapy to both accelerate a patient’s recovery from low back pain and reduce its’ risk of recurrence. A...

Back Injuries

Utilizing Spinal Manipulation for Chronic Low Back Pain

February 26, 2018

The Journal of the American Medical Association recently reviewed the evidence on the utilization of spinal manipulation for patients with acute back pain. Authors reported moderate evidence to support its’ use to both decrease pain and improve function. The majority of research on spinal manipulation is currently being performed by Physical Therapists to determine best...

Knee Injuries

Patellar Tendonitis (tendinopathy) Treatment Using Isometric Exercise

February 8, 2018

Patellar tendonitis (tendinopathy) is common among jumping athletes requiring repetitive jumping, landing, and squatting movements. This overuse injury was thought to have a inflammatory component (ex. tendonitis) but more current research supports the term tendinopathy. This term indicates a disruption in tendon fiber characteristics and alignment leading to a loss of its’ tensile strength. Resting...

Knee Injuries

Review Highlights Effectiveness of Manual Therapy for Patients with Knee Pain

January 11, 2018

Patellofemoral Pain (pain under the knee cap) is the most common source of knee pain among active individuals and athletes. Symptoms are secondary to increased joint pressure between the knee cap and thigh during walking, hiking, squatting, kneeling, cycling or running. Most commonly this diagnosis is secondary to muscle imbalances including hip and knee weakness...

general physical therapy

Are Patients and Clinicians Following The Evidence Before Back Surgery

October 23, 2017

We have written previously on the limitations of back surgery to reduce pain, disability, and improve function in patients with back pain. The mismanagement of low back pain, including unnecessary surgery, can often be traced back to a clinician practicing outside of evidence based clinical guidelines. This unwarranted practice variation leads to higher health care costs...

general physical therapy

Early Improvements in Low Back Pain Predict Long Term Improvements

August 28, 2017

In our Boulder Physical Therapy practice we aim to help accelerate a patient’s recovery by optimizing outcomes in fewer visits. Consistent with the medical evidence, manual therapy in our practice rapidly reduces a patient’s pain allowing them to resume normal activities and exercise often in 1-2 visits. As clinicians, we know this rapid improvement is...

general physical therapy

Traction Use for Neck Pain

July 26, 2017

Traction has a long history of utilization for patients with neck and back pain dating to ancient times. A more contemporary use of this modality involves using traction to relieve pressure from symptomatic spinal joints, nerves, and soft tissues. In our experience, this treatment is best utilized in patients with symptoms including radiating arm or...

general physical therapy

Impact of Specialist Certification and Fellowship Training on Low Back Pain Outcomes

March 6, 2017

Physical Therapists at Mend are both board certified in orthopedics and fellowship trained in Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy. Our prior post documented the superior outcomes found when patients are treated by fellowship trained Physical Therapists. This data shows patients’ pain and disability were treated more efficiently and effectively by fellowship trained PT. A recent study...

Hip Injuries

Dry Needling versus Steroid Injection for Hip Pain

March 6, 2017

Dry needling is an effective Physical Therapy intervention for the treatment of muscle pain and injury. Our previous post described a recent review article supporting its’ use for the reduction of short term pain and disability in multiple body parts including the spine and hip. Painful trigger points and muscle pain can also be treated...

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