What is shoulder impingement? Learn how to get to the bottom of this common condition with simple physical therapy exercises.
Discover how a TENS unit can relieve lower back pain for seniors: its benefits, how to use it, and best practices for maximum benefit.
A walkthrough of the stages, exercises, self-care techniques and expected length of shoulder replacement surgery recovery time for seniors.
Foot neuropathy is a common problem for seniors, and knowing how to manage this condition can be challenging. While this problem can be caused by various factors and can significantly impact your daily activities and quality of life, there are exercises you can use to help improve the health of your feet. Let’s explore some […]
Back pain is a common problem for older adults that can vary widely between individuals, but when is back pain an emergency? In some cases, back pain can be so debilitating that it feels like an emergency, yet many older adults aren’t sure when there is cause for worry. Knowing the difference between normal back […]
Aging gracefully often comes with its fair share of challenges. Among these are the persistent neck and back aches that no number of massages or over-the-counter painkillers seem to alleviate. For some more serious cases, the proposed solution, often seen as a last resort, is spinal fusion surgery. Spinal fusion surgery is a major procedure […]
Explore the symptoms, causes, and treatment options for Dupuytren’s Contracture, a common hand condition affecting seniors.
Wrist pain can be a frustrating problem affecting a variety of athletes, but there’s a reason that “golfer’s wrist” is named for the sport. This article will explore what causes golfer’s wrist, treatment options, and how to manage wrist pain with exercise so you can keep playing golf. What is Golfer’s Wrist? The term golfer’s wrist describes […]
Low back pain is a common problem that affects many older adults. While it may feel difficult to live with low back pain at times, several practical approaches to managing low back pain can help you stay active year after year. To promote better health and well-being, it’s important to know the basics of low […]
As you age, taking good care of your feet is essential. Taking preventive steps and incorporating simple exercises into your daily routine will provide lasting benefits and help maintain mobility as you grow older. This article will introduce you to our favorite foot exercises for seniors to keep you moving and pain-free. From strengthening muscles […]
Explore causes of back pain in older adults from sitting and discover actionable solutions for comfort in daily scenarios.
Have you ever struggled with discomfort, stiffness, numbness, or a lack of strength in your hands or arms? You’re far from alone. Many seniors live with conditions that impair their hand and upper extremity function, but hand therapy can help. It can be frustrating when your hands don’t perform as you’re used to. These conditions […]
Do you ever feel pain or stiffness in your hips when you walk, run, or exercise? Do you have trouble sitting in certain positions, moving your legs in different directions, or performing certain activities? If so, you might have a problem with your hip mobility, specifically your hip rotation. Hip rotation is the ability to […]
Discover how at-home spinal decompression can enhance mobility, reduce back pain, and improve quality of life.
Explore causes of nighttime hip pain and discover strategies to improve sleep quality and comfort to get a better night’s rest.
Discover the causes and risks of swayback posture, and learn effective treatment strategies to enhance health, balance, and confidence.
Low back, knee, and foot pain are common concerns for many older adults. As we age, finding strategies to help limit and prevent musculoskeletal pain become even more important. One popular solution for these problems is using arch supports or shoe inserts, also known as orthotics. Should older adults use arch supports and shoe inserts? If […]
Exercises to Get Rid of Swelling in Ankles and Feet: Edema and foot and ankle pain and swelling can occur due to various lifestyle and medical factors. Ankle swelling causes in elderly people should always be discussed with a doctor.
A rounded back is an understandable concern for many older adults. While many seniors live with kyphosis or forward curvature of the upper spine, it is often a mysterious and poorly understood condition. It can be helpful to understand the basics of kyphosis and its various causes, its symptoms and diagnosis, and the best treatment options […]
If you’ve ever had neck and back pain, you know that it can make simple activities like driving your car uncomfortable. For many older adults, finding strategies to improve comfort during driving can make a big difference in everyday life. By making the proper car seat adjustments and creating an action plan, you can enjoy […]
Neck pain is a common condition affecting people of all ages. It is the fourth leading cause of disability, affecting roughly 30% of people yearly. (1) An exploration of the parts of the neck, how and why neck pain occurs, and simple tools to keep your neck healthy can be your first defense in keeping […]
Back pain can make your favorite activities and your daily life more difficult. When new back pain or flare-ups arise, most people will do whatever they have to relieve pain and keep their symptoms under control. While medications are commonly prescribed to treat back pain, many older adults are now seeking drug-free alternatives for either […]
In this video, physical therapist Kathy Doubleday DPT, OCS, discusses how to alleviate pain between the shoulder blades caused by sitting at a computer for long periods. She suggests a few quick exercises that can be done while sitting at the desk. She recommends getting the back and thoracic spine up and taking a deep […]
In this video, we discuss how to improve your sleep and prevent neck pain. Many people struggle with sleeping positions that cause neck pain. One of the most important factors to consider is the type of pillow you use. Using too many pillows can cause pressure on your neck, leading to pain and discomfort. Instead, […]
Chronic pain in the jaw is widespread, especially among people over sixty-five. TMJ pain can also accompany many conditions, making it challenging to figure out the exact cause without proper screening. Performing jaw exercises can significantly impact pain for many types of jaw dysfunction regardless of age. Targeted exercises can increase strength, relax tight muscles, […]
Physical therapist Dr. Kathy Doubleday shares three tips to decrease stress on our shoulders in this video. You will learn: How posture affects shoulder motion substantially. Adjusting our posture to a tall position before lifting an arm can naturally increase shoulder movement. Lifting arms in extreme positions or reaching across our body stresses our shoulders […]
In this video, physical therapist Kathy Doubleday DPT, OCS will guide you through exercises that may help to relieve knee pain. If you’re experiencing knee pain during exercise or when performing movements like getting up from a chair or walking, Dr. Kathy Doubleday will provide you with helpful tips. In this lesson, she will: Guide […]
Stress from reading the news online isn’t the only downside to computer use: our increased reliance on technology may also be harming our posture and our bodies. Sitting with your head drooping while looking at your phone or tablet causes a lot of stress, leading to unnecessary neck and shoulder pain. Fortunately, you can relieve […]
Have you ever rubbed your neck or shoulders and wondered why they feel so tight and painful? Maybe your upper back hurts when you turn your neck. Or perhaps you find it difficult for you to sit up straight. If so, you might be suffering from upper cross syndrome, a condition connected to poor posture […]
Up to 80% of individuals will suffer from back pain at some point in their lives, and in many cases, disc herniation is to blame. Despite being incredibly painful for some people, most cases improve with a few weeks to months of conservative treatment including traditional medicinal and complementary options. Spinal Anatomy To better understand […]
Are you experiencing persistent pain in your elbow? A variety of activities can cause elbow pain. Two of the most common elbow conditions are tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow or “golf elbow.” However, knowing whether you have tennis elbow or golf elbow can be tricky. While both conditions can be difficult to treat, understanding their […]
If you’ve ever experienced hip pain, you know that it can be agitating and limiting in your daily activities. One of the more common varieties of hip pain is known as hip bursitis (or trochanteric bursitis). In this article, we’ll explain what hip bursitis is, and we’ll explore some options for which exercises for hip […]
Knee injuries can happen at any age, but they can be particularly harmful to seniors. Simple knee exercises can help to prevent joint pain, and improve balance, to better your day-to-day life. Common Causes of Knee Pain Among Seniors Knee pain is common and can result from sprains, tears, or tendinitis. It may also stem […]
If you suffer from hip pain, you are not alone. One study found that roughly fourteen percent of people over the age of sixty reported significant hip pain on most days, while more than eighteen percent of inactive seniors reported severe hip pain in the previous month. Hip pain can lead to difficulty with bending, […]
The Importance of Exercising with Osteoporosis Osteoporosis is fairly common, with an estimated 10 million people over the age of 50 suffering from this condition. And, about 43 million more people suffer from low bone mass, which puts them at an increased risk for osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is characterized by significant bone loss and decreased bone […]
Osteoarthritis of the knee affects about 37% of people over the age of sixty in the United States. Joint pain at the knee can make basic everyday tasks harder, limiting physical function and increasing your risk for other problems. However, there are many simple ways to manage your symptoms and reduce pain to maintain your […]
This guide provides seniors with a comprehensive understanding of AC joint arthritis, its causes, symptoms, treatments, and exercises.
When you are dealing with back pain lying down on your back with your legs elevated on pillows or on the couch arm is the most decompressive position to rest the back and is the best place to start with acute pain. Low back pain is an extremely common complaint, with approximately 80% of the […]
“I was diagnosed with degenerative disk disease a couple years ago. I get lower back pain that comes and goes. I used to love exercising and being active but have been afraid of making my back worse. Is there anything I can do to help me stay in shape but not hurt my back? –Cassie […]
Have you ever had trouble bending down to pick something up from the floor? If so, this video is for you. In it, we share a quick tip on how to make bending easier, protect your back, and avoid knee pain when bending. Watch now and see for yourself how this simple modification can help […]
There are many different types of headache disorders, some of which are quite serious. Finding ways of managing headaches is essential to your quality of life. Some of the more common types of headache disorders include migraine headaches, tension headaches, and cluster headaches. According to The World Health Organization (WHO) about 47% of adults suffered […]
“My knees hurt whenever I go to sit in a chair. What’s going on with this, and is there anything that can help?” -Jerry E. This is a really common problem as we age, and it is likely a movement related issue. HOW you are transitioning from standing to sitting is likely directly related with […]
“I have pain when reaching behind my back in the front of my shoulder. What can I do?” Having pain in the front of the shoulder while reaching behind is a common issue and straightforward to address. Often this is diagnosed as a bicep tendinopathy. Interesting enough, however, the bicep is not the culprit—it is […]
Osteoarthritis affects more than 240 million people around the world, making it the most common joint disease. Osteoarthritis can affect any joint in the body but more commonly occurs in the knees, hips, hands, lower back and neck. In individuals with knee osteoarthritis, the cartilage wears down and becomes rough, and the protective joint space […]
Lumbar spinal stenosis is a common condition, affecting more than 200,000 adults in the United States. Lumbar spinal stenosis is the most common reason for spinal surgery in patients over the age of 65; however, surgery has shown no significant benefit over conservative treatment options. If you have recently received a diagnosis of lumbar spinal […]
“I’m trying to rest my back but it isn’t helping. Could sitting be causing my back pain?” -Daniel Daniel, you have a good thought that if you are in acute low back pain that resting may be a good option. However, you want to make sure you are not sitting to the point of it […]
What Exercises Help a Sore Back? In general you can break down low back pain into two major categories. Disorders that affect the front of the spine versus the back of the spine. (The front being the disc and surrounding tissues and the back being the joints and ligament structures called facet joints.) Disorders in the […]
“I heard knee replacements are only good for ten years before they need replaced. When is the best age to get it done and what can I do in the meantime? Is knee surgery inevitable? –Michael C. Good questions. Though the “10 Year Rule” was once an accurate generalization, improvements in technology and surgical procedures […]
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