Runners have a higher tendency to get injured as they train for races that strain their bodies. Many runners seek additional training advice, including physical therapy services before, during, and after their races. Many others run recreationally for health reason, and seek our help to avoid getting hurt. 

You may be wondering what exactly posting Instagram pictures and texting your friends can possibly have to do with your spine – but rest assured, there is a significant relationship between the two. The use of cell phones and tablets has transformed our lives, making us available 24/7 and giving us access to an excess of resources right at our fingertips. But have you ever stopped to think what your cell phone use is doing to your spine?

A herniated disc, also known as a slipped disc, is a condition of the intervertebral disc in the spine that can cause back pain and difficulty with normal functioning. The spine is made up of 26 vertebrae, and between each vertebrae is a cushioning referred to as the discs. The discs serve the purpose of keeping the vertebrae in line and absorbing shock. A herniated disc occurs when the soft jelly like material of the disc leaks out through a crack in the disc.

With the new year approaching I am sure you have already seen a handful of articles about committing to New Year’s resolutions and how to become a “new you”. But is becoming a “new you” actually a resolution you should strive to have? We don’t think so.

While you don’t have to be a trained athlete to sprain your ankle, ankle sprains are one of the most common sports injuries. Fortunately, a sprained ankle can be treated conservatively with physical therapy and patients almost always reach a full recovery.

Swimming is not a high impact sport, but it is one of the most well rounded exercises, in that it targets multiple muscle groups at a time. This is an advantage for those looking to get in shape and get all your body’s muscles pumping. What it also means, is that there are multiple muscles susceptible to injury while swimming. 

According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services, on an average day in the United States over 650,000 opioid prescriptions are dispensed to patients. With an astonishing daily rate like this, the annual rate of opioids dispensed is astounding – and not in a good way.

Most people experience back pain at some point in their life and for many, this back pain can be not just annoying, but debilitating. Back pain is often attributed to heavy labor, bending the wrong way, an accident causing trauma, or even poor sleep habits. But one factor we often are unaware of as leading to back pain is the bag we choose to wear.

Acupuncture is a painless treatment that has been used for centuries by many different cultures, specifically stemming from the Chinese culture. In Chinese Medicine, the body is not only made up of joints and skin, but also energy that flows through the body and allows for proper functioning of all body systems. This energy is called Qi and it provides stability to the body and allows the body to heal.

Living with flat feet can be painful and cause numerous orthopedic issues if you do not take measures to avoid them, including knee pain and back pain. There are many different degrees of flat feet, some feet being more flat than others. People with very low arches, or flat feet, compared to those with higher arches tend to experience foot pain, arch pain, ankle pain and knee pain making it more difficult to exercise and participate in an active lifestyle.

Despite not having much of a spring this year, it’s safe to say that summer is upon us in NYC. Along with the warm weather and beautiful rays of sun comes the desire to be outside and active. One of the most popular summer physical activities is cycling. Whether you are an avid cyclist, signed up for multiple summer bike tours or just enjoy a leisurely bike ride through the park, you should be aware of the most common cycling injuries and how to prevent them.

Now that spring is in full fling in NYC, the warmer weather is quickly approaching and calendars are filling up with recreational weekend activities. For most of us, the normal work week consists of mainly indoor activities and minimal physical exertion, unless you consider sprinting to catch the train an Olympic sport. Nonetheless, trying to squeeze in physical activities and recreational sports on the weekends can cause more injuries than you may think.

In the last couple of years, CrossFit training has gained popularity with exercise and sports enthusiasts. You may have even walked by one of the many new CrossFit gyms popping up. With its popularity rising, injuries are also rising, causing news sources to name CrossFit as one of the “most dangerous workouts”. But what exactly is CrossFit training and how true are the reports that it is unsafe?

It is a fact that work injuries account for a large percentage of all reported injuries. When you think of a work injury, more often than not you think of a construction worker at a jobsite or an employee operating heavy machinery. But how often do you attribute the term “work injury” to someone who works in an office? While it is true that construction workers are at a higher risk of injury than others, we often fail to see that office workers are at risk for injuries as well. 

As New Yorkers, we have an advantage in healthcare that many of us are unaware of. The American Physical Therapy Association passed a law allowing residents of the state of New York to receive a physical therapy evaluation and treatment without needing the referral of another doctor. This law, called Direct Access, gives us New Yorkers in a sense a “fast pass” to receiving the care we need, when we need it, allowing for a speedier recovery and more effective healing.

We all know getting ready in the morning can be a difficult task. But, by adding just 6 simple stretches to your routine, you can start your day off right and prepare your body for a pain-free, energetic day. Say goodbye to morning stiffness with these 6 easy stretches you can complete as soon as you get out of bed.