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The Top Five Questions Expecting and New Moms Ask an Obstetrics Physical Therapist

I recently hosted a table for Everybody Physical Therapy at a convention called BabyFest NW. Hundreds of expecting and new moms attended the event. Some women came with their partners, some came with their mothers, and some came with just their baby. A flood of people came to my table throughout the day wanting an…

Ankle Sprain

On a given day, more than 25,000 people will sprain their ankle. It can happen when you land the wrong way while you're playing sports or participating in other physical activities, or even when you step on an uneven surface while walking. It can happen to athletes, non-athletes, children, and adults. What Is Ankle Sprain?…

Osteoarthritis

There are several types of arthritis, the most common being osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis (OA) is caused by the breakdown and eventual loss of the cartilage of one or more joints. Cartilage is a protein substance that serves as a cushion or shock absorber between the bones of the joints. Osteoarthritis is also known as degenerative arthritis.…

Low Back Pain

If you have low back pain, you are not alone. At any given time, about 25% of people in the United States report having low back pain within the past 3 months. In most cases, low back pain is mild and disappears on its own. For some people, back pain can return or hang on, leading to…

Neck Pain

Neck pain is a very common complaint that can have a variety of causes and mechanisms of injury. Neck pain may a result of a motor vehicle accident, work injury and may include headaches as a symptom. At Everybody Physical Therapy a thorough evaluation is performed on each individual patient. From this evaluation a treatment…

Motor Vehicle Accident

At Everybody physical therapy we can aid in quicker recovery from injuries sustained in auto accidents such as whiplash, neck pain, low back pain, ligament injuries and others. In the acute phase the focus will be on pain reduction with manual therapy, modalities, and exercises as tolerated. Strengthening under supervision in the clinic and participation…

Common Pregnancy Pains

Fifty percent to 70% of pregnant women experience low back pain during pregnancy. In addition, 30% to 50% of pregnant women report low back pain severe enough to cause lost time from work. It's more manageable, however, than most women (and their doctors) think. Here are some tips for staying in motion throughout pregnancy while…

Stress Urinary Incontinence

Stress Incontinence Stress incontinence usually results from weakness and lack of support in the pelvic-floor muscles. It can happen with laughing, sneezing, or coughing or with exercise or activities such as lifting. Women with stress incontinence often have "underactive" pelvic floor muscles as a result of: Pregnancy and childbirth, which can put stress or pressure…

Rotator Cuff Injuries

The "rotator cuff" is a group of 4 muscles that are responsible for keeping the shoulder joint stable. Unfortunately, injuries to the rotator cuff are very common, either from injury or with repeated overuse of the shoulder. Injuries to the rotator cuff can vary as a person ages. Rotator cuff tears are more common later…

Frozen Shoulder

Often called a stiff or “frozen shoulder,” adhesive capsulitis occurs in about 2% to 5% of the general population. It affects women more than men and typically occurs in people who are over the age of 45. Of the people who have had adhesive capsulitis in one shoulder, 20% to 30% will get it in…

Shoulder Impingement

Disorders of the rotator cuff and the tissues around it are the most common causes of shoulder pain in people over 40 years of age. Rotator cuff tendinitis occurs when a shoulder tendon (a bundle of fibers connecting muscle to bone) is irritated and becomes sore. With continued irritation, the tendon can begin to…

Urge Incontinence

Urge Incontinence With urge incontinence, you may or may not have pelvic-floor muscle weakness or pelvic muscle tension or spasm. Functional Incontinence In functional incontinence, the cause isn't related directly to the bladder or pelvic-floor muscles: Joint pain or muscle weakness that cause you to move with difficulty Confusion, dementia, or delirium Environmental barriers, such…

Meniscal Tear

The meniscal tear is a common injury. It can affect athletes who play individuals and team sports. It's also common in people who have jobs that require lots of squatting, such as plumbers or coal miners. Your physical therapist can help you manage the injury and, if surgery is required, can help you prepare for…

Physical Therapy A Good First Choice Before Surgery for Meniscal Tears and Osteoarthritis

Mild meniscal tears and moderate knee osteoarthritis send some people under the knife, when all they really need is physical therapy. A recent study in the New England Journal of Medicine found no significant difference between individuals who received surgery and those who received physical therapy alone, thus avoiding the unnecessarily invasive procedure and related costs. Dr…

Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) Injury

The medial collateral ligament (MCL) is the most commonly damaged ligament in the knee. The MCL can be sprained or torn as a result of a blow to the outer side of the knee, by twisting the knee, or by quickly changing directions while walking or running. MCL injury most often occurs in athletes, although…