Tarsal tunnel syndrome results from compression of the posterior tibial nerve as it passes through the tarsal tunnel. The tarsal tunnel is a narrow space located on the inside of the ankle, containing the tibial nerve which provides feeling to the heel and foot and aids in foot function. Tarsal tunnel syndrome can cause debilitating pain, numbness, and tingling in the foot and ankle and limit ankle and foot mobility and function. Physical therapy can play a critical role in improving the function and mobility of those with tarsal tunnel syndrome through a targeted strengthening, stretching, manual therapy, and nerve gliding treatment program.

Parkinson’s disease is a multifaceted neurodegenerative disease that impairs movement, coordination, and cognitive function over time. Physical therapy-led exercise is a critical component of managing Parkinson’s disease, helping to manage symptoms, and even slowing progression of the disease. Therapeutic boxing is a unique targeted exercise therapy, requiring full-body movement, combining upper-body punching sequences with lower-body footwork to build strength, counter rigidity, and improve hand-eye coordination, balance, posture, and agility. Mangiarelli Rehabilitation physical therapist Bobby demonstrates therapeutic boxing with a Parkinson’s patient on the blog!

Multiple sclerosis is a progressive neurological disease in which the immune system attacks the protective covering of the brain and spinal cord, causing damage to nerves and leading to a variety of cognitive and physical impairments. From early stage through disease progression, physical therapy-led exercise rehabilitation can reduce functional dysfunction in MS patients, manage and address symptoms like fatigue and spasticity, slow progression of the disease, and improve quality of life.

With the start of spring, many of us begin planning our gardens, including weeding, raking, and preparing for planting. Gardening has many health benefits, but injuries can occur. The low back can be particularly susceptible to injury during gardening as bending, lifting, and squatting can cause you to twist your body into awkward positions or to overstretch, leading to muscle strains or sprains. Check out our 8 tips to prevent low back pain this gardening season!

In honor of National Nutrition Month in March, we at Mangiarelli Rehabilitation recognize the role that nutrition can play in managing osteoarthritis symptoms. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis and involves the breakdown of cartilage around joints, causing inflammation, pain, and swelling. A balanced, nutritious eating plan that includes whole foods like fruits, vegetables, and lean protein, and is rich in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids provides the body the nutrients it needs to prevent further damage to joints and improve OA symptoms. Combining targeted physical therapy with a whole-food nutritious diet can improve osteoarthritic symptoms and enhance OA patients’ overall quality of life, function, and mobility.

Shin splints are a common running overuse injury that involves inflammation of the tibia and surrounding muscles and tissues caused by repetitive stress placed on the lower leg. Shin splints commonly occur at the start of track and field season, when an athlete overexerts themselves or increases the frequency, duration, and intensity of their training too quickly such that the body cannot adjust to the stressor, leading to injury. Physical therapists can help athletes with shin splints recover pain-free movement, return to sport safely, and prevent future re-injury through a targeted exercise rehabilitation program.

Rugby is a demanding high-intensity sport with a high risk of injury, combining the running and endurance of soccer with the contact and tackling of American football. Common injuries include concussions, jersey finger, muscle strains of the hamstrings or quadriceps, ACL or MCL tears, ankle sprains, shin splints, and shoulder joint injuries. Physical therapists can help rugby players prevent and manage sports-related injuries through a targeted exercise strength and conditioning program.

Frailty is a common syndrome among older adults that involves loss of muscle strength, exhaustion, low levels of physical activity, and an increased risk of falling. Inactivity and the subsequent sarcopenia, or a decrease in the amount and quality of muscle, is a major cause of frailty in older adults. Physical therapy can play a critical role in helping those with frailty restore overall mobility, strength, and aerobic capacity through a customized therapeutic exercise, strengthening, and balance training program. Check out our infographic on how physical therapy can help address frailty syndrome to learn more!

Hamstring injuries are common in activities that involve high-speed running, jumping, kicking, or explosive lower extremity movements combined with rapid changes in direction. A hamstring injury involves a strain or tear of one of the three hamstring muscles, causing pain, swelling, and difficulty walking and running. Physical therapy plays a critical role in helping athletes recover after a hamstring injury, return to sport safely, and regain function, mobility, and strength in the hamstring muscle complex through a targeted therapeutic exercise, functional training, and return to sport program.

Maintaining and improving balance is critical as you age to prevent falls. Aging can contribute to visual, vestibular, and muscular weakness issues that can negatively impact your ability to maintain balance and lead to a fall. Each year, nearly 25% of older adults fall. Physical therapists can play a critical role in preventing falls and improving balance, function, and strength in older adults through a personalized fall prevention balance training program. A balance training program for older adults has been shown to reduce the risk of falls by 23% and enhance older adults’ independence and mobility.

MCL sprains or tears are the most common ski-related knee injury, accounting for up to 20% of all ski injuries and 60% of all ski-related knee injuries. An MCL injury can occur while skiing when pressure or hard contact from a collision or fall impacts the outside of the knee, straining or tearing the ligament. Physical therapy is the preferred treatment for the majority of MCL injuries, restoring function, mobility, stability, and strength to the MCL and knee joint through a targeted therapeutic exercise program.

Hockey is a high-intensity collision sport that requires athletes to skate a narrow contact surface (blade of the skate) on a low friction surface (ice) while moving in all planes of motion. The intensity of the sport can lead to a variety of injuries, such as concussions, shoulder separations, wrist fractures, MCL sprains, high ankle sprains, or FAI or hip adductor muscle strains. Physical therapy can help hockey players recover after injury and help hockey players prepare for the hockey season and reduce the risk of injury through a personalize strength and conditioning program.

A Lisfranc injury can involve a sprain or tearing of the ligaments of the midfoot or a fracture or dislocation of the metatarsal and tarsal bones of the midfoot, leading to significant pain, dysfunction, and difficulty walking or running. The Lisfranc joint is located at the junction of the forefoot and midfoot, where the metatarsal bones connect to the rest of the foot. Physical therapy after a Lisfranc injury can help you manage pain and swelling, improve lower extremity mobility and strength, restore normal walking ability, and ensure a safe return to activity and sports competition.

A shoulder labral tear can result from the labrum becoming frayed over time due to intense repetitive activity or from an acute trauma like a direct blow, fall, or dislocation. The shoulder labrum is a ring of fibro-cartilage tissue that surrounds the rim of the glenoid on the scapula, providing stability to the shoulder joint. Physical therapy plays a crucial role in the management and rehabilitation of shoulder labral tears and can help athletes with shoulder labral tears regain strength, stability, function, and range of motion in the shoulder joint for a safe return to sport.

Swimming is a dynamic sport that requires full body movement and coordination and a significant amount of power and endurance, placing significant stress on the shoulder joint. The intensity of competitive swimming training can increase the risk of common overuse injuries like swimmer’s shoulder, knee injury, or low back pain. Physical therapy can help swimmers prevent and address injuries through sport-specific training and a comprehensive rehabilitation program to improve strength, endurance, mobility, and shoulder stability. Check out our 5 tips to prevent injury in competitive swimming!

A MPFL injury involves a strain or tearing of the medial patellofemoral ligament, typically due to a traumatic kneecap dislocation during sports competition. The MPFL is a part of a complex of soft tissues that stabilize the knee and is a ligament that attaches the inside part of the kneecap to the femur. Physical therapy plays an important role in helping athletes recover from MPFL injury and surgery, helping to restore knee strength, mobility, and function and minimize the risk of recurrent patellar dislocation and instability.

Running a marathon is one of the most challenging and demanding athletic feats, requiring significant physical and mental strength as you push your body to its maximum limits. The hours, days, and weeks after a marathon are crucial for recovery and to reduce injury. Physical therapists can help marathon runners recover effectively, minimize soreness, and ensure a safe return to running. Check out our 14 tips for post-marathon recovery.

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disease in the elderly associated with dementia, memory loss, severe cognitive impairments, and eventually physical limitations. Alzheimer’s disease develops due to microscopic changes that take place in the brain that damages brain cells and nerves and leads to the physical and cognitive symptoms of the condition. Physical therapy can slow Alzheimer’s disease progression and help individuals maintain physical and cognitive function as much as possible through a targeted exercise program.

The hip is one of the largest, most dynamic joints in the body, designed to stabilize and mobilize the lower extremity. Hip stability means the musculature of each side of the hips works equally with every movement you take with muscles that aren’t too loose or too tight. Physical therapists can help you improve your hip strength and stability through targeted hip stabilization exercises. Mangiarelli Rehabilitation physical therapist Sarah demonstrates three hip stabilization exercises to strengthen the front, back, and side of the hip.

Biceps tendonitis involves inflammation of and injury to the biceps tendon, often due to repetitive overloading and overuse from sports activities that cause microtears in the fibers of the tendon. Biceps tendonitis is more common among athletes who play sports that place repetitive stress on the biceps tendon through repetitive overhead motions. Physical therapy can effectively address biceps tendonitis, decreasing pain and inflammation, improving shoulder range of motion and strength, and improving functional mobility of the arm and shoulder through a targeted exercise program.