Exercise is a crucial component of diabetes management. Diabetes is a condition in which the body either does not produce enough insulin or does not respond normally to insulin, causing glucose levels in the blood to become too high. Exercise lowers blood sugar by increasing the insulin sensitivity of the body’s cells; as muscles contract, they are better able to use any available insulin to take up glucose for energy. Experts recommend engaging in both aerobic and resistance training exercises to manage blood glucose.

A bunion is a bony bump that develops at the base of the big toe, causing pain and swelling. Over time, bunions can change the anatomy and biomechanics of the foot, negatively impacting an individual’s mobility and function. Physical therapy can help to reduce bunion pain, increase the function of the big toe, improve muscle strength in the foot, ankle, and lower leg, and restore walking ability.

Track and field involve a variety of events that involve running, throwing, and jumping, which can place unique stress on the athlete’s body and contribute to injury. Track injuries are most often chronic overuse injuries such as runner’s knee, shin splints, plantar fasciitis, and hamstring injuries. Physical therapists can help track and field athletes manage and recover from overuse injuries and prevent injury through therapeutic exercise, strength training, gait analysis, and manual therapy. Check out our 10 tips to prevent injury this track season!

Peroneal tendinopathy is a condition involving inflammation of the peroneal tendons, which run along the outer ankle bone and side of the foot, often due to overuse or a sudden increase in activity. Physical therapy can successfully treat peroneal tendinopathy, helping reduce strain on the ankle and foot and strengthening the ankle muscles to withstand the demands placed on them.

Physical therapy is essential following an ACL injury and reconstruction surgery to regain function, strength, and mobility in the knee and return to sport safely. The ACL provides stability to the knee and controls complex motion of the knee. It is commonly injured during sports activities when an athlete makes a quick change of direction or speed with the foot firmly planted. ACL injuries are commonly treated with ACL reconstruction surgery followed by an extensive rehabilitation program. A physical therapist works with the injured athlete to regain function and strength in the knee before progressing the athlete through a return to sport protocol.

Tennis is a popular, dynamic sport that requires significant speed, agility, endurance, coordination, and cardiovascular fitness of the tennis player. Due to the intensity and repetitive motions of tennis, tennis players can suffer chronic overuse injuries like tennis elbow and rotator cuff tendinitis and acute injuries like ankle sprains. Physical therapists can help tennis players prevent injury through a strength and conditioning program tailored to their needs and abilities and provide targeted treatment for specific injuries to help tennis players return to competition with restored strength and mobility.

Physical therapy exercise interventions can help reduce and manage symptoms of multiple sclerosis, restore function and mobility, and boost quality of life at all stages of the disease. Research has shown that exercise is a safe and effective method to improve symptoms of multiple sclerosis and reduce disease progression. Multiple sclerosis is a progressive disease of the central nervous system that can lead to fatigue pain, and impaired coordination and mobility. Therapeutic exercise is a safe and effective treatment to help patients manage the disease from onset through relapse and remission to maintain overall fitness and function.

Physical therapy is critical following a meniscus tear injury in order to heal properly and restore strength, mobility, and range of motion in the knee. The meniscus is a c-shaped disc of cartilage that cushions and provides shock absorption in the knee. Meniscus tears are common among athletes, but can also occur due to degeneration and arthritis. Check out our infographic on physical therapy for a meniscus tear!

Mangiarelli Rehabilitation physical therapist and pregnant mom, Sarah, demonstrates 5 safe core strengthening exercises you can perform safely during pregnancy. Building a strong core during pregnancy can help you manage the demands of pregnancy on the body and minimize diastasis recti and other pregnancy symptoms. Strengthening your core during pregnancy not only helps support your pelvic organs as your baby grows and alleviates pressure on the back but can also help with the physical demands of labor.

As we celebrate National Nutrition Month this March, we at Mangiarelli Rehabilitation recognize the role that nutrition can play in our patient’s recovery and rehabilitation outcomes. Nutrition can play a pivotal role in the body’s healing process, contribute to the development and management of certain chronic conditions, and either enhance or hinder a patient’s recovery from a musculoskeletal injury. Adequate nutrition during rehabilitation can help to control inflammation, provide the necessary nutrients to rebuild and restore injured tissue, decrease the risk of muscle atrophy, and preserve muscle strength.

The patellar tendon connects the kneecap to the top of the shinbone and plays a key role in extending your knee. Patellar tendinitis involves inflammation or injury to the patellar tendon often due to repetitive stress and chronic overuse among athletes. It is particularly common among athletes who engage in repetitive jumping, squatting, and running, such as basketball, soccer, and volleyball players, dancers, and weightlifters. Physical therapy can help athletes address patellar tendinitis and regain strength, function, and mobility in the knee through a gradual targeted strengthening exercise program.

At Mangiarelli Rehabilitation, aquatic therapy takes place in our warm water therapeutic pool with our aquatic therapy specialist, Sue. Aquatic therapy provides a safe and effective environment to build strength, improve mobility and balance, and enhance function with minimal stress on your joints. On the blog, our aquatic therapist, Sue, explains what aquatic therapy involves, ways it can benefit you as a patient, and how it can improve your strength and reduce pain.

Skiing is one of the most popular winter sports, demanding significant strength, agility, and coordination while moving down the snowy slopes. The most common ski injury is to the knee, accounting for 30% of ski injuries and often resulting in an ACL or MCL tear. A physical therapist can help you prepare for the slopes through a customized strength and conditioning program, addressing muscle imbalances and targeting specific muscle groups to increase stability and muscle control. Should an injury, physical therapists accompany you every step of the rehabilitation process to help you return to skiing safely.

February is American Heart Month, a month to focus on ways to lower your risk of heart disease and improve your overall heart health. One of the best ways to improve your heart health is through regular exercise, incorporating both aerobic exercise and strength training. Regular physical activity plays a key role in preventing cardiovascular disease and helping you regain aerobic capacity following a cardiac event. As you begin your exercise journey toward better heart health, a physical therapist can help you by designing a customized, progressive exercise program.

One of the highlights of the winter Olympics for many is the figure skating competition. Figure skating places extreme demands on the skaters, requiring a high degree of technical skill paired with artistic poise. Common figure skating injuries, like ankle sprains, patellofemoral pain syndrome, and hip and back pain, can result from a traumatic incident on the ice or from overuse. Physical therapists can help figure skaters prepare for competition through targeted strengthening and aerobic conditioning off the ice and support skaters through a comprehensive rehabilitation program should an injury occur.

Neck pain is a common musculoskeletal condition that can cause pain, numbness, and stiffness in the neck, upper back, and shoulders. Physical therapy is one of the most effective treatments for neck pain. Physical therapists reduce neck pain, restore range of motion and function in the neck, and strengthen the neck’s postural flexibility through a customized treatment program. Check out our infographic to learn more!

Physical therapy is an effective treatment for rotator cuff tendinitis and the management of rotator cuff tears to address pain and restore range of motion, muscle strength, and coordination. Rotator cuff tendinitis involves inflammation of the rotator cuff tendons, which causes shoulder pain and swelling and can lead to a partial or full tear of rotator cuff tendons. Physical therapy is recommended as the first line of treatment for rotator cuff injuries and is critical if surgery is necessary.

Dry needling is an effective physical therapy treatment for musculoskeletal pain. Using thin filiform needles, a physical therapist inserts the needle into a taut band of muscle, called a trigger point, to release tension, minimize pain, and restore range of motion and mobility. Dry needling is used to treat a variety of conditions, including fibromyalgia, headaches, muscle and joint pain, and low back pain. Dry needling has a number of benefits such as reducing pain, increasing blood flow, and improving function and movement. It’s minimally invasive, cost-effective, and reduces reliance on pain medications.

Have you recently had COVID and are recovering? Are you feeling physically deconditioned or experiencing generalized weakness and muscle fatigue after Covid? You may be experienced Post-Covid Syndrome, or “Long Covid.” Post-Covid Syndrome refers to lingering physical symptoms that you can experience after acute Covid infection that limit your function and independence. Physical therapists play a critical role in helping you recover from the long-term effects of Covid, regain function, strength, and mobility, and return to daily activities confidently.

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis affecting the spine, often due to age-related wear and tear and mechanical changes in the spinal discs. Spinal osteoarthritis leads to pain in the back and neck and stiffness and loss of mobility in the spine. Physical therapy can help to reduce spinal osteoarthritis symptoms, slow progression of the disease, and instruct patients how to safely exercise.