In celebration of National Physical Therapy Month, we are highlighting 10 benefits of physical therapy in our latest infographic. Physical therapy offers patients personalized medical care specific to their needs, helps patients reduce pain and avoid opioids, recover from a stroke, and treat sports injuries. Learn how physical therapy helps manage age-related health issues, neuromuscular conditions, and women’s health conditions on the blog!

An ankle sprain is a common injury that occurs when the foot twists or turns beyond its normal range of movement, causing the ankle’s ligaments to overstretch or tear. Each day, over 20,000 Americans sprain their ankle. Ankle sprains account for 45% of all sports injuries in the United States. A physical therapist can help you recover from an ankle sprain more quickly, rehabilitate the ankle properly using a treatment program specifically designed to your injury, and prevent recurrent ankle pain.

Nearly 80% of Americans experience back pain at some point in their lives. Misconceptions about back pain and proper treatment for it contributes to the prevalence of ongoing back pain and overspending on diagnostic tests, MRIs, medication, and surgery that can be avoided in most cases. Today, we debunk 7 myths about back pain and explain how physical therapy can help you manage chronic back pain.

An ACL injury is a common sports injury affecting high school athletes. The ACL is a major ligament located in the center of the knee joint that stabilizes the knee. ACL rehabilitation with an experienced sports medicine physical therapist is crucial for a full recovery and a safe, healthy return to the athletic field. Check out our ACL Rehabilitation infographic to learn more!

Hip pain is often overlooked and untreated until it becomes severe. However, it’s important to have hip pain evaluated by your physical therapist early on to determine the cause of the pain. Hip pain is commonly due to repetitive strain on and overuse of the hip from a sport or work activity. A physical therapist can effectively treat and reduce hip pain, improve flexibility and mobility, and return the patient to daily activities with greater hip strength and ability.

The rotator cuff keeps the shoulder joint stable and allows the arm to have a significant amount of rotational and stretching mobility. Injury to the rotator cuff is fairly common, whether due to an acute tear from an accident or degeneration of the tendons from repeated overuse. Physical therapy can address pain, restore movement and range of motion to the shoulder and arm, and safely rehabilitate the rotator cuff following surgery.

The start of fall brings with it the excitement of a new sports season. Training for the fall season begins in the summer so that athletes are prepared and ready for a successful season. However, due to contact or overuse, sports injuries can occur. Physical therapy can help student-athletes regain strength, function, and range of motion safely following sports injuries.

Yard work and raking leaves, while enjoyable, can take a toll on the body. The twisting, turning, bending, and pulling of raking can contribute to low back pain while incorrect biomechanics can lead to neck and shoulder pain. Before you get outside to rake the leaves in your yard, take a moment to review our raking injury prevention tips!

Michael Mangiarelli is a physical therapist at Mangiarelli Rehabilitation. He specializes in ACL rehabilitation, sports injuries, joint replacements, and rotator cuff surgery rehabilitation. His favorite part of his job is the interactions with and building relationship with patients as he helps them rehabilitate and achieve optimal function and improved quality of life.

Check out the September 2020 Newsletter which covers physical therapy as a new approach to pain, sciatica pain relief, back to school ergonomic tips, and a sneak peek of our recently renovated clinic.

Sciatica pain is nerve pain that radiates from the low back through the length of the leg due to compression of the sciatic nerve. Physical therapy is the first line of treatment for sciatica pain management, relief, and treatment. Learn what sciatica pain is, how physical therapy treats it, and watch a video by Mangiarelli Rehabilitation therapist Mike for exercises to relieve sciatica pain.

Your “core” is the foundation that keeps the body stable. It is a complex series of muscles extending beyond the abdominals to the entire trunk of the body. A strong core stabilizes your spine, allowing you to balance and dynamically change your movement. Physical therapists work with all patients to improve functional core stability to help prevent injury, maintain optimal alignment and posture, and avoid excessive stress on your joints.

The question of whether you need an MRI or an X-ray before physical therapy is a common one. The answer? No. In the vast majority of cases, you can begin physical therapy without undergoing a diagnostic MRI or an X-ray. Physical therapists can accurately diagnose your condition and address your specific symptoms to relieve pain and restore function without the high costs of imaging testing.

Plantar fasciitis affects two million Americans each year. It is a common condition that causes foot and heel pain, affecting those of all ages, athletes and non-athletes, men and women. Plantar fasciitis is a condition that frequently develops due to repeated activities that strain the plantar fascia of the foot. Physical therapy helps patients effectively manage and overcome plantar fasciitis, reduce pain, and restore walking ability. 

TMD, or temporomandibular joint disorder, is a common condition that limits the jaw’s normal function. Physical therapy is an effective treatment for TMD and can help ease pain, regain jaw movement, and lessen daily stress on the jaw. Physical therapy treatment includes posture education, manual therapy, stretching and strengthening exercises, and dry needling.

As we head back to school for the 2020-2021 school year, things look a bit different. Whether you will be carrying your backpack back and forth to school or sitting at your desk at home for hours at a time to learn virtually, follow our back to school ergonomic tips to address body mechanics, posture, and proper use of school-related equipment to protect your back, neck, and shoulders from pain or injury.

Physical therapy is an effective, timely, and affordable treatment for musculoskeletal pain. Direct access to your physical therapist for outpatient care of musculoskeletal pain and injury leads to fewer visits and lowers overall medical costs by 50%. Check out our infographic to learn what direct access to physical therapy looks like to treat pain vs. the traditional approach!

Check out Mangiarelli Rehabilitation's August Newsletter with updates on Mangiarelli Rehabilitation Renovations, Frozen Shoulder & Physical Therapy, Tips to Relieve Neck Pain, and Mangiarelli Rehab Wellness Program Re-Opening.

Maintaining joint health as you age allows you to stay mobile. While wear and tear on your joints is inevitable, follow our six tips to promote optimal joint health and build strong muscles to support your joints. A physical therapist can help you develop an exercise conditioning program and improve your joint mobility, flexibility, and range of motion.

Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition that involves generalized chronic musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and tender-to-touch areas of the body. Physical therapy is a safe method to decrease pain and symptoms as well as improve fitness and quality of life. Physical therapists create an individualized treatment plan based on the patient’s symptoms and condition. Learn more about physical therapy treatment on the blog!