Back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek physical therapy. Nearly 80% of Americans will experience back pain at some point in their life. However, there are numerous ways to support spinal health and prevent back pain, such as regular exercise, an ergonomic workspace, physical therapy, and proper lifting techniques. Check out our latest blog for our 10 Tips for a Healthy Back!

The jaw joint is one of the most complex joints in the human body, allowing you to open your mouth, chew, talk, and yawn. Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) is a disorder of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which is a hinge joint that connects the jaw to the skull in front of each ear. Physical therapy offers a non-invasive treatment option for TMD that can ease pain, restore normal jaw movement, and lessen daily stress on the jaw.

Total joint replacement surgery is a major surgery requiring careful preparation and an effective post-surgical rehabilitation program to ensure pain-free function and mobility of the joint. Total joint replacement surgery removed the entirety of the damaged joint, replacing it with artificial parts to maintain joint function. Physical therapy plays a critical role in successful rehabilitation of the new joint and restoring movement, strength, flexibility, and range of motion to the joint for a timely return to daily activities, work, and sport.

February is #NationalHeartMonth, a month to highlight the importance of cardiovascular health and effective ways to prevent and address cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States; however, it is preventable through lifestyle choices, including exercise which prevents the onset and development of cardiovascular disease. Physical therapists help individuals exercise safely and effectively, designing a customized exercise program to prevent cardiovascular disease and using exercise as a therapeutic tool to improve the fitness and aerobic capacity of cardiovascular disease patients.

Check out our February 2021 Newsletter with updates of our newest infographic on the difference between a pulled muscle and a pinched nerve; a deep dive into treatment for patellofemoral pain syndrome; an exploration of Turf Toe, a common football-related injury; and in celebration of #nationalheartmonth, a look at ways to improve your cardiovascular health.

Turf toe is a common injury among athletes who compete on artificial turf. Turf toe occurs when the big toe is forced into extreme positions of hyperextension, causing a sprain in the main joint of the big toe. Turf toe can happen when an athlete pushes off to sprint or is tackled with the front of the foot fixed and jammed into the ground. Physical therapy is key to avert and limit stiffness in the big toe and safely heal and strengthen the injured area.

Competitive swimming can place swimmers at a higher risk of shoulder pain due to the repetitive overhead motion required. The majority of swimming injuries are related to the shoulder, although injuries to the neck, back, and knee are also common. Physical therapy addresses these injuries through sport-specific training and a comprehensive rehabilitation program to improve strength, endurance, mobility, and stability.

Biceps tendinitis is a common cause of shoulder pain that develops due to repetitive, overhead movements that irritate and inflame the biceps tendon in the shoulder joint. Biceps tendinitis is often associated with a sharp pain in the front of the shoulder that worsens when engaging in an activity requiring overhead motion. Physical therapy is an effective treatment for biceps tendinitis involving pain management, manual therapy, activity modification, postural education, and therapeutic exercise to regain strength, coordination, and range of motion in the shoulder.

How do you know whether you’re suffering from a pulled muscle or a pinched nerve? Both a pulled muscle or a pinched nerve may cause severe pain and limit your mobility, function, and ability to complete daily tasks. Being able to ascertain the difference between a pinched nerve and a pulled muscle is critical to ensure you receive the correct treatment and return to your activities quickly and safely.

This past year brought a number of sweeping changes to our work and home lives, including the rise of remote work and extensive technology use, which will likely continue into the foreseeable future. While there are many benefits and advantages to technology use for remote work, it can also contribute to poor posture and subsequent back, neck, and wrist pain. Check out our ten tips for an ergonomic workstation to prevent work-related aches and pains!

Hamstring strain injuries are common musculoskeletal injuries among athletes of all levels, resulting when one or more of the three hamstring muscles or tendons are strained or torn. The hamstring muscle group is critical for lower body movement and allows for straightening of the hip and bending of the knee. Physical therapy plays a critical role in properly rehabilitating hamstring strain injuries and preventing an acute hamstring strain injury from becoming chronic through a structured therapeutic exercise program.

Check out our latest blog on physical therapy treatment for Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome! Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is one of the most common types of knee pain, causing pain at the front of the knee and under and around the kneecap. Physical therapists treat PFPS with a customized exercise rehabilitation program, targeting specific muscles of the hip and knee to reduce pain and retrain hip and knee movement patterns.

Check out our January 2021 newsletter covering tips to manage arthritis during winter, snow shoveling safety, how to set SMART health goals in 2021, the danger of deconditioning in seniors during the Covid-19 pandemic, and changes to the clinic’s wellness program this winter.

As we prepare to enter the new year, it’s the perfect time to set achievable goals using the SMART goal-setting strategy. Rather than formulating nebulous resolutions that fade by mid-February, create a consistent system to maximize your ability to achieve those resolutions by setting specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound goals. The SMART framework keeps goals manageable and helps you stay on track to achieve the results you want slowly but surely.  Check out our blog to learn how to set SMART health goals in 2021!

At Mangiarelli Rehabilitation, we provide a comprehensive industrial rehabilitation program for injured workers to support their recovery and return to full functional capacity and strength. We work together with the injured worker’s physician, case manager, and all those involved in their care and recovery to minimize limitations and decrease time away from work. Check out our infographic to learn more about industrial rehabilitation at Mangiarelli Rehabilitation!

The Achilles tendon is the largest and strongest tendon in the body that allows you to run, jump, and stand on the balls of your feet. Achilles tendonitis is an inflammation of the tendon, often due to chronic overuse, that leads to swelling, pain, and irritation. Physical therapy is the most common treatment for Achilles tendonitis, decreasing pain, strengthening the affected area safely, improving mobility and flexibility, and allowing patients to return to daily activities and sports in a timely manner.

A meniscal tear is a common injury in athletes that involves the tearing of the knee’s cartilage. The meniscus is a disc of cartilage that cushions and stabilizes the knee and allows for fluid movements in various directions. Physical therapy is critical following a meniscal tear and surgery in order to heal properly and restore strength and movement to the knee for a safe return to sport. Check out our video of a student athlete’s progress during physical therapy following a meniscal tear and meniscectomy.

It’s that time of year—the holiday season is in full swing with holiday work events, gatherings with friends and family, shopping, and traveling. Between the highly palatable comfort foods of the season and the oftentimes hectic pace, it’s tempting to abandon healthy eating and regular exercise. Check out our 15 tips to stay healthy and fit over the holidays while thoroughly savoring and enjoying all the holiday season has to offer! 

Winter in Northeast Ohio means several months of snowy weather and the inevitable task of shoveling snow. It’s common to experience muscle soreness and aches and pain after shoveling, but more serious injuries can occur as shoveling snow in the cold temperature places stress on your body. Check out our 8 Snow Shoveling Safety Tips to prevent injury this winter season!

The rotator cuff allows the shoulder and arm significant rotational and stretching mobility. Rotator cuff injury is very common due to irritation and inflammation of the tendons. Whether healing from rotator cuff tendinitis, a rotator cuff tear, or recuperating post-surgery, physical therapy can help address pain and restore range of motion, coordination, and strength to the shoulder. Check out our infographic to learn more!