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What We Treat

Knee

Common Knee Injuries

Knee Ligament Injuries

ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) tears

Common in sports like football and basketball, leading to instability, swelling, and pain.

MCL (medial collateral ligament) sprains:

Injuries to the MCL, typically caused by direct blows to the outer knee, resulting in pain and swelling on the inner side of the knee.

PCL (posterior cruciate ligament) injuries

Less common, often caused by direct trauma to the knee (such as during a car accident), leading to instability.

Meniscus Tears

The meniscus is cartilage that cushions the knee joint. Tears can occur from a twisting motion or sudden force, resulting in pain, swelling, and difficulty bending the knee. This is a common injury in athletes and older adults.

Patellar Tendinitis (Jumper’s Knee)

Inflammation of the patellar tendon that connects the kneecap to the shinbone. This occurs from repetitive jumping or running and causes pain below the kneecap, especially with activity.

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (Runner’s Knee)

Pain around the kneecap, often due to overuse, misalignment of the kneecap, or muscle imbalances. It’s common in runners and athletes and can cause pain during activities like climbing stairs or squatting.

Sciatica and Back Pain

Common Back Injuries / Conditions

Muscle Strains & Ligament Sprains

Cause

Overstretching or tearing of muscles/ligaments due to sudden movements, heavy lifting, or poor posture.

Symptoms

Localized pain, muscle spasms, and stiffness, often in the lower back.

Herniated Disc (Slipped/Ruptured Disc)

Cause

The soft inner material of a spinal disc pushes through its outer layer, often due to aging, poor mechanics, or trauma.

Symptoms

Sharp pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness—especially in the legs (sciatica) if the herniation presses on a nerve.

Sciatica

Cause

Compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve, often due to a herniated disc or spinal stenosis.

Symptoms

Sharp, radiating pain from the lower back down to the buttocks and legs, with possible numbness or weakness.

Spinal Stenosis

Cause

Narrowing of the spinal canal, leading to pressure on the spinal cord or nerves (commonly seen in aging individuals).

Symptoms

Back pain, leg pain, numbness, and weakness, especially when standing or walking.

How Physical Therapy Can Help with Sciatica and Back Pain?

Physical therapy provides a personalized approach to managing sciatica and back pain by identifying the root causes and developing a tailored treatment plan. A physical therapist assesses movement, strength, posture, and daily activities to create an effective strategy.

Key Treatments:

Soft tissue massage & myofascial release – Relieve tension and muscle tightness.

Strengthening & stretching exercises – Improve flexibility and support the spine.

Electrical stimulation – Reduces pain and promotes healing.

This comprehensive approach not only alleviates symptoms but also enhances long-term function and prevents future issues.

Shoulder Pain

Common shoulder injuries

Arthritis

Joint swelling due to cartilage breakdown, leading to bone-on-bone friction and inflammation.

Muscle Strain

Overexertion leading to muscle pain and stiffness.

Bursitis

Inflammation of bursae from overuse, resulting in discomfort.

Frozen Shoulder

Gradual stiffness and pain lasting 1-3 years; therapy helps maintain mobility.

Impingement

Weak shoulder muscles causing improper joint movement and pain.

Tendinitis

pain, swelling, and stiffness due to inflammation of the tendons, often from overuse, repetitive motions, or aging.

Rotator Cuff Tear

Caused by acute injury or degenerative wear and tear, that affects stability/movement

TMJ

What is TMJ Disorder?

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ) refers to dysfunction or pain in the jaw joint and surrounding muscles, affecting chewing, speaking, and overall jaw movement. The TMJ connects the jawbone (mandible) to the skull, allowing essential functions like opening and closing the mouth. TMJ disorders can result from injury, stress, teeth grinding (bruxism), arthritis, or poor posture.

Symptoms:

Jaw pain or stiffness

Clicking, popping, or locking of the jaw

Difficulty chewing or opening the mouth fully

Headaches, ear pain, or facial discomfort

Neck and shoulder tension

Hand and Elbow Injuries

Common Hand/Elbow Injuries:

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Caused by compression of the median nerve as it passes through the wrist’s carpal tunnel. It often results from repetitive wrist movements (like typing) and causes symptoms like numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand, particularly in the thumb, index, and middle fingers.

Tendonitis

Inflammation or irritation of the tendons in the hand or wrist, often from repetitive movements or overuse. Common types include De Quervain's tenosynovitis, affecting the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist, leading to pain and swelling when moving the thumb or wrist.

Trigger Finger

Trigger finger is a condition that affects the tendons responsible for flexing the fingers and thumb, often causing a locking or catching sensation when bending and straightening them. Additional symptoms may include pain and stiffness in the affected digits.

Fractures

Broken bones in the hand, including fractures to the phalanges (finger bones) or the metacarpals (bones in the palm), often result from trauma such as falls, sports injuries, or accidents. Symptoms include swelling, bruising, and limited mobility of the affected finger or hand.

Tennis Elbow

Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) is a common overuse injury causing pain on the outer elbow due to inflammation of the forearm tendons. It is often linked to repetitive wrist movements, such as those in racquet sports, computer use, and manual labor.

Golfer’s Elbow

Golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis) is a condition causing pain on the inner elbow due to inflammation of the forearm tendons. It results from repetitive gripping and twisting motions, common in sports like golf, tennis, and baseball. Symptoms include inner elbow pain radiating down the forearm, tenderness, swelling, and weakness, which worsen with wrist or grip movements.

Poor Posture

How Poor Posture Leads to Pain

Muscle Tension

Overworks certain muscles, causing tightness and stiffness.

Joint Compression

Misalignment causes excess pressure on joints, leading to
inflammation.

Nerve Compression

Poor posture compresses nerves, resulting in radiating pain
or tingling.

Reduced Mobility

Limits range of motion, causing stiffness and difficulty moving.

Spinal Stress

Increases pressure on vertebrae, potentially causing disc
herniation.

Muscle Fatigue

Forces muscles to work harder, leading to exhaustion and pain.

Breathing Issues

Limits lung expansion, causing chest and upper back
discomfort.

Post-Surgical Physical Therapy

Recovering from surgery can be both physically and emotionally challenging, but post-surgical physical therapy can significantly improve healing and speed up recovery. Research supports that structured rehabilitation enhances strength, mobility, and overall surgical outcomes.

Surgeries We Help With

Knee

ACL/MCL/PCL repairs, meniscectomy, knee replacements

Hip

Labral repair, tendon repair, hip replacement

Spine

Microdiscectomy, laminectomy, fusion, disc replacement

Shoulder

Rotator cuff repair, labral repair, tendon ruptures

Foot & Ankle

Achilles tendon repair, ligament repairs, bunionectomy