Athletico Health Resources

Co-author: Payton Hufnagel, SPT

Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) affects approximately 8% of the population, most commonly women between 20 and 50 years old. In this blog, we’ll discuss the causes and types of TOS, its presentation, and how physical therapy can help those with TOS symptoms get back to doing what they love.

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A compressed nerve, otherwise commonly called a pinched nerve, can be debilitating and, at the very least, frustrating. Knowing the root cause of the nerve injury, whether it be from an internal cause like scar tissue or an external cause like crutches/or hard surfaces, can help create a plan of action and care.

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Do you ever wake up in the morning with a stiff neck or lower back? Maybe you can’t get comfortable in bed at night or “slept on your neck wrong”. Tightness in your neck or stiffness in your back is the last thing you want to start your day. You get up ready to go to work or school and your neck or back slows you down. Let’s look at four stretches you can do to start your day off right.

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“I didn’t know that there was Physical Therapy for that!” I hear a variation of this phrase from most patients and even some physicians when I tell them that I am a physical therapist specializing in concussions. Over the last several years, much research has gone into concussions and treatment options. We confidently say that physical therapy is often very effective at treating concussion symptoms. We have also learned that 70% of concussions heal spontaneously on their own within 20 days. That brings up the question: When should someone seek physical therapy for their concussion? Recent research indicates that despite most concussions healing on their own, there is a benefit to starting physical therapy quickly.

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Experiencing neck pain can be very worrisome, especially the first time. A lot of thoughts may be running through your head. What happened? Is this serious? Is this normal? You may be surprised to know that your neck pain is likely very normal. Studies have found that between 10-20% of the population is experiencing neck pain at any given time, and 54% have experienced neck pain within the last six months. Prevalence is generally higher in women than in men and peaks around 45 years of age.

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Whether taking a 10-hour or a 10-minute car drive, your posture is important. Posture plays such an integrated role in how we feel and move. Even if you are not currently feeling pain or discomfort, poor posture for prolonged periods can sneak up and become an issue. Here are a few tips for awareness and setting yourself up for success while driving:

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Neck pain is a common cause of pain and lost work time in the United States and is one of the most common reasons that patients seek healthcare, with the majority of patients choosing to visit their primary care physicians first. Primary care providers may prescribe medication, imaging, and specialist referral. Once the patient sees the specialist, they may be referred to physical therapy. However, current evidence shows that early access to physical therapy, particularly via direct access (direct access to physical therapy, without the need for a referral or prescription from your physician), has been shown to decrease healthcare costs overall and improve outcomes.

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Low back pain and neck pain are common causes for patients to seek care from a medical provider. 84% of individuals experience low back pain at some point, and around 70% suffer from neck pain. Patients often will inquire about whether imaging (X-rays & MRIs) is needed when this happens. Throughout this blog, we will address common misconceptions regarding imaging of the spine.

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