Athletico Health Resources

One of the most common questions physical therapists receive is if “pops” and “cracks” are good or bad for your joints.

First of all, we need to understand what causes the popping and cracking in our joints.
Physical therapists are trained to be able to safely and intentionally create a pop or a crack through what we call manipulations. Manipulations are maneuvers that involve a high velocity and low amplitude thrust (HVLAT) force to a joint. This can be applied to different body parts including most commonly the neck and back areas. Some people are able to self-manipulate and get a pop on their own, such as cracking their neck or knuckles. The pop that we hear with a manipulation is the release of intra-articular gasses due to a quick release of pressure within the joint.¹ It is also important to note that there is no evidence that pops and cracks in the joints result in early arthritis or any future problems.²

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Dysfunction in the muscles of the pelvic floor cause a variety of problems and are actually quite common. Certain physical therapists are trained in treating pelvic health and are ready to help! Here is a list of some of the questions that may seem embarrassing to talk about if you think you’re experiencing pelvic-related problems.

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Scarring is what allows the body to rapidly repair following an injury. This speedy tissue repair process protects the body from fluid loss and infection. However the new tissue is not quite as good as the original tissue. Scarring produces an excessive amount of connective tissue as a part of the reactive, inflammatory, and repairing process. The longer it takes a wound to heal, the more damage is caused, leaving a greater likelihood of an adherent noticeable scar.

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Due to the recent pandemic, our health landscape has been quickly shifting. Healthcare professionals are now turning to virtual visits to treat their patients. This not only reduces the risk for themselves and their patients, but creates access and quality care for patients. Physical therapists have been no exception in adjusting their practices in order to accommodate patients through telemedicine. As a physical therapist, I have performed hundreds of these appointments. Here are the benefits of physical therapy telehealth services and the future it holds.

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In all likelihood, there will come a time in our lives where we find ourselves in pain. Traditionally, if you weren’t able to manage the pain yourself, you would schedule an appointment with your doctor or seek out an orthopedic surgeon to have them assess you. However, numerous studies show a strong benefit of seeking out physical therapy first when dealing with musculoskeletal pain^1,3. Musculoskeletal pain refers to pain in the muscles, tendons, bones, joints, ligaments and nerves of the body.

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The COVID-19 pandemic has turned our worlds upside down, striking us with fear and uncertainty. However, the Athletico team has continued to care for our patients, making a difference in their lives and throughout our communities.

While we recognize the entire Athletico team and their efforts to offer superior care during these challenging times, here are a few clinicians we’d like to highlight for their work in-clinic, in-home or via telehealth virtual visits.

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Do you have pain in your jaw? Do you have trouble smiling, yawning, or chewing? Do you have clicking or popping in your jaw or have been told you clench or grind your teeth? Do you feel you’ve tried all the retainers or guards from your dentist, and just haven’t gotten back to 100 percent yet? If so, you may want to consider physical therapy (PT)!

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You may have heard of the conditions tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow, but did you know you can suffer from these conditions even if you don’t play either sport? Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow can occur when there is inflammation, overuse or degeneration of the tendons at the elbow.

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