All forms of dance combine artistry with strength, focus and athleticism. Among professionals and dedicated students, flexibility and agility are required, as well as hours of intensive training. Dance might involve the whole body but heavily relies on the feet, legs and ankles. As such, years of intensive training and performance schedules place extensive wear on these areas and may have a rippling effect on the lower back, hips and knees. In turn, serious dancers have elevated risks for repetitive motion injuries and fractures. Injury Concerns for Dancers Serious dancers take classes multip ..read more

Throughout your body, tendons keep the muscles secure to the bones. Although tendons are built to handle significant force, factors like repeat wear and tear, certain diseases, steroid use or an untreated injury can cause this thick, fibrous tissue to tear or snap, resulting in a rupture. The risk of partial and full tendon tears increases with age, as well as conditions like arthritis, gout, hyperparathyroidism and tendonitis that can weaken these tissues. When a rupture occurs, you’ll feel a sharp, debilitating pain and may hear a loud popping sound. Learn how ruptured tendons occur and the ..read more

Although track and field does not appear directly contact-heavy or intensive, athletes are still at risk for injuries. This activity encompasses a range of repetitive events, from pole vaulting to high jump. Typically affecting the lower half of the body, injuries often result from improper form, excessive training and insufficient gear. Overuse injuries, knee issues and muscle strain are some of the most common. Whether you or a loved one participates in this activity, learn more about the injury risks. Concerns Surrounding Track and Field Most track and field athletes specialize in one or t ..read more

When a powerful force causes the neck and head to quickly move back and forth, a whiplash injury can occur. Your neck oscillates rapidly in both directions, straining and extending discs, nerves and soft tissue beyond their natural range of motion. Whether you experienced this condition as a result of a car accident, fall or sports injury, symptoms may show up days later. Compared to other soft tissue injuries, whiplash remains less understood but physical therapy is often needed for recovery. Here’s what you should know. How Does Whiplash Occur? The rapid, forceful motion of whiplash is crea ..read more

Cupping therapy has seen a recent surge in popularity among physical therapists. Professional athletes have also called attention to this treatment for its healing properties. Most prominently, Michael Phelps relying on this therapy for muscle tension relief during the 2016 Summer Olympics. Although cupping has many benefits, this type of manual therapy is not for all people or injuries. Learn what this treatment entails and how it encourages the body’s healing response. What Is Cupping? Cupping is a type of decompressive therapy that uses a vacuum-like suction motion. Cups placed on the skin ..read more

If you trip and roll your ankle, it may not seem too serious. Initially, you might experience swelling or minor discomfort but can still walk on it. You continue to go to work and exercise but while the pain may lessen, it never completely goes away. An estimated 28,000 people injure their ankle each year, including ligament strains, sprains and bone breaks. Half of these injuries result from playing sports. If ignored, you may find the joint’s range of motion decreases over time or you experience a more debilitating injury in the future. Instead of playing through ankle pain or “walking it o ..read more

Although baseball is a slower-paced activity, the sport involves repetitive movements like throwing and swinging. As a result, players can experience overuse and related injuries, starting at the youth level. If you’re on a team or are the parent of a baseball player, here’s what you should know about potential injuries. Types of Baseball Injuries Although baseball is a warm-weather sport, practice during the season is an everyday effort. Going through the same motions can result in the following types of injuries. Rotator Cuff Tears The rotator cuff provides stability to the shoulder. This g ..read more

Soccer is a popular activity, whether you enjoy the occasional weekend game or your child plays through school. While this sport teaches control and teamwork, players are also vulnerable to acute and cumulative conditions. These include falls, collisions and repeating particular motions that place stress on a joint. During the season, keep the following conditions in mind. Knee Injuries Typically, the demands of soccer result in knee injuries, from kicking, turning and twisting to move the ball. Aside from cumulative injuries, sudden movement place rotational stress on the joint. As a result ..read more

Oftentimes, hand and wrist injuries can be the result of repetitive motion, such as regular keyboard use. Athletes can also experience these conditions, which can have a domino effect from the sports field into their daily lives. Roughly one-quarter of all sports injuries involve the hand or wrist. If caught early, an athlete can heal properly and return to doing what they love. Yet, ignoring the pain affects more than just game play. It can make seemingly mundane tasks we all take for granted a significant challenge. Whether you attend practice during the week, play professionally or are str ..read more

When most people think of hip injuries, they imagine someone elderly experiencing a fall. Yet among children and adults, hip injuries often result from physical activities that involve a greater degree of impact, running and risk of falls. If you think you’re susceptible to a hip injury, here’s what you should know. How Hip Injuries Happen to Athletes By design, the human body provides a degree of protection against hip injuries – especially for young people. Muscles in the thighs, lower back and rear all offer impact absorption when you fall or experience an impact to this area. Unlike with ..read more