Low back pain is the 3rd highest reason people seek out a healthcare professional. Pain in this region is most often due to acute and chronic strains of the postural muscles supporting the low back area. Strains can result from a single episode of muscle overload but also frequently result from cumulative stress as well. In worse off cases, there can be disc herniations or degenerative osteophytes compressing nerve roots resulting in sciatica. Regardless of the cause of your low back pain, treatment is vital in order to prevent de-conditioning and degeneration if left untreated.

Neck injuries are a common complaint in the United States because as a society we spend an unprecedented amount of time sitting and looking down at our phones and computers. Because the neck sacrifices stability for greater mobility, it is more prone to injury than other sections of the spine. The majority of injuries seen in the neck region result from direct contact, acute overstretch, mechanical overload, or chronic overuse. These injuries are often caused by poor posture or recurrent strains and sprains resulting in joint and muscular dysfunction. These injuries can lead to degeneration if left untreated.

The Shoulder complex is characterized by a high degree of mobility with limited skeletal stability. Because the shoulder relies so heavily on muscular support for stability, determining muscle weakness, dysfunction, and imbalance are key in resolving pain. Acute injuries can be the result of direct trauma, movements focing the joint beyond its normal range of motion, or forceful muscle contractions during activity. These injuries often arise from improper warm up, poor conditioning, and muscular fatigue. In worse off cases, we can see tears of muscles of the rotator cuff, tears of the labrum, or even frank dislocations. Common conditions treated in our office include biceps tendinitis, rotator cuff strains, impingement syndrome and adhesive capsulitis. It is important to get these conditions treated as soon as they arise because further use can lead to further damage and lengthy recovery times

The performance of the upper extremities depends on the integrity of the bones, ligaments, and muscles of the elbow and forearm that help position the hand.To allow full mobility at the elbow joint, the elbow and forearm are typically left unprotected during athletic activity and thus are exposed to a variety of injuries. Injuries associated with repetitive forces inherent in overhead, throwing, and racket sports are also common sources of pain. Conditions we commonly treat in our office include sprains, strains, bicep tendinitis, golfers elbow, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel, and cubital tunnel syndromes.

Considerable forces are generated and transmitted through the fip and pelvis during weight bearing activities. Primarily because of the strength and stability of the hip and pelvis, injuries to this area are less common than those to the knee and ankle. However, when injuries do occur even those that are minor can be painful and debilitating because of the role these structures play in weight bearing and locomotion. Common conditions seen when the hips are involved include bursitis, piriformis syndrome, sprains, strains, and overuse soft tissue injuries.

The primary functions of the leg, ankle, and foot are to provide a rigid lever for propulsion and a stable but adaptable structure to support the body’s weight during gait. The majority of active individuals experience leg and foot problems at some point in their life. Tremendous focus, both compressive and rotational, are transmitted through the weight bearing structures of the foot, ankle, and leg. Even seemingly minor injuries can be debilitating given the foot and ankles need for strength and stability in daily weight bearing activities, let alone sport activities. In our office we specialize in treating common conditions such as knee sprains, patellar tendinitis, IT band syndrome, ankle sprains, shin splints, and plantar fasciitis. Since problems with the leg, ankle, and foot can alter gait or lower body mechanics, this can cause increasing stress and compensatory problems up into the hip and lower back.