Physical Therapy: Most Popular Articles

PT Degree Programs
Directory of physical therapy schools by state. Links to physical therapy school programs.

Back Stretches
Learn exercises to stretch the tight muscles of your back.

Hamstring Stretches
Tight hamstring muscles are very common due to desk jobs. Learn four easy hamstring stretches to lengthen tight hamstring muscles today.

Stretches for Your Back
Exercises to stretch the lower back muscles are reviewed.

Stretches for Tight Muscles
Stretching exercises for tight leg muscles are reviewed.

A Review
The various degrees in physical therapy are described in this informative article.

Ankle Rehab
A complete guide of ankle exercises for the injured ankle.

Neck Stretches
Four exercises to help gently stretch your neck muscles.

Calf Stretches
The calf muscle (gastrocnemius) is the large muscle in the back of the leg. It's primary action is to plantar flex the ankle, a motion that points the toes.

Three Exercises
Stretches for tight iliotibial bands.

Types of Physical Therapy
Defines the major branches and areas of Physical Therapy.

Exercises After Knee Scope
Four exercises to be performed initially after undergoing knee arthroscopy.

kneeoverview
The knee is the largest joint in the body. It is also the most injured joint during athletic activities and exercise.

Hip pain
A review of the many causes of hip pain.

A Review of Exercises
Learn exercises to increase the strength of the muscles around your ankles.

Programs in PT
Physical therapy programs are offered at many universities in the US. Review this comprehensive list of physical therapy programs.

Three Easy Exercises
Three easy exercises to stretch tight quadricep muscles.

A Review of Human Anatomy
The rotator cuff is made up of a group of four muscles that support the shoulder joint. This article reviews the muscles of the rotator cuff.

Sciatica Hub
Sciatica results in low back pain that radiates down the leg. Learn the common causes and treatment options for sciatica.

Knee Stretches
Performing knee stretches can help protect your knees from injury. Learn easy exercises to stretch the muscles and tendons around the knee joint.

Ankle Joint
A brief review of the ligaments of the ankle.

Morning Exercises
A good stretch in the morning is a great way to "waken" up your muscles, and get them ready for the day. A stretch can losen up your body while increasing blood flow to your muscles. Start your mornings off right with these stretch exercises.

Hip Strengthening
A review of three exercises to strengthen the muscles of the hip.

Ligaments of the Knee Joint
A brief overview and description of the human knee joint.

Walking With a Cane
How to walk safely with a cane on level surfaces.

Pectoral Stretch
An easy exercise to stretch tight pectoral muscles.

Balance Ther Ex
Balance exercises for beginners.

PT Basics
Physical therapy is a health care service provided to people in need of developent, maintainance, and restoration of maximum functional independence.

The Elbow Joint
A brief overview and description of the elbow joint.

PT abbreviations
The words behind abbreviations used in physical therapy are uncovered in this glossary.

Maximum Heart Rate
Learn to calculate your maximum heart rate and use it to find your exercise target heart rate.

Strain vs. Sprain
A review of the difference between strains and sprains.

Back Pain Basics
Back pain is a cause of significant discomfort in four out of five people. It can be caused by muscular and ligamentous injury as well as a wide variety of pathological disorders. Stretching and proper ergonomic techniques can help decrease and prevent back pain and injuries.

Physical Therapy Modality
Electrical stimulation is a physical therapy modality used to strengthen muscles and promote healing.

Walking With Crutches
Learn how to safely walk with crutches.

plantarstretches
Several stretching exercises for plantar fasciitis are reviewed.

RC Strengthening
Strengthening exercises for the rotator cuff muscles, which help lift your arm as well as rotate it away from your body.

CTS Exercises
exercises to help reduce the pain experienced by carpal tunnel syndrome.

Tendonitis
Tendonitis is an inflammation of the tendons, structures that attatch muscle to bone. Overuse is the most common cause of tendonitis. Treating tendonitis often involves resting the involved muscle.

Back Pain Ex
Strengthening and stretching back, stomach, and thigh muscles, can help you reduce or prevent problems with back pain.

Piriformis Stretches
Easy ways to stretch the piriformis muscle.

A Balance Exercise
The single leg stance is a great exercise to improve balance deficits. It can be modified to increase difficulty level as you progress.

LE stretch
Many people suffer from symptoms of tight leg muscles. Tight leg muscles can predispose one to injury during daily and recreational activities as well as contribute to the development of back pain. To prevent this, it is important to perform leg stretching exercises to loosen tight muscles.

Wall Slides
Wall slides are an effective way to strengthen your quadricep muscles. Learn how to do this exercise.

Tips to Prevent Groin Strains
Groin strains can be prevented by stretching the adductor muscles of the thigh.

Physical Therapy Modalities
Ultrasound machines are a treatment modality used by physical therapists that utilize high or low frequency sound waves.

Ergonomics
Definition of Ergonomics.

Balance Exercises
The components of balance exercises are reviewed.

An Overview
Bicep tendon ruptures can occur acutely or gradually over time. Learn the causes and symptoms of a bicep tendon ruptures.

Aquatic Therapy
Aquatic therapy or pool therapy consists of an exercise program that is performed in the water. It is a beneficial form of therapy that is useful for a variety of medical conditions. Aquatic therapy uses the physical properties of water to assist in patient healing and exercise performance.

How To Safely Lift Objects
Learn how to safely lift heavy objects without causing injury to your back.

Stretching 101
Stretching is an important way to help prevent injury. Benefits and techniques of stretching are reviewed.

Kegels
Kegels are important exercises to perform after pregnancy. These exercises strengthen the muscles of your pelvic floor and help to prevent incontinence and prolapse after delivery.

Causes of Back Pain
There are many causes of back pain. Find out what most commonly results in this symptom.

Incontinence
Incontinence is a common disorder experienced by many women. Learn what incontinence means and the four most common types.

Stages of Pressure Ulcers
Pressure ulcers are categorized into four stages depending on their depth of involvement. Learn what tissue each stage involves.

Leg Ex
Physical therapy is an important part of many surgery recoveries. Here, exercises to strengthen leg muscles after surgery are reviewed.

A Cause of Knee Pain
Iliotibial band syndrome is an inflammatory disorder that affects the lateral thigh and knee.

The Role of a P.T.
Physical therapists are licenced professionals who work with patients to restore functional independence.

Treatment Modalities
Physical therapy modalities are a variety of treatment tools used by therapists to decrease pain, inflammation, and treat muscle strains.

Stretching Activity
Stretching exercises can often alleviate the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.

TKA Flexion Ex
Learn how to increase knee flexion after total knee replacement surgery.

A Review:
Special tests are often performed in the lower extremities to help diagnose musculoskeletal disorders.

Back Stretches & Strengthening
Back pain affects four out of five adults at least once in their lifetime. Exercises that stretch and strengthening the muscles of the back can help prevent back injuries.

Ligament Evaluation
Four special tests evaluate each of the ligaments in the knee. Learn how to perform these special tests.

Ankle Exercises
Plantar flexion for ankle injuries.

PTA
Physical Therapy Assistants, or PTAs, are licensed health care professionals who assist physical therapists in the health care setting.

Balance Ex
Balance exercises help you maintain strong leg muscles and prevent falls. Review three exercises to improve your balance.

A Description
Core strengthening refers to exercising the muscles around your pelvis and trunk.

Abdominal Strengthening
Easy exercises to help strengthen your abdominal muscles.

Exercises During Pregnancy
Safe exercises to preform during your pregnancy to stay in shape.

PTjobs
There are many resources available to help find jobs in physical therapy. Here are a few.

Part 2
Special tests that help diagnose upper extremity conditions.

OSHA checklist
The US Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Admistration has published a useful checklist for safe computer workstation positioning. See if you meet their standards.

Elbow Ex
A review of exercises to strengthen the muscles of the elbow joint.

PT School
Information on the physical therapy program at the Western University of Health Sciences.

School of Physical Therapy
Information on the physical therapy program at California State University, Long Beach.

Physical Therapy - QuickTips
An index of QuickTips for the Physical Therapy guide site.

Exercising in the Water
Aquatic therapy involves performing exercises in the water.

Shoulder Rehab
A comprehensive shoulder exercise program is reviewed for post operative shoulder rehabilitation.

stair climbing
Learn how to safely and correctly walk up and down stairs on an injured leg.

Gait
Definition of the term gait.

Where PT's Work
Learn about the various settings where physical therapists work.

shoulder hub
The shoulder is one of the most flexible joints in the body. As a result it is susceptible to many injuries.

Knee Scope
Knee arthroscopy is a surgical procedure used to diagnose common knee injuries.

Overview
groin strain, physical therapy, pulled groin

Shoulder Rehabilitation
A review of four exercises that should be performed progressively after shoulder arthroscopy.

Congenital
Definition of Congenital

3 Motions to Avoid
After a total hip replacement there are several activities that should be avoided to prevent hip dislocation.

Applying to PT School
Steps on applying to physical therapy school.

Types of Canes
A review of the different types of canes available will help you decided what cane is best for you.

Exercises for Diastisis Recti
Pregnancy exercises for diastisis recti.

Gait Cycle
The gait cycle is used to describe the complex activity of walking.

PT school
Information on the physical therapy school at the University of Southern California.

A Common Knee Disorder
ACL injuries are among the most common sport related knee injuries. Approximately 100,000 – 200,000 people in the United States acquire a torn or ruptured ACL every year.

Achilles Tendon
Overview of the achillies tendon that attaches our calf muscle to our heel.

Herniated Disc
A herniated disc occurs when the inner portion of the disc bulges through the weakend outer portion of the disc and compresses on our spinal nerves.

SA Neck Stretch
Four gentle neck stretches to loosen tight muscles of the neck are reviewed.

RICE
RICE is an acronym used for the initial management of acute sports injuries. Learn how to put these steps into effect.

A Strengthening Exercise
Gluteal sets are easy exercises that strengthen the gluteal muscles of the hip.

Endurance Overview
Endurance exercises are activities that increase respiratory and heart rate. Get a basic overview of how endurance activities can help you.

Preventing Carpal Tunnel
Six simple steps to help prevent developing carpal tunnel syndrome.

Ankle Sprain
A review of the symptoms and management of ankle sprains, using physical therapy.

PT Abbreviations
Physical therapists often use medical abbreviations in their note writing. To the non-trained therapists, these can often be confusing. Below is a list of commonly used therapy abbreviations. Now you too can understand your therapist’s note![

Core Ex
Core exercises involve strengthening the muscles around the abdominal and back region. A strong core helps many back injuries.

Patellofemoral Syndrome
Runner's knee, or patellofemoral syndrome, is caused by the patella bone rubbing on the femur. Review the symptoms, causes, and management of runner's knee.

Adhesive Capsulitis
Frozen shoulder describes a condition in which there is pain and loss of motion in the shoulder joint.

A Look At Patellar Tendonitis
Jumpers knee, also known as patellar tendonitis, occurs when the patellar tendon becomes inflammed.

A Cause of Low Back Pain
Lumbar strains result when the muscles and tendons of the lower back are over stretched.

piriformis
Piriformis syndrome occurs when the piriformis muscles compresses and irritates the sciatic nerve.

The Proven Benefits
Studies have proven the added benefits of exercise in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Degeneration
Cervical spondylosis is a degenerative condition involving the vertebrae and discs of the neck.

FGCU PT Program
Information on the physical therapy program at Flordia Gulf Coast University.

Exercises to Prevent Injury
Learn some basic stretches to do before your golf game.

Unhappy Triad
The Unhappy Triad refers to a knee injury involving the medial collateral ligament, anterior cruciate ligament, and the medial meniscus.

An Overuse Injury
Bicpes tendonitis is an overuse condition that is a result of inflammation of the biceps tendon.

Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, is an inflammation of the extensor tendons of the arm. Learn more on this disorder.

Compartment Syndrome
Compartment syndrome occurs when pressure builds up in one of the fascial muscular compartments of the body. This is a painful condition that can lead to muscular, nerve, and blood vessel damage.

Turf Toe
Turf toe is a sprain at the base of the big toe. It results when the toe extends beyond its range of motion.

A Disorder of the Knee
Chondromalacia describes a softening of the cartilage behind the knee cap.

Weight Bearing
Weight bearing restrictions are reviewed.

Physical Therapy - Articles
An index of Articles for the Physical Therapy guide site.

Goal Setting in Rehabilitation
Setting appropriate goals for your rehabiltation program is the best way to enjoy a successful outcome.

Radicular Pain
Radicular pain is pain experienced along the dermatome of a nerve due to pressure on the nerve root.

Elbow Overuse
Overuse injuries of the elbow including tennis elbow and golfer's elbow result from repetitive activity at the elbow joint.

PT program
Information on the physical therapy program at Howard University.

An Inflammatory Condition
Rheumatoid is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the joints.

Residencies and Fellowships
Physical therapy residencies and fellowships are offered in specialty areas. Learn more about these programs.

School of PT
Information on Loma Linda University's School of Physical Therapy.

Lenght of PT treatment
How long a rehabilitation program will be is a common question with a difficult answer. This topic is discussed in brief.

Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome
Shin splints is an overuse injury that results in pain along the lower leg area.

Stress Fractures
A brief definition of stress fracture along with some tips for rehabilitation.

Icing
Icing an injury helps to slows the inflammation and swelling that occurs after damage to a muscle, tendon, or ligament.

School Of Physical Therapy
Information on the University of South Alabama School of Physical Therapy

What is Therapy?
Physical therapy is a health care specialty involved with evaluating, diagnosing, and treating disorders of the musculoskeletal system.

Desensitization
Desensitiazation exercises are a way to decrease the hypersensitivity that can often be experienced after limb amputation.

Pelvic Floor
Daily exercises of the pelvic floor muscles can help maintain urinary and bowel continence.

Neurovascular Compression
Thoracic outlet syndrome occurs from compression of neurovascular structures in the neck.

A Common Cause of Back Pain
Sciatica results from compression of the sciatic nerve, and is a common cause of back pain.

Fibromyalgia Tenderpoints
Fibromyalgia is diagnosed by the presence of eleven out of eighteen bilateral tenderpoints. Find out the location of these tenderpoints.

Do I Need PT?
Learn if physical therapy can benefit you.

Runner's Knee
Patellofemoral Syndrome is also known as runner's knee.

RA Vs. OA
Discover the difference between rheumatoid and osteoarthritis.

Chair Positioning
Sitting properly in a chair is one way to prevent discomfort and back strains at work. Read on to learn how to appropriately adjust your work chair.

PT Program
Information on the physical therapy school at The George Washington University.

Orthotics
Provides a definition of orthotics

Weight Safety
The DOs and DON'Ts of weight lifting are reviewed.

Injuries in Runners
Running makes people more susceptible to certain injuries of the legs.

AC Joint Disruption
Shoulder separation describes a disruptions of the acromioclavicular joint. This often results after a direct fall onto the shoulder joint.

Univ of Delaware PT Program
Information on the physical therapy program at University of Delaware.