Check out our infographic on physical therapy for osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis in which cartilage around joints breaks down, causing pain and inflammation. Physical therapy offers a safe and effective treatment option for those with osteoarthritis, helping patients manage pain, improve function and mobility, and slow the progression of the disease.

Exercise is a critical component of osteoporosis management. Osteoporosis is a condition that causes bones to become thin, brittle, and more susceptible to fractures. Exercise places beneficial stress on bones, causing them to thicken and grow stronger in response. Experts recommend combining weight-bearing exercise and strength training for optimal management of osteoporosis through exercise. A physical therapist cans guide osteoporosis patients through a customized, safe, and effective exercise program to combat osteoporosis.

Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition characterized by pain and tenderness throughout the body and extreme fatigue. It is considered a condition that causes central nervous system hypersensitivity and affects nearly five million Americans, the majority of whom are women. Physical therapy is a safe, non-pharmacological method to manage symptoms, reduce pain, improve function and quality of life, and help desensitize the chronic pain response of the nervous system using progressive therapeutic exercise, aquatic therapy, and manual therapy.

A perineal tear or an episiotomy during childbirth can lead to pelvic floor dysfunction, urinary or fecal incontinence, and painful sex. An episiotomy is a surgical incision of the perineum to make more space for the baby, while a perineal tear involves natural stretching or tearing of the perineum, the area between the vagina and anus, during birth. Physical therapy is an effective treatment for perineal tearing or an episiotomy, using pelvic floor rehabilitation to restore function and strength to the pelvic floor muscles and address pain and incontinence. Mangiarelli Rehabilitation physical therapist Jen explains what an episiotomy is and how physical therapy can help you heal after an episiotomy or perineal tear.

The rate of c-section deliveries is steadily increasing, comprising over 30% of births in the United States in the last year. A c-section is a major surgery involving a horizontal incision just above the pubic bone that can negatively impact core muscle function and strength. Following a c-section, it’s critical to gradually retrain and strengthen the core under the guidance of a physical therapist. In the video below, Mangiarelli Rehabilitation physical therapy assistant Patti explains how to safely strengthen your core after a c-section delivery.

Shoulder impingement syndrome develops due to chronic, repeated compression of the rotator cuff tendons and bursa under the acromion, causing pain, swelling, and movement issues. Shoulder impingement can result from repetitive overhead movements such as throwing the baseball, but may also occur due to a fall, muscle weakness in the shoulder joint, or postural abnormalities. Physical therapy can decrease shoulder impingement-related pain and improve shoulder motion and strength through targeted strengthening of the shoulder and upper back.

Patellar tendinitis is a chronic overuse injury involving inflammation of the patellar tendon that is common in basketball, volleyball, and soccer players. Patellar tendinitis can develop due to repetitive running and jumping, sudden and frequent deceleration and acceleration, and training on hard surfaces. Physical therapy can help athletes with patellar tendinitis regain strength, function, and mobility in the knee. Check out our infographic to learn more!

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that impairs movement, coordination, and cognitive function over time. Physical therapy can help a patient with Parkinson’s disease combat movement dysfunction and impaired balance and coordination in a fun and effective way using therapeutic boxing within a comprehensive treatment program. Therapeutic boxing requires full-body movement, combining upper-body punching sequences with lower-body footwork to build strength, counter muscle rigidity, and improve hand-eye coordination, balance, posture, and agility.

Pitcher’s elbow, an injury to the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL), is caused by repetitive motion and stress on the elbow that results in pain and limits elbow range of motion and strength. Pitcher’s elbow is common among overhead throwing athletes like baseball pitchers, softball and tennis players, and javelin throwers. Physical therapy can effectively treat UCL injury, improving arm and elbow strength and range of motion and enhancing shoulder and core stability for a safe return to sport.

Exercise is a crucial component of diabetes management. Diabetes is a condition in which the body either does not produce enough insulin or does not respond normally to insulin, causing glucose levels in the blood to become too high. Exercise lowers blood sugar by increasing the insulin sensitivity of the body’s cells; as muscles contract, they are better able to use any available insulin to take up glucose for energy. Experts recommend engaging in both aerobic and resistance training exercises to manage blood glucose.

A bunion is a bony bump that develops at the base of the big toe, causing pain and swelling. Over time, bunions can change the anatomy and biomechanics of the foot, negatively impacting an individual’s mobility and function. Physical therapy can help to reduce bunion pain, increase the function of the big toe, improve muscle strength in the foot, ankle, and lower leg, and restore walking ability.

Track and field involve a variety of events that involve running, throwing, and jumping, which can place unique stress on the athlete’s body and contribute to injury. Track injuries are most often chronic overuse injuries such as runner’s knee, shin splints, plantar fasciitis, and hamstring injuries. Physical therapists can help track and field athletes manage and recover from overuse injuries and prevent injury through therapeutic exercise, strength training, gait analysis, and manual therapy. Check out our 10 tips to prevent injury this track season!

Peroneal tendinopathy is a condition involving inflammation of the peroneal tendons, which run along the outer ankle bone and side of the foot, often due to overuse or a sudden increase in activity. Physical therapy can successfully treat peroneal tendinopathy, helping reduce strain on the ankle and foot and strengthening the ankle muscles to withstand the demands placed on them.

Physical therapy is essential following an ACL injury and reconstruction surgery to regain function, strength, and mobility in the knee and return to sport safely. The ACL provides stability to the knee and controls complex motion of the knee. It is commonly injured during sports activities when an athlete makes a quick change of direction or speed with the foot firmly planted. ACL injuries are commonly treated with ACL reconstruction surgery followed by an extensive rehabilitation program. A physical therapist works with the injured athlete to regain function and strength in the knee before progressing the athlete through a return to sport protocol.

Tennis is a popular, dynamic sport that requires significant speed, agility, endurance, coordination, and cardiovascular fitness of the tennis player. Due to the intensity and repetitive motions of tennis, tennis players can suffer chronic overuse injuries like tennis elbow and rotator cuff tendinitis and acute injuries like ankle sprains. Physical therapists can help tennis players prevent injury through a strength and conditioning program tailored to their needs and abilities and provide targeted treatment for specific injuries to help tennis players return to competition with restored strength and mobility.

Physical therapy exercise interventions can help reduce and manage symptoms of multiple sclerosis, restore function and mobility, and boost quality of life at all stages of the disease. Research has shown that exercise is a safe and effective method to improve symptoms of multiple sclerosis and reduce disease progression. Multiple sclerosis is a progressive disease of the central nervous system that can lead to fatigue pain, and impaired coordination and mobility. Therapeutic exercise is a safe and effective treatment to help patients manage the disease from onset through relapse and remission to maintain overall fitness and function.

Physical therapy is critical following a meniscus tear injury in order to heal properly and restore strength, mobility, and range of motion in the knee. The meniscus is a c-shaped disc of cartilage that cushions and provides shock absorption in the knee. Meniscus tears are common among athletes, but can also occur due to degeneration and arthritis. Check out our infographic on physical therapy for a meniscus tear!

Mangiarelli Rehabilitation physical therapist and pregnant mom, Sarah, demonstrates 5 safe core strengthening exercises you can perform safely during pregnancy. Building a strong core during pregnancy can help you manage the demands of pregnancy on the body and minimize diastasis recti and other pregnancy symptoms. Strengthening your core during pregnancy not only helps support your pelvic organs as your baby grows and alleviates pressure on the back but can also help with the physical demands of labor.

As we celebrate National Nutrition Month this March, we at Mangiarelli Rehabilitation recognize the role that nutrition can play in our patient’s recovery and rehabilitation outcomes. Nutrition can play a pivotal role in the body’s healing process, contribute to the development and management of certain chronic conditions, and either enhance or hinder a patient’s recovery from a musculoskeletal injury. Adequate nutrition during rehabilitation can help to control inflammation, provide the necessary nutrients to rebuild and restore injured tissue, decrease the risk of muscle atrophy, and preserve muscle strength.

The patellar tendon connects the kneecap to the top of the shinbone and plays a key role in extending your knee. Patellar tendinitis involves inflammation or injury to the patellar tendon often due to repetitive stress and chronic overuse among athletes. It is particularly common among athletes who engage in repetitive jumping, squatting, and running, such as basketball, soccer, and volleyball players, dancers, and weightlifters. Physical therapy can help athletes address patellar tendinitis and regain strength, function, and mobility in the knee through a gradual targeted strengthening exercise program.