Southern California Spine & Joint Institute

If it's helpful, keep a pain log and journal tracking pain levels, improvement or loss of function, and any task you have difficulty performing.

If you've had a stroke, you may experience some loss of function and movement. Physical therapy can help strengthen weakened parts of the body and improve gait and balance as well as the ability to move around and take care of daily living activities.

There are several things you can do to help ensure that your physical therapy is as effective as possible. Not only do you need to attend all your sessions and follow instructions, but you need to keep up therapeutic routines between appointments.

The Achilles tendon is the biggest tendon in the body which connects the muscle at the lower back leg and the heel bone. The overstretching of this tendon can cause tearing which may result in severe pain and swelling.

Tendonitis is a condition when the tissue, which connects the muscle with the bone, becomes swollen. The condition can be painful if left untreated. Tendonitis needs appropriate physical therapy treatment.

Children are more vulnerable to suffering sports injuries than adults. This is because they have immature reflexes, underdeveloped coordination, and an inability to identify and evaluate risks.

Different sports can increase your risk for a variety of injuries. To protect against them, physical therapists can design appropriate recovery or preventive therapies for safe participation.

Physical therapy isn’t just about orthopedic care. In fact, it is a very broad field which includes a wide range of therapies, including, postoperative care, neurologic rehabilitation, cardiovascular, and pulmonary rehab.

Q: I sprained my ankle. Should I go to a physical therapist? A: This will depend on the severity of the ankle sprain, but we always recommend getting in touch with the office if you're thinking of coming in.

A nice saying by Anthony Robbins: The higher your energy level, the more efficient your body. The more efficient your body, the better you feel and the more you will use your talent to produce outstanding results.

If you are concerned about your risk for injury, physical therapy can be a smart way to be proactive. A physical therapist can assess your current condition and come up with strategies that prevent future injury.

When was the first association for physical therapists established? Well, it was established in the year 1921. The association which is today known as the America Physical Therapy Association (APTA) was originally called the American Women's Physical Therapeutic Association.

Do you need to be hurt or injured in order to see a physical therapist? No! While physical therapy is traditionally used in the diagnosis and treatment of movement-related problems and the improving of physical function, it's also an excellent preventive measure.

Improve your balance and prevent falls by providing exercises that safely and carefully restore your balance in a manner that mimics day-to-day situations. They can also help reduce and eliminate symptoms of dizziness or vertigo.