Debunking the myths
One would think that running, especially long-distance running, would cause an increase in risk for osteoarthritis (OA) later in life. This notion alone is enough to scare a lot of runners from continuing on with their running career. Research shows this is a myth.

MYTH #1: Running causes OA
Research shows that OA frequency in the running population and non-running population are equal. There is also no difference between the two groups in average cartilage thickness at the hips, knees or ankles. What this means is OA does not have a direct correlation with running, and neither does cartilage thickness.
MYTH …

I have had the pleasure and honor to be physical therapist to many folks, athletes and non-athletes alike.  Through my years of experience helping patients from different levels of injury (from strokes to acute ankle sprains), the most ever-present and the most difficult hurdle for my patients – and ironically, the BIGGEST AND MOST IMPORTANT ingredient needed in their recovery – is to find positivity after injury.

Getting hurt is not fun. Not only do patients have to suffer through pain and inflammation, but oftentimes they have to endure us physical therapists (or should I say, “physical torturists”) in their rehab. …

What causes muscle spasms and knots?
There are many causes for muscle spasms – the ones most often seen in physical therapy are those that arise from trauma, guarding, poor blood circulation in physical exertion, overuse and overloading. Other causes can be electrolyte imbalances and drug side effects.

 
Muscle spasms from Trauma and Guarding
When a body or an extremity gets hit with a noxious stimulus – either a fall, a hit, or sometimes even surgery – the body tends to want to protect itself from another traumatic event (guarding). It does this by over-stimulating the muscles, causing that particular part of the …

Stop that nagging pain in your foot!
Plantar Fasciits is the inflammation of a band of fibrous tissue at the bottom of your foot. Aching or sharp pain usually occurs in the inside arches of your foot, and/or sometimes is focused around the bottom aspect of the heel bone. Stretching pain is usually most prominent upon the first step in morning, and usually feels worse the day after bouts of increased walking, running or standing.
What causes it?
Excessive loading of the foot usually is the main cause of plantar fascia pain. This can be a result of an increase in walking or …

In 2005, I was training to run my 2nd marathon and I was determined to beat my last personal record. I signed up for the Rock’N’Roll Marathon in San Diego because of its temperate climate and motivational band music, hoping that it would be ripe ground for a sub-4-hour marathon time.
However my dreams were shattered when halfway through my 5-month training program I developed horrible pains in my shins and calves. Tight, achy, sometimes sharp pain would radiate up my left leg and irritate the bottom of my foot. I would be seen running through Upper Newport Bay (California) limping for …