If you have pain or muscle tension, you may be considering some kind of needling treatment. Maybe you need dry needling, in which a practitioner inserts monofilaments (solid needles) into muscle trigger points and uses electrical stimulation to provide relief. Or perhaps you need acupuncture, a part of traditional Chinese medicine, which uses energy lines called meridians. Meridians are guides to releasing a flow of energy throughout the body, based on organ systems, like the kidney, liver, and heart. By correcting energy flow systemically, pain is reduced. But how do you know which one you need?

Many people agree that some medical conditions are easier to talk about than others. Whether you have diabetes or osteoporosis, or mental health conditions like anxiety and depression, it can be helpful to seek comfort among a community of individuals who also struggle with your condition. On the other hand, some conditions are harder, and more embarrassing, to bring up in conversation. Most people would probably count incontinence as one of these. Even though the condition is so widespread, many people do not seek the help they need due to the embarrassment of having to discuss the condition with someone. But it is vital to seek help to maintain the health of your pelvic floor.

Think about the core of an apple. It usually either gets thrown away or composted after we finish eating it, but what does it do while the apple is growing? It stores the apple’s seeds and provides stability for the apple as it gets heavier on the branch. While a human’s core doesn’t store seeds, it does protect our vital organs and give us stability as we move. But what even is your core? And what are the best ways to keep it strong?

If you are outside the medical field and have never seen the word spondylolisthesis before, you may think it is just an alternate pronunciation of supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. But, as your doctor would tell you if you received this diagnosis, it is instability in your spine, probably created from a stress fracture. One of your vertebrae has moved from its original place and might be causing you some pain. So what happens now? Can it heal on its own? Do you need surgery for it, or can it slip back into place?

Stress is a ubiquitous part of life, and there are many things people turn to so they can mitigate its effects. Some people enjoy a hobby, like reading or knitting, while others pour a drink and watch reality TV. It is vital to your well-being to incorporate stress management into your routine, but with so many options and advice out there on how to do it, it is very easy to get overwhelmed. So what are the healthiest choices you should make to manage stress?

If you have started physical therapy, you are probably learning a lot of new terms. It can be challenging to keep up with sometimes, especially with phrases like “functional movement.” What does that mean? And what does it have to do with you?

If you start to feel numbness or tingling in one of your extremities, you might attribute it to a temporary lack of circulation or your foot “falling asleep”. Usually, that uncomfortable “pins and needles” feeling goes away after a while, but what do you do if it stays for longer than a week? Prolonged numbness or tingling can be a sign of a more extensive problem – but how do you know for sure?

As many people get older, they start to worry about falls, and for good reason. According to the CDC, one in four people 65 & older have a fall each year, and one out of five of those falls can cause serious injury. Many older people have issues with their balance, and even some younger people with certain conditions can have problems with it. So what can you do to stay steady on your feet and decrease your fall risk?

Many people suffer from tight hamstrings, from athletes to desk workers. Hamstrings are large, powerful muscles, and when they are tight, they can significantly affect how you move. So what can you do about it? How can you stretch your hamstrings and keep them from tightening up again?

When you try anything new, whether a hair product or an exercise regimen, you may question whether it will work. Will this new thing you brought into your life have the desired effect? Usually, it takes a certain amount of time to answer that question, and the timeframe can vary. With physical therapy, it can sometimes take a while to see progress, and you may begin to question whether starting it in the first place was really worth it. Are you actually getting better, or are you wasting your time and money?