What causes orthopedic pain?
Orthopedic pain is often caused by injuries, overuse, or wear and tear of the musculoskeletal system, which includes bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Common sources include fractures, sprains, strains, arthritis, and conditions like bursitis or tendonitis. In some cases, congenital abnormalities or chronic diseases can also lead to orthopedic pain.
Joints
Navigating aches and pains in your joints? Here’s a quick look at some common joint issues and what they might mean for your body.
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Frozen Shoulder: Stiffness and pain in the shoulder joint, making it difficult to move.
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Tendonitis and Bursitis: Inflammation of the tendons and bursae, leading to pain and tenderness around the joints.
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Ligament Sprain: Stretched or torn ligaments—the tough bands of tissues connecting bones—that cause pain and swelling.
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Ehlers-Danlos/Hypermobility: Overly flexible joints that can easily dislocate, alongside potential skin issues and chronic pain. Check out our page on Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome here.
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Spine and Joint Pain: Pain that stems from a variety of causes, including injury, arthritis, or overuse, impacting mobility and comfort.
Muscle
Your muscles play a vital role in your overall movement and well-being, but when things go wrong—whether it’s tightness, weakness, or pain—they can significantly impact your quality of life.
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Myofascial Restrictions/Tightness: Tight or restricted fascia (the connective tissue surrounding muscles) can lead to stiffness, discomfort, and reduced mobility.
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Superficial and Deep Scar Tissue: Scar tissue, whether close to the surface or deeper in the body, can limit movement and cause pain as it disrupts normal tissue function.
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Aches, Strain, and Overuse: Persistent aches, muscle strains, and overuse injuries are common issues resulting from repetitive motions or poor posture, leading to discomfort and decreased performance.
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Chronic Pain and Fibromyalgia: Chronic pain conditions, including fibromyalgia, cause widespread muscle pain, fatigue, and tenderness, impacting daily activities and quality of life.
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Weakness and Deconditioning: Muscle weakness and general deconditioning occur when muscles lose strength and endurance, often due to inactivity or prolonged illness.
Nerves
Nerve issues can cause a range of uncomfortable symptoms, from sharp pain to numbness, and can seriously affect your mobility and quality of life.
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Sciatica: Sharp, shooting pain that travels from the lower back down the leg, often due to a pinched nerve.
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Piriformis Syndrome: Pain and numbness in the buttocks and down the leg, resulting from the piriformis muscle irritating the sciatic nerve.
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Pudendal Neuralgia: Chronic pelvic pain due to the irritation or compression of the pudendal nerve, a nerve running from the sacral plexus through the pelvis.
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Radiculopathy: Often referred to as a “pinched nerve,” it leads to pain, numbness, and weakness radiating from the spine to other areas of the body.
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Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: Pain and numbness in the shoulder and arm, caused by the compression of nerves or blood vessels in the thoracic outlet.
Pre- + Post Surgery
Whether you’re preparing or recovering from surgery, pair your procedure with physical therapy to get back to feeling like yourself as soon as possible.
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Abdominoplasty + Liposuction: Reduce swelling and promote healing following a tummy tuck or liposuction.
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Hernia Repair: Relieve the pain and tightness after hernia surgery.
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Mastectomy + Reconstruction: Improve mobility, reduce scar tissue, and manage pain.
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Knee + Shoulder Surgery: Regain strength and mobility in these key joints.
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Back Surgery: Easing back into daily activities after back surgery can be tough, but PT can help.
How does Total-Body Rehabilitation help?
Total-body rehabilitation takes a holistic approach, addressing the entire body rather than just the specific area of pain or surgery. By focusing on overall function, it helps to:
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Enhance Mobility
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Strengthen Muscles
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Promote Healing
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Improve Posture
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Manage Pain
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Increase Functionality