November is here, and with it comes the chill in the air that signals a shift in our activities. For many, this means dusting off skis, snowboards, and ice skates. But this sudden shift from fall activities to winter sports and chores can be a shock to the system. Thousands of people are treated in…
Waist shape reflects not only body fat but also posture, breathing mechanics, fascia tone, and stress balance. As women move through life from postpartum recovery to perimenopause and menopause, hormonal and connective tissue changes can cause the waistline to feel wider or less defined. Research shows that increased abdominal pressure, stress-related cortisol, and decreased collagen…
♻️ Last update: September 5, 2025.👩⚖️ Declaration of financial interests: none directly related to the subject. My complete declaration of financial interests is in the legal notice section.Written by Nelly Darbois, physiotherapist and scientific editor How to recognize erythema migrans? Diagnosis and symptoms Erythema migrans appears between 1 and 28 days after the tick bite…
Cold weather can make your back feel tighter, stiffer, and more prone to injury. Reduced activity, tense posture, and outdoor chores like shoveling often make back pain worse in winter. This guide explains why back discomfort increases during cold months, how to prevent stiffness, and simple stretches you can do at home. You will also…
Special Tests: Clues, Not Conclusions There are few joints as fascinating, frustrating, and wonderfully unpredictable as the shoulder. If you’ve treated enough of them, you already know: every shoulder tells a story, and almost none of the stories match the textbook. One client wakes up one morning unable to reach the top shelf. Another swears…
Caring for a loved one through illness or decline is an act of dedication and compassion—but it can also bring emotional challenges that few people talk about. One of the most common and challenging experiences for caregivers is anticipatory grief—the grief that begins before a loved one’s passing. As a caregiver, you may find yourself…
A Deep Dive Into Anatomy, Injury, Trigger Points, and Hands-On Sports Massage Treatment (Companion article to the instructional video above presented by Bob McAtee, LMT) If you work with athletes—whether runners, soccer players, basketball players, hikers, or dancers—you’ve undoubtedly encountered clients complaining of persistent discomfort on the outside of the lower leg or ankle. They…
Neck pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal complaints seen in physiotherapy practice. It can arise from a range of structures, including muscles, joints, nerves, and ligaments and is often influenced by posture, stress and lifestyle factors. Understanding the underlying cause is essential for guiding effective treatment and recovery. Neck pain affects a significant…
There are many contributing causes including pregnancy/childbirth, menopause (with associated hormonal changes such as vaginal dryness and tissue thinning), chronic coughing or constipation, obesity, heavy lifting, high intra-abdominal pressure (IAP), poor posture and a weak or uncoordinated pelvic floor/abdominal/diaphragm system. Recent evidence emphasises that excessive or poorly controlled intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) is a strong predisposing…
By Professional Physical Therapy November is Diabetes Awareness Month, a critical time to raise awareness for the millions living with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. While managing diabetes involves regular monitoring of blood sugar levels, medication, and diet, many people overlook one essential tool in their diabetes care plan: physical therapy. At Professional Physical…