The recent snowstorm in the DC area was different than what we usually see. For many people, that meant long hours of shoveling driveways and sidewalks under cold, challenging conditions. Unfortunately, events like this often lead to a spike in injuries and back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek physical therapy after heavy snowfall.
One of the most common things we hear from patients in our McLean and Bethesda clinics goes something like this: “I guess I’m just getting old.” But that likely plays a smaller part then we think.
Back pain is one of the most common reasons active adults seek out physical therapy in Bethesda and McLean. A pattern we hear repeatedly sounds like this: “My back feels great while I’m working out, but the next day it’s killing me.”
Parents in Bethesda and McLean frequently ask us when their child should start performance training and whether it’s safe, age-appropriate, or even necessary. These are important questions, and ones we hear daily from families with active kids and young athletes.
Repetitive soft tissue injuries are one of the most frustrating issues runners face. Calf strains, hamstring pulls, hip flexor pain, and lingering tendon problems often seem to appear out of nowhere, especially in runners who are otherwise consistent and motivated in their training.
One of the biggest mistakes athletes make during recovery is assuming that being pain-free means they are ready to return to sport. In reality, relying on pain alone as your return-to-play criteria is one of the primary reasons athletes suffer re-injuries or fail to perform at the level they expect once they return.
