Client’s with knee pain are frequent visitors in the treatment room, and one of its most elusive forms is patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). This pain is often described as a dull ache around or behind the kneecap, especially when climbing stairs, squatting, or sitting for long periods. While it’s common, PFPS is anything but simple. … Read more
Introduction In my years of clinical practice and teaching, I’ve found that some of the most perplexing cases massage therapists encounter involve persistent nervous system pain problems. While many practitioners feel confident addressing typical musculoskeletal complaints, nerve-related conditions often present unique challenges that require a deeper understanding of neuroanatomy, pathophysiology, and appropriate treatment approaches. This … Read more
Introduction As your time in clinical practice grows, you will inevitably encounter a wide range of compromised health conditions among your clients. Although some cases—such as tendinosis or carpal tunnel syndrome—may be exactly what they appear, it is crucial not to assume that familiar symptoms always indicate a common condition. Systemic nerve disorders, in particular, … Read more
Massage therapy is highly effective for managing many soft-tissue pathologies. However, some conditions may closely mimic more common issues but fail to respond to standard treatment approaches. A prime example is synovial plica syndrome, a knee disorder frequently misdiagnosed due to its resemblance to other common knee pathologies. What is a Synovial Plica? During embryological … Read more
The sacroiliac (SI) joint is one of the most interesting joints in the body. There actually isn’t a single sacroiliac joint, but rather a left and right SI joint. This joint is the articulation on the posterior side of the pelvis between the sacrum and the ilium. The sacrum is essentially a wedge held in … Read more
The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body. The challenge with such extensive mobility, however, is that mechanical support and function relies heavily on the soft tissues. Consequently there are more soft-tissue disorders in this region. Bursitis and rotator cuff pathology are common diagnoses for soft-tissue shoulder pain. While both of these occur, … Read more
Ankle sprains are the most common soft-tissue injury of the lower extremity. Approximately 85% of all ankle injuries involve ligament sprains. Among the various ligaments surrounding the ankle, the majority of injuries affect the ligaments on the lateral side, particularly the anterior talofibular ligament. Severe lateral ankle injuries may also involve the calcaneofibular ligament. While … Read more
The phrase “blown-out disc” is commonly used to describe intervertebral disc herniations or protrusions. However, this term can be misleading and perpetuate inaccurate perceptions about the underlying pathophysiology of disc degeneration and herniation. As massage therapists, it is valuable to understand the biomechanics of intervertebral discs and the processes that lead to disc pathology to … Read more
Introduction One of the most common upper extremity overuse problems is lateral epicondylitis (LE), commonly called tennis elbow. LE affects roughly 1 – 3% of the general population in the U.S. each year. Despite its common name of tennis elbow, only about 5% of the people with LE developed the condition from playing tennis.(1) Due … Read more
