Therapy

The Role of Physical Therapy After Hammertoe Correction: Getting Back on Your Feet

November 3, 2026

Hammertoes can make everyday activities such as walking, wearing shoes, exercising, and standing for long periods uncomfortable and sometimes painful. When conservative treatments are no longer effective, surgical correction may be recommended to straighten the affected toe and improve foot function.

While surgery is an important step toward relieving pain and correcting the deformity, recovery doesn’t end when you leave the operating room. Physical therapy can play an important role in helping you regain mobility, strength, balance, and confidence as you return to your daily activities.

What Is Hammertoe Correction Surgery?

A hammertoe is a deformity that causes one or more toes to bend abnormally at the middle joint, creating a curled or hammer-like appearance. This can lead to pain, corns, calluses, swelling, and difficulty finding comfortable footwear.

Hammertoe correction surgery typically involves procedures to straighten the affected toe. Depending on the severity of the deformity, the surgeon may release tight soft tissues, repair tendons, or remove or reposition portions of bone. Some procedures involve temporary pins or other hardware to maintain proper alignment during healing.

Following surgery, patients may experience swelling, stiffness, weakness, altered walking patterns, and difficulty putting weight through the foot. This is where physical therapy can help.

How Physical Therapy Helps After Hammertoe Surgery

Every patient’s recovery is different, and rehabilitation should follow the surgeon’s specific instructions regarding weight-bearing, wound healing, and activity restrictions. Once cleared by the surgeon, physical therapy can address several important areas.

Restoring Range of Motion and Flexibility

Following surgery, the affected toe and surrounding joints may become stiff. Swelling, tissue healing, and limited movement during recovery can contribute to decreased mobility.

Physical therapy can help restore appropriate movement in the toes, foot, and ankle through guided exercises and mobility techniques. Improving flexibility can make walking more comfortable and help patients return to normal foot mechanics.

Reducing Swelling and Discomfort

Swelling is common after hammertoe correction and can sometimes persist for several weeks or longer. Excessive swelling can make it difficult to wear shoes, move the toes, and walk comfortably.

A physical therapist can provide education and strategies to help manage swelling, which may include:

• Elevation and positioning techniques.

• Appropriate ankle and foot exercises.

• Gentle movement to encourage circulation.

• Activity modification and gradual progression.

Improving Foot and Ankle Strength

After surgery, muscles in the foot and ankle may become weak due to reduced activity and limited weight-bearing.

A physical therapist can develop an individualized strengthening program that may include:

• Ankle strengthening exercises.

• Toe and intrinsic foot muscle activation.

• Resistance band exercises.

• Foot stabilization activities.

• Progressive strengthening for the lower extremities.

Restoring strength helps improve foot stability, walking mechanics, and the ability to tolerate everyday activities.

Retraining Your Walking Pattern

One of the most important goals following hammertoe correction is returning to a comfortable, normal walking pattern.

During recovery, patients may develop compensatory walking patterns to avoid putting pressure on the surgical foot. This can lead to limping, decreased push-off, or increased stress on other areas of the foot, ankle, knee, and hip.

Physical therapy can help patients gradually restore:

• Proper weight distribution through the foot.

• A more natural heel-to-toe walking pattern.

• Appropriate balance between both legs.

• Improved push-off during walking.

• Confidence with standing and walking activities.

Improving Balance and Stability

Foot surgery can temporarily affect balance and stability, particularly when patients have been using a surgical shoe, walking boot, crutches, or other assistive devices.

Balance training helps patients regain confidence while standing, walking, navigating uneven surfaces, and performing daily activities.

Exercises may progress from supported standing activities to more challenging balance tasks as healing allows.

Returning to Normal Activities and Footwear

Getting back into regular shoes is an important milestone for many patients following hammertoe surgery. However, swelling, stiffness, and sensitivity can make this transition challenging.

Physical therapy can help patients gradually increase their tolerance for standing, walking, and other activities while providing guidance on appropriate activity progression.

Your therapist can also discuss footwear considerations, including adequate toe-box space and supportive shoes, to help reduce unnecessary pressure on the toes.

When Should You Start Physical Therapy?

The timing of physical therapy depends on the type of surgical procedure performed, the surgeon’s protocol, and how well the foot is healing.

Some patients may benefit from early instruction in safe mobility, swelling management, and ankle exercises. More direct toe mobility, strengthening, balance training, and walking progression are introduced when appropriate and approved by the surgeon.

It is important not to force toe movement or begin strengthening too early, particularly if pins, incisions, or bone healing are still involved.

Why Choose Physical Therapy After Hammertoe Correction?

Although the surgery corrects the structural deformity, patients still need to restore the strength, flexibility, balance, and movement patterns necessary for normal function.

Without appropriate rehabilitation, some patients may continue to experience stiffness, weakness, altered walking patterns, or difficulty returning to their previous activity levels.

Physical therapy provides individualized care to help patients progress safely through recovery and achieve the best possible functional outcome.

Get Back on Your Feet with Witte Physical Therapy!

At Witte Physical Therapy, we understand that foot pain and limited mobility can interfere with the activities you enjoy most. Our goal is to help you recover safely, regain your mobility, and get back to doing the things you love.

Whether your goal is to walk comfortably, return to exercise, get back to work, or simply enjoy everyday activities without foot pain, physical therapy can be an important part of your recovery following hammertoe correction.

Don’t let foot surgery keep you on the sidelines! Contact Witte Physical Therapy to learn how we can help you get back on your feet.

How PRI Can Enhance Outpatient Physical Therapy: Understanding Postural Restoration

October 27, 2026

When it comes to physical therapy, treating pain is only part of the equation. Understanding why pain develops and how the body moves as a whole can help patients achieve better movement, improved function, and long-term results. One approach that has gained attention in outpatient physical therapy is Postural Restoration Institute® (PRI).

PRI focuses on how posture, breathing, muscle imbalances, and the body’s natural asymmetries influence movement and contribute to pain or limitations. When incorporated into an individualized physical therapy program, PRI-based techniques may help patients improve movement patterns, restore mobility, and return to the activities they enjoy.

What Is PRI?

The Postural Restoration Institute® (PRI) is an educational organization that provides courses and clinical concepts for healthcare professionals. Its approach recognizes that the human body is naturally asymmetrical. For example, the diaphragm, pelvis, rib cage, and surrounding musculature are not perfectly symmetrical, which can influence how we stand, breathe, walk, and perform everyday activities.

PRI-based physical therapy looks at how these patterns may contribute to movement restrictions, muscle overactivity, limited mobility, and discomfort.

Rather than focusing exclusively on the location of a patient’s pain, a physical therapist trained in PRI concepts may evaluate how different regions of the body work together. This can include examining breathing mechanics, pelvic positioning, rib cage movement, balance, and the ability to shift weight from one side of the body to the other.

The goal is to help patients develop more efficient and adaptable movement strategies while addressing their specific symptoms and functional limitations.

How Is PRI Used in Outpatient Physical Therapy?

PRI concepts can be incorporated into a comprehensive outpatient physical therapy program in several ways.

1. Improving Breathing Mechanics

Breathing plays an important role in posture, trunk stability, and movement. The diaphragm is a primary breathing muscle, but it also contributes to the body’s ability to control pressure and stabilize the trunk.

Some patients develop breathing patterns that rely heavily on accessory muscles in the neck and shoulders or have difficulty coordinating breathing with movement.

A physical therapist using PRI-informed techniques may incorporate breathing exercises designed to improve rib cage movement, encourage more effective diaphragm function, and help patients coordinate breathing with posture and activity.

These exercises may be useful as part of rehabilitation for patients with certain movement limitations, neck tension, or difficulty maintaining comfortable positions during activity.

2. Addressing Postural Imbalances

Posture affects how the body distributes forces during standing, sitting, walking, and exercise. Prolonged positions, repetitive activities, injuries, and individual movement habits can influence how a person uses different muscle groups.

PRI-based assessments may help a physical therapist identify patterns of asymmetrical positioning or movement that could be relevant to a patient’s symptoms.

Treatment may include specific positioning strategies, breathing techniques, and targeted exercises intended to improve body awareness and encourage more balanced movement.

The objective is not to force every patient into a perfectly symmetrical posture. Instead, it is to improve the patient’s ability to move comfortably and efficiently across a variety of positions and activities.

3. Improving Hip and Pelvic Mobility

The pelvis and hips play a critical role in walking, running, lifting, and maintaining balance. Restrictions in hip mobility or difficulty controlling pelvic movement can affect activities ranging from climbing stairs to participating in sports.

A PRI-informed physical therapist may evaluate hip rotation, pelvic control, weight shifting, and the relationship between the pelvis and rib cage.

Individualized exercises may then target hip mobility, trunk control, and the ability to transfer weight effectively between the lower extremities.

For patients experiencing certain hip, back, or lower-extremity movement limitations, these techniques may complement traditional strengthening, mobility exercises, and functional training.

4. Supporting Low Back and Neck Pain Rehabilitation

Back and neck pain can have many contributing factors, including muscle weakness, limited mobility, repetitive loading, injury, stress, and movement habits.

PRI-based treatment may help some patients explore how breathing, trunk positioning, and movement coordination influence their symptoms.

For example, a patient with recurring low back discomfort may benefit from learning to coordinate breathing with trunk movement and gradually improving tolerance for lifting, bending, and other daily activities.

A patient with neck tension may benefit from addressing breathing habits, shoulder mechanics, and postural endurance alongside appropriate mobility and strengthening exercises.

PRI should not be viewed as a universal solution for pain. Instead, it can be one component of a broader rehabilitation plan based on the patient’s evaluation, goals, and response to treatment.

5. Enhancing Athletic Performance and Return to Sport

Athletes rely on coordinated movement, strength, balance, and the ability to adapt to changing demands. Limitations in mobility or movement control can sometimes interfere with performance or rehabilitation after an injury.

PRI-informed exercises may be used to help athletes develop awareness of their breathing and body positioning, improve movement coordination, and prepare for more demanding activities.

These techniques can be integrated with sport-specific strengthening, jumping and landing mechanics, running progression, agility drills, and return-to-sport testing.

The goal is to help athletes return to competition safely and confidently—not simply to improve posture or complete a set of exercises.

How Does PRI Compare With Traditional Physical Therapy?

PRI does not have to replace traditional physical therapy. In many cases, the two approaches can complement each other. At Witte Physical Therapy we use it as a tool when appropriate for our patients.

Traditional outpatient physical therapy commonly includes therapeutic exercise, manual therapy when appropriate, education, balance training, strength development, and functional rehabilitation. PRI adds a particular emphasis on breathing mechanics, postural positioning, and asymmetrical movement patterns.

A physical therapist may use PRI-informed techniques to address a specific movement limitation, then incorporate conventional strengthening and functional exercises to build capacity and improve performance.

The most effective treatment plan is one that is individualized, guided by clinical findings, and adjusted according to measurable progress.

It is also important to recognize that PRI-specific research is more limited than the broader evidence supporting many established physical therapy interventions. Although breathing and movement strategies may benefit selected patients, PRI should be integrated thoughtfully rather than assumed to be superior to other evidence-based approaches.

Is PRI Right for Every Patient?

No. Every patient has different needs, and no single treatment approach works for everyone.

PRI-informed techniques may be worth considering when a physical therapist identifies relevant breathing, postural, or movement-coordination limitations. However, treatment decisions should be based on a comprehensive evaluation rather than a particular postural pattern alone.

Patients with significant pain, new neurological symptoms, a recent injury, or other concerning symptoms may need additional assessment before beginning specific exercises.

A qualified physical therapist can determine whether PRI concepts are appropriate and how they might fit into an overall plan of care.

Postural Restoration Institute® concepts offer outpatient physical therapists another way to evaluate the relationship between breathing, posture, and movement. When appropriate, these techniques can complement strengthening, mobility work, balance training, and functional rehabilitation.

At Witte Physical Therapy, our goal is to help patients move better, reduce limitations, and return to the activities that make life meaningful. An individualized approach, one that considers the whole person and uses treatment strategies suited to their needs, can help patients work toward lasting improvements in function and quality of life.

If pain, stiffness, or movement limitations are keeping you from doing what you enjoy, consider scheduling an evaluation with a Witte PT physical therapist to discuss your symptoms and rehabilitation options.

Physical Therapy Isn’t Just for Pain, It’s For Lifelong Health

October 20, 2026

Most people assume physical therapy is something you only need after tearing a ligament, having joint replacement surgery, or waking up with a stiff neck.

While PTs are great at those things, treating injuries is only half of what we do.

It turns out that physical therapy is also one of the most effective, underused tools for preventative wellness.

PT can help you move better, prevent chronic disease and help protect your health for decades to come.

Exercise Is The Wonder Drug You Don’t Need a Prescription For

We all know exercise is good for us. If physical activity were packaged into a single pill, it would be the most prescribed blockbuster medication on earth.

The benefits of exercise are incredible: :

• Improves your mood and mental clarity: Triggers natural endorphins and neurotransmitters that combat depression and chronic anxiety.
• Protects against chronic illness: Drastically reduces your risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and multiple types of cancer.
• Improves immune function: Studies show regular moderate activity significantly lowers the risk of severe respiratory illness and hospitalization from viruses like COVID-19.
• Protects brain health: Staying physically active through midlife helps reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia.
• Improves metabolic health and sleep: Helps regulate insulin sensitivity, blood pressure, and circadian rhythm.

But the CDC reports that fewer than a quarter of American adults meet the full federal benchmarks for aerobic and muscle-strengthening activity.

Why is that?

Because for many people, moving regularly hurts, feels overwhelming, or doesn’t fit well into everyday life.

That’s where your physical therapist comes in.

Physical Therapy Helps You For Life

To stay active, you have to first be able to move comfortably and safely.

Physical Therapists are doctoral-level experts in the human movement system.

They’ll evaluate your entire body to reduce pain, get you moving better, and help you find the best exercise routine for you.

They can also work together with your broader healthcare team.

Whether your physician has urged you to lower your blood pressure, manage cholesterol, or improve your HbA1c levels, your PT can design an exercise prescription to help with these goals safely, and without pain.

Think of your physical therapist the same way you think of your primary care physician or dentist: someone you visit for regular check-ups, movement screenings, and prescription changes.

As your body changes across different decades, or as your lifestyle shifts from training for 10Ks to keeping up with grandkids, your PT can help you stay pain-free, capable, and healthy.

Aging is inevitable, but losing mobility, strength, and independence is not.

You don’t have to wait for pain to make an appointment with your PT. Whether you want to run your first 5K, get back in the gym safely, or maintain your mobility and independence, think of your physical therapist as your movement coach and lifelong partner.

References & Further Reading

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
   Adult Physical Activity Data & Guidelines Overview
   Link: https://www.cdc.gov/physical-activity-basics/guidelines/adults.html
2. British Journal of Sports Medicine (BJSM):
   Small steps, strong shield: directly measured, moderate physical activity in 65,361 adults is associated with significant protective effects from severe COVID-19 outcomes
   British Journal of Sports Medicine – The BMJ
   Link: https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/56/10/568
3. Harvard Health Publishing / JAMA Network Open:
   Regular physical activity at midlife and beyond may help lower dementia risk
   Harvard Health
   Link: https://www.health.harvard.edu/exercise-and-fitness/regular-physical-activity-at-midlife-and-beyond-may-help-lower-dementia-risk

From Injury Recovery to Game Day: How High School Athletes Transition from Traditional Physical Therapy to Return-to-Sport Rehab

October 13, 2026

For a high school athlete, getting back on the court, field, track, or wrestling mat after an injury is about much more than simply being pain-free. Athletes want to return to the sport they love, compete with their teammates, and perform at the same level they did before their injury. While traditional physical therapy is an essential part of recovery, the transition to return-to-sport rehabilitation can be the key to helping athletes safely prepare for the demands of competition.

At Witte Physical Therapy, we understand that recovering from an injury is only one part of the journey. Helping athletes regain strength, confidence, speed, agility, and sport-specific skills is an important step toward returning to the activities they enjoy.

What Is Traditional Physical Therapy?

Traditional physical therapy focuses on helping patients recover from an injury, decrease pain, restore mobility, and regain strength and function. For an injured high school athlete, treatment may include:

• Reducing pain and swelling

• Restoring range of motion

• Improving flexibility

• Rebuilding muscle strength

• Improving balance and stability

• Returning to normal walking and daily activities

These foundational goals are critical to recovery. For example, an athlete recovering from an ankle sprain may initially need to decrease swelling, restore ankle mobility, and regain the ability to walk without pain.

However, being able to walk comfortably or complete basic strengthening exercises does not necessarily mean the athlete is ready to sprint down a basketball court, cut sharply during a soccer game, or land safely after a volleyball jump.

That is where return-to-sport rehabilitation comes in.

What Is Return-to-Sport Rehabilitation?

Return-to-sport rehabilitation bridges the gap between traditional physical therapy and full athletic participation. It focuses on preparing the athlete’s body for the physical demands, speed, intensity, and unpredictability of their specific sport.

Rather than simply asking whether an athlete can perform an exercise without pain, return-to-sport rehab asks whether the athlete can perform the movements required by their sport safely, efficiently, and repeatedly.

Depending on the injury and sport, treatment may incorporate:

• Explosive strength and power: Jumping, landing, and generating force quickly.

• Speed and acceleration: Building the ability to accelerate, decelerate, and change pace.

• Agility and change of direction: Practicing controlled cutting, pivoting, and reacting to movement.

• Balance and body control: Improving stability during single-leg activities and dynamic movements.

• Sport-specific drills: Reintroducing movements such as defensive slides, sprinting, jumping, throwing, or lateral shuffling.

• Conditioning and endurance: Building the capacity to tolerate the demands of practices and competitions.

• Injury prevention: Addressing movement patterns, strength deficits, and control issues that may increase the risk of another injury.

The goal is to prepare athletes for the demands of their sport—not just the demands of everyday life.

Why Is the Transition So Important for High School Athletes?

High school sports place significant demands on a developing body. Athletes frequently accelerate, stop suddenly, jump, land, pivot, and react to opponents or teammates. These movements require a combination of strength, coordination, balance, power, and endurance.

When an athlete returns to competition before adequately rebuilding these abilities, they may struggle to keep up with the pace of play or compensate for lingering weakness and movement limitations.

A structured return-to-sport program helps athletes progressively rebuild these skills before returning to full participation.

1. Regaining Athletic Strength and Power

Traditional strengthening exercises help restore muscle function, but sports often require athletes to produce force quickly.

A basketball player needs to jump and land repeatedly. A football player must accelerate and change direction. A track athlete needs to generate power with every stride.

Return-to-sport rehab gradually introduces more demanding activities as the athlete demonstrates readiness, helping bridge the gap between basic strength and athletic performance.

2. Improving Agility and Reaction Time

Sports are unpredictable. Athletes rarely move in a perfectly straight line or perform a movement exactly as planned.

Return-to-sport rehabilitation may progress from planned change-of-direction drills to more reactive exercises that require athletes to respond to visual cues, movement, or a coach’s instructions.

These activities help prepare athletes for the dynamic environment of competition.

3. Rebuilding Confidence

Even after pain improves, athletes may feel hesitant to jump, sprint, cut, or put full weight on an injured leg. This is especially common after injuries such as ACL tears, ankle sprains, and other injuries involving the lower extremity.

Gradually reintroducing sport-specific movements in a controlled environment allows athletes to practice challenging tasks and rebuild confidence.

Confidence should develop alongside physical readiness rather than replace it. Feeling ready is important, but it must be supported by objective measures of recovery and performance.

4. Reducing the Risk of Reinjury

Returning to sport too quickly can leave athletes unprepared for the forces and movements involved in competition.

A comprehensive return-to-sport program can identify remaining limitations in strength, balance, landing mechanics, agility, or endurance. Addressing these deficits may help reduce injury risk, although no rehabilitation program can eliminate the possibility of reinjury.

The goal is to give athletes the best possible foundation for a safe and successful return.

What Does the Transition from Traditional PT to Return-to-Sport Rehab Look Like?

Every athlete and injury is different, but rehabilitation commonly progresses through several overlapping stages.

Stage 1: Restore Basic Function

The initial focus is on managing symptoms, restoring mobility, improving strength, and regaining normal daily function.

Stage 2: Build Strength and Control

As the athlete progresses, treatment emphasizes greater strength, single-leg stability, balance, and control during more challenging movements.

Stage 3: Introduce Athletic Movements

When appropriate, the athlete begins activities such as jogging, jumping, landing, acceleration, deceleration, and change-of-direction drills. These activities are progressed based on the injury, healing status, and demonstrated ability.

Stage 4: Progress to Sport-Specific Training

The athlete practices movements and drills that resemble the demands of their sport. A volleyball player may work on repeated jumping and landing, while a soccer player may progress through running, cutting, and ball-related drills.

Stage 5: Prepare for Practice and Competition

The final phase focuses on tolerating progressively more demanding sport activities, building conditioning, and demonstrating readiness for practice and competition.

The transition between stages should be based on clinical findings and functional performance—not simply the number of weeks since the injury.

When Is an Athlete Ready to Return to Sport?

One of the biggest misconceptions about injury recovery is that an athlete is ready to play as soon as the pain disappears.

In reality, readiness depends on several factors, including:

• Adequate strength compared with the uninjured side and sport-specific needs

• Appropriate balance, coordination, and movement control

• The ability to jump, land, accelerate, and change direction when required

• Sufficient conditioning to tolerate sport demands

• Confidence performing athletic movements

• Completion of appropriate functional testing

• Clearance from the treating healthcare professional and other medical providers when indicated

Some injuries, particularly ACL injuries and significant ligament injuries, require more extensive testing and careful consideration of healing time before an athlete returns to competition.

A physical therapist can work with the athlete, family, athletic trainer, physician, and coach when appropriate to help guide the return-to-sport process. The final decision should consider the athlete’s injury, healing, performance, and overall readiness.

How Parents and Coaches Can Support the Process

Parents and coaches play an important role in helping young athletes recover successfully.

It can be tempting to rush back for an important game, a playoff opportunity, or the start of a new season. However, returning before an athlete is ready may create setbacks that delay participation even longer.

Parents and coaches can help by encouraging athletes to:

• Follow their rehabilitation program consistently.

• Communicate honestly about pain, swelling, fatigue, and concerns.

• Avoid comparing their recovery timeline with that of teammates.

• Follow restrictions and recommendations from their healthcare team.

• Progress through practice and competition gradually.

• Prioritize long-term health over a single game or event.

A successful return is not just about getting back on the field. It is about helping athletes return prepared to participate and perform.

Take the Next Step Toward Getting Back in the Game

Traditional physical therapy provides the foundation for recovery, but many high school athletes need additional sport-specific training before they are ready to return to competition. Return-to-sport rehabilitation helps bridge that gap by focusing on the strength, power, agility, movement control, conditioning, and confidence required for athletic performance.

At Witte Physical Therapy, we believe rehabilitation should address each athlete’s individual goals and the demands of the activities they want to return to. Whether an athlete is recovering from an ankle sprain, knee injury, muscle strain, or surgery, a progressive rehabilitation plan can help guide the journey from injury recovery toward athletic readiness.

Don’t settle for simply feeling better. Work toward being ready to play.

Contact Witte Physical Therapy to learn more about how physical therapy and return-to-sport rehabilitation can help high school athletes work toward a safe, confident return to the sports they love.

Physical Therapy Helps Children With Autism

September 29, 2026

What Is Autism?

Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), describes a range of developmental conditions that affect how a person communicates, interacts, and behaves.

ASD is called a spectrum disorder because the symptoms and severity can vary widely from one person to another.

Typical signs and symptoms of autism include:

• Having difficulty with communication and social interaction.
• Displaying restricted or repetitive patterns of behavior, such as repeating words or phrases, lining up objects, or having intense and narrow interests.
• Experiencing sensory issues, meaning a child may be over-sensitive or under-sensitive to stimuli like sounds, lights, or textures.

The Physical Challenges of Autism

While autism is often associated with social and behavioral traits, children with autism also often have difficulties with motor skills.

This  affects their daily functioning and quality of life.

Children may experience trouble with balance, coordination, motor planning, and body control.They may have low muscle tone, which can make them appear floppy or weak. These physical barriers make it hard for them to participate in physical activities like playing games or navigating playgrounds with peers, which are important for both their physical and mental health.

How Physical Therapy Helps

Pediatric physical therapists use individualized and structured interventions to help children with autism overcome these difficulties and improve their motor skills in fun and motivating ways.

Physical therapy for kids often looks more like play than a traditional PT session!

When a child improves their physical abilities, it allows them to develop a positive attitude toward physical activity and enjoy the benefits of exercise, like improved mood, energy, and sleep.

Physical therapy can also help children with autism cope with sensory issues, such as hypersensitivity or hyposensitivity to touch, sound, or movement, by exposing them to different stimuli and helping them regulate their responses.

Supporting Social and Emotional Growth

Improved gross motor skills and increased physical activity can also support the development of other areas that are affected by autism, like social and emotional skills.

Physical activities can provide structured opportunities for children with autism to interact with their peers and family.

During these activities, they learn to express their feelings, practice following rules, and follow directions in a safe environment.

Finding a Qualified Physical Therapist

If you think your child with autism may benefit from physical therapy, look for a physical therapist who specializes in working with children with autism, or consult with your pediatrician for a referral.

 You can also search for a physical therapist near you using the American Physical Therapy Association website at https://www.choosept.com/find-a-pt

References:

• Exercise improves the social and behavioral skills of children and adolescent with autism spectrum disorders (2022). – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36620673/
• Benefits of exercise for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis (2024). – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39435130/
• The impact of physical exercise interventions on social, behavioral, and motor skills in children with autism: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (2025). – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40083436/

How Physical Therapy Can Help Treat T6 Syndrome

September 22, 2026

Mid-back pain can sometimes be confusing, especially when symptoms extend beyond the spine and affect the chest, abdomen, or even the arms. T6 Syndrome, sometimes referred to as thoracic radiculopathy or thoracic spinal dysfunction, is a condition involving irritation or dysfunction around the middle portion of the thoracic spine. Physical therapy can play an important role in identifying contributing factors, reducing symptoms, restoring movement, and helping prevent the problem from returning.

What Is T6 Syndrome?

The thoracic spine consists of 12 vertebrae, labeled T1 through T12. T6 is located approximately in the middle of the upper and mid-back.

T6 Syndrome is generally associated with irritation or dysfunction of the structures surrounding the T6 vertebral level. Symptoms may include:

• Pain or stiffness in the middle back
• Pain that wraps around the ribs or chest
• Burning, tingling, or altered sensation along the rib cage
• Muscle tightness or spasms
• Pain that increases with certain movements or prolonged positions
• Difficulty taking a deep breath because of discomfort
• Symptoms that may be aggravated by sitting, lifting, reaching, or repetitive activity

Because symptoms can sometimes resemble problems involving the heart, lungs, gastrointestinal system, or other organs, it is important to have unexplained chest or abdominal symptoms appropriately evaluated by a medical professional.

How Can Physical Therapy Help?

A physical therapist can perform a comprehensive evaluation to determine how mobility, posture, muscle strength, joint mechanics, and movement patterns may be contributing to a patient’s symptoms.

Improving Thoracic Mobility

Limited movement in the thoracic spine can place additional stress on surrounding joints, muscles, and nerves. Physical therapists may use hands-on techniques and therapeutic exercises to improve mobility in the thoracic spine and rib cage.

Restoring appropriate movement can decrease stiffness and make everyday activities more comfortable.

Addressing Posture

Spending long periods sitting at a desk, looking down at a phone, or working in a forward-flexed position can place increased stress on the thoracic spine.

A physical therapist can identify postural habits that may be contributing to symptoms and teach strategies to improve positioning during work, driving, sleeping, and other daily activities.

Manual Therapy

Depending on the individual’s evaluation and symptoms, physical therapists may use manual therapy techniques to improve mobility and reduce discomfort. These techniques can include:

• Joint mobilization
• Soft-tissue techniques
• Rib mobilization
• Muscle release techniques
• Stretching

Manual therapy is often combined with exercise to help patients maintain the improvements achieved during treatment.

Strengthening the Supporting Muscles

Weakness or poor coordination of the muscles supporting the spine and shoulder blades may contribute to excessive stress on the thoracic region.

A customized exercise program may focus on strengthening the:

• Upper and middle back
• Shoulder blade stabilizers
• Core muscles
• Postural muscles

Building strength and endurance can help the body better tolerate work, exercise, and everyday activities.

Improving Breathing Mechanics

Because the thoracic spine and ribs are closely involved with breathing, discomfort in this area can sometimes make deep breathing uncomfortable.

Physical therapists can teach breathing and rib-cage mobility exercises designed to encourage more efficient movement of the chest and thoracic spine while reducing unnecessary muscle tension.

Education and Activity Modification

One of the most important parts of physical therapy is helping patients understand their condition and what they can do outside the clinic.

Your physical therapist may provide recommendations regarding:

• Workstation setup
• Sleeping positions
• Lifting techniques
• Exercise progression
• Stretching and mobility exercises
• Activity modification
• A home exercise program

These strategies can help patients take an active role in their recovery.

What Can You Expect During Physical Therapy?

Treatment will vary depending on the individual’s symptoms and underlying cause. Your first visit will typically include a detailed history and physical examination. Your therapist may evaluate spinal and rib mobility, posture, strength, flexibility, sensation, and movement patterns.

From there, your therapist will develop an individualized treatment plan based on your goals and findings.

The goal isn’t simply to make the pain go away. Physical therapy focuses on addressing contributing factors, restoring function, and giving you the tools to manage your condition and return to the activities you enjoy.

When Should You Seek Medical Attention?

Not every symptom around the chest or abdomen is caused by the spine. New, unexplained, severe, or worsening chest pain—especially when accompanied by shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, dizziness, fainting, or pain spreading into the arm, jaw, or back—requires prompt medical evaluation.

A healthcare professional can help determine whether your symptoms are musculoskeletal or require further medical testing.

Don’t Let Mid-Back Pain Limit You

T6 Syndrome and other thoracic spine conditions can interfere with work, exercise, sleep, and everyday activities. Physical therapy can be an important part of a comprehensive treatment plan by addressing mobility, strength, posture, movement patterns, and education.

If you’re experiencing persistent mid-back or wrapping rib pain, talk with your healthcare provider or physical therapist to determine whether physical therapy may be appropriate for you.

How Physical Therapy Can Help Relieve Jaw Pain

September 15, 2026

Jaw pain can make everyday activities like eating, talking, yawning, and even smiling uncomfortable. For some people, jaw pain may come and go, while others experience ongoing discomfort, stiffness, clicking, headaches, or difficulty opening their mouth.

One often-overlooked treatment option for jaw pain is physical therapy. A physical therapist trained in treating the jaw and surrounding areas can help identify the factors contributing to your symptoms and develop a treatment plan to improve movement and decrease pain.

What Causes Jaw Pain?

Jaw pain can have several different causes. Common contributors include:

• Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction
• Tight or overactive jaw muscles
• Clenching or grinding your teeth
• Poor posture
• Neck and upper-back stiffness
• Previous injury to the jaw or face
• Repetitive chewing or other activities that place stress on the jaw
• Muscle weakness or poor coordination of the jaw and neck

Because the jaw, neck, and upper back work together, problems in one area can sometimes contribute to symptoms in another.

How Can Physical Therapy Help?

A physical therapist will begin by evaluating your jaw, neck, posture, muscle tension, strength, and movement. This evaluation helps determine what may be contributing to your pain and which treatments are appropriate.

Hands-On Treatment

Physical therapists may use gentle hands-on techniques to address tight or painful muscles around the jaw, face, neck, and upper back. These techniques can help improve mobility and reduce muscle tension.

Exercises for the Jaw

Specific exercises can help improve the way your jaw moves. Your therapist may teach you exercises designed to improve coordination, mobility, strength, and control of the muscles responsible for opening and closing your mouth.

The goal isn’t simply to make the jaw stronger. It is to help the muscles and joint work together more efficiently.

Posture and Neck Treatment

Your jaw doesn’t work in isolation. The position and movement of your head and neck can influence how your jaw functions.

Physical therapy may address:

• Forward-head posture
• Neck stiffness
• Upper-back mobility
• Neck and shoulder muscle strength
• Muscle tension throughout the neck and upper body

Improving these areas may help decrease stress placed on the jaw.

Education and Everyday Strategies

Physical therapy can also help you identify habits that may be contributing to your symptoms. Your therapist may provide guidance on things such as avoiding excessive gum chewing, recognizing jaw clenching, modifying activities that aggravate your symptoms, and performing exercises at home.

Learning how to manage your symptoms between therapy visits can be an important part of your recovery.

When Should You Seek Help?

Consider talking with a healthcare professional if jaw pain is interfering with eating, speaking, sleeping, or daily activities, or if you experience persistent pain, significant stiffness, or difficulty opening or closing your mouth.

Jaw symptoms can have many different causes, so an appropriate evaluation is important. In some situations, your physical therapist may also recommend consultation with your dentist, physician, or another healthcare professional.

You shouldn’t have to avoid your favorite foods, limit conversations, or change your daily activities because of jaw pain. Physical therapy may be able to help decrease pain, improve jaw and neck movement, and help you return to the activities you enjoy.

If you’re experiencing jaw pain or symptoms related to TMJ dysfunction, talk with a physical therapist to see if an evaluation is right for you.

How Physical and Occupational Therapy Can Benefit You at Every Stage of Life

September 1, 2026

When people hear the words physical therapy (PT) or occupational therapy (OT), they often think of recovering from an injury or surgery. While rehabilitation is certainly an important part of both professions, physical and occupational therapy offer so much more. From infancy through older adulthood, these specialized services help individuals improve movement, increase independence, prevent injuries, and maintain the activities that matter most.

No matter your age or stage of life, therapy can help you live healthier, move better, and stay engaged in the life you love.

Early Childhood: Building Strong Foundations

The early years are critical for growth and development. Physical and occupational therapists work with infants and young children who may have developmental delays, genetic conditions, birth injuries, sensory processing challenges, or orthopedic concerns.

Physical therapists focus on helping children develop strength, balance, coordination, and mobility skills such as crawling, walking, running, and jumping.

Occupational therapists help children develop the fine motor, sensory, and self-care skills needed for everyday activities like dressing, feeding, handwriting, and participating in school.

Early intervention can make a significant difference by helping children reach developmental milestones and build confidence as they grow.

School Age and Adolescence: Supporting Active Kids

As children become more active, new challenges can arise. Whether they’re competing in sports, participating in extracurricular activities, or simply growing rapidly, therapy can help keep them healthy and active.

Common reasons children and teens may benefit from therapy include:

• Sports injuries
• Concussions
• Growth-related pain
• Coordination difficulties
• Postural concerns
• Handwriting or fine motor challenges
• Sensory processing issues

Physical therapists help young athletes recover safely and reduce the risk of future injuries.

Occupational therapists help students develop the skills they need to succeed both in and out of the classroom.

Adulthood: Staying Healthy and Productive

Life becomes busy with careers, parenting, hobbies, and everyday responsibilities. Unfortunately, this is also when many people begin experiencing aches, pains, or injuries from repetitive movements, poor posture, or physically demanding jobs.

Physical therapy can help manage:

• Back and neck pain
• Joint pain
• Sports injuries
• Workplace injuries
• Pregnancy and postpartum recovery
• Balance and mobility issues

Occupational therapists help adults regain or improve the ability to perform everyday activities after illness or injury. They may recommend adaptive equipment, ergonomic modifications, energy conservation techniques, or strategies to safely complete daily tasks at home and work.

Rather than simply treating symptoms, therapists identify the underlying causes of pain or difficulty and develop personalized treatment plans to restore function and improve quality of life.

Older Adults: Maintaining Independence

Growing older doesn’t mean giving up the activities you enjoy. Physical and occupational therapy play an important role in helping older adults remain active, independent, and safe.

Therapy can help with:

• Arthritis management
• Fall prevention
• Balance training
• Osteoporosis
• Joint replacements
• Stroke recovery
• Parkinson’s disease
• General strength and mobility

Physical therapists work to improve strength, flexibility, endurance, and balance, reducing the risk of falls and helping individuals continue walking and moving confidently.

Occupational therapists focus on maintaining independence with everyday tasks such as bathing, dressing, cooking, driving, and safely navigating the home. They may also recommend home modifications or adaptive equipment that allows individuals to remain in their homes longer.

Prevention Is Powerful

One of the greatest misconceptions about therapy is that you have to be injured before seeking help. In reality, physical and occupational therapists are experts in prevention.

Whether you’re training for a marathon, starting a new exercise program, returning to work after maternity leave, or simply noticing stiffness that limits your activities, therapy can identify movement limitations before they become bigger problems.

Preventative care helps reduce injuries, improve performance, and keep you doing what you enjoy.

More Than Recovery

Physical and occupational therapy are not just about recovering from injuries—they’re about optimizing health and function throughout life.

Therapists work alongside patients to create individualized plans that address each person’s goals, whether that’s returning to sports, caring for grandchildren, gardening without pain, or simply walking comfortably through the grocery store.

Every person’s journey is different, but the goal remains the same: improving quality of life through movement, independence, and confidence.

From a baby’s first steps to maintaining independence later in life, physical and occupational therapy provide valuable support at every age. These services help people recover from injuries, manage chronic conditions, prevent future problems, and continue participating in the activities that bring purpose and joy.

If pain, injury, illness, or changes in mobility are affecting your daily life, you don’t have to simply “live with it.” A physical or occupational therapist can help you regain confidence, restore function, and keep moving forward—no matter where you are on life’s journey.

After all, movement is medicine, and it’s never too early, or too late, to invest in your health.

How Pelvic Floor PT Helps With Pain and Leaks

August 25, 2026

When you think of physical therapy, your mind probably jumps to recovering from a sports injury, rehabbing a knee replacement, or fixing a stubborn case of lower back pain. But there is an important group of muscles that handles some of our most basic daily functions, yet rarely gets the spotlight until something goes wrong: your pelvic floor.

Think of your pelvic floor as a supportive hammock made of muscles and ligaments spanning the base of your pelvis. It acts as the foundation that holds up your bladder, bowels, and reproductive organs, keeping everything securely in place, and giving you control over when you use the restroom.

Just like any other muscle in your body your pelvic floor can become weak, too tight, strained, or uncoordinated. When that happens, it can lead to frustrating, uncomfortable, and often isolating symptoms.

Two Common Signs Your Pelvic Floor Needs Attention

There are two common reasons people come to PT for pelvic floor issues.

Let’s look at each one.

1. Unwanted Bladder Leaks (Urinary Incontinence)

Millions of adults live with bladder leakage, assuming that it’s just an inevitable part of aging or a permanent “new normal” after childbirth. In reality, it is a highly treatable muscular issue. It generally falls into two categories:

• Stress Incontinence: This occurs when a physical force pushes down on the bladder. If your pelvic floor muscles are too weak to resist that pressure, everyday actions like coughing, laughing, sneezing, or jumping can trigger a leak.
• Urge Incontinence: Often tied to an overactive bladder, this is the sudden, overwhelming need to run to the bathroom. It is frequently triggered by environmental cues like hearing water run, turning the key in your front door, or feeling a drop in temperature, which causes the bladder muscle to spasm before you are ready.

2. Persistent Pelvic Pain

Your pelvis is formed by three bones that meet at three distinct joints. Your pelvic floor muscles help stabilize those joints, so if they’re too tight, or too weak it can cause pain.

• When muscles are too tight: They create excessive compression, pulling on the joints and surrounding nerves, which leads to deep, aching, or sharp pain.
• When muscles are too loose: The joints lack support and can experience shear forces, causing localized inflammation and instability.

How Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Helps

Because these conditions are primarily musculoskeletal, they respond very well to targeted physical therapy.

 A specialized pelvic physical therapist will look at your entire movement system to build a customized plan. Your treatment might include:

• Targeted Muscle Training: If your muscles are weak, we focus on coordination and strengthening. If they are chronically tight, we teach you how to consciously relax and lengthen them.
• Biofeedback Therapy: Using gentle, specialized sensors, biofeedback gives you a visual or auditory read-out of your muscle activity in real time. It helps you learn exactly which muscles are contracting and when they are letting go.
• Hands-On Manual Therapy: Therapists use precise, gentle manual techniques like myofascial release, soft tissue mobilization, and trigger point therapy to decrease painful muscle spasms, reduce tension, and restore healthy blood flow to the region.
• Lifestyle & Habit Coaching: We look at the bigger picture. Simple modifications to your posture, alignment while sitting or standing, fluid intake, and breathing patterns can take the pressure off your bladder and pelvic joints.

Take Back Control

You don’t  have to live with pelvic discomfort or bladder leaks. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, a comprehensive evaluation with a pelvic health physical therapist can find the root cause and get you back to a life of confidence, comfort, and control.

Sources & Additional Reading

• Urinary Incontinence in the Elderly: A Review of the Recent Literature
• Physical Therapy Assessment of Pelvic Floor Muscle Function
• Pediatric Pelvic Floor Dysfunction and Physical Therapy Management
• The Role of Physical Therapists in Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation
• Prevalence and Trends of Urinary Incontinence Among Female CrossFitters
• Pelvic Floor Muscle Training for the Treatment of Urinary Incontinence
• The Impact of Exercise During Pregnancy on Pelvic Floor Health
• Incontinence by the numbers

How Occupational Therapy Can Help If You’re Having Trouble Getting Dressed

August 18, 2026

Getting dressed is something many people take for granted, until it becomes difficult. Whether it’s buttoning a shirt, putting on socks, fastening a bra, or simply choosing weather-appropriate clothing, getting dressed can become frustrating due to injury, illness, surgery, arthritis, neurological conditions, or changes related to aging.

The good news is that occupational therapy (OT) can help you regain confidence and independence with dressing, making your daily routine easier and less stressful.

Why Is Getting Dressed So Challenging?

Dressing requires a surprising combination of physical and cognitive skills, including:

• Balance and coordination
• Strength and endurance
• Flexibility and range of motion
• Fine motor skills for buttons, zippers, and clasps
• Problem-solving and sequencing
• Vision and sensation

When one or more of these abilities are affected, everyday tasks like getting dressed can take longer, become exhausting, or even increase the risk of falls.

How Occupational Therapists Help

Occupational therapists specialize in helping people complete meaningful daily activities safely and independently. During an evaluation, an OT will identify what is making dressing difficult and develop a personalized treatment plan.

Treatment may include:

– Improving Strength and Mobility

If limited movement or weakness is making it difficult to reach your feet or lift your arms, your OT can guide you through exercises designed to improve strength, flexibility, and range of motion.

– Teaching New Techniques

Sometimes a small change in how you get dressed can make a big difference. Occupational therapists teach energy-saving strategies and one-handed or adaptive dressing techniques that make dressing more manageable.

– Recommending Adaptive Equipment

Simple tools can make dressing much easier. Depending on your needs, your OT may recommend:

• Long-handled shoehorns
• Sock aids
• Dressing sticks
• Button hooks
• Elastic shoelaces
• Zipper pulls
• Reachers for retrieving clothing

These devices reduce the need to bend, stretch, or grip tightly.

– Making Clothing Choices Easier

Your therapist may suggest clothing modifications that improve independence, such as:

• Velcro closures instead of buttons
• Elastic waistbands
• Slip-on shoes
• Adaptive clothing with magnetic closures or easy-access designs

The goal is to help you dress comfortably while maintaining your personal style.

– Improving Safety

If balance is a concern, an occupational therapist can recommend strategies to reduce your risk of falling, including:

• Sitting while dressing
• Organizing clothing within easy reach
• Using stable seating with armrests
• Creating a safer dressing environment

Who Can Benefit?

Occupational therapy can help individuals experiencing dressing difficulties due to:

• Stroke
• Arthritis
• Parkinson’s disease
• Multiple sclerosis
• Joint replacement surgery
• Shoulder injuries
• Hand injuries
• Balance problems
• General weakness or deconditioning
• Aging-related changes

The Benefits of Occupational Therapy

With the right support, many people experience:

• Greater independence
• Increased confidence
• Less frustration during daily routines
• Improved safety
• Better energy conservation
• Enhanced quality of life

Even small improvements in dressing can have a significant impact on your ability to participate in work, family life, hobbies, and community activities.

Don’t Let Dressing Become a Daily Struggle

If getting dressed has become painful, time-consuming, or difficult, you don’t have to face it alone. Occupational therapists are experts in helping people overcome barriers to everyday activities and find practical solutions that fit their lifestyle.

Regaining independence often starts with one simple task. By working with an occupational therapist, you can build the skills, confidence, and strategies needed to start each day feeling more capable and in control.

If you or a loved one is struggling with dressing or other daily activities, consider speaking with an occupational therapist. The right intervention can make everyday routines easier—and help you get back to living life with greater independence.