OrthoMed Manual Therapy

That knot between your shoulder blades? Typically massaging and stretching it will make it worse! - These muscles (rhomboids) are often long and weak and stretching and massaging them just elongates them FURTHER and makes them WEAKER! - Most people that have desk jobs and work at a computer all day need to strengthen these muscles. - Trust me, the temporary relief massage might give you short term is not worth the long term price which is compounding weakness there. - Massage (and stretching) both reduce the neurological drive going into the muscle which tells it to turn on and squeeze...it basically weakens the fibers. - Therefore, when you do that on a muscle that’s ALREADY long & weak it gets weaker. This coupled with never isolating and strengthening these muscles is a recipe for knots and upper crossed pattern muscle imbalances. - Don’t take my word for it...try it! - Animation Credit: @anatomy.of.motion - Want my FREE workout that helps you get stronger and leaner while correcting POSTURE and MUSCULAR IMBALANCES? Comment “split” down below and I’ll send you a link! - - - #posture #postureexercises #roundedshoulders #posturefix #posturecorrection #triggerpoint #upperback

This client was 2 weeks post-op for prostate cancer. I created some lymphatic pumps with RockTape. I chose to place them near the axillary lymph ducts to facilitate faster recovery by reducing inflammation.

Struggling with Shoulder Pain or Stiffness? Don’t Skip This. Poor posture doesn’t just look bad—it shuts down key muscles that are meant to move and support your shoulders. Your shoulder blades are supposed to guide your arms overhead. But when they stop working, your neck and traps take over… and that’s where the problems begin. The result? • Limited overhead movement • Shoulder discomfort or pinching • Neck tightness and tension • A weak and rounded upper back Here’s one quick move that helps retrain your shoulder blades and get your posture back on track. Why this works: • Re-activates mid-back muscles that support your scapulae • Helps reset shoulder and neck alignment • Improves range of motion and control overhead • Reverses tech-neck and slouching patterns Want to fix the root cause? Try my FREE 3-day trial of the Posture App and unlock the Shoulder Reset Routine—plus 50+ posture-focused programs for daily use. Click the link in my bio to start! Credit to @anatomy.of.motion for the visuals! #ShoulderPainRelief #NeckPainHelp #ScapulaStrength #PostureMatters #FixRoundedShoulders #PainFreePosture #ScapularControl #PostureGuyMike #MobilityTraining #ShoulderHealth #UpperBodyAlignment #PostureFix #StandingTall #RebuildYourPosture

Do you ever focus on the lower traps? Shout out @edpilgrimdpt of @stlphysicaltherapy for the collaboration education & @muscleandmotion for the anatomy graphics! #Fitness

Understanding Rotator Cuff Pain

A Common Yet Overlooked Shoulder Issue

As a physiotherapist, I often see patients struggling with persistent shoulder pain that interferes with sleep, work, and everyday activities. In many cases, the culprit is the rotator cuff a group of muscles and tendons that keep the shoulder stable and functional.

Common symptoms include:

✔ Pain in the outer shoulder or upper arm

Discomfort when lifting the arm overhead or sleeping on the affected side

✓ Weakness with daily activities like dressing or reaching behind the back

Did you know? The pain often mimics other conditions, but with clinical testing (e.g., Hawkins-Kennedy, Jobe's test), we can pinpoint the exact issue whether it's tendinopathy, impingement, or a partial tear.

Physiotherapy can make a huge difference.

• Acute phase: Pain relief, gentle mobility, tissue protection

• Subacute phase: Restoring ROM, activating rotator cuff & scapular muscles

• Strengthening phase: Functional recovery, return to work/sport

Treatment may include:

Manual therapy

Corrective exercises

Postural training

Taping and electrotherapy

Patient education
Takeaway: Early diagnosis and a structured rehab plan can help most people avoid surgery and regain full, pain-free function.

If you or someone you know is dealing with shoulder pain, don't wait. A focused physiotherapy program can lead to real results.
Doctor of physical therapy

During walking, various muscles in the lower limb work together to support movement through the stance and swing phases. In the stance phase, which involves weight-bearing, several key muscles play a role. At heel strike, the tibialis anterior dorsiflexes the foot to prevent it from slapping against the ground, while the quadriceps, including the vastus group and re**us femoris, help extend the knee for stability. The gluteus maximus stabilises the hip and prevents excessive flexion. As the body moves into the loading response and midstance, the quadriceps control knee flexion to absorb impact, while the gluteus medius and minimus prevent the opposite hip from dropping. The soleus and gastrocnemius control the forward progression of the tibia and help maintain balance. In the terminal stance, as the body prepares for push-off, the gastrocnemius and soleus plantarflex the foot to generate propulsion, while the gluteus maximus extends the hip to push the body forward. During the swing phase, when the leg advances forward, different muscles become more active. At initial swing, the iliopsoas and re**us femoris flex the hip to bring the leg forward, while the hamstrings, including the biceps femoris, semitendinosus, and semimembranosus, flex the knee to allow foot clearance. In mid-swing, the tibialis anterior remains active to dorsiflex the foot, preventing it from dragging, while the hamstrings work eccentrically to control knee extension. In terminal swing, just before heel strike, the quadriceps extend the knee in preparation for contact, while the hamstrings eccentrically slow down the leg to prevent hyperextension. Other muscles also contribute to walking. The intrinsic muscles of the foot assist with stability during the stance phase. The hip adductors help control the position of the leg, particularly in adjusting step width. Changes in walking speed and terrain can also alter the demand on these muscles, requiring different levels of activation to maintain balance and coordination. #osteopathy #walking