Low back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek healthcare — but what many patients (and even some providers) don’t realize is that most back pain is classified as non-specific low back pain. Understanding how common this condition is — and what that means for treatment — can completely change how we […]...
Tennis Elbow Isn’t Really an “-Itis”: The Evidence-Based Path to Recovery Executive summary: Most “tennis elbow” is actually lateral elbow tendinopathy (LET)—a tendon loading problem, not a simple inflammation problem. The best-supported approach is progressive strengthening (loading) over time, using pain-monitoring rules and gradual return to activity, while understanding that passive treatments (massage, braces) may help symptom...
(Updated February 2026) If you’ve ever “thrown your back out” or felt a sudden tweak when bending, lifting, or getting up from a chair, you’re not alone. Acute low back pain can feel intense and alarming—but in many cases, it improves with the right approach: stay calm, keep moving, and gradually return to normal activity. […]...
(Updated February 2026) A really common question we hear is: “Do I need a referral (prescription) to start physical therapy?”The short answer for most people in Massachusetts is: you can usually start physical therapy without one — but there are a couple important insurance-related exceptions to understand. At Quincy Physical Therapy, we make the process […]...
(Updated for 2026 — practical steps + when to get help) Shoulder pain can make everything harder—sleeping, reaching overhead, lifting, exercising, even putting on a jacket. The good news: most non-traumatic shoulder pain improves with the right combination of smart activity modification, progressive exercise, and time. Conservative care (including physical therapy) is widely recommended as […]...
What Is Dry Needling? (How it works, what it helps, and what to expect) (Updated February 2026) Dry needling is a modern technique physical therapists use to reduce pain, improve mobility, and help patients tolerate exercise and rehab more comfortably. It involves inserting a very thin, solid needle into sensitive muscle or connective tissue points—often […]...
(What it actually does, what it doesn’t, and how to use it) (Updated February 2026) Foam rolling is one of the most popular tools in fitness and rehab. Some people swear it “breaks up knots” and makes you more flexible instantly. Others think it’s pointless. The truth is in the middle: foam rolling can temporarily […]...
If spinning when you roll in bed, look up, or bend down has you grabbing the wall, you are not alone. Physical therapy for vertigo can be very effective when the cause is BPPV or another vestibular problem, but not every dizzy spell comes from the inner ear. A good evaluation helps sort out what […]...
