If you feel pain when reaching overhead—whether you’re lifting weights, throwing, working overhead, climbing or even putting dishes away—your shoulder joint may not be the real problem. In many cases, the root cause is poor posture and weakness in a key stabilizing muscle: the lower trapezius. Let’s break down what’s really going on—and how physical…
Dr. Milica Shares Balance Expertise with Parade Magazine We are thrilled to share that our very own Dr. Milica McDowell, DPT, was recently featured as an expert source in Parade Magazine! In the article, written by health journalist Emily Laurence Sardinha, Dr. Milica breaks down why our sense of balance naturally declines as we age….
As a pelvic floor physical therapist, I’m always looking for practical, accessible tools that empower my patients between sessions. While hands-on treatment and individualized exercise programs are essential, the right at-home tools can truly accelerate progress and build confidence. Here are some of my favorite, patient-approved go-to items that I often recommend in the clinic….
In my last blog post I explained how the dysfunction of a small muscle in your lower leg called the posterior tibialis can lead to knee and hip pain. Unfortunately, this is not the only potentially problematic muscle in the area. If you’re dealing with persistent knee pain, outer hip discomfort, or recurring IT band…
As the temperatures drop and winter weather moves in, our walks outside can quickly turn from refreshing to risky. Slippery sidewalks, hidden ice patches, and early evening darkness all contribute to an increased risk of slips and falls. But with a few smart habits and simple exercises, you can stay confident on your feet all…
When most people think about knee or hip pain, they focus on the joints themselves. But one of the most overlooked contributors to lower-extremity pain lies much farther down the chain—deep inside your lower leg.Meet the tibialis posterior, a small but powerful muscle that plays a major role in foot stability, arch control, and the…
Hello Clearwater Family! It’s Fall, and that means getting cozy while also enjoying crispy trail runs, harvesting vegetables, hikes, and getting your skis ready for Winter! The Warm Up Is there a Fall event on your schedule? Warm up? Ew! No one has time for that… But, have you noticed how crappy you feel for…
Welcome to the Clearwater Therapeutics newsletter! This month we cover Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy and explore the benefits of dry needling! We Offer Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy is a specialized form of treatment focused on strengthening and rehabilitating the muscles of the pelvic floor. It can help address a variety of…
Happy Fourth of July Clearwater Family! Let’s celebrate with some ankle mobility exercises and a running pain Q&A. Ankle Mobility Exercises Mobility is always great practice, but when you are injured the following exercises can be followed to get appropriate Range of Motion back! 20-25 Reps 2-3x a day Pro Tip: Once you meet the…
ACL Injuries How do they start? Any activity involving sudden stops, jumps, or changes in direction can cause direct trauma or twisting of the knee resulting in a tear. When do I consult my doctor? If you experience a loud pop in your knee, severe pain or swelling, knee instability or non weight bearing, and…
