A reference library of physical therapy articles covering conditions, anatomy, research, and clinical perspectives. Browse by section or use the search bar to find a specific topic.
Articles are contributed by leading physical therapy clinicians and educators. Meet our contributors →
Conditions & Injuries
Knee & Osteoarthritis
Introduction to Osteoarthritis of the Knee
An overview of knee OA — causes, progression, and what to expect.
Surgical Treatment Options for OA of the Knee
An overview of surgical approaches for knee OA, from arthroscopy to total replacement.
Arthroscopic Knee Surgery
What knee arthroscopy involves, when it’s used, and what recovery looks like.
Total Knee Replacement
A guide to TKR — indications, procedure, and the rehabilitation process.
Partial Knee Replacement
How unicompartmental knee replacement differs from a total replacement and when it’s appropriate.
Knee Osteotomy
An overview of osteotomy as a surgical option for knee deformity and OA.
Activity Modification for Osteoarthritis
Practical guidance on adjusting activity levels to manage OA symptoms.
Osteoarthritis and Maintaining a Healthy Weight
The relationship between body weight and OA progression — and what to do about it.
Supportive Devices for Osteoarthritis
Braces, orthotics, and assistive devices that help manage OA.
Osteoarthritis of the Foot
How OA presents in the foot and ankle, and how physical therapy can help.
Shoulder
Rotator Cuff Tears
Anatomy, causes, and treatment options for rotator cuff injuries.
Elbow
Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)
Causes, diagnosis, and conservative treatment for lateral elbow pain.
Neck & Upper Back
Whiplash and Neck Pain
An overview of whiplash-associated disorders and neck sprain/strain management.
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Causes, symptoms, and conservative management of TOS.
Foot & Lower Extremity
Heel Pain
Common causes of heel pain and how physical therapy addresses them.
Other Conditions
Rheumatoid Arthritis
An overview of RA — how it differs from OA and the role of physical therapy in management.
Raynaud’s Syndrome
What Raynaud’s is, who it affects, and how it’s managed.
Fibromyalgia Facts
Key facts about fibromyalgia — prevalence, symptoms, and physical therapy’s role.
Sports Physical Therapy
An overview of sports PT — scope, specializations, and what to expect from treatment.
Research & Evidence
Paradigm Shifts: Ice & NSAIDs After Soft Tissue Injuries — Part 1
A critical look at whether ice and NSAIDs actually help — or hinder — soft tissue healing.
Paradigm Shifts: Ice & NSAIDs After Soft Tissue Injuries — Part 2
Continuing the evidence review — what the research actually supports.
A New Paradigm in Manual Therapy
The case for moving beyond segmental motion palpation in manual therapy practice.
Serum Cholesterol and Chronic Low Back Pain
An exploration of the emerging relationship between lipid levels and low back pain.
The Role of the Pelvis in Hamstring Injuries
How pelvic mechanics contribute to posterior thigh pain and hamstring strain recurrence.
Low Back Pain Case Study
A detailed clinical case study in the assessment and management of low back pain.
Cupping: A Novel Method of Soft Tissue Release
An introduction to cupping therapy — technique, proposed mechanisms, and clinical applications.
Collars in Acute Whiplash
A review of the evidence on cervical collar use in the acute phase of whiplash injury.
Manual Therapy
Clinical Reasoning in Physical Therapy
Script Focused Deduction: Reasoning Like an Expert Clinician
A framework for reasoning like an expert using thin slicing, Essential Illness Scripts, and hypothesis testing.
Clinical Reasoning: Methods and Tools
How hypothetico-deductive reasoning and pattern recognition shape clinical diagnosis, and why experts use less information, not more.
Heuristics and Axioms in Clinical Reasoning
Occam’s Razor, Sutton’s Law, Hickum’s Dictum, and the uncertainty principle — the guiding axioms of clinical diagnosis.
Methods of Clinical Reasoning
Algorithms, pattern recognition, and hypothetico-deduction — an overview of clinical reasoning methods and a critical look at when algorithms help and when they hinder.
The Pathoanatomical Diagnosis
Jim Meadows argues that clinicians must make pathoanatomical diagnoses and addresses four common objections.
Locking and Specificity in Spinal Manipulation
Examines whether segment locking can make manipulation forces truly specific and if that specificity matters.
Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency: A Clinical Series
VBI and the “5 Ds”: Dim, Dopey, Dumb, Dumber and Dumbest
An evidence-based critique of the 5 Ds framework and why it should be retired from all curricula.
Vertebrobasilar Anatomy for Physical Therapists
The anatomy, common anomalies, pathology, and clinical application of the vertebrobasilar system.
VBI and Dizziness: Clinical Guide for Physical Therapists
Type 1, 2, and 3 dizziness classification, labyrinthine vs. central vertigo, causes, red flags, and a subjective assessment flowchart.
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Clinical Perspectives
Ribs Don’t Sublux. Ribs Don’t “Go Out.” So What’s Going On?
A frank look at the common clinical myth of rib subluxation — and what’s actually happening.
Alzheimer’s Disease and Chronic Pain: A Case Report
An unusual and thought-provoking case at the intersection of dementia and pain management.
Alexander Technique: An Introduction for Physical Therapists
What the Alexander Technique is, how it works, and its relevance to PT practice.
The Pelvic Floor Needs a New PR
A case for rethinking how pelvic floor dysfunction is discussed and treated.
The Value of Patient Education
Why patient education is one of the most underused tools in physical therapy.
A Closer Look at the Thorax — LJ Lee
LJ Lee’s framework for understanding thoracic dysfunction and its role in the kinetic chain.
Anatomy & Reference
Anatomy of the Knee
A detailed overview of knee anatomy — bones, ligaments, cartilage, and the joint capsule.
Anatomy and Biomechanics of the Back
Structural anatomy of the spine and how it moves — a clinical reference.
The Joint Capsule
Structure and function of the joint capsule — its role in stability and movement.
Joint Capsular Patterns
Cyriax’s capsular patterns by joint — a quick reference for orthopedic assessment.
Human Anatomical Terms with Interesting Origins
The etymology behind common anatomical terminology — useful and surprisingly memorable.
Tissue Healing Timelines
Healing phases and timeframes for common tissue types — a reference for rehab planning.
Measuring Pain
An overview of pain measurement tools and scales used in PT assessment.
PT Abbreviations & Charting Shorthand
The complete reference for clinical documentation abbreviations used in PT practice.
Barrett Dorko Series
What Makes Barrett Dorko Different
An introduction to Barrett Dorko’s approach to movement and pain.
Evolutionary Reasoning in Manual Therapy
Dorko on applying evolutionary biology to understanding human pain and movement.
Abduction and Courage
Dorko on the philosophical underpinnings of clinical decision-making.
Disparity
Dorko on the gap between what we know and what we do in clinical practice.
Movement & Lifestyle
Kettlebell Therapy: Restoring Movement Through Natural Physics
How kettlebell training principles align with rehabilitation and movement restoration.
Kettlebell Therapy: Swinging Away Back Pain
Using the kettlebell swing as a therapeutic tool for low back pain rehabilitation.
Kettlebells and Knee Pain
How to incorporate kettlebell training safely when managing knee pain.
Is Your Desk Ruining Your Golf Game?
How prolonged sitting affects the movement patterns needed for a consistent golf swing.
Physiotherapy Insurance: Your Body Needs a Little TLC
Why investing in physiotherapy coverage — and your body — pays off long term.