Chronic Pain physical therapists in Manhattan, New York

Chronic pain guides

• Can't Straighten Up After Lifting? Here's What It Means and What to Do

  Getting "stuck" bent over after lifting usually means you've strained your lower back and the muscles have gripped into a protective spasm. It's painful and alarming but rarely dangerous — most people loosen up over a few days. Gentle movement, avoiding bed rest, and easing back to activity help. Seek urgent care if you have leg weakness, groin numbness, or loss of bladder/bowel control.

• Can't Turn Your Head to One Side? Here's What It Means and What to Do

  Suddenly being unable to turn your head to one side is usually acute torticollis ("wry neck") — a muscle spasm that locks the neck, often appearing after sleep or an awkward movement. It's painful but almost always harmless and settles within a few days to two weeks. Gentle movement and warmth help. If it followed an injury or comes with arm symptoms, dizziness, or severe headache, get it assessed.

• Costochondritis (Chest Wall Pain): Symptoms, Causes & PT Treatment

  Costochondritis is inflammation of the cartilage where the ribs meet the breastbone, causing chest-wall pain that's usually sharp, worse with deep breathing or pressing on the area, and tender to touch. It's benign and self-limiting. But because chest pain can also signal a heart problem, it's essential to be sure: pain with pressure/tightness, breathlessness, sweating, or radiation to the arm/jaw is a medical emergency, not costochondritis.

• Pinched Nerve in the Neck (Herniated Disc): Symptoms, Causes & PT Treatment

  A "pinched nerve" in the neck usually means a herniated or bulging disc is irritating a nearby nerve root. This often causes neck pain plus pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness traveling into the shoulder, arm, or hand. The good news: most cases improve within weeks to a few months with physical therapy and time, and surgery is rarely needed. Hand clumsiness or balance trouble needs prompt evaluation.