Most people know that muscles need exercise and joints need movement to stay healthy. Far fewer people think about fascia, even though it is one of the body’s most important connective tissues. At Bodyworks Physical Therapy, we often meet people who say they feel “tight all over” or that their body simply does not move the way it used to. They may stretch regularly, stay active, and still wonder why they cannot shake that feeling of stiffness.
When people think about the body, they often think about muscles, bones, joints, and tendons. However, there is another important structure that receives far less attention but plays a significant role in the way we move every single day. That structure is fascia. Understanding fascia can help you better appreciate how the body works as one connected system and why movement, flexibility, and healthy habits matter for long term wellness.
This blog explores why back pain tends to flare up around this time of year, what is happening in your body, and how to transition into spring without setbacks.
If you have been searching for answers about back pain, this blog will help you understand why it often becomes recurring, what patterns may be contributing to it, and how to take a more effective approach toward long term relief.
At Body Works Physical Therapy, we meet many individuals stuck in what we call the “flare-up loop.” Pain calms down, then resurfaces. Activity feels unpredictable. Confidence declines.
Back pain has a way of sneaking into everyday life. It might begin as a dull ache after a long day at your desk. Maybe it shows up when you lift something that used to feel easy. Or perhaps you wake up stiff and assume you “slept wrong.” At Body Works Physical Therapy, we hear this story every single week. And one of the most common misconceptions we encounter is this: “It’s probably just tight muscles.” The truth is, most back pain is not simply a tightness issue. It is a signal. And understanding what your back is trying to tell you is the first step toward real, lasting relief.
Every January, we see the same pattern at BodyWorks Physical Therapy. The holidays are over, routines shift back into structure, the temperatures drop, and suddenly more people in Edina start noticing their back pain.
As winter sets in, many pickleball players begin noticing increased knee stiffness, soreness after matches, or a general feeling that movement feels harder than it should. For some, it shows up during play. For others, it appears later that evening or the next morning.
If you’ve ever played tennis, pickleball, or squash, you know the feeling — that quick pivot, sudden lunge, or hard stop that sends a twinge straight through your knees. For many players, it’s part of the game. But here’s what I’ve learned after years of helping athletes and active adults: knee pain might be commonContinue Reading »
TL;DR: A targeted 8–12 minute warm-up reduces injury risk, improves power and reaction, and helps you play pain-free. Follow the sport-specific routine below to reduce sudden discomfort and stay on court — and if you have persistent pain, book a free discovery visit to get individualized advice. Why warming up matters for pickleball players Pickleball demandsContinue Reading »
