Physical therapy Archive

The instinct to stay indoors during winter can start to feel confining after a while. Going for a winter hike is a great way to get out in nature and get exercise, but it’s quite different from warm-weather hiking, and requires preparation and precautions.

Targeted strength exercises, simple one‑leg stands, and practices like tai chi can improve balance and stability so walking feels steadier.

Bicycling offers joint-friendly aerobic exercise, builds leg muscles, and aids recovery after knee or ankle surgery. The most appropriate type of bicycle—road, mountain, hybrid, or adaptive (recumbent, tricycle, hand cycle)—depends on where people ride and their abilities.

Sometimes low back pain becomes a chronic problem, lasting more than three months. This can be difficult to treat. A 2026 study of 749 adults with chronic low back pain found that treatment with physical therapy provided modest benefits over cognitive behavioral therapy.

Your first workouts when recovering from the flu should be lighter and slower than usual. Your body will let you know when you're ready to ramp back up.

Many older adults with scoliosis—a C- or S-shaped sideways spinal curve—aren’t aware of it. Others noticeably lean to one side, and some have pain and limited range of motion in the spine. Physical therapy, including core strengthening and improving the stability of the trunk, can help.

Resistance training at least twice a week builds strength, power, and endurance and preserves function as people age. Home workouts with body-weight movements and resistance bands are as effective as using gym equipment. All major muscle groups should be strengthened.

Older adults need a strong core to stay active and healthy. While the core comprises many muscles, the four main ones lie within the abdomen: the rectus abdominis in the front; the external and internal obliques on the sides; and the deep, flat transversus abdominis wrapping your midsection. Several core exercises work many of these muscles, but the dead bug exercise can engage all of them and is safe for older adults, as it can be modified for any age or limitations. The dead bug is done by lying on the back and moving the limbs up and down to imitate a dying insect.

Harvard fitness expert Michele Stanten takes you through a simple exercise to tighten your abs, strengthen your back, and improve your balance.

Staying steady on your feet isn’t just luck—it's a skill you can build. In this 10-question quiz, test your balance know-how and get instant feedback with simple tips to help you prevent falls and stay confident on your feet.