Despite being one of the top causes of disability in the U.S., affecting around eight in 10 people in their lifetimes, back pain is an ailment often misunderstood by those affected, says Denver physical therapist Patrick Donovan.   Such misconceptions, Dr. Donovan adds, can cause those suffering from back pain to seek solutions, potential treatment paths, and even lifestyle alterations that aren’t necessarily in their best interests.   “Back pain can be as frustrating. It can become debilitating and we quickly seek out any and all treatments,” said Dr. Donovan, owner of Heather Lane Physical Therapy in Denver. “This can lead a person down paths that don’t result in the best outcomes and most necessary evidence-based treatments.”   Such paths, Dr. Donovan points out, can sometimes lead to treatments that are more expensive or personally invasive – and perhaps even unnecessary – such as MRIs and surgery.   “MRIs, surgery, medication … these are last resort-type treatments,” Dr. Donovan says. “Most common back pain issues will go away on their own in a few days. And even when they don’t, most remaining cases can be successfully resolved less…

As a large portion of the nation’s attention turns to the “March Madness” NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament in the coming days, Denver physical therapist Patrick Donovan says now is an ideal time to educate fans, young competitors and even blue-collar workers about an injury prevalent in jump-heavy activities: jumper’s knee. Among the most common injuries in sports, jumper’s knee is an overuse injury that can develop when one repeatedly jumps and lands heavily. Known in the medical community as patellar tendonitis, it affects 25 to 32 percent of basketball players and 30 to 51 percent of all volleyball players, according to a 2009 review. “Jumper’s knee develops when the patella tendon – the tendon that connects your kneecap to your shinbone – becomes overstressed,” said Dr. Donovan, owner of Heather…

While it’s proven that older people tend to slow down with age, the notion that seniors should trade in their active lifestyles for bingo and rocking chairs is definitely antiquated, says Denver Physical Therapist Patrick Donovan. And yet, when it comes to exercise for the active aging adult, plenty of myths continue to drive people’s actions – or rater, inactions – when it comes to putting in the right amount of sweat equity to stay healthy and active. “From a purely physiological perspective, sure, you’re going to start to slow down a little here and there as you get older, but that doesn’t mean you should accept the consequences of your age,” said Dr. Donovan, owner of Heather Lane Physical Therapy in Denver. “We all have a biological age and…