But here’s the truth: in most cases, you don’t need an MRI before starting physical therapy—and waiting for one might actually delay your recovery.

At Nashville Physical Therapy & Performance, we help active adults understand what their body is trying to tell them, treat the cause of clicking or pain—and guide them back to the activities they love. Here’s how we approach clicking shoulders:

Ankle sprains are one of the most common injuries we see—especially in active adults who run, hike, or play recreational sports in and around Nashville. At first, it might feel like “just a little twist,” but without the right care, that minor roll can turn into a major problem.

Sciatica isn’t a diagnosis—it’s a symptom. It refers to pain caused by irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve, which is the longest nerve in your body. This nerve runs from your lower back down through your hips, buttocks, and legs. If something is pressing on or inflaming that nerve, you may feel pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness—usually on one side of your body.

Many people assume surgery is the only way forward, but depending on the type, size, and location of the tear—as well as your activity level—conservative treatment with physical therapy can be just as effective (Peterson et al., 2007).

At Nashville Physical Therapy & Performance, one of the most effective tools we use to tackle this issue is dry needling—a targeted treatment that helps release muscle tension and restore mobility.

A lot of people think strength training is something you “should’ve started in your 20s.” By the time we reach our 50s, 60s, or beyond, it can feel intimidating — like the weight room belongs only to athletes or young gym-goers. The truth? Building strength is one of the most powerful things you can do at any age to keep your body healthy, resilient, and independent.

We don’t often think about balance until something happens to shake it—like a stumble on the stairs or a near-miss on a slick floor. But...

If you’re over 50, lifting weights (or using bodyweight resistance) isn’t just about building muscle—it’s about maintaining independence, protecting your joints, and staying active for decades to come. At Nashville Physical Therapy & Performance, we help adults of all ages discover the benefits of strength training and learn how to do it in a safe, effective way.

At Nashville Physical Therapy & Performance, we believe in working with your joints—not against them. And one of the most effective, research-backed tools we use to help people with arthritis move better and feel stronger? Strength training.

When people think about aging well, they often focus on eating right, staying active, and keeping the heart healthy. Those are all essential, but there’s another piece of the puzzle that doesn’t always get enough attention: mobility and flexibility.

The truth is, strength is one of the biggest predictors of independence as we age. And unlike some parts of aging, losing strength isn’t inevitable—it’s something we can absolutely work on at any age.

If you're someone who loves pushing your fitness limits—whether trail running in Nashville, playing pickup basketball, or training for endurance—sports injuries like sprains, strains, or tendonitis can be incredibly frustrating. But did you know that physical therapy (PT) can actually accelerate your recovery and help prevent future issues—often even improving your performance in the process?

At Nashville Physical Therapy & Performance, we don’t just treat neck pain. We address the whole kinetic chain that supports it—from shoulders to spine—so you can live your life without craning, hunching, or aching.

IT Band Syndrome is one of the most common overuse injuries among endurance athletes, but the good news is that physical therapy offers effective treatments to get you back on track.

When you think of physical therapy, you might imagine exercises and machines. But a big part of what makes physical therapy effective—especially for pain relief and improved movement—is something more personal: manual therapy. This hands-on approach is a cornerstone of physical therapy, and at Nashville Physical Therapy & Performance, we use it to help our patients move better, feel better, and get back to the activities they love.

an elevated first rib can contribute to pain and movement restrictions in the upper body

We’ll explore the impact of calf strains on mobility, why physical therapy is important for recovery, and how it can help you get back to yo

Chronic back and hip pain are common complaints that can significantly affect your quality of life. If you've tried everything—stretching, s

we'll explore what nerve mobility is, how nerves move, what nerve glides or mobilizations are, who can benefit from them, and why seeing a p