Sara Mikulsky

Balance is one of the most important (and most overlooked) parts of physical health. It affects everything: Walking on uneven ground Climbing stairs Playing sports Lifting weights Preventing falls And here’s the key: balance declines quietly. Most people don’t notice changes until they feel unstable, trip more often, or lose confidence in movement. The good news? Balance is highly trainable at any age. 🧪 Quick At-Home Balance Assessments Try these simple screens: 1️⃣ Single-

Perimenopause can feel confusing. One month you feel strong and steady. The next, you’re dealing with joint pain, sleep disruption, weight changes, leaking with workouts, or a back flare-up that seems to come out of nowhere. These changes are common during the hormonal transition leading up to menopause — but that doesn’t mean you have to push through them alone. Physical therapy can help more than most women realize. What’s Happening in Perimenopause? As estrogen fluctuates,

Footwear is one of the most overlooked causes of pain we see in physical therapy. Before blaming your back, knees, or hips — look down. Your shoes influence how your foot hits the ground, how your ankle moves, how your knee tracks, and how forces travel up your body. Poor footwear can quietly contribute to: Plantar fasciitis Achilles tendinitis Shin splints Knee pain Hip and low back discomfort The Problem We See Every Spring As the weather warms up, people switch from suppor

Pelvic health issues are incredibly common — but they’re not often discussed. Leaking urine during exercise. Pelvic pain. Pain with intimacy. Pressure or heaviness. Core weakness that never quite improves. These symptoms are common. They are not normal. What Is Pelvic Health Physical Therapy? Pelvic health PT focuses on the muscles, ligaments, and connective tissue that support your bladder, bowel, uterus/prostate, and core. These muscles are part of your deep stability syste

Check out my recent interview with The Beacon Beacon about living well, right here in Beacon, New York! Whether you live here, or in another part of the world, these 10 tips can help us all! Check the link by clicking here

The first warm days of March are motivating. You go for a longer walk, start running again, clean up the yard, or jump back into tennis or golf. But here’s what we see every year in physical therapy: March is prime time for overuse injuries. After a winter of reduced activity, your muscles, tendons, and joints aren’t as conditioned as you think. Your motivation may be high—but your tissue tolerance is lower than it was in the fall. Common early-spring injuries include: Achill

Shoulder pain has a way of sneaking into everyday life. One day it’s a dull ache when you reach overhead, and the next it’s waking you up at night or making simple tasks—like getting dressed or lifting a bag—uncomfortable. The good news? Most achy shoulder pain responds very well to physical therapy. Let’s break down what’s going on and how you can start feeling better. Why Does Shoulder Pain Happen? The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body, which also makes it one o

As temperatures drop, many people notice their bodies feel stiffer, tighter, and a little more reluctant to move. Cold weather can make muscles and joints feel less flexible, which may increase the risk of strains, aches, and injuries—especially if you stay less active during the winter months. From a physical therapy perspective, winter is the perfect time to be intentional about mobility and movement. Why Do We Feel Stiffer in Cold Weather? Cold temperatures can cause: Redu

Valentine’s Day tends to come with two things: a lot of sugar and a lot of pressure to “be good” or “be bad” with food. From a physical therapy and overall wellness standpoint, we like to take a different approach—enjoy the treats you love while supporting your body’s recovery, energy, and health. Good news: you don’t have to skip dessert to take care of yourself (or your Valentine). Why Treats Matter for Recovery (Yes, Really) Food isn’t just fuel—it’s part of recovery. Bala

Ski racing is one of the most physically demanding sports out there. It’s explosive, technical, and unforgiving—combining high speeds, powerful turns, uneven terrain, and massive forces through the lower body. Whether you’re a junior racer, a collegiate athlete, or a masters competitor, smart training is the difference between shaving tenths off your time and sitting out the season with an injury. From a physical therapy perspective, ski racing training should focus on perfor