Sara Mikulsky

The holiday season is full of joy — and often, a fair amount of stress. Between shopping, travel, family gatherings, and endless treats, it’s easy to let healthy habits slide. But staying active and mindful this time of year doesn’t have to be hard. A few simple strategies can help you feel energized, manage stress, and avoid those post-holiday aches and pains. Here’s how to stay healthy, happy, and moving through the holidays. 🕒 1. Keep Moving — Even in Small Ways When your

It’s that time of year again — when ladders come out, extension cords appear, and we transform our homes into twinkling winter wonderlands. But before you reach up to hang that strand of lights, let’s talk about something that’s not quite as festive: shoulder injuries . As a physical therapist, I often see patients who come in with shoulder pain after decorating. Overhead reaching, lifting heavy boxes, and awkward ladder positions can all strain the rotator cuff, irritate the

It’s that time of year again — when ladders come out, extension cords appear, and we transform our homes into twinkling winter wonderlands. But before you reach up to hang that strand of lights, let’s talk about something that’s not quite as festive: shoulder injuries . As a physical therapist, I often see patients who come in with shoulder pain after decorating. Overhead reaching, lifting heavy boxes, and awkward ladder positions can all strain the rotator cuff, irritate the

Autumn brings beautiful colors—and a whole lot of leaves to clean up. While raking might seem like a simple fall chore, it can actually be quite physically demanding. Every year, physical therapists see an increase in back pain, shoulder strains, and muscle soreness after a weekend of yard work. The good news? A few smart adjustments can help you protect your body and make leaf cleanup a safe, effective workout—without the aches and pains. Here are our top physical therapy–ap

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to relax, reconnect, and reflect on gratitude — but it can also bring its share of stress, overindulgence, and aches from travel or holiday prep. Between long hours in the kitchen, sitting during travel, and large meals, it’s easy to let your healthy habits slide. The good news? With a few mindful choices, you can enjoy your Thanksgiving to the fullest while keeping your body moving and feeling great. Here are our top physical therapist–approv

As winter approaches, skiers everywhere start counting down the days until the first snowfall. But before you click into your bindings, it’s important to prepare your body for the physical demands of skiing. Whether you’re carving groomers, exploring backcountry terrain, or chasing moguls, skiing requires strength, balance, mobility, and endurance. Starting a pre-season conditioning program 4–6 weeks before hitting the slopes can help you: Reduce the risk of common skiing inj

In today’s busy world, many of us find it hard to truly take a break. Whether it’s a few vacation days, a long weekend, or medical leave, time off is essential for your body and mind to recover, recharge, and come back stronger. As physical therapists, we often see people who finally take time off—only to return sore, stiff, or more stressed than before. The good news? With a few mindful strategies, your next break can leave you feeling refreshed and physically well. Here are

Fall is a beautiful season—but with the changing leaves comes the annual chore of raking. While it may seem like a simple task, raking...

Halloween is a fun holiday full of costumes, decorations, and family traditions. Whether you’re trick-or-treating with kids, attending a...

As the temperatures drop, many people notice their muscles feeling tighter, stiffer, and more prone to injury. Cold weather causes our...