Big Stone Therapies Fargo

03/23/2026

What is Rotator Cuff–Related Shoulder Pain?
Rotator cuff–related shoulder pain (RCRSP) is one of the most common causes of shoulder pain. The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and their tendons that help stabilize the shoulder and control arm movement. When these tendons become irritated, overloaded, or degenerated, it can lead to pain and difficulty using the shoulder.

How Does It Present?
People with rotator cuff–related pain often notice:

Pain when lifting the arm overhead

Pain reaching behind the back or out to the side

Weakness in the shoulder

Discomfort when sleeping on the affected shoulder

Pain during activities like lifting, throwing, or reaching

Symptoms may develop gradually over time or after a period of increased activity.

How Can Physical Therapy Help?
Physical therapy is one of the most effective treatments for rotator cuff–related shoulder pain. Treatment may include:

Exercises to strengthen the rotator cuff and shoulder blade muscles

Improving shoulder mobility and movement mechanics

Reducing irritation in the tendons

Education on activity modification and safe movement strategies

Gradual return to sports, work, or daily activities

Our therapists create personalized programs designed to restore strength, improve shoulder control, and reduce pain.

What Can Patients Do to Help?
Patients play a key role in recovery. Helpful strategies include:

Performing prescribed exercises consistently

Avoiding repeated painful overhead movements early in recovery

Maintaining good posture during work and daily activities

Using gradual, controlled return to exercise or sports

Staying active while respecting pain limits

With the right treatment and a guided exercise program, most people with rotator cuff–related shoulder pain can recover and return to the activities they enjoy. 💪

03/20/2026

🌷 Happy First Day of Spring! 🌷

Spring is finally here, and that means many of us are getting back outside to enjoy gardening, yard work, and fresh air. While gardening is a great way to stay active, bending, lifting, and kneeling for long periods can sometimes lead to back, knee, or shoulder pain.

Keep your body feeling good this gardening season with a few simple tips:

🌱 Warm up first – Take a short walk or do a few gentle stretches before starting.

🌱 Lift with your legs – Keep soil bags and pots close to your body and avoid twisting while lifting.

🌱 Change positions often – Try not to stay bent over too long. Stand up and stretch regularly.

🌱 Use supportive tools – Kneeling pads, long-handled tools, or raised garden beds can reduce strain on your joints.

🌱 Take breaks – Gardening is a workout! Give your body time to recover.

If gardening leaves you with back pain, knee pain, or shoulder pain, physical therapy can help keep you moving so you can enjoy everything spring has to offer. Give us a call today to learn how therapy can help!



🌼 Here’s to a healthy and active spring!

03/18/2026

"The most important member of your care team is you," is a guiding principle at our clinics. While a Physical Therapist provides the clinical expertise to build strength and balance, the patient provides the context. A successful recovery is only achieved when a patient can return to the specific activities that define their daily life - whether that is lifting a child into a car seat, finishing a local 5K, or sitting through a long flight without discomfort.
Research suggests that patient-led goal setting significantly improves adherence to Home Exercise Programs. When a repetitive exercise is tied directly to a meaningful outcome, like returning to the golf course or the gym, patients are more likely to stay committed to the process.
BST Fargo invites patients to experience a recovery plan as unique as their own lifestyle.
For more information about personalized physical therapy or to schedule an evaluation, please call us at 701-478-7868 today!

03/17/2026

March is MS education and awareness month-a time to support, educate, and empower those living with MS. 💛 This is a great article on MS and how therapy can help empower those living with MS. If you are interested in how therapy can help you, give us a call today at 701-478-7868!

Multiple sclerosis, or MS, is a disease where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms vary for each person. Physical therapy helps people manage systems and stay independent.

03/17/2026

☘️ Don’t rely on luck to feel better! ☘️

This St. Patrick’s Day, remember that the best way to stay active and pain-free isn’t luck—it’s movement, strength, and the right care.

If aches, pains, or injuries are slowing you down, our physical therapy team is here to help you get back to doing what you love.

🌈 Feel better
💪 Move stronger
🏃 Get back to activity

Happy St. Patrick’s Day from all of us at BST Fargo!

03/16/2026

Does posture really cause pain? 🤔

You’ve probably heard the advice: “Sit up straight!” But the relationship between posture and pain is more complex than many people think. In this video, we break down what the research actually says about posture, why pain develops, and how movement and strength play a much bigger role than simply trying to hold a “perfect” position.

You’ll learn:
• Why posture alone rarely causes pain
• How prolonged positions can contribute to discomfort
• Why movement and variability matter more than perfection

The goal isn’t perfect posture — it’s staying active, moving often, and building resilience.

If you’re dealing with neck pain, back pain, or headaches, physical therapy can help identify contributing factors and create a personalized plan to get you moving comfortably again, give us a call today!

03/16/2026

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is a group of connective tissue disorders that affect the body’s collagen, which helps provide strength and stability to joints, skin, and other tissues. Many individuals with EDS experience joint hypermobility, frequent sprains or subluxations, chronic pain, muscle fatigue, and sometimes balance or coordination difficulties. Because the ligaments and connective tissues are more elastic than typical, joints may move beyond their normal range and become unstable.

Physical therapy plays an important role in helping people with EDS manage symptoms and improve function. Treatment often focuses on strengthening the muscles that support the joints, improving proprioception (the body’s awareness of joint position), and developing better movement control during daily activities. Therapists may also work on posture, stability, and low-impact conditioning to improve endurance without placing excessive stress on the joints.

Education is another key component of therapy. Patients learn strategies to protect their joints, manage flare-ups, and safely stay active. With a personalized program and guidance from trained therapists, individuals with EDS can often improve stability, reduce pain, and maintain an active, healthy lifestyle.

Call us today for an evaluation to see if therapy is right for you!

03/13/2026

Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) Therapy

Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) therapy is an advanced rehabilitation technique that uses a specialized cuff to gently restrict blood flow to a limb during low-intensity exercise. This allows patients to gain strength and muscle size similar to heavy weight training—without placing excessive stress on joints or healing tissues. BFR is especially helpful for individuals recovering from surgery, injury, or those who cannot tolerate heavy loads. At our clinic, BFR is performed by trained professionals using safe, evidence-based protocols to help you recover faster, build strength, and return to the activities you love. 💪

Call us today, 701-478-7868, to see if BFR can help you in your recovery!

03/12/2026

Here is a great tool for those suffering from chronic pain, this free course was created by a PT and has a lot of education on why we hurt and how the body and brain processes pain. There are some great resources within as well, click on the link to learn more!

Join our pain science course designed for individuals living with chronic pain. Learn effective strategies to manage pain and improve your quality of life and join a community of people working towards improvement.

03/11/2026

To ensure treatment plans are effective and sustainable, Bigstone Therapies encourages patients to take an active role in their recovery through several key strategies. We work one on one with our patients during the evaluation and at each session to ensure the we are still working toward patient specific goals. To make the most of each therapy session and your overall plan we recommend the following:
Patients are encouraged to identify one specific activity, such as gardening, playing pickleball, or sleeping through the night that serves as the primary motivator for their program.
They're encouraged to pay attention to the details. Like if pain occurs specifically while using stairs at work or after an hour at a computer. This lets their therapist customize their exercises to mimic real-world movements.
Finally, they're encouraged to write down specific things they're limited in or having difficulty with.
This kind of patient participation makes sure therapy is a customized collaboration instead of a generic prescription, leading to lasting gains and overall better function! Call us today at 701-478-7868 to schedule your patient specific evaluation and plan of care!

03/09/2026

Geriatric care in physical and occupational therapy focuses on helping older adults stay strong, independent, and safe. It addresses common age-related concerns such as balance problems, fall risk, arthritis, joint pain, weakness, and recovery after surgery or hospitalization.

Treatment may include strength and balance training, walking and mobility exercises, pain management, and education to improve confidence and daily function. The goal of geriatric physical and occupational therapy is to enhance quality of life, reduce fall risk, and help individuals maintain independence in their home and community.

If you are wondering if you could benefit from Physical and Occupation Therapy give us a call today to schedule an appointment at 701-478-7868!

03/05/2026

Orthopedic care focuses on treating injuries and conditions affecting the muscles, joints, bones, ligaments, and tendons. In physical therapy, orthopedic care helps people recover from surgeries, sports injuries, overuse injuries, and everyday aches and pains.

Treatment may include hands-on manual therapy, targeted strengthening and mobility exercises, movement analysis, and education to restore function and prevent future injury. The goal is to reduce pain, improve mobility and strength, and help patients return safely to work, sports, and daily activities.

If you are suffering from nagging injuries or looking for one on one care following a surgery give us a call today, 701-478-7868.