3 Common Causes of Pain & Dizziness
And Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Them
(Plus How Physical Therapy Can Fix the Root Problem)
Many people assume that pain, stiffness, or dizziness are just “part of getting older” or something to push through until they eventually go away.
At Epic Physical Therapy, we consistently see three highly treatable causes behind these symptoms — and the good news is that each one responds extremely well to targeted physical therapy.
If you’ve been dealing with ongoing discomfort, feeling “off,” or wondering why symptoms keep coming back, understanding these root causes can help you take the next step toward feeling better.
1. Weak or Undertrained Stabilizer Muscles
Common symptoms:
- Low back pain
- Hip tightness
- Shoulder pain
- Knee irritation
- “Pinchy” or unstable joints
Many people assume pain comes from tightness, but in reality, weakness — especially in smaller stabilizer muscles — is one of the most common sources of chronic pain.
Your body relies on stabilizers such as:
- Deep core muscles (transverse abdominis, multifidi)
- Hip stabilizers (glute med, deep rotators)
- Shoulder stabilizers (rotator cuff muscles)
- Foot and ankle stabilizers
When these muscles are weak or delayed in activation, larger muscles compensate — leading to overuse, inflammation, and pain.
What research shows:
- Over 80% of low back pain cases involve weakness in deep spinal stabilizers
- Weak glute med activity is linked to hip pain, knee pain, and running injuries
- Rotator cuff weakness is a major contributor to shoulder pain in adults over 40
The good news? Stabilizer muscles respond extremely well to targeted physical therapy, helping reduce pain, improve posture, and restore healthy movement long-term.
2. Untreated Post-Concussion or Vestibular System Issues
Common symptoms:
- Dizziness or vertigo
- Feeling off balance
- Foggy thinking
- Motion sensitivity
- Nausea
- Unsteady or “wobbly” walking
Dizziness is never normal — yet many people live with it for months or years because they don’t realize physical therapy can treat it.
The vestibular system (your body’s balance center in the inner ear) controls eye movement, spatial awareness, and steadiness. When it isn’t functioning properly, even simple movements can feel overwhelming.
Why this matters:
- Vestibular rehab can reduce dizziness by 60–80% in just a few weeks
- Up to 50% of people with a concussion have lingering vestibular issues without PT
If dizziness is affecting your life — even occasionally — a vestibular assessment can uncover the cause and provide relief.
3. Mobility Restrictions You Don’t Notice
Common symptoms:
- Chronic joint aches
- Exercise-related flare-ups
- Morning stiffness
- Pain that moves around
- Difficulty with stairs, bending, or reaching
Mobility issues often go unnoticed because your body compensates — until those compensations break down.
When one joint is restricted (hips, mid-back, ankles), another joint is forced to work overtime. That’s when pain and overuse injuries appear.
What studies tell us:
- Ankle stiffness increases strain on the knees
- Limited hip mobility is strongly linked to low back pain
- Up to 70% of shoulder and neck pain involves thoracic spine stiffness
Improving mobility doesn’t just reduce pain — it improves posture, performance, and daily movement.
When to Seek Help
If you’ve been:
- ✔️ Pushing through pain
- ✔️ Waiting for dizziness to resolve on its own
- ✔️ Dealing with symptoms for weeks or months
- ✔️ Modifying activities to avoid discomfort
Early treatment leads to better outcomes, faster recovery, and fewer long-term complications.
🗓️ Ready to Feel Better?
We’re currently offering same-week evaluations at both of our convenient clinic locations:
📍 Epic Physical Therapy – Greenwood Village
9250 E Costilla Ave, Ste 201
Greenwood Village, CO 80112
📞 (720) 572-4873
📍 Epic Physical Therapy – Highlands Ranch
9088 S Ridgeline Blvd, Ste 106
Highlands Ranch, CO 80129
📞 (720) 458-0522
