Vidrine Integrative Physical Therapy

Vidrine Integrative Physical Therapy 30 years experience treating orthopedic, post op rehab, & all types of complicated issues with pain, vertigo (dizziness), and pelvic issues in Annapolis area.

Experience personalized PT at Vidrine Integrative Physical Therapy. Certified in Dry Needling.

👅 Your Tongue Might Be Affecting Your Neck!Did you know your tongue, jaw, hyoid bone, and neck muscles all work together...
09/03/2026

👅 Your Tongue Might Be Affecting Your Neck!

Did you know your tongue, jaw, hyoid bone, and neck muscles all work together?

Tongue position can influence the muscles around the jaw and hyoid, which can affect muscle activity throughout the front and back of the neck.

When we see neck tension, headaches, TMJ symptoms, jaw clenching, or forward-head posture, it can be helpful to look beyond the neck itself.

What can contribute to the problem?

➡️ Low or poorly coordinated tongue resting position
➡️ Tongue thrusting during swallowing
➡️ Jaw clenching or grinding
➡️ Mouth breathing
➡️ Forward-head posture
➡️ Excessive tension in the suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscles

👐 What can PT treatment include?

Depending on the individual, treatment may include:

• Myofascial release to the jaw, neck, and surrounding tissues
• Craniosacral therapy to address tension patterns
• TMJ assessment and treatment
• Gentle work to the suprahyoid/infrahyoid and cervical muscles
• Breathing and diaphragmatic retraining
• Postural and deep neck flexor exercises
• Tongue and jaw coordination exercises
• Education on relaxed resting jaw and tongue position
• Addressing contributing factors such as clenching and poor cervical mechanics

The goal isn’t simply to “put your tongue in the right place.” It’s about improving coordination between the tongue, jaw, breathing system, hyoid, and cervical spine.

If you’ve been treating your neck pain or headaches without lasting results, it may be time to look at the whole system—not just the painful area.

💜 Move Better. Feel Better. Live Better.

Have you ever noticed a connection between your tongue, jaw, and neck tension?

👍 Like this post

📲 Share it with someone who suffers from neck pain, headaches, or TMJ symptoms

💬 Schedule now or call for free consult!
443-695-8371
www.vidrinept.com

SHOULDER, ELBOW, and WRIST pain may be coming from your spine.As a physical therapist, I often see patients who come in ...
08/13/2026

SHOULDER, ELBOW, and WRIST pain may be coming from your spine.

As a physical therapist, I often see patients who come in with shoulder, elbow, or wrist pain without realizing that their mid-back (thoracic spine) can influence how the shoulder and entire upper extremity move and function.

When the thoracic spine becomes stiff or restricted, your body may compensate by asking the neck, shoulder, and arm to work harder. Over time, this can contribute to:

🔹 Mid-back tightness or aching
🔹 Shoulder pain or limited mobility
🔹 Neck tension
🔹 Elbow or wrist symptoms
🔹 Poor posture and difficulty reaching overhead

Research has even shown that when patients with upper-extremity pain also have spinal dysfunction, addressing the spine with manual therapy and mobilization can improve shoulder, elbow, wrist pain and disability.

One example of an effective exercise to improve mid back mobility is the open book. Simply lay on your side with your knees stacked and rotate your neck and arm away. This shouldn’t be forceful.

👉 The important takeaway: Where you FEEL the pain isn’t always where the problem starts.

At Vidrine Integrative Physical Therapy, I look at the whole movement system—not just the painful body part. Your mid-back, neck, shoulder, and even the way your body moves as a whole may be connected.

If your mid-back constantly feels tight or you’re dealing with stubborn shoulder, elbow, or wrist pain, it may be time to look beyond the obvious.

Move Better. Feel Better. Live Better.

📍 Vidrine Integrative Physical Therapy | Annapolis

💬 Message me to schedule a one-on-one evaluation
443-695-8371

💻 schedule online
https://vidrinept.com

🤕 Mid-Back Pain: What’s Causing It?Your thoracic spine (mid-back) is designed to be more stable and less mobile than you...
08/10/2026

🤕 Mid-Back Pain: What’s Causing It?

Your thoracic spine (mid-back) is designed to be more stable and less mobile than your neck and low back. That stability helps protect it from injury—but it doesn’t make it immune to pain.

Mid-back discomfort can develop for a variety of reasons, including:

🔹 Poor posture – especially spending hours rounded over a computer or phone
🔹 Prolonged sitting – which can place extra stress on the muscles and joints of the thoracic spine
🔹 Kyphosis or scoliosis – changes in spinal alignment can contribute to stiffness and discomfort
🔹 Muscle or ligament strains – often caused by an unexpected movement, lifting, or trauma
🔹 Rib or vertebral injuries – including bruising or fractures
🔹 Osteoporosis – weakened bones can increase the risk of compression fractures
🔹 Repetitive activities – frequent lifting, bending, reaching, or twisting can lead to overuse and irritation

The good news? Mid-back pain isn’t something you simply have to live with.

A physical therapist can evaluate your posture, spinal and rib mobility, strength, movement patterns, and other contributing factors to determine what’s really driving your pain.

Treatment may include hands-on manual therapy, myofascial release, mobility exercises, strengthening, posture and movement retraining, dry needling, and a personalized home exercise program.

At Vidrine Integrative Physical Therapy, we look beyond the painful spot to find the underlying cause and create a treatment plan specific to YOU.

💜 Back & Neck Relief
✔️ One-on-one care
✔️ Personalized treatment
✔️ No unnecessary treatments
✔️ Convenient, affordable care

Move Better. Feel Better. Live Better.

📍 801 Compass Way, suite 208
Annapolis,MD

📲 Text or call 443-695-8371 to schedule NOW! Or
Schedule at your convenience
www.vidrinept.com

👉 If you found this information helpful, please LIKE and SHARE this post!

💜 And don’t forget to LIKE our page so you can keep up with helpful tips, exercises, and information to help you move and feel your best!

Did you know that neck pain caused by Whiplash could be Occipital Neuralgia?Occipital neuralgia is a condition involving...
08/07/2026

Did you know that neck pain caused by Whiplash could be Occipital Neuralgia?

Occipital neuralgia is a condition involving irritation of the occipital nerves and is often characterized by sharp, shooting, burning, or electric-like pain that starts near the base of the skull and radiates upward.

A 2025 study of 212 patients with occipital neuralgia found that 117 reported a prior head or neck injury, with whiplash identified as the most common cause.

Let’s look at how a history of whiplash may influence the risk of occipital neuralgia.

Occipital neuralgia is sometimes mistaken for migraines, tension headaches, or headaches that originate from the neck. Clues that suggest occipital neuralgia include pain that begins near the base of the skull, tenderness over the occipital nerves, scalp sensitivity, and sharp pain that radiates toward the top of the head.

Because several conditions can produce similar symptoms, a thorough examination is important. If the examination suggests occipital neuralgia is present, physical therapy may help reduce mechanical stress on the occipital nerves. I utilize a wide range of treatments which may provide relief of neck pain and headaches.

Leigh Ann Vidrine, PT

📍Office Location:

Vidrine Integrative Physical Therapy
📞443-695-8371
vidrinept.com



Wakey wakey… sore and achy. 😴➡️😩You know you’re getting older when you make sound effects just standing up.“Oof.”“Ahh.”“...
07/24/2026

Wakey wakey… sore and achy. 😴➡️😩

You know you’re getting older when you make sound effects just standing up.

“Oof.”
“Ahh.”
“Hold on, let me get my balance.”

If your morning routine includes stretching every body part before you can make it to the coffee pot, we should talk. ☕️

Contrary to popular belief, waking up feeling like you got tackled by a linebacker overnight is not a normal part of aging.

Your joints aren’t rusty.
Your back isn’t doomed.
And “I’ve just learned to live with it” is not a treatment plan.

At Vidrine Integrative Physical Therapy, we help you get to the root cause of your aches and pains so you can get back to doing what you love—without sounding like a bowl of Rice Krispies every time you stand up. 😂

Snap. Crackle. Pop belongs in your breakfast bowl, not your knees.

📍 Annapolis
📞 Schedule your one-on-one evaluation today.

Tag a friend whose morning soundtrack is “grunts and groans.” 👇🤣

Did you know your low back pain may have as much to do with your sleep as it does with your posture or exercise routine?...
07/21/2026

Did you know your low back pain may have as much to do with your sleep as it does with your posture or exercise routine?

Research continues to show a strong connection between poor sleep and chronic pain. When we don't get quality sleep, our bodies become more sensitive to pain, making everyday activities feel harder and slowing the healing process. Over time, disrupted sleep can contribute to increased pain, decreased mobility, and a greater risk of developing chronic musculoskeletal conditions.

At Vidrine Integrative Physical Therapy, we take a whole-body approach to treating low back pain. That means looking beyond the site of pain and considering factors like sleep, stress, movement patterns, and nervous system regulation.

Here are a few ways to improve your sleep hygiene:
• Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day.
• Keep your bedroom cool, dark, and quiet.
• Limit screen time before bed.
• Avoid heavy meals, caffeine, and alcohol in the evening.
• Stay active throughout the day with regular movement and exercise.

If your low back pain is keeping you awake at night, it's time to address the root cause. Whether your symptoms are related to muscle imbalances, poor movement patterns, stress, or nervous system dysregulation, physical therapy can help.

At Vidrine Integrative Physical Therapy in Annapolis, Maryland, we provide one-on-one care for low back pain using an integrative approach that may include manual therapy, dry needling, myofascial release, muscle energy technique, integrated fascial release, corrective exercise, and nervous system regulation techniques.

Don't let pain and poor sleep keep you from living your life.

Vidrine Integrative Physical Therapy – Annapolis, MD
Call, text, or book online 24/7 to schedule an evaluation and start sleeping—and feeling—better.

1 Simple Move to Help Relieve Hip & Lower Back PainI hope your summer is going well! With summer comes more activity, o...
07/13/2026

1 Simple Move to Help Relieve Hip & Lower Back Pain

I hope your summer is going well! With summer comes more activity, or maybe you're staying indoors due to the heat?! If you are having increased low back or hip pain/ache at the end of the day, then I have a HOT tip for you!

If you've been stretching over and over without lasting relief, you may be treating the symptom—not the cause.
For many people, the real problem isn't tight muscles. It's weak glutes and weak inner thighs.
When these muscles don't work together, your pelvis loses stability. Your lower back has to work overtime to keep you upright, leading to stiffness, aching, and recurring pain.

Could Weak Glutes Be Causing Your Back Pain?
You may have weak glutes if you notice:
✅ Your lower back aches after standing for a while.
✅ Walking longer distances increases your pain.
✅ Sitting for extended periods leaves your back feeling tight.

Your glute muscles are designed to stabilize your pelvis with every step you take. When they aren't doing their job, the muscles in your lower back compensate—and eventually become overworked. That's the stiffness/pain you feel at the end of the day.

The exercise that strengthens both glutes & inner thighs TOGETHER (just like they work when you're walking) Lateral Squat
Unlike traditional squats, the lateral squat trains the muscles that stabilize your pelvis from side to side. As you shift into the squat:
The gluteus medius (outside of the bent hip) helps control your pelvis.
The adductor muscles (inner thigh of the opposite leg) work at the same time to provide support.
This coordinated muscle activation is exactly what your body uses every time you walk, climb stairs, or balance on one leg.

Most exercise programs strengthen these muscles separately. Training them
together is what helps restore normal pelvic stability and often leads to lasting improvements in hip and low back pain.

Why It Works

When your glutes and inner thighs work as a team:
✔ Your pelvis stays level.
✔ Your lower back doesn't have to compensate.
✔ Less stress is placed on your lumbar spine.
✔ Walking, standing, and everyday activities become easier and more comfortable.

With consistency, many people begin noticing improved strength and stability within
4–6 weeks
Try It This Month!
Perform 2–3 sets of 8–12 repetitions on each side. If you're not able to do this many, then do 1-2 sets of 5-8 reps. Make sure you keep good form!

Remember:
Keep your chest tall.
Sit your hips back.
Keep the opposite leg straight.
Push through the heel to return to standing.
Only squat as low as you can while maintaining good control.


When Pain Doesn't Go Away…
Call, text, or go online to schedule a visit with me!

🤔 Shoulder pain when reaching overhead?The source of the problem may not actually be your shoulder.One of the things I l...
06/19/2026

🤔 Shoulder pain when reaching overhead?

The source of the problem may not actually be your shoulder.

One of the things I love about physical therapy is that the body is connected in ways that aren’t always obvious. A movement restriction in your ankle or calf can create a chain reaction that affects your knee, pelvis, spine, and eventually your shoulder.

When the ankle doesn’t move well, your body often compensates elsewhere. Over time, those compensations can lead to extra stress on the shoulder during everyday activities like reaching into a cabinet, lifting groceries, or exercising.

That’s why I don’t just look at the area that hurts. I look at how your entire body moves.

Sometimes the key to improving shoulder pain isn’t another shoulder exercise—it’s identifying the movement restriction somewhere else in the chain.

Your body works as an integrated system, and lasting results often come from treating the root cause rather than just the symptoms.

Have you ever had pain in one area that turned out to be caused by something completely different? Share below! 👇

Do you have pain to front of hip? Let’s fix this!
05/23/2026

Do you have pain to front of hip? Let’s fix this!

Have you been considering Physical Therapy or getting a massage because you’re tired of having that pain? Ache? Stiffnes...
05/20/2026

Have you been considering Physical Therapy or getting a massage because you’re tired of having that pain? Ache? Stiffness? Tried PT before, but it didn’t work?

I am different than most physical therapists. I look for the root cause of your pain. I assess the entire body. I don’t just treat symptoms.

Your shoulder might hurt, but what is really causing that strain?
Your back hurts, but what set that pattern in motion?

Pain is usually due to compensation, stiffening where the initial injury was and now for months, or years, you adjusted your movement pattern to create the dysfunction and now you’ve got pain!

At VIPT, we follow the chain- looking at movement patterns, fascia, and nervous system stress-to correct what’s truly driving the pain.

Because lasting relief comes from fixing the source, not just chasing the symptoms.
www.vidrinept.com


Address

801 Compass Way, Ste 208
Annapolis, MD
21401

Opening Hours

Monday 7am - 6pm
Tuesday 7am - 6pm
Wednesday 7am - 6pm
Thursday 7am - 6pm
Friday 7am - 6pm

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