What Dogs Taught Me About Finding the Real Cause of Pain
- hollylewis603
- May 22
- 5 min read
By Dr. Holly | 603 PT & Wellness – Dover, NH
Most people are surprised when I tell them that my passion for movement started long before physical therapy school.
Before I ever thought about becoming a physical therapist, I spent countless hours training and working with dogs. I grew up around dog shows and performance events. One of my favorite memories is sitting outside the show ring with my uncle, watching dogs move and talking about what we saw.
We would discuss a dog's strengths, weaknesses, posture, and gait. Was the dog reaching far enough with its front legs? Was it pushing correctly from the back legs? Was there a limp? Did one side move differently than the other?
At the time, I had no idea those conversations would help shape the way I practice physical therapy more than 20 years later.
Looking Beyond the Area That Hurts
In the dog world, if a dog is limping, we don't automatically assume the problem is only in the leg where we see the limp.
We look at the whole body.
Maybe the shoulder is stiff. Maybe the spine is not moving well. Maybe one hip is weaker than the other. Maybe the dog changed how it moves because of an old injury.
The body works as one connected system.
The same thing happens with people.
If your foot hurts when you walk, the problem may not actually start in your foot.
If your knee hurts, the cause could be coming from your hip.
If your neck feels tight every day, your upper back, shoulders, breathing pattern, or even your lower back may be playing a role.
This whole-body approach is one of the biggest benefits of working outside the traditional healthcare model at 603 PT & Wellness in Dover, NH.
Instead of rushing through a short appointment, we spend time finding the true cause of the problem so you can get lasting results.
The Plantar Fasciitis Story I See All the Time
One of the most common examples is chronic foot pain.
Many people come to our clinic after being told they have plantar fasciitis for months or even years.
They have tried:
Stretching
Ice
Orthotics
Night splints
Massage guns
Special shoes
Foot gadgets they found online
Sometimes these treatments help a little.
Sometimes they do not help at all.
The reason is simple.
The painful area is not always the area causing the problem.
When we evaluate the entire body, we often discover that the real issue is higher up the chain.
For some people, the problem starts in the lower back or spine.
The nerves that travel from the spine help control the muscles and sensation in the feet. If those nerves are irritated, people may feel burning, tingling, aching, or chronic foot pain that looks like plantar fasciitis.
When we identify the true source and prescribe the right corrective exercises, many people notice improvement surprisingly quickly.
Instead of feeling doomed to live with chronic foot pain forever, they begin walking comfortably again and return to the activities they enjoy.
Why This Matters During Perimenopause and Menopause
For adults over 35, especially women navigating perimenopause and menopause, movement becomes even more important.
Hormonal changes can affect:
Muscle strength
Recovery
Joint comfort
Bone density
Balance
Energy levels
Many women notice new aches and pains and assume it is simply part of getting older.
The truth is that many movement problems can be improved when the body is evaluated properly.
A whole-body assessment helps identify movement habits, strength deficits, and mobility restrictions before they become larger problems.
This allows you to stay active, protect your bone health, and continue doing the things you love for years to come.
Simple Tips for Leg and Foot Pain at Home
If walking causes discomfort in your feet or legs, these simple strategies may help.
1. Change Positions Often
Try not to sit for hours at a time.
Standing up and moving every 30–60 minutes helps improve circulation and keeps joints from becoming stiff.
2. Build Hip Strength
Strong hips help control the position of the knee, ankle, and foot during walking.
Simple exercises such as bridges, sit-to-stands, and side leg raises can be helpful for many people.
3. Check Your Walking Routine
If the pain started after increasing your steps, distance, or hills, your body may simply need a gradual progression.
Increase activity slowly and allow recovery days when needed.
4. Don't Ignore Back Stiffness
Many people with foot or leg pain also have stiffness in their lower back.
Improving spinal mobility and posture can sometimes reduce symptoms farther down the
body.
5. Wear Supportive Shoes
Choose shoes that fit properly and feel comfortable.
The best shoe is not always the most expensive one. Comfort and proper fit are usually more important than marketing claims.
The Benefits of Using a Lumbar Roll
One of my favorite tools for people who sit during the day is a lumbar roll.
A lumbar roll is a small cushion placed behind the lower back while sitting.
Benefits may include:
Better sitting posture
Reduced strain on the lower back
Less neck and shoulder tension
Improved comfort during long periods of sitting
Better support for the natural curve of the spine
When the lower back is supported correctly, the rest of the body often works more efficiently. For some people, this can even reduce symptoms that travel into the hips, legs, or feet.
It is a simple tool that can make a surprisingly big difference.
Finding the Root Cause Matters
One of the greatest lessons dogs taught me is that movement tells a story.
A limp is a clue.
A change in posture is a clue.
A foot that hurts every time you walk is a clue.
The key is finding out why it is happening.
That philosophy guides everything we do at 603 PT & Wellness. We do not simply chase symptoms. We look at how your entire body moves so we can uncover the root cause of pain and help you return to the activities that matter most.
At 603 PT & Wellness in Dover, NH, we work with adults throughout the Seacoast region who want to stay active and strong as they age. Many of our patients come from nearby communities including:
Dover
Portsmouth
Durham
Somersworth
Rochester
Exeter
Greenland
Newmarket
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