Fresh health insights

Sword's guide to managing MSK pain

Musculoskeletal (MSK) pain can make everyday tasks feel like uphill battles. Whether it's bending down to pick up a child, sitting through a workday, or simply getting a good night’s rest, MSK pain touches nearly every aspect of life. If you're here, you might be one of the millions looking not just for information, but for real solutions that work. You’re not alone and you don’t have to settle for treatments that leave you frustrated or stuck. Thankfully, modern care models are evolving. Sword Health is pioneering a virtual-first, clinically guided approach that empowers people living with MSK pain to recover from the comfort of home.

May 15, 2025 • 7 min read

Sword Editorial Team

Occupational therapy vs. physical therapy

When recovering from an injury, managing pain, or adjusting to a new physical limitation, finding the right type of care is essential. Two approaches that often come up in this process are occupational therapy and physical therapy. While these therapies may seem similar, they serve distinct purposes and can support different aspects of your health and recovery. Understanding the difference between occupational and physical therapy can help you make a more informed, confident decision about your care. In this blog, we’ll break down how each therapy works, what goals they focus on, when each might be needed, and how to decide which one is right for you. Physical therapy (PT) is a form of treatment designed to help people improve movement, reduce pain, and restore function after an injury, illness, or surgery. It plays a critical role in helping people regain strength and mobility, whether they’re recovering from a sports injury, managing chronic conditions like arthritis, or coming back from a surgery like a joint replacement.

May 15, 2025 • 8 min read

Sword Editorial Team

The benefits of at-home physical therapy

Over the past decade, healthcare has experienced a meaningful shift. Patients no longer need to wait weeks for appointments, spend hours commuting to clinics, or rearrange their lives to receive expert care. One of the most transformative changes has taken place in musculoskeletal (MSK) care. The rise of at-home digital physical therapy gives people everywhere easier access to expert care with the flexibility to complete their recovery at a time that suits their schedule. This new digital delivery model of care means patients don't need to confront the barriers of traditional in-clinic physical therapy. They can avoid the challenge of scheduling appointments in office hours, racing across town to a busy location, or waiting for a referral and delaying their recovery.

May 15, 2025 • 10 min read

Sword Editorial Team

Physiotherapy vs. physical therapy: What’s the difference?

When you’re exploring treatment options for pain, injury recovery, or mobility issues, you might come across two terms that seem interchangeable: physiotherapy and physical therapy. This can raise a natural question: what’s the difference, and does it matter when choosing care? In most cases, the terms are used interchangeably. But behind the language are decades of evolving practices and a shared commitment to helping people move better, feel stronger, and live with less pain. Understanding the origins, similarities, and applications of physiotherapy and physical therapy can help you make smarter, more informed decisions about your health. In this post, we’ll explore how the terms developed, what they mean today, and how to choose the right kind of care based on your individual needs. The practice of using movement and manual techniques to treat illness and injury dates back thousands of years, but the modern professions of physiotherapy and physical therapy began to take shape in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. “Physiotherapy” originated in Europe and became the dominant term in countries like the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. In contrast, the term “physical therapy” gained traction in the United States, particularly as the profession formalized during and after World War I to treat injured soldiers. Despite these geographic and linguistic differences, both terms describe the same essential practice: restoring function, managing pain, and promoting movement. Today, most English-speaking countries recognize that the terms are functionally identical, with no formal distinction in care goals or clinical scope. Yes, functionally and clinically, physiotherapy and physical therapy are the same. Both involve a licensed healthcare professional working with individuals to address pain, mobility limitations, injuries, and physical impairments. Treatment plans are typically personalized and may include guided exercises, manual therapy, posture correction, education, and ongoing progress assessments. This overlap in scope means that in most real-world situations, the name doesn’t matter — the quality of care does. Whether you see a physiotherapist in London or a physical therapist in Chicago, the foundation of your care will be similar: evidence-based techniques, movement-focused interventions, and a shared goal of restoring physical function and reducing discomfort.

May 9, 2025 • 8 min read

Sword Editorial Team

What is physical therapy?

If you’re living with pain — whether it’s in your back, knees, neck, or elsewhere — you’re not alone. Millions of people experience pain that affects how they move, sleep, and live each day. For many, physical therapy is a proven and effective path to feeling better and regaining control. But what is physical therapy, exactly? And how does it work? Physical therapy is a personalized, hands-on approach to improving physical function. It’s guided by licensed professionals who use exercise, education, and movement strategies to help people recover from pain, injury, or limited mobility. Whether you’re healing after surgery or dealing with chronic pain, physical therapy can help you build strength, improve flexibility, and move more confidently again. Let’s walk through what physical therapy really is, who it helps, and how you can access it in person or through a virtual-first solution like Thrive from Sword Health.

May 14, 2025 • 8 min read

Sword Editorial Team

Orthopedic physical therapy: What it is and how it helps you heal

Muscle, joint, and bone pain are common health concerns that affect millions of people each year. Whether it's lingering discomfort from a sports injury, recovery after surgery, or chronic stiffness that’s crept in over time, these issues often signal an underlying orthopedic condition. For many people, orthopedic physical therapy offers a safe, effective, and evidence-based path to healing. But if you're just starting to explore your options, understanding what this kind of therapy involves, and whether it's right for you, can feel overwhelming. This guide breaks it down clearly, so you can make informed decisions about your health and recovery.

May 9, 2025 • 8 min read

Sword Editorial Team

Ice vs. heat for pain: a modern guide to healing

For decades, ice was the default treatment for injuries—but modern science tells a different story. Research now shows that inflammation is your body’s repair mechanism, and suppressing it (with ice or NSAIDs) can delay recovery. This guide dives into the PEACE & LOVE protocol, explains when ice or heat is appropriate, and answers critical FAQs about nerve pain, joint pain, and more. When you sprain your ankle or strain a muscle, your body launches a precise inflammatory response: For decades, ice was the go-to treatment for sprains, strains, and post-surgery recovery. However, research shows that inflammation is a critical part of healing. The PEACE & LOVE protocol reflects this shift:

March 20, 2025 • 6 min read

Sword Editorial Team