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How Important are my Image Findings for Low Back Pain?

Is a picture worth 1000 words? When having low back pain, you may undergo an MRI or CT scan. As our technology continues to improve MRI and CT scanners have become more proficient at finding changes in our low back. This higher imaging quality comes with a cost in that many of these positive findings...

How to Keep Playing Tennis and Pickleball with Knee Arthritis

Knee arthritis remains one of the most common diagnoses in middle to older adults playing tennis and pickleball. Patients commonly experience joint stiffness, pain, and weakness leading to decreased participation in playing tennis or pickleball. Strength training and aerobic exercise remain the most powerful interventions for tennis and pickleball players. Stronger muscles help dissipate the...

How do I improve my shoulder stability in the overhead squat?

The overhead squat is challenging, to put it lightly. It requires both strength and mobility in abundance. It is essential to the sport of weightlifting as the receiving position for the snatch and is commonly seen as a workout element in CrossFit boxes. It is an excellent tool for developing a multitude of physical skills...

Dumbbells for Cardio? Absolutely!

Dumbbells have long been viewed as a tool for traditional body building style exercise for muscle growth and strength training. Most often they are used for isolated single joint upper body movements such as bicep curls and lateral raises. You will also see people using dumbbells to perform variations of an overhead press and a...

CrossFit specific warm up and maintenance exercises created by the Doctors of Physical Therapy at Mend. Every week you get a 3 minute video: 1 Mobility Exercise 1 Muscle Activation and the Why Subscribe * indicates required Email Address * First Name Last Name

How Long Should My First Postpartum Run Be? A Template

Ready to run after having a baby but need a better plan on how much and how to progress your running? Read on to find a template at the end. The 6-week postpartum doctor’s visit is when women are often “cleared” for activity and are often advised to start slowly and gradually building exercise volume...

Many exercisers report weight control or weight loss as one of their main goals for performing a weekly exercise program. While exercise can produce a caloric deficit, especially when combined with a nutritional caloric deficit, our bodies have significant physiological mechanisms to avoid weight loss. For example, many participants will create a caloric deficit through...

Patellar tendinopathy, commonly known as “jumper’s knee,” is one of the most frequent chronic knee injuries in tennis and racquet sport athletes. The repetitive, high-impact nature of tennis—especially during sudden stops, lateral movements, and explosive jumps—places a lot of strain on the knees. This makes tennis players more susceptible to patellar tendinopathy.  Previously referred to...