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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...

Rotator Cuff Strengthening for Tennis Players

The rotator cuff is an essential group of muscles that stabilize the shoulder during overhead movements such as the tennis serve. These muscles are commonly injured by tennis players and weakness of the rotator cuff can lead to multiple shoulder pathologies such as impingement (subacromial pain syndrome), biceps tendinopathy, and glenohumeral joint sensitivity. The muscles...

Exercise and Prolapse: The Complete Guide

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is the descent or tissue laxity of the front (bladder), back (rectum), or top (cervical) aspect of the vaginal wall. With less support from connective tissue and muscles of the pelvis, the bladder, uterus, or rectum can press on the vaginal wall contributing to increased pelvic pressure or bulge sensation. The...

Rotator Cuff Tears in Rock Climbers

Shoulder pain is a common problem among rock climbers. It affects 2/3 of adults and is one of the top three reasons patients will seek care from a primary care physician or Physical Therapist. The most probable reason for shoulder pain remains rotator cuff pain including impingement, rotator cuff tendon pain, and rotator cuff tears....