By: Erica Tran, PT, DPT, OCS Ever feel your chest collapsing forward in the bottom of a front squat? I put together a quick self-exam so you can test your ankles, hips, thoracic spine, wrists, elbows, and shoulders to find what’s holding you back. Even better, I’ve added simple treatment ideas for each area so...
In personal training we often joke the heaviest weight in the gym for participants is the front door. Researchers have shown 1 in 3 adults world wide do not meet international standards for physical activity. In the United States, 3 out of 4 adults do not meet our national guidelines for physical activity. The reasons...
By: Erica Tran, PT, DPT, OCS If you’ve ever been told to “strengthen your core” but still struggle with abdominal pressure, bloating, pelvic heaviness, or urinary leakage, it’s possible that traditional core exercises are missing the mark. That’s because one of the most important muscles in your core is one you can’t see, but when...
The positive impact of exercise on our mental health diseases and outcomes continues to be discovered. Research has moved from correlational studies showing active individuals have improved health outcomes to cause and effect trials. These randomized controlled trials have documented the impact of exercise on both healthy individuals and those with mental health diagnoses (Alzheimer’s,...
By: John Crawley, PT, DPT, OCS A recent study by M. Erickson et. al. looked at how patterns of rest and activity, like when we’re active and when we sleep, relate to our overall physical health as we get older. Researchers studied nearly 800 older adults, most of them in their mid-70s, and used wearable...
Physical therapist-led classes in Boulder and Louisville offer a safe, inclusive space for women to build strength and vitality through high-intensity training. BOULDER, CO – Mend Colorado, a leading physical therapy practice, today announced the launch of its new women’s health exercise classes in Boulder and Louisville. The program is specifically designed for women aged...
By: Erica Tran, PT, DPT, OCS Working with individuals during pregnancy, we’re often asked, “What is the best position to deliver a baby in?” Our response is consistent: there is no one perfect position. Just like with posture, the best position is the one that keeps changing and allows you to feel most supported, safe,...
By: Ian Nay, PT, DPT, OCS Increasing the ability to move through a full range of motion in the thoracic spine is extremely important for many types of people that we treat at MEND including overhead athletes, CrossFitters/weightlifters, climbers, cyclists, golfers, and those who spend a good amount of time on the computer. The thoracic...
Whether you’re cycling through deadlifts in a WOD or chasing PRs with heavy back squats, one of the most overlooked — yet critical — components for female athletes is the pelvic floor. More than just “private” muscles, the pelvic floor plays a key role in core stability, breathing mechanics, and load transfer. Learning to connect...
By: Chelsey Vasquez, PT, DPT, PRPC and Erica Tran, PT, DPT, OCS Congratulations on the birth of your little one! While welcoming your baby into the world is an exciting and joyful time, your body is also navigating some significant changes after a cesarean section (C-section). One area that may require extra attention is your...