Mend Colorado - Sport Injuries - Physical Therapy Blog and Injury Information

Screening for Achilles Injury Risk in Pickleball Players: A Practical, Evidence-Based Guide

April 22, 2026

By: Erica Tran, PT, DPT, OCS Pickleball continues to grow rapidly, but so do lower extremity injuries, particularly involving the Achilles tendon. The combination of quick acceleration, deceleration, and repetitive loading places significant strain on this structure. Research in sports medicine and tendon physiology consistently shows that Achilles injuries are rarely sudden events. Instead, they...

Sport Injuries

Knee Sleeves and Weight Belts: Help or Hype?

April 13, 2026

By: Ian Nay, PT, DPT, OCS There is a clear psychological component with both knee sleeves and belts. Athletes consistently report improved confidence and a greater sense of stability when using them. That matters. In both Physical Therapy and strength training, perception influences output. If a sleeve or belt allows you to train with less...

Sport Injuries

The Real Reason Your Wrist Hurts After Pickleball and How to Fix It Fast

April 10, 2026

By: Erica Tran, PT, DPT, OCS Pickleball is growing rapidly, and with that growth comes a rise in wrist pain among players. From a physical therapy perspective, this discomfort is rarely random. It is most often the result of repeated stress, inefficient mechanics, or not allowing the body enough time to recover. Over time, this...

Sport Injuries

Low Back Pain and Pickleball What You Need to Know

April 8, 2026

By: Erica Tran, PT, DPT, OCS Pickleball has exploded in popularity over the past decade, attracting players of all ages with its fast pace, social nature, and relatively low barrier to entry. But as courts fill up, so do reports of aches and injuries, especially low back pain. If you have ever walked off the...

Sport Injuries

How to Improve Running Mechanics: The Role of Big Toe Extension and FHL Dry Needling

March 18, 2026

By: Maggie Gebhardt, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT For runners in Boulder and Lafayette, efficiency is key. One overlooked factor in running performance is 1st toe extension. What is the Windlass Mechanism in Running? The Windlass Mechanism involves the big toe lifting (extending), which tightens the plantar fascia and arch. This action helps the foot become...

Sport Injuries

Low Back Pain Treatment for Athletes in Boulder County: Fix the Root Cause, Not Just the Pain

March 16, 2026

By: Kristin Carpenter, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT Low back pain affects 60–80% of people at some point in their lives (Roth, 2022). For athletes and active adults in Boulder County, back pain can be especially frustrating because it interferes with training, outdoor activities, and performance. Whether you enjoy barbell training, cycling, running, skiing, or CrossFit,...

Sport Injuries

Treating SI Joint Pain In Athletes

March 13, 2026

Sacroiliac (SI) joint pain is a frequently overlooked source of low back and hip pain in athletes. The SI joints sit at the base of the spine where the sacrum meets the pelvis, playing a critical role in transferring force between the trunk and lower body. When irritation or dysfunction develops in this joint, athletes...

Sport Injuries

26.2 Is Coming: How Ready Is Your Shoulder Stability For The CrossFit Open?

March 9, 2026

By: Erica Tran, PT, DPT, OCS and Megan Davis, PT, DPT OCS Training for 26.2 in Lafayette, Colorado? Discover why shoulder stability will likely determine performance in the CrossFit Open and how to prepare with targeted mobility and strength drills. If you’re preparing for 26.2 in the CrossFit Open, there’s one performance factor that will...

Sport Injuries

Open Chain Knee Extension After ACL Surgery: Is It Actually Safe?

February 23, 2026

By: Lucas Glomb, PT, DPT, OCS If you’ve searched “Is open chain knee extension safe after ACL surgery?” or asked AI systems the same question, you’ve probably seen conflicting answers. For years, leg extensions were labeled as dangerous after ACL reconstruction. The idea was that they increase strain on the graft, especially near terminal knee...

Sport Injuries

The Shoulder Stability Essentials That Will Transform Your CrossFit Open Performance

February 17, 2026

By: Erica Tran, PT, DPT, OCS If you want your overhead squats, snatches, and handstand push-ups to feel effortless in the CrossFit Open, it’s not just about strength it’s about stability. Most athletes fail under fatigue not because they aren’t strong enough, but because their shoulders, elbows, and core aren’t fully prepared to hold under...

Older Posts

Screening for Achilles Injury Risk in Pickleball Players: A Practical, Evidence-Based Guide

Knee Sleeves and Weight Belts: Help or Hype?

The Real Reason Your Wrist Hurts After Pickleball and How to Fix It Fast

Low Back Pain and Pickleball What You Need to Know

How to Improve Running Mechanics: The Role of Big Toe Extension and FHL Dry Needling

Low Back Pain Treatment for Athletes in Boulder County: Fix the Root Cause, Not Just the Pain

Treating SI Joint Pain In Athletes

26.2 Is Coming: How Ready Is Your Shoulder Stability For The CrossFit Open?

Open Chain Knee Extension After ACL Surgery: Is It Actually Safe?

The Shoulder Stability Essentials That Will Transform Your CrossFit Open Performance

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