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...
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,...
Running injuries are very common among amateur and professional runners. Up to 90% of all runners report an injury limiting their training or competition. In our Boulder Physical Therapy and Lafayette Physical Therapy clinics the vast majority of running injuries are overuse in nature and are often precipitated by muscle imbalances and training errors. The...
Running is one of the most popular activities and forms of exercise in Boulder County. In our Boulder and Lafayette Colorado Physical Therapy clinics we work with injured runners each day. Research shows up to 90% of all runners will have an injury that prevents them from training or competing at their preferred level. The...
By: John Crawley, PT, DPT, OCS Attention, fellow runners! Have you ever wondered how your training volume and running form might impact your risk of developing plantar fasciitis? A recent 1-year prospective cohort study titled “Running Distance and Biomechanical Risk Factors for Plantar Fasciitis: A 1-yr Prospective 4HAIE Cohort Study” provides some valuable insights. This...
Are you a runner with knee pain? Or a CrossFit athlete who has knee pain with squatting or box jumps? Does your MRI show decreased thickness of the cartilage in your patella (kneecap) or femur/tibia?. These are very common conditions that we treat at MEND. There is extensive evidence in the research that shows that...
By: Erica Tran, PT, DPT, OCS Hamstring strains are among the most common injuries for runners and CrossFit athletes, impacting performance and sidelining athletes for weeks. Returning to sprinting, shuttle runs or box jumps after such an injury requires a structured, progressive approach to minimize the risk of re-injury. Based on the work of Hickey...
Previous research has shown exercise has a protective effect on knee cartilage and the development of osteoarthritis. Cartilage is a metabolic tissue dependent on loading and movement to improve its’ tissue health. Authors have found both sedentary individuals and high frequency marathon runners to be at an increased risk of osteoarthritis, but importantly active individuals...
Our Boulder Physical Therapy and Lafayette Physical Therapy clinics have written numerous blogs illustrating the benefits of strength training for runners. Previous authors have shown that strength training is effective for improving running economy and rate of force development which can help you reach your distance, pace, or performance goals. As the race season begins,...
We have written numerous blogs on the benefits of strength training for our Boulder Physical Therapy clinic and Lafayette Physical Therapy clinic runners including improved health and performance, as well as, a lower risk of running related injury. While far from a silver bullet, emerging evidence has shown strength training can reduce a runner’s risk...