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...
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...
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,...
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...
By: Maggie Gebhardt, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT While the joys of a new baby are unmatched, the physical toll of pregnancy—ranging from core weakness to pelvic and SI joint pain—often leaves postpartum women grappling with persistent low back pain. Nearly one-third of women continue to experience lumbopelvic pain a full year after giving birth. This...
By: Lucas Glomb, PT, DPT, OCS In this video you will see a variety of exercises targeted at the low back that build strength throughout a full range of motion. In physical therapy, I find that low back pain rehab is consistently and significantly under-dosed. In life, the lumbar spine is exposed to significant compressive,...
By: Maggie Gebhardt, PT, DPT, OCS Low back pain is one of the most common injuries in golfers, and according to physical therapists Maggie and Hope at MEND Colorado, the issue often starts far from the spine itself. In golf, proper lead leg hip internal rotation (left hip for right-handed golfers) is essential for efficient trunk rotation and...
In our Boulder Physical Therapy and Lafayette Physical Therapy clinics we commonly work with golfers who are limited by back pain. We focus on addressing both the mechanical stresses of the golf swing and the underlying physical limitations that contribute to symptoms. Golf’s repetitive rotation and asymmetrical forces place significant demands on spinal mobility, hip...
By: John Crawley, PT, DPT, OCS If you’ve undergone shoulder stabilization surgery, you know the “waiting game” is the hardest part of the approach. For climbers in Boulder, Lafayette, and Longmont, being sidelined while the rest of the crew is at the local crag or the gym is a mental battle. Traditionally, surgeons rely on...
