Strength training is an essential part of an individual’s weekly exercise program. It’s numerous benefits include reduced injury risk, increased sports performance, and improved function in life activities. Time is finite resource and a commonly cited barrier to exercise. In our Boulder Physical Therapy practice we strive to prescribe the most effective and efficient exercises...
Knee arthritis is a common and costly condition affecting many middle aged adults and is a leading cause of pain and disability in this patient group. Thankfully conservative Physical Therapy interventions such as manual therapy and exercise have been shown to be effective at reducing pain, disability, and even delaying or preventing the need for...
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (pain on the front the knee and around knee cap) is the most common source of knee pain among active individuals. Patients often complain of pain with running, stair climbing, squatting, and during prolonged sitting. The natural history of this diagnosis is not as short as once thought with 90% of patients...
Patellar tendonitis (tendinopathy) is common among jumping athletes requiring repetitive jumping, landing, and squatting movements. This overuse injury was thought to have a inflammatory component (ex. tendonitis) but more current research supports the term tendinopathy. This term indicates a disruption in tendon fiber characteristics and alignment leading to a loss of its’ tensile strength. Resting...
Exercise prescription including type of exercise, reps, sets, frequency, and intensity varies between each patient with knee pain. Many factors influence this prescription including knee diagnosis (arthritis vs. patellofemoral pain), patient function and symptoms, as well as, the available medical evidence supporting the use of exercise to both reduce pain and improve function. A recent...
The back squat is one of the most efficient and effective exercises for lower quarter strength development. This exercise can be performed with dumbbells, barbell, or a slosh tube. Slosh tubes are a recent addition to resistance training equipment made up of a PVC pipe filled up to 1/4 to 1/2 with either water or...
After daily aerobic exercise, strength training may be the most important exercise you perform each week. Strength training has been shown to improve metabolism and mood, functional and athletic capacity, as well as, reduce your risk of injury and slow the effects of aging. Individuals should select exercises targeting large muscle groups performed over multiple...
Shoulder impingement is the most common cause of shoulder pain and is commonly treated with Physical Therapy interventions including upper body strengthening and manual therapy. Dry needling is gaining traction in both clinical practice and the medical research as an effective treatment option for musculoskeletal pain. When combined with other forms of manual therapy, including joint...
Photo Credit: Scott, A. CMAJ. 2011. Mead, M. Transl Sports Med. 2018. Tendon injuries have previously been diagnosed as tendonitis and were believed to be marked by an inflammatory process in the tissue. Our current knowledge on these injuries has been improved by a better understanding of the disease process behind tendon pain. Current research...
The gluteus maximus is an essential muscle for daily and recreational activities, but is often found to be weak among patients with musculoskeletal pain. In our Boulder Physical Therapy practice we frequently find hip weakness among patients with low back, hip, knee, and ankle pain. Improving gluteus maximus strength improves movement patterns, dynamic alignment, and tolerance...
