By: Rani Helvey-Byers, PT, DPT, OCS and John Crawley, PT, DPT, OCS Warming up is one of the most important parts of any rock climbing session. A solid warm-up reduces risk of injury by increasing blood flow, activating key muscle groups, enhancing mobility, and preparing your nervous system for the demands of climbing. Below are...
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...
By: Megan Davis, PT, DPT, OCS Neck pain is one of the most common conditions we treat in our Lafayette and Boulder offices. Neck and shoulder blade pain are a common pattern we see in our patients who may have only neck or scapular pain but could also have neck and shoulder pain together. We...
Ehlers‑Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is a group of genetic connective tissue disorders that affect collagen formation—the protein that helps provide the structure to skin, joints, and organs. This condition can lead to joint hypermobility, frequent dislocations, and persistent pain. Because EDS affects the connective tissue throughout the body, it often requires a multidisciplinary management approach focused...
At 9 to 12 months out of ACL reconstruction surgery athletes begin to plan their return to competition. The preceding 9 months of post operative ACL Physical Therapy has re established mobility, strength, biomechanics, power, and endurance. The 8 and 9th months also allow a gradual return to full practice including scrimmages. Post operative return...
By: Hope Whitman, PT, DPT, OCS Here in Boulder, CO the offseason is the best time for golfers to build the strength, mobility, and power that directly improve swing performance. Research shows that targeted strength and conditioning programs can increase club head speed, ball speed, and driving distance by 4–6%—a meaningful jump for golfers at...
By: Ian Nay, PT, DPT, OCS Mobility work is often emphasized for pain relief, injury prevention, and performance, but how much is truly necessary? Recent research suggests that strength training performed through full ranges of motion may provide many of the mobility benefits people seek, with targeted mobility work serving as a valuable supplement rather...
Boulder residents can now explore expert knee pain solutions, tailored care plans, and convenient access to physical therapy BOULDER, CO. – Mend Colorado has unveiled its revamped Knee Pain Treatment service page, providing a streamlined way for local residents to access rapid, lasting relief from knee pain and injuries. This new resource is tailored for...
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...
By: Erica Tran, PT, DPT, OCS If you’ve ever tried stretching or foam rolling only to still feel stiff, limited, or “stuck,” there’s a reason. While those tools can be helpful, they often miss a key piece of the puzzle: the joint capsule. That’s where banded joint mobilizations come in. Using a thick resistance band...