Blog

Mend Physical Therapy Blog and Injury Information
Can We Reduce Running Related Injuries Using Strength Training?

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...

What Causes Stress Fractures In Female Runners?

Running remains one of the most popular outdoor activities in Boulder County. Each day in our Boulder Physical Therapy and Lafayette Physical Therapy offices we help runners return to full training and competition. Research has shown up to 90% of runners reports missing training or competition due to injury. Although most of the running injuries...

Can Running Overuse Injuries Be Prevented?

In our Lafayette Physical Therapy and Boulder Physical Therapy clinics we commonly examine and treat runners with overuse injuries. The article “Risk factors for overuse injuries in short- and long-distance running: A systematic review” examines the risk factors associated with overuse injuries in both short and long-distance running. The study involved a systematic review of...

How Do Step Cadence Changes Affect My Running?

In our Boulder Physical Therapy and Lafayette Physical Therapy clinics we are often asked about cadence by our running clients and patients. A recent study in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research examined the effect of cadence training on running economy in a group of well-trained female runners. The authors looked at the runners...

How Does Ankle Mobility Influence My Running Mechanics?

A number of studies have shown a relationship between ankle mobility and lower quarter injuries. In our Boulder and Lafayette Physical Therapy clinics we often identify these impairments during our Physical Therapy examination. A loss of mobility in one area of the body can lead to overuse of an adjacent area. Examples include a loss...

What Are Shin Splints And How Are They Treated?

What are shin splits and who gets them? Medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS), aka shin splints, is a common injury in impact sports and has a high prevalence in runners making up “10-20% of all running injuries and 60% of all lower-limb overuse injuries” (1). This diagnosis is commonly treated in our Boulder Physical Therapy...

Why Are Running Injuries So Prevalent?

Runners and endurance athletes are one of most common patients we treat in our Boulder Physical Therapy and Lafayette Physical Therapy clinics. A 2019 article by Damsted, Parner, et al. examined the relationship between running injuries and changes in weekly running distance for the recreational runner. It its now understood that running related injuries are...

Top 5 Things To Do After A Running Injury

Death, taxes, low back pain, and injury if you are a runner. With over 90% of runners reporting an injury preventing participation in training or competition running injuries fall into the when not if category. The vast majority of these injuries occur in the lower quarter and are overuse in nature involving tissues in the...

Running is one of the most common recreational and athletic activities in Boulder, CO. Despite improvements in shoes, training methods, and exercise programs participants in this sport continue to see high injury rates most commonly in the lower body. In our Boulder Physical Therapy practice we frequently treat these injuries to accelerate an individual’s recovery...