Blog

The shoulder blade and upper arm bone move together to produce a variety of arm and hand movements essential for life and sport.  Proper movement of the shoulder blade is required to produce normal mechanics at the joint surfaces and maintain the length and function of the shoulder blade and shoulder muscles.  Abnormal mechanics between...

 “We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world.”  – Buddha. Mental health has a significant impact on recovery from many musculoskeletal diagnoses including low back pain, neck pain, and shoulder pain.  Our thoughts and perceptions about our bodies and their ability to recover...

Time and money are two finite resources especially in today’s healthcare environment of rising deductibles and decreased access to primary care services.  Thankfully in Colorado patients have a choice on who to see first for their muscle, tendon, and joint pain.  State law enables Coloradans to see a Physical Therapist without a prior referral.  This...

Using Spinal Manipulation For Boulder Back Pain Patients

Spinal manipulation may be one of the oldest forms of treatment in medicine dating at least back to Hippocrates.  This intervention is most commonly performed by Physical Therapists, physicians, and chiropractors.  In our Boulder and Lafayette Physical Therapy clinics our Physical Therapists have advanced training in the utilization of manipulation for both the spine and...

Evidence Does Not Support Utilization Of Surgery Over Physical Therapy For Most Musculoskeletal Conditions

The vast majority of musculoskeletal conditions and diagnoses are not life threatening or time sensitive and allow for conservative treatments, including Physical Therapy, to be utilized prior to surgery. In our Boulder Physical Therapy practice we commonly see outcomes consistent with the current research on the utilization of Physical Therapy instead of surgery for common...

How to Treat Shoulder Pain Before the 2026 Koda Iron Games

By: Emily Fuller, DPT If your shoulder has started complaining during muscle-up transitions or deep hangs, you’re not alone, and there’s still time to do something about it before the 2026 Koda Iron Games. Event 1, “Running From the Law,” pairs three 800-meter runs with gymnastics that gets harder as it goes: synchro pull-ups building...

Reducing Wrist Pain During Handstands

A lot of clients I work with in our Boulder Physical Therapy practice report wrist pain in their handstands. While there can be multiple contributors to wrist pain, including a loss of upper body mobility or strength, one of the most common issues I see is lack of overhead shoulder mobility. When the arm is...

Shoulder Pain During Chaturanga? Here’s How to Fix it.

Chaturanga Dandasana (Four-Limbed Staff Pose) is a foundational yoga posture found frequently during many yoga classes. However, many practitioners experience shoulder pain when performing this pose. If you find yourself wincing every time you lower down, you’re not alone. Here’s why Chaturanga might be causing discomfort, how to modify it to reduce pain, and exercises...

Offseason Programming for Shoulder & Elbow Strength: A Guide for Parents and Coaches of Youth Baseball Athletes

By: Dr. Lucas Glomb, PT, DPT, OCS When the baseball season ends, many athletes shift their focus away from structured training. But the offseason is exactly when smart, focused work can make the biggest difference — especially when it comes to shoulder and elbow health. The difference between in-season and off-season programming is substantial. During...

Recovering from Acute Shoulder Instability

By: John Crawley, PT, DPT, OCS A good functioning shoulder is essential to a climber’s performance. When the shoulder is healthy, reaching for holds and holding strenuous positions feels secure. Whether you’re yarding on a deep lock-off at the gym, pressing out a corner in Eldo, or snatching holds during big deadpoints while in Rocky...