Blog

Mend Physical Therapy Blog and Injury Information
Overtraining In Rock Climbing

Overtraining syndrome (OTS) is a condition that arises from an imbalance between training, recovery, and the body’s ability to adapt. In the context of rock climbing, which is a demanding sport requiring strength, endurance, and mental acuity, recognizing the signs and symptoms of OTS can help to avoid injury and setbacks in reaching goals ....

How To Optimize And Prevent Injuries In Pickleball

You might have noticed that your neighbor, aunt, or even dentist is getting into the pickleball craze. This dynamic paddle sport, combining elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, has surged in popularity recently. Played on a smaller court, pickleball is accessible and enjoyable for all ages and skill levels. Its simple rules, social nature,...

How Much Shoulder Strength Should I Have To Swim?

Swimming is one of the more popular forms of exercise in Boulder County.  In our Boulder Physical Therapy and Lafayette Physical Therapy practices we treat swimmers of all ability levels to help them return to pool as quickly as possible.  These participants require a significant amount of mid back mobility, as well as, upper, core,...

The Greatest Side Effect Of Stretching

In our Boulder Physical Therapy and Lafayette Physical Therapy clinics we commonly prescribe mobility or stretching exercises to reduce pain and restore lost function.  Accelerating a patient’s return to the activities they enjoy.  When combined with other forms of exercise, in particular strength training, stretching is an effective method of restoring lost motion in joints...

Why Every Rock Climber Should Strength Train

Strength training is not utilized by rock climbers enough! While many people assume that strength training is only for building muscle, showing off the biceps, and being able to campus better, there are numerous additional benefits that directly carry over into improving your climbing performance. In this article, we will explore the various benefits of...

Lack Of Spine Mobility Increases Risk For Shoulder Injury

Overhead athletes rely on their thoracic spine’s mobility and stability to generate power and prevent injury. In our Boulder Physical Therapy and Lafayette Physical Therapy clinics we examine the spine’s biomechanics and influence on patients with shoulder pain. Ruiz et al. (2020) reviewed the biomechanics of the thoracic spine in overhead sports and highlighted the...

What makes a good warm up for CrossFit?

As a CrossFit Athlete, skier, runner, pickle-baller, or anyone in between, warming up is crucial to reduce the risk of injury and improve performance. There is a significant body of scientific research supporting the importance of task specificity and muscle activation during warm-up exercises to reduce injury and increase performance. Below we outline some considerations...

Using Your Inner Voice To Improve Your  Cycling Performance

Our brains create a remarkable and close to non stop dialogue in our heads throughout the day. Often this inner voice can be heard remembering or replaying prior events, as well as, contemplating future events. This voice has remarkable abilities that help separate from the rest of the animal kingdom. Researchers call this inner voice,...