By: Mary Pezzella, 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...
The Musician-Athlete: Why Musicians Should Think Like Athletes By: Mary Pezzella, PT, DPT Whether you play violin, drums, piano, guitar, trumpet, or sing, you are asking your body to perform a highly skilled physical task, often for hours at a time, under pressure, and with little room for error. The repetitive movements, sustained positions, and...
Sacroiliac (SI) joint pain is a frequently overlooked source of low back and hip pain in athletes. It’s easy to miss because it doesn’t always announce itself the way a muscle strain does — instead, it tends to show up as a dull ache in the lower back, buttock, or posterior hip that can mimic...
If you’ve been told spinal manipulation “puts your SI joint back into place,” that explanation doesn’t hold up under imaging, even though the treatment itself works. Manipulation, alongside targeted strength training, remains one of the most effective interventions for sacroiliac (SI) pain. The question researchers have spent decades on isn’t whether it works. It’s why....
At this point in the year, many of our Boulder endurance athletes have completed their respective seasons of running, cycling, and triathlon competitions. Upon reflection, few of these athletes reached the end of their seasons without a missed training day or competition due to injury. This is a very common occurrence as athletes push their...
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...
By: Erica Tran, PT, DPT, OCS Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS), often referred to as “runner’s knee,” can be a frustrating and limiting condition for CrossFit enthusiasts. This common knee pain, caused by issues with the alignment or function of the kneecap, can flare up during squats, box jumps, running or even step ups. But the...
By: Ian Nay, PT, DPT, OCS There is a clear psychological component with both knee sleeves and belts. Athletes consistently report improved confidence and a greater sense of stability when using them. That matters. In both Physical Therapy and strength training, perception influences output. If a sleeve or belt allows you to train with less...
By: Kristin Carpenter, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT If you’re a woman in your 40s or 50s and suddenly experiencing more joint pain, muscle aches, or back pain, you’re not imagining it. Many women notice new or worsening musculoskeletal pain during perimenopause, the hormonal transition leading up to menopause. These symptoms can feel confusing especially if...
By: Kristin Carpenter, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT Low back pain affects 60–80% of people at some point in their lives (Roth, 2022). For athletes and active adults in Boulder County, back pain can be especially frustrating because it interferes with training, outdoor activities, and performance. Whether you enjoy barbell training, cycling, running, skiing, or CrossFit,...
