By: Hope Whitman, PT, DPT, OCS Low back pain is surprisingly common in teen gymnasts. A recent study looked at what’s happening in their core muscles—and the results point to a few clear patterns. (Deodato et al., 2024). Young gymnasts with ongoing low back pain tended to have: ● Core muscle imbalance — Their abdominals...
it is hard to find someone in a Boulder County gym or outdoor area who is not utilizing music to help fuel their workout. Whether engaged in aerobic exercise or strength training music can provide participants more enjoyment during the activity and also boost performance during the session. Thanks to technology advancements it has become...
Shoulder pain is one of the most common reasons patients seek care from their primary care physician and Physical Therapist. The most common shoulder diagnosis among these patients is impingement. This diagnosis occurs when soft tissue structures in the shoulder, such as the rotator cuff, are compressed between the bones of the shoulder. Although a...
By: Ian Nay, PT, DPT, OCS Neck pain is one of the most common reasons people seek out physical therapy for neck pain, and it often stems from long hours at a computer, poor posture, or repetitive work. At Mend Physical Therapy, we understand how frustrating chronic neck stiffness and tension can be. The good...
By: Lucas Glomb, PT, DPT, OCS Many people think that once they’re cleared to return to sport after ACL reconstruction, the work is done. But for many athletes, the real challenges show up months, or even years, later. Depending on the type of graft used for reconstruction, patients may develop chronic issues that limit performance...
By: Lucas Glomb, PT, DPT, OCS The 8-12 week mark following ACL reconstruction is one of the most critical phases of rehab. Early on, the focus is on restoring range of motion, managing swelling, and regaining basic function – something that most PT clinics do very well. However, by the 8-12 week mark, the priority...
By: Ian Nay, PT, DPT, OCS If you’re struggling with knee pain—especially related to issues like patellar tendinopathy (jumper’s knee), patellofemoral pain syndrome, or general weakness around the joint—the Spanish Squat might be a game-changer for your rehab routine. Unlike traditional squats, the Spanish Squat uses a resistance band looped behind the knees and anchored...
By: Rani Helvey-Byers, PT, DPT, OCS The Truth About Midlife Strength: It’s About Health, Not Vanity As we enter our 40s and 50s, our bodies begin to change — sometimes dramatically. Muscle mass decreases, metabolism slows, bone density decreases, and aches and pains become more noticeable. Hormonal shifts during perimenopause and menopause only accelerate these...
Time remains one the most precious resources and is often sighted as the biggest barrier to exercising consistently. When we devote time to working out we need to ensure the time spent is effective for our health and fitness goals. One area we notice people waste time on is using the incorrect weight for their...
Technology’s impact on our lives continues to grow each year. In the exercise industry we have seen a significant impact ranging from wearable technologies tracking fitness data to numerous apps and online programs for any number of fitness and health goals. Two of the main limitations of these technologies include a lack of direct supervision...