Rowing is one of the many conditioning tools that can be used to meet the current physical activity guidelines. While it’s not necessary that you become THE BEST rower, or even love rowing, we do want you moving efficiently in all things that you do. We believe that will ultimately help you get the most […]
As a physical therapist, I have found that the meniscus is often blamed for people experiencing knee pain. Many people are aware that a meniscus can be damaged or “torn”; this raises questions about whether it is the cause for knee pain, and what should be done about it. In this article, I will discuss […]
The use of lifting belts dates back at least to the 1896 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. Long before that, it is said that Milo of Croton, the legendary Greek athlete who reportedly lifted a calf every day of his training during the 4-year period between Olympic games, would craft a belt out of the […]
Headaches are a common, painful, and oftentimes disabling symptom that can pop-up during exercise or at rest. Exercise may be useful for not only reducing migraine frequency in many, but also for improving nearly every aspect of general health in the population. Individuals who frequently experience the onset of headache during exercise should work with their physician to make sure there isn’t an underlying medical cause.
You rolled your ankle, whether it be in a pick-up basketball game, stepping awkwardly off the platform, or performing your best interpretive dance of Kenny Loggins’ “Danger Zone”. The ankle is now swollen, painful, and you are wondering what to do next. This article will provide a guide to return to doing the things you […]
Debate around how deep you should squat is one example of a range of motion (ROM) controversy. Range of motion (ROM) can be defined as the degree of movement occurring at a specific joint during an exercise (Pallares 2021). Range of motion can be increased or decreased by altering aspects of positioning such as stance […]
When starting their training journey, people begin to learn many of the fundamental principles of programming and progression. Terms like “adaptation”, “recovery”, and “specificity” come into focus in the context of the person’s individual goals, whether they are focused on strength, power, cardiorespiratory endurance, or a specific skill. The commonly cited principle of “Progressive Overload” […]
Spondylolysis or spondylolisthesis are two intimidating words that are often described as representing a “broken back”. These aren’t words anyone wants to hear when experiencing back pain. Doctors and physical therapists often provide complicated and ominous-sounding explanations, such as a “fracture of the pars interarticularis”. From the start there is so much complexity in this […]
So you’re experiencing pain in your heel. It’s especially painful when you take your first few steps out of bed in the morning and limits your usual activities. This article will explain what is going on, why it may have developed, and what you can do to feel better. We will provide actionable steps to […]
The efficacy of placebo in enhancing performance is as well established as it is multifactorial. Geers 2014 This presents a paradox of a placebo being an inert substance, yet still having an effect on performance. A movement has recently transpired to move away from the term “placebo effect” and toward “contextual factors” to address apparent […]