Health Resources

Stretch of the Week: Supported Hugging Knees

Posted on May 18, 2016 by Athletico

Our third restorative stretch for May is a gentle low back stretch. I call this one Supported Hugging Knees.

You will need your yoga bolster or three folded blankets. If you have a history of low back injury, hip or sacral injury/pain, or if you have trouble getting up and down from the floor please do not perform this stretch. As with beginning any exercise program, it is recommended to consult with your physician, physical or occupational therapist to determine which exercises are best for you. (more…)

Total Hip Replacement: What to Expect Before and After

Posted on May 16, 2016 by Athletico

You have been having hip pain for years and you have decided to have your hip replaced.  Prior to surgery, your doctor sends you to a physical therapist for “pre-hab.”  If you are unfamiliar with physical therapy, you may be wondering why is “pre-hab” necessary? What is “pre-hab” and what are the benefits? (more…)

Occupational Therapy and the Treatment of Work Related Injuries

Posted on May 13, 2016 by Athletico

Occupational therapists treat a wide range of work related injuries in the clinic, both traumatic injuries and cumulative trauma disorders. Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTDs) are the most common injuries seen by hand therapists for the Workers’ Compensation population. (more…)

Keeping our Nurses Healthy: Preventing Back Sprains and Strains

Posted on May 12, 2016 by Geoff Wolfe, CEAS III, CFSC

Nursing is a tough, physically demanding job and the data proves it. There were over 33,000 soft tissue injuries sustained by nursing professionals in 2013. The average number of days lost was 8. For those counting, that’s a total of 264,000 days of lost time, valuable time, spent inactive and unable to perform. (more…)

Stretch of the Week: Supported Side Lying

Posted on May 11, 2016 by Athletico

For the second week of May we will learn the Supported Side Lying stretch.

As in last week’s restorative exercise, you will need to use a bolster or a set of stacked blankets. If you have any trouble getting up and down from the floor or shoulder, back or rib injuries, please do not perform this stretch. As with beginning any exercise program, it is recommended to consult with your physician, physical or occupational therapist to determine which exercises are best for you. (more…)

Stop Dancing Around The Truth About “Turn Out”

Posted on May 9, 2016 by Athletico

What is “turn out”?

“Turn out” is the amount of outward rotation that can be achieved from the legs. For a ballet dancer, the ideal amount of turn out is 90° from each leg.¹ If that motion is not possible from the hip joints, the motion must come from other parts of the body.² While the ideal amount of hip external rotation of each leg is 90°, no need to toss your pointe shoes in the trash if you don’t have that much hip mobility. Even elite professional ballerinas rely on compensations to produce the desired level of turn out.³ (more…)

Stretch of the Week: Reclined Upper Back Backbend

Posted on May 4, 2016 by Athletico

May is here! Summer is just around the corner and some of us may be hitting the gym pretty hard to get ready for the warm days ahead. So for this month’s theme we will be taking it down a notch with some restorative stretches. These passive stretches are like a reset for the body. We allow gravity to do most of the work while we relax. (more…)

Hip Pain: So you Literally Have a Pain in your Butt

Posted on May 2, 2016 by Athletico

I’m referring to the ache in the back of your hip that’s been there for a few weeks.

First, you thought it would just go away. Next, you talked to a family member or friend, who recommended “rubbing this cream on it.” Then, you Googled it. Some methods worked, others made your hip pain worse…so what’s next? Time to see your Athletico Physical Therapist[1]. (more…)