Health Resources

MCL vs. ACL: What’s the Difference?

Posted on July 30, 2021 by Brandon Bowers, PT, DPT, Astym Cert.

When talking with a healthcare provider, medical jargon can quickly become alphabet soup. The knee, for example, houses the anterior cruciate ligament, posterior cruciate ligament, medial collateral ligament and lateral collateral ligament. The ACL, PCL, MCL and LCL respectively. Huh? What do those words and acronyms even mean? What do these structures do for the knee anyway? In the absence of an explanation, this jargon can become confusing or overwhelming for patients. Let’s take a deeper look at two of the major ligaments in the knee and make some sense of the alphabet soup, shall we? (more…)

What’s this Bump on My Wrist?

Posted on July 28, 2021 by Shelia M. Tenny, OTR/L, CHT

If you experience a lump on your wrist, it may seem very concerning. More than likely however, there is little need for concern. The potential cause of the lump on your wrist is something called a ganglion cyst. In this blog, we’ll discuss what a ganglion cyst is and what it isn’t, who it affects, and how it can be treated. (more…)

Cycling-Related Concussions: 3 Tips To Keep Yourself Safe

Posted on July 26, 2021 by Sarah Rice PT, DPT, PhD

As an Athletico physical therapist and competitive cyclist, I am eager to share my love for cycling with others. Right now, I’m super excited about the Tour de France. Over the past several years, it’s been gratifying to see cycling grow in the United States as a competitive sport, a fun way to exercise, and an environmentally-friendly way to commute. All outdoor cyclists, from the Tour de France riders to the city commuters in Chicago, are at risk of crash-related injuries. One of the most common is concussions. In this blog, I will discuss what you can do, as well as what physical therapists can do, to help you protect yourself. (more…)

Tokyo Olympics: Athletes to Watch

Posted on July 23, 2021 by Tara Hackney, PT, DPT, OCS, KTTP

The summer Olympics are fast approaching. I know I am extremely excited to watch all the events after the games were delayed last year due to the pandemic. Olympians are elite athletes at the top of their fields. They train for many years for a chance to qualify for this giant international competition. With this intensity and dedication to training, injury does occur. Here are just a few athletes returning to qualify for the Olympics after sustaining an injury and when to look for them during the Tokyo Olympics!

(more…)

6 Exercises to Help Minimize an Injury to the ACL

Posted on July 19, 2021 by Tanner Neuberger, PT, DPT, TDN Level 1

Updated: August 1, 2025 With ACL injuries on the rise, especially in young athletes, it’s more important than ever to improve the strength in the lower limbs as a means to prevent an ACL tear¹. The average time of recovery needed after an ACL tear and surgery is typically six to twelve months, and can set back an athlete for a much longer period of time than that². Biomechanics and strength are just a few pieces of the puzzle that can help prevent an injury. Proper rest, recovery, sleep, and nutrition can also help minimize the risk of an ACL tear from happening. The following are a list of strengthening exercises that address important aspects of an ACL prevention program. (more…)

5 Ways Physical Therapy Can Help You Get Back to Work

Posted on July 14, 2021 by Brianna Brackin, PT, DPT

People who work in labor intensive jobs are often thought of as “industrial athletes” due to the heavy physical demands of their jobs. In such settings, on-the-job injuries tend to be more common and it can be challenging to get back to work, especially when working requires lifting heavy loads, pushing, pulling, walking long distances, etc. In these situations, not only does the injured worker have to heal from their injury, but they also have to restore strength and endurance in order to return to work safely. Physical therapy after a work injury can decrease disability and impairment, so long as you are compliant with the program. Here are five ways your physical therapist can help you prepare to return to work after an injury or illness. (more…)

Test Your Knowledge: Golf Stretching Quiz

Posted on July 12, 2021 by Tara Hackney, PT, DPT, OCS, KTTP

With golf season in full swing, let’s test your knowledge about some golf stretches and warm up ideas! (more…)

What Is Post-Offer Employment Testing and How Can It Help Employers?

Posted on July 9, 2021 by Matt Weirich OTR/L, CEAS, MS

Hiring is difficult in every industry – especially right now. Hiring an employee who gets injured in the first few weeks on the job can be crushing to a business. It’s important to utilize the proper pre-hire exams that will both safely and legally evaluate a candidate’s functional worker’s abilities. In this blog, we’ll not only discuss what Post-Offer Employment Testing is, but why it is beneficial for employers to protect their workforce as well as their bottom line. (more…)