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Shoulder Stability for Cheerleaders

Posted on April 14, 2025 by Tara Hackney, PT, DPT, OCS, KTTP

Co-author: Megan Partain, SPT Have you ever wondered how your favorite cheerleaders spend hours tumbling, stunting, and holding each other up in the air? Well, in cheerleading, it comes down to a little more than just sheer talent but incredibly strong and stable shoulders. Athletes with decreased shoulder strength are prone to injuries like dislocations, sprains, and strains. Current research suggests that regular shoulder strengthening exercises can help prevent these types of injuries. The following exercises are recommended for tumblers and especially indicated for main and instep bases, as well as back spots. (more…)

Struggling to Sleep? 5 Ways to Catch Better Zzz’s

Posted on April 11, 2025 by Tony Matoska, PT, DPT, CMPT

Sleep is important, but it isn’t always easy to get. According to the CDC, almost 15% of people have trouble falling asleep most nights. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Sleep Research Society recommend adults sleep a minimum of 7 hours per night. Unfortunately, 25% of adults do not meet this recommendation. Poor sleep habits can cause numerous problems and can slow your body’s ability to heal, impact your ability to maintain or lose weight, negatively affect your mental health, and make you more prone to developing chronic pain. Data also shows that roughly 88% of people with chronic pain report consistent problems sleeping. Fortunately, there are numerous things we can do to improve our sleep, which can even help relieve your pain! If you consistently have problems sleeping and want more energy to help with your pain, these five helpful tips can help you catch Zzz’s and improve your sleep hygiene. (more…)

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5 Restorative Poses to Help Tight Hip Flexors

Posted on April 9, 2025 by Brandon Jones, PTA, BS, MBPR

Do you ever stand up and ask yourself, “Why are my hips so tight?” There are many reasons, but one may be that, on average, we sit around for 10-14 hours per day, and those muscles are being overused. Today, we will review some restorative poses that could help you with the tightness in your hips. These restorative poses use props such as blankets, bolsters, yoga blocks, and more to help your body feel supported and relaxed. The goal is not to stretch the muscles but to relax the body and mind. (more…)

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Avoiding Wrist Pain and Injuries in Gymnastics

Posted on April 7, 2025 by Janet Apgar, OTR/L, CHT, CMTPT/DN, AIB-VRC, ASTYM-cert

Gymnastics, the sport most watched in the Summer Olympics, engages viewers because of the extreme strength, balance, agility, accuracy, and endurance required to compete. Years of training tax the gymnast's body to the utmost because movement refinement through repetition exposes the gymnast to many repetitive stress and traumatic injuries. While gymnasts range from the 5-year-old tumbler to the elite Olympian, a unique factor for this sport, no matter the level, is the requirement of using arms for weight bearing. Such compressive and twisting forces affect the entire arm, especially the wrist. Approximately 88% of gymnasts reportedly experience wrist pain according to one study. (more…)

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Spring Into Action: Pre-Season Triathlon Threshold Testing

Posted on April 4, 2025 by Melissa S. Walker, MPT, CLT

The idea of summer events may seem far away, but race day will be here before you know it. Now is the time to evaluate your fitness level and plan for the upcoming race season. Here are some ideas on how to determine your baseline fitness and how to build your spring training. (more…)

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At-Home Workout Perfect For “You” Time

Posted on April 2, 2025 by Brandon Bowers, PT, DPT, Astym Cert.

Life gets busy, and sometimes, making time for yourself can be difficult. Fitting in a quick workout can be challenging with limited time and energy. No need to fret, though, because you can build strength and endurance right from the comfort of your home with just a few basic movements. No fancy equipment or expensive gym membership required—just 20 minutes a few times a week, and you will be on your road to a better, healthier you. Let’s take a look at these great exercises. (more…)

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Shoulder Instability and Athletes

Posted on March 31, 2025 by Kait Bonner, PT, DPT

Shoulder pain is the third most common pain complaint, following lower back and knee pain, with women being more likely to experience shoulder pain than men. Common causes of shoulder pain include tendon inflammation or tears, arthritis, fractures, and instability. Instability occurs when excessive shoulder mobility results in a lack of stability, often resulting in pain, popping sensation, feeling of the shoulder “giving out,” partial dislocations, weakness, and a “dead arm” feeling. Athletes who perform repeated overhead movements are at an increased risk of developing shoulder instability. (more…)

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5 Ways to Prevent Burnout as a Physical Therapist

Posted on March 19, 2025 by Brandon Jones, PTA, BS, MBPR

If you’ve ever felt drained at the end of the day, wondering if you can keep up with the pace, you’re not alone. Many PTs feel this way, but at Athletico, we believe no clinician should have to sacrifice their well-being for their career. Burnout is a widespread issue in the physical therapy industry - high patient loads, demanding schedules, and administrative burdens leave many PTs feeling emotionally and physically drained. At Athletico, we recognize these challenges and are committed to supporting our clinicians with manageable workloads, strong leadership support, and a culture that prioritizes well-being. In this blog, we will share five strategies to help prevent burnout and maintain a fulfilling career in physical therapy. (more…)