Athletico Health Resources

Physical therapists are medical professionals who specialize in using exercise to treat a variety of conditions. Physical therapists treat patients with post-surgical shoulders and knees, orthopaedic related pain; patients who have suffered a stroke, heart attack; patients who may have developmental delays or are at risk for frequent falls. Many people benefit from physical therapy with many different needs to be addressed. Patients who have cancer or who have had cancer in the past can also greatly benefit from physical therapy. Each and every one of us has been affected by cancer in some way, leading us to seek out the best treatment for ourselves or loved ones. Physical therapy is a great adjunct to treatment both, during or after cancer related treatments.  (more…)

Editor's note: The following blog was originally posted on Triathlon & Multisport Magazine. You can follow them on Twitter @trimultimag. Travis Orth is a Physical Therapist at Athletico Willowbrook.

Triathlon is a sport that rewards hard work. And while we can all strive to be the best we can be, 99.9 per cent of us will never enjoy the view from the top step of the podium at a major endurance race. Why is this may have something to do with our genetics. Dr. Travis Orth sheds some light on recent research into a number of genes that may affect endurance performance. (more…)

Summer offers an opportunity for a break from the norm, but it shocks me how many of the athletes I work with use the opportunity to do more of the same. They play more of the same sports they play all year. They spend more time exercising in the same old ways they always have and go at the same pace they have all year long. Here are a few ideas to help shake up your routine and help you become a healthier, better-rounded athlete. (more…)

Use these tips to safely return to postpartum running! *Note this blog is based on blogger’s experience as a new Mom as well as her professional opinion as a physical therapist. As a new Mom and runner, I was excited and anxious to get back to running. I knew I was in no physical shape to compete after giving birth to my son but I was anxious to use running as an outlet to have some “Mommy” time alone. I can vividly remember my first run.  I knew it was not going to be pretty and only set my goal to complete two miles. Little did I know that that was a lofty goal!  I made it half way and was ready for a walking “break.” Since my first run postpartum, I have gradually increased my mileage.  Below are some tips that I would like to share that have helped me get back out on the road (and treadmill)! (more…)

Today’s blog post is written by guest blogger Sean Hassett, PT, DPT at Athletico Andersonville You just ran 12 miles, but this was not your typical 12 mile run. This was 12 miles of running up and down hills, climbing up and over walls, hanging on for dear life at some point, jumping over logs, carrying logs, plunging in for a deep cold ice bath, and of course getting really muddy. You have just completed a Mud Run and Obstacle Race. Congratulations! At the end of the race such as Tough Mudder, you have received your headband, your T-shirt saying you survived, and had your celebratory beer (21 and older) with your fellow racers, now what? It is time to start the recovery process as this is not your normal race. (more…)

Arthritis is a disease that most are familiar with since it affects a large multitude of people. As a physical therapist there are two types of arthritis, Osteoarthritis (OA) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), commonly seen in a clinical setting.  The chart below summarizes the differences and similarities between the two types. (more…)

Today’s blog post is written by guest blogger Kelly Todd, PT at Athletico Lake in the Hills and Women's Health Therapy Program Manager According to the National Association for Continence, twenty-five million adult women between the ages of 18-59 are affected by incontinence - 26% of those affected have involuntary leaking of urine. The three types of incontinence that can be diagnosed when symptoms arise include: (more…)

You probably hear this term all the time. People are constantly saying things like, “I have a huge knot in my back” or “I’m all knotted up!”  What does this actually mean? Can a muscle really get tied in a knot? Well, no, not really… (more…)