Athletico Health Resources

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the joint where your jaw attaches to the temple of the skull. It is a joint that allows you to move your jaw up and down and side to side. This joint is essential for guiding movements required for chewing, swallowing, and speaking. Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) are conditions associated with dysfunction of the joint as well as the associated muscles. The cause of TMD is still widely unknown. However, the majority of patients with TMD suffer from malpositioning of the TMJ disc, and muscle tightness in the jaw, face, and neck. TMD can present differently in every individual, so a clinical examination is recommended to customize a plan of care. One option for treating TMD is dry needling. (more…)

A compressed nerve, otherwise commonly called a pinched nerve, can be debilitating and, at the very least, frustrating. Knowing the root cause of the nerve injury, whether it be from an internal cause like scar tissue or an external cause like crutches/or hard surfaces, can help create a plan of action and care. (more…)

Low back pain affects roughly 30% of the American population annually. Back pain is typically separated into discogenic pain (damage to the disc) and non-discogenic pain. However, many causes and other structures can be involved in low back pain. Identifying the root cause of discomfort can be a major step toward decreasing pain and improving function. Low back pain can have many causes: (more…)

Are you planning on having a knee replacement? Or maybe you’ve just recently had one? Knee replacements are one of the most common types of replacement surgeries. It is estimated that over 850,000 knee replacements are performed each year. As a physical therapist, one thing that I have seen with a majority of my patients navigating post-knee replacement is that they weren’t exactly sure what the recovery process would be like for them post-surgery. In this blog, we’ll dive deeper into the recovery process from start to finish and how to set yourself up for success. (more…)

Heart Disease kills between 650,000 and 700,000 people every year. The American Heart Association (AHA) estimates that about 90% of these deaths were preventable through education and action. Having a healthy heart (outside genetic issues) takes work and some thoughtfulness. Here are some healthy habits you can do to get your ticker in shape and potentially add years to your life. (more…)

Being a mom of two toddlers, I know how easily injuries happen in children as they learn to explore their world. While we want to keep our children bubble-wrapped so they never have to experience pain, the Occupational Therapist in me realizes how important it is for their brain development to explore their world. My kids have amazed me at how easy it is to get a finger stuck in a toy or while racing outside to play, the door pinches the hand, or the fall during a sport-like activity leaves my little one clutching his/her arm. (more…)

Rhythmic gymnastics is a sport in which gymnasts perform on a floor with an apparatus: either a hoop, ball, rope, ribbon, or club. The sport combines dance and gymnastics and requires strong, flexible, coordinated athletes. Due to the nature of the sport and the repetition during practice and performing, the most common area of injury for rhythmic gymnasts is the foot. (more…)

Concussions, or mild traumatic brain injuries, are an unfortunately common occurrence in sports, affecting as many as 3 million athletes per year. Concussions can cause immediate impairments, but newer research has also identified the risk for long-term complications, especially as the person suffers multiple concussions. Even with an increased emphasis on concussion recognition, only about 50% of sports-related concussions are reported and treated. (more…)