Athletico Health Resources

The Chicago Tribune recently reported that high school football participation in Illinois has reached a 26-year low. For the first time since 1993, fewer than 40,000 high school students in Illinois will be participating in football.¹ Furthermore, the National Federation of State High School Associations states the number of high school students playing football has dropped 8 percent since 2007, more than any other sport. However, this is small compared to Illinois’ 25 percent drop in the same timeframe.¹ (more…)

A tendon is a connective tissue that attaches muscle to bone. This tissue can be subject to injury over a person’s lifespan. Tendons are unique in that they are capable of restoring and recoiling energy as well as being readily adaptable, with the ability to respond to loading or stress. One of the more famous tendons, Achilles, connects your calf to your heel and allows for pushing off the ground with walking. (more…)

Dry needling is an innovative treatment technique performed by a licensed physical therapist to help reduce or heal pain symptoms. This technique has many useful applications ranging from soft tissue involvement to nerve irritation. In general, it is primarily used to target trigger points (sensitive spots in soft tissue) and reduce tension of taut muscles. (more…)

The cooler temperatures and limited daylight hours that come with winter can make it difficult to fit exercise into your schedule. If you are anything like me, snuggling up with a blanket seems a lot more appealing than heading to the gym in your coat, gloves and boots. At the same time, many of us set resolutions to be more active this year. This means it is important to carve out some time in your day for exercise – even if it is not at the gym. Below are some tips to help you achieve a good workout, at home! (more…)

As a physical therapist, I frequently work with people who suffer from chronic pain. When the weather changes – including colder temperatures or air pressure changes – I frequently have patients asking why the weather seems to influence their pain symptoms. (more…)

Even when we are able to get a sufficient amount of sleep, which can be difficult with crazy work and life schedules, our bodies don’t always feel well rested. We may wake up feeling like the tin man as we take our first steps to start the day. (more…)

The good news is that New Years is just around the corner, and with that, another chance to set some New Years resolutions. If you’re similar to the majority of Americans, one or more of your resolutions will revolve around health in some way, shape or form. Whether it’s to get in shape again, lose the recent holiday weight, or finally get that gym membership you’ve been eyeing, it’s clear that many resolutions revolve around fitness. (more…)

Physical activity has been shown to improve health and wellbeing, specifically by reducing the risk of chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes and heart disease. In fact, the benefits of exercise are abundant – going beyond the ability to reduce risk for chronic health conditions. Research shows that a regular exercise program can help control weight control, improve moods, increase energy levels, as well as improve sleep and social interactions. The Department of Health and Human Services recommends 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous activity each week for most adults, including strength training exercises twice a week. However, up to 300 minutes of moderate exercise may be required for weight loss. (more…)