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Health & Wellness
Injury Prevention
Posted on October 2, 2020 by Tara Hackney, PT, DPT, OCS, KTTP
Tumbling athletes, including gymnasts and cheerleaders, place unique demands on their upper body. When tumbling, the athlete places not only their entire body weight through the hands but can have up to 16 times their body weight in force going across the wrist.1 Due to these extreme conditions, pain in the wrist can occur.
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Posted on October 1, 2020 by Brandon Bowers, PT, DPT, Astym Cert.
We’re already into week 4 of the 2020 football season and seeing the injuries that are beginning to impact many fantasy football teams.
To help you start your best lineup this week, Athletico’s Brandon Bowers, PT, DPT, is shedding light on significant player injuries in our weekly Fantasy Football Injury Report.
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Posted on September 30, 2020 by Paige Gibbens, PT, DPT, MHA
Running is a demanding activity, both physically and mentally. Thirty to seventy five percent of runners are hurt annually. But why? Shoe wear, stretching, biomechanics, weight and muscle imbalance can all be contributing factors in running-related injuries. A common reason for injuries in runners is repetition. Recent studies have shown multi-sport athletes have improved longevity of sport and reduced risk for injury due to variation. One simple way to reduce injury risk for runners is cross-training. Cross-training is a form of exercise, which utilizes a variety of different training mechanisms to improve physical fitness. Runners utilize cross-training for injury prevention and rehabilitation, a change of pace and increased physical fitness.
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Posted on September 28, 2020 by Tanner Neuberger, PT, DPT, TDN Level 1
A common misconception is to rest when experiencing low back pain, but in certain instances that couldn’t be further from the truth. Taking the route of exercise that is both comfortable and sustainable can help to reduce back pain and improve overall fitness and mobility.
It is important to know that although it may be painful now, it can get better with time and with some dedicated work. Outlined below are a few exercises that you can apply to help ease some of your symptoms. Some of these exercises will be movement-based, and some will be designed to provide strength or stability to the regions around the low back. Understand that not all of these exercises will be the right fit for you, based on your current fitness level or comfortability with the exercises, but you will likely be able to find something that works, and eventually you might be able to advance your choices.
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Posted on September 25, 2020 by Kayla Hutton, MSA, ATC/L
As athletes return to sports each season, there are lots of moving parts to be considered to ensure the health and safety of all participants. For many schools, an athletic trainer (AT) is involved in nearly every discussion.
Here are some of the ways that athletic trainers support athletes returning to sports:
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Posted on September 24, 2020 by Brandon Bowers, PT, DPT, Astym Cert.
Player injuries are starting to have an impact on fantasy football teams as we head into week 3 of the 2020 football season. While minor injuries may require a substitute for a couple of weeks, serious injuries can leave fantasy players searching for a permanent replacement.
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Posted on September 23, 2020 by Shelia M. Tenny, OTR/L, CHT
As we tire of the hot and humid, days of summer, many of us look forward to the cool, crisp fall air. This time of year is beloved by many for so many reasons. Football, apple picking and going to the pumpkin patch are just a few! Even though most of us love to admire the scenery as the leaves change from green to various shades of yellow, red and orange, most would agree that raking them is one of the dreaded jobs of autumn. While raking leaves seems easy, the sheer volume of leaves can turn what seems to be a simple tasks into several weekends of work.
To help you combat some of the aches and pains that are often associated with fall yard work, here are a few tips to help you get those leaves out of your yard and if you still have any energy - maybe give you something to look forward to in the spring!
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Posted on September 21, 2020 by Athletico
Mary Lehnen, PT, DPT and Laura Flanigan, MSOT, OTR/L
Why is fall prevention important? Physical and occupational therapists frequently treat patients whose injuries were caused by a fall. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries for adults who are 65 years and older. Falls can lead to serious nonfatal injuries, including fractures of the head and hip. A fall on an outstretched hand, also known as a “FOOSH” injury, can lead to fractures and soft tissue tears of the hand, wrist, forearm and even the shoulder. Falls can be emotionally traumatic to some patients and they may avoid participating in exercise, leisure and necessary daily activities due to fear of falling. This can lead to deconditioning, isolation and negatively impacting an individual’s overall well-being and independence.
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