Understanding Fibromyalgia
As a massage therapist, I have worked with a lot of clients over the years with fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is one of the most misunderstood and frustrating medical conditions out there today. Many people who suffer from this chronic disease have been misdiagnosed multiple times before someone figures out why they have so much pain. (more…)
Tips to Avoid Overuse Injuries
New Year’s resolutions to become more active are great. I hope everyone who made a resolution to be fit is starting to see a difference. That said, if someone has been pretty sedentary, and he or she jumps into a new fitness program too quickly, overuse injuries can occur. Understanding how to pace yourself while getting fit is key. (more…)
Post-Baby Abdominal Blues: Could it be Diastasis Recti?
Let’s be honest. If you have had a baby, you know that there are many things that no one tells you about what can and will happen to your body during and after pregnancy. One thing that is appropriate to discuss here is the development of a diastasis recti. (more…)
Understanding the Female Athlete Triad
As women’s involvement in athletic activity has increased dramatically in the last few decades, so has the incidence of female athlete triad. The incidence of female athlete triad is not well documented but studies have reported that anywhere from 15%-62% of female college athletes are affected. Female athlete triad is a syndrome comprised of disordered eating, amenorrhea, and osteoporosis or decreased bone mineral density. (more…)
Managing Arthritic Joints in the Winter
“It is going to rain or snow, I can feel it in my joints,” is a very common phrase I hear among my patients with arthritis. While having arthritis can make you an accurate predictor of the weather, especially as the cold approaches, winter can be a tough time of year for those with chronic arthritic symptoms. If you do not have the luxury of being a snow bird and escaping to somewhere warm during these long winter months, here are some tips for managing arthritis during the cold weather. (more…)
Physical Therapists and Athletic Trainers Team Up for Amazing Results
When an athlete is injured, a doctor will often prescribe a round of physical therapy to help facilitate the healing process. As an athletic trainer (AT), I’m often asked by parents why a student-athlete can’t just do their therapy with me in the athletic training room instead of going off-site to a clinic for formal physical therapy. The truth is that as an athletic trainer, I’m a part of a healthcare team, and like any other team, I feel that each member plays a role that maximizes their potential. Personally, and dependant on the nature of the injury, if I want my athlete to get the highest quality of care, I’m going to set them up with formal physical therapy with a physical therapist (PT). (more…)
6 Ways AthletiCo is Celebrating National Physical Therapy Month
In case you haven’t heard, October is National Physical Therapy Month, and AthletiCo is celebrating by giving back to its patients and the community. Check out what we’re up to this month!
1. LifeSource Blood Drive at Six Locations
This year, in an effort to continuously improve AthletiCo’s annual blood drive, AthletiCo has teamed up with LifeSource, the largest blood center in Illinois, to hold 6 convenient drives at locations in Oak Brook, Deerfield, Naperville, Hoffman Estates, and two Chicago locations. (more…)
3 Ways to Roll Away Muscle Tension
Sedentary jobs, decreased activity levels, and increased stress have made us a less mobile population. Our muscles are overactive and tight, creating imbalances in our bodies, which can lead to poor posture, joint pain, and a host of avoidable injuries. Most of us can’t afford a live-in masseuse, and massages from our significant others are expected to be reciprocated (and who wants to do that?), so how are we supposed to alleviate our tense, overactive muscles? Below I have 3 options for you, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. (more…)
