ATFL Injuries: Understanding The Most Common Ankle Injury
The start of the football season is an exciting time for fans and players alike. However, with the thrill of the game also comes the potential for injuries, and one of the most common injuries in football is the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) injury. This ankle injury accounts for about 15% of all football-related injuries […]
Young Athletes are Specializing too Early, and It is Damaging Their Bodies
The Olympics are in full swing, alighting many young athletes’ dreams of being on the podium like their heroes. While the path to Olympic success is challenging and reserved for a very small percentage of hard-working athletes, aspiring athletes and their parents should be aware of several risks. Three of the most common pitfalls young […]
Collegiate Athlete Injuries Requiring Surgery or Extended Time Off on the Rise
As high school seniors graduate and set their sites on college, many talented athletes anticipate playing their chosen sport at the collegiate level in the fall. However, a 2023 report found that injuries sustained during competition are rising. Less than 21 percent of these injuries led to disqualification for the season or the athlete’s career. […]
The Myth of Velocity: Preventing Elbow Injuries in Throwing Sports
When it comes to sports like baseball, softball, and tennis, the idea that throwing harder or with more velocity inevitably leads to elbow injuries has become a prevailing myth. While it’s true that high-velocity throwing can pose a risk to elbow health due to the high loads that are placed on joints, with proper preventive […]
Running Does Not Cause Bad Knees, But Poor Hip Strength Can
Approximately 50 million people run or jog every year, 1.1 million of whom complete a marathon, according to Statista. Runners are passionate about their sport and enjoy the freedom of hitting the trail or pounding the pavement any time of day they please. And runners won the lottery when COVID hit, and the gyms and […]
The Fate of All Baseball Players Lies in Their Range of Motion – Preventing Throwing Injuries
As baseball season gets underway, many athletes are eager to return to the field and start throwing as hard and fast as possible. However, experts warn that doing so without proper training and conditioning can lead to serious throwing injuries—and physical therapy may be the key to preventing them. According to the American Physical Therapy […]
How to Not Let a Hamstring Injury Ruin Your Athletic Dreams
Hamstring injuries are a common concern for athletes and are the number one thing that can take an athlete out of commission. This is precisely what took Chris McKenzie, DPT, physical therapist and owner of McKenzie Sports Physical Therapy, out of running and dashed his dreams of going to the Olympics. “One of the main […]
A Physical Therapist’s Guide to Winter Sports Injury Prevention
Winter sports lovers unite! Winter is here, and many of us are excited to hit the slopes or trails for winter sports fun. However, it’s important to remember that these activities use different muscle groups and put greater force on our joints, making it crucial to prepare our bodies properly. Without proper preparation, you are […]
Understanding and Alleviating Winter Knee Pain
The cold winter weather brings seasonal challenges, especially for those engaged in sports or activities that put significant stress on the knees. Winter knee pain stems from various sources. Cold weather conditions can exacerbate pre-existing conditions like arthritis, prior injuries, or strains. The drop in temperature can cause muscles and ligaments surrounding the knee joint […]
Never Get Sore + Rarely Become Injured = Eccentric Training
What is the number one way to eliminate baseball related shoulder and elbow soreness in the shortest amount of time? Eccentric training. Eccentric training is the use of eccentric contractions. An eccentric contraction is the elongation of a muscle while it’s still contracting. Think “negatives” in the gym. This picture briefly describes it: […]