Athletico Health Resources

Kevin Durant joined the likes of Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green in the starting lineup for Game 5 of the NBA Finals – this following a 33-day hiatus as he rehabbed a calf strain. His return came with inherent risk – concern for worsening of the initial calf injury or a more severe Achilles tendon injury. In the second quarter, the 30-year-old planted on his right leg to change direction and subsequently went down to the floor clutching the back of his right lower leg. The worst-case scenario for Durant had become a reality, a ruptured Achilles tendon. He underwent successful surgery to address the injury and is expected to miss 9-11 months. (more…)

We’ve all been there before. The dread of the alarm going off at 4am. Checking the weather multiple times only to see the heat index is still indeed in the 90s. Sometimes it may manifest in the form of excuses….. “I had a long day, maybe I’ll skip this run today.” Burnout. It’s a thing. (more…)

Many of us are aware of the benefits that come with getting 30 minutes of exercise daily, such as reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Research also shows that exercise can improve mood, sharpen our memory and increases our muscle and bone strength.² (more…)

Does the thought of running up hills deter you from signing up for a race or running a specific route? Hills can be intimidating to novice runners and expert runners alike, however, training on hills has been shown to increase cardiovascular fitness, power and strength.¹ It also enhances variability on training surfaces, which can reduce the risk of overuse injuries. (more…)

We probably all know, or think we know, the basics of dealing with sharp objects, including carrying a knife or scissors with the pointed end down and never running with them! Despite these well-known safety tips, about 1,200 injuries occur daily in the United States from kitchen, pocket or utility knives.¹ (more…)

The human body is an incredibly efficient machine that, over time, will adapt to loads and stresses by increasing the strength of its tissues. Walk around any weight room in America and you will see examples of tissue adaptation (think Arnold Schwarzenegger). Conversely, if there is a lack of stress or demand placed on muscle or bone, tissue wasting can occur. A perfect example may be right underneath you: your feet. Imagine someone that sits at a desk while wearing dress shoes for eight hours a day, year-after-year. One evening, he goes for a walk but limps the final steps to his house as his feet have become painful. Some will say this is due to bad arch supports, worn out shoes, or even bad feet. Or, could it be that the muscles in his feet are weak? (more…)

As Chicagoland’s leading provider of physical and occupational therapy, Athletico is committed to educating the public about the importance of health and fitness. One of the ways our company encourages employees to live a healthy lifestyle is by participating in the annual J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge, which is a 3.5 mile run/walk that celebrates corporate teamwork, camaraderie and community! (more…)

While dancers are known for their flexibility, they are not immune to overworked muscles, which can lead to increased muscle tightness. Because dancers are often very flexible, sometimes it’s easy to bypass the stretch to the muscle through hypermobile joints. Here are some tips and tricks to help dancers’ stretch commonly tight muscles. (more…)