Athletico Health Resources

During one year in the United States, 795,000 people will have a stroke, or cerebrovascular accident (CVA)¹. Of these, 610,000 will be first-time CVA¹. This is obviously a large number, and chances are you know someone who has experienced, or will know someone who will experience a CVA. (more…)

Exercise is known to have many physical benefits, including improved quality of life and reduced risk of chronic disease. As most individuals know, exercise helps improve physical health and has mental health benefits. Exercise can help by improving self-esteem and cognitive function, as well as reducing mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, and negative mood. Exercise plays a role in mental health care by increasing blood circulation to the brain leading to a reduced reactive response to stressors. Despite the most recent research, exercise is often underutilized as an intervention regarding mental health, specifically in the postpartum population. (more…)

If you’re a gymnast, you know the pain and inconvenience of sustaining a rip. Rips are a common and painful occurrence in gymnastics, caused by separation of the upper layers of skin in the palm of the hand or around the wrists from the lower layers of skin. Rips can happen from an excessively tight grip, or a callus buildup which causes the skin to bunch as the gymnast swings around the bar. The force of the swing pulls the upper layer of skin away from the lower layers which can lead to a blister or cause it to fill with blood. Rips can also form near the wrist if rubbing occurs against a wrist brace or the gymnast’s grips. Callus formation is also extremely common, and gymnasts most often get calluses on the palms of the hand from repeated friction on the bar. The good news is that rips can be prevented, and the most effective way to do so is by focusing on overall hand and callus care. (more…)

Foam rollers have become a staple in many physical therapy clinics and gyms. If you have never seen one before, it is a 3 ft x 6-inch foam cylinder that can be used for stretching and massaging muscles during the recovery process as well as pre and post-workout. While it is a simple looking tool, there are many ways to use it. Many people swear by the benefits of foam rolling stating that it helps them feel more limber and reduce pain. These claims certainly sound good, but what does rolling out your muscles actually do and could it be a beneficial tool for you? (more…)

Feeling stuck in a rut? Or like you just want to relax on the couch and order food? Believe it or not, a little bit of exercise can go a long way in shifting our thoughts and feelings in a positive way. Below are a few suggestions for when you need a little boost of happiness in your day. (more…)

Working out in pain can generate some fear and anxiety in many people. You have heard that exercise can help with pain, but the thought of putting yourself through more pain, especially if it’s been hanging around for a long time, can be daunting. As physical therapists, we see this fear and anxiety daily, but we have the tools to help guide our patients through this process, and the results show a stark contrast from the beginning to the end of their care. (more…)

Incontinence, or the lack of voluntary control over urination and defecation, can be life-altering. It can come in six types: insensible, stress, urgency, mixed, nocturnal enuresis, and overflow. Depending on the type of incontinence, your therapy will be specific to you. However, below, you will find the most common pelvic floor retraining exercises to help get you started. For more personalized care, please reach out to a physical therapist (PT) near you. (more…)

Pelvic health physical therapy evaluates and treats health issues ranging from incontinence, pelvic and vaginal pain, prenatal and postpartum musculoskeletal pain, osteoporosis, lymphedema, to rehabilitation following breast, genital, and gender affirmation surgery. It involves the treatment of disease, injury, or dysfunction by physical methods such as stretching, strengthening, muscle re-training, manual therapy, the use of modalities and pain science for pain management, and behavioral modifications rather than by drugs or surgery. This style of conservative care can help improve the quality of life for you and the ones around you. Below you will find three reasons to seek pelvic health therapy and get the care you need. (more…)