Athletico Health Resources

With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, dance companies and studios are closed for classes and rehearsals. Even without an audience to perform for, it is important that dancers maintain appropriate mental and physical activities while at home. As a performing arts physical therapist, I wanted to check in with some of Chicago’s professional dancers with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago - Adrienne Lipson, Kevin J. Shannon, and Craig D. Black Jr.. Read below to learn how their worlds are adapting and growing during this time when the theaters are dark and how they are keeping a positive attitude through it all. (more…)

When you can’t make it to the gym or on those days you just don’t want to leave the house, there are tons of ways to keep your body moving with common items found inside your home! Read below as we walk through some simple exercises that only require a water bottle. Be sure to fill your water bottle and secure the top. A full average sized water bottle is about 1 lb in weight. (more…)

Opening day is finally here! And while we may not be able to spectate or tailgate like we normally would, we can still root on our favorite teams! Did you know baseball can have lasting effects on our bodies? It is import to understand and appreciate the anatomy involved and how it relates to the most typically experienced injuries during such a repetitive and overhead-dominant sport. (more…)

Do you have pain in your jaw? Do you have trouble smiling, yawning, or chewing? Do you have clicking or popping in your jaw or have been told you clench or grind your teeth? Do you feel you’ve tried all the retainers or guards from your dentist, and just haven’t gotten back to 100 percent yet? If so, you may want to consider physical therapy (PT)! (more…)

Gymnastics clubs across the country have been closed for several weeks in order to keep everyone safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. This has resulted in gymnasts focusing on stretching and conditioning at-home in preparation for when they can get back to the gym. This is a good time to address any flexibility and strength issues that may have affected an athlete’s ability to train earlier in the year and help with injury prevention when allowed to return to practice. Here are 6 key exercises to target common areas of weakness in gymnasts. (more…)

As the weather begins to warm up, many of us are starting to think about ways to spruce up the outside of our homes and do some spring cleaning on the inside. This increase in manual labor after months of winter isolation can lead to aches and pains. Here are a few tips to avoid pain and extra stress on your body as you start your spring clean-up in and outside of your home. (more…)

Gyms have closed around the country due to COVID-19. Working out and staying active has become challenging as we all abide the social distancing mandate. Maybe you’re trying to hold onto your personal bests during this pandemic, want a high-quality home workout, or need a way to relieve stress. Regardless of the situation, use these helpful tips below. (more…)

Many of us are currently facing more stresses and anxieties than we are used to and being forced to find new ways to cope and get our mental health under control. One method we may consider is utilizing physical activity and allowing the various intrinsic benefits to help us out. While the benefits are numerous, let’s look at a few key reasons to begin exercising for our sanity and mental health. (more…)