Athletico Health Resources

Editor’s note: Over the course of the next few weeks, we will be rolling out a three part series to common symptoms during pregnancy and how to treat them!

Help! What Is This Pain I Am Experiencing During My Pregnancy?

You’re pregnant!  It’s an exciting and busy time for you. So, why are you having pain? (more…)

Use these tips to safely return to postpartum running!

*Note this blog is based on blogger’s experience as a new Mom as well as her professional opinion as a physical therapist.

As a new Mom and runner, I was excited and anxious to get back to running. I knew I was in no physical shape to compete after giving birth to my son but I was anxious to use running as an outlet to have some “Mommy” time alone. I can vividly remember my first run.  I knew it was not going to be pretty and only set my goal to complete two miles. Little did I know that that was a lofty goal!  I made it half way and was ready for a walking “break.” Since my first run postpartum, I have gradually increased my mileage.  Below are some tips that I would like to share that have helped me get back out on the road (and treadmill)! (more…)

Today’s blog post is written by guest blogger Kelly Todd, PT at Athletico Lake in the Hills and Women’s Health Therapy Program Manager

According to the National Association for Continence, twenty-five million adult women between the ages of 18-59 are affected by incontinence – 26% of those affected have involuntary leaking of urine. The three types of incontinence that can be diagnosed when symptoms arise include: (more…)

You’ve made it through the 9 months of pregnancy and now you can interact with your adorable little one face to face!

With all the time spent snuggling, rocking, carrying, and feeding your infant, your back is feeling tense and sore. Wait! This is not how you imagined this special time would be!

Caring for an infant creates new stresses on your lower and upper back. You now are carrying your little one frequently during the day in your arms or perhaps in their infant car seat. To soothe your baby, you may be standing and rocking or bouncing them for an extended period. You bend over frequently to pick them up from the crib or change their diapers. Even feeding them for an extended time puts stress on your upper back.

What can you do about it now? (more…)

It’s that time of the year! The snow is falling, it’s getting colder and the sidewalks are a little slippery. A slip and fall onto your buttocks can result in a coccyx (tailbone) injury. If you see your physician about your pain, you could be diagnosed with coccygodynia, which is pain at the coccyx. (more…)

The old saying that “happiness is an empty bladder” easily could be adjusted to include that “happiness is a properly functioning bowel.”

Did you know that approximately 80 percent of the population experiences constipation at some point in their lifetime? Constipation is defined as difficulty (straining to pass) or infrequent bowel movements (fewer than 3 per week). Common symptoms of constipation include the need to strain to have a bowel movement, a sense of incomplete emptying, decrease in the amount of stool passed, and the need to use enemas, suppositories, or laxatives to aid in maintaining regularity. (more…)

Every year in October, we celebrate National Physical Therapy Month. There are many individuals that have seen a physical therapist (PT) for common reasons such as low back pain or knee pain. There are many different conditions, however, that PTs may treat that you may not be aware of. In order to keep up their professional license, PTs are required to take continuing education courses. Often, these courses may give a therapist a special set of skills for treating a certain condition or diagnosis. The following is a list of conditions that many individuals may not be aware that can be treated by a PT. (more…)

What is pelvic organ prolapse?
Prolapse is defined as a slipping forward or down. Pelvic organ prolapse occurs when a pelvic organ drops from its original position in the pelvis and puts pressure on the vaginal wall. Organs that can be involved are the bladder (cystocele), urethra, rectum (rectocele), uterus, vagina, or small bowel (enterocele). Prolapse can be limited to a single organ or involve multiple organs.

Pelvic organ prolapse is experienced primarily by women. It is most common in women over 50 years of age and in Caucasian and Hispanic women greater than African American women. (more…)