Athletico Health Resources

Editor’s Note: Today’s post is written by Amy Bell, PT, DPT. Amy is Athletico’s Gymnastics and Cheerleading Program Manager.

Young gymnasts everywhere aspire to go to the Olympics one day and compete for the gold. While the road ahead will not be easy, staying healthy while participating in gymnastics will be the key to helping gymnasts’ dreams come true. (more…)

It seems you cannot turn on the TV lately without hearing something about another professional athlete who is suffering from the effects of a concussion. A concussion is a serious brain injury and is very difficult to assess and treat as MRIs and CT scans are almost always normal. If not treated properly, these concussions can cause both short- and long-term problems. One treatment that is getting more and more attention is the use of vestibular physical therapy for individuals who have been concussed. (more…)

You don’t have to be Misty May-Treanor or Kerry Walsh Jennings to enjoy the game of volleyball. Volleyball is a great sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels. It can be played year round as it can be played both indoors and outdoors. Aside from the pure enjoyment of the game, volleyball has many benefits. (more…)

At first, hydration might seem like a dry topic, but there is more to it than just drinking water. Many people may not realize that hydration levels can affect everything from essential bodily functions to your mental and physical performance levels, making it an ideal topic to cover with hordes of athletes returning to their sports this week. (more…)

With the Olympics upon us, I am very excited to watch as some of the world’s premier athletes compete to win for their country. I am always in awe when watching the swimmers and how their lean and muscular bodies seem to glide through the water so effortlessly. You can tell that they are in great shape both on the outside and inside. For many years, I have been advising patients to try swimming or to perform some water aerobics as a form of exercise. I have always heard how good it is for individuals who may not tolerate pounding on the pavement due to joint pain or arthritis. (more…)

Editor’s Note: Today’s post is written by Mark Kaufman, PT, ATC, Athletico president and founder.

Every four years, we get to appreciate an event that ‘takes us away’ for a special 16-day period. I am speaking of the Olympic Games, of course. As we approach the London Olympic Games set to open this Friday, memories of past Olympic highlights flow through my mind and bring on the excitement of what I am sure is to come, the creation of more memories. (more…)

Working on your balance probably isn’t an integral part of your everyday life, but I’m prepared to make the case that it should be. The benefits for improved balance range from a reduced risk of injury to improving intelligence and even potentially increasing one’s life span. With that in mind, here are my five reasons to work on improving your balance, as well as some ideas on how to get started. (more…)

Editor’s Note: Today’s post is written by Jeff Stein, PT, DPT, MS, ATC, who is the team physical therapist for the Chicago White Sox and was the Head Team Athletic Trainer/Physical Therapist for the Purdue Men’s Basketball Team from 2006-2012. Stein helped rehabilitate All-American basketball player Robbie Hummel of Purdue and NBA player Carl Landry after ACL injuries, among many other athletes.

Derrick Rose had done it thousands of times before, a simple jump stop for a shot or pass, but this one was different. With one wrong movement, his season was over. On that fateful night, Rose tore the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) in his knee, and immediately the questions arose. How long will he be out? Would he ever be the same? Is his career over? The good news is, despite the abrupt ending to the season, with the surgical repair and the rehabilitation Rose undergoes with the Bulls’ athletic trainers and physical therapists, the odds are good that he’ll regain his form and be the MVP-caliber player he was before. (more…)