Jeff Ryg, Author at Mend Colorado

Screening for Achilles Injury Risk in Pickleball Players: A Practical, Evidence-Based Guide

April 22, 2026

By: Erica Tran, PT, DPT, OCS Pickleball continues to grow rapidly, but so do lower extremity injuries, particularly involving the Achilles tendon. The combination of quick acceleration, deceleration, and repetitive loading places significant strain on this structure. Research in sports medicine and tendon physiology consistently shows that Achilles injuries are rarely sudden events. Instead, they...

Health & Performance Uncategorized

Stop Blaming Your Hands: The Real Reason Your Pickleball Reactions Are Slow

April 21, 2026

By: Erica Tran, PT, DPT, OCS If you play pickleball and feel like you’re always a split-second late at the kitchen line, it’s tempting to blame your hands. “They’re just not fast enough.” But that’s usually not true. In most cases, slow reactions in pickleball have very little to do with your hands and everything...

Treatments

Processed Foods Linked To Poor Muscle Health

April 15, 2026

Processed and ultra processed foods make up the majority of Americans’ daily caloric consumption and poor nutrition. These foods continued to be studied due to their negative impact on our health. In particular, researchers have noted these are associated with obesity, metabolic syndrome, elevated blood sugar, and poor cardiovascular health. A new research study has...

Sport Injuries

Knee Sleeves and Weight Belts: Help or Hype?

April 13, 2026

By: Ian Nay, PT, DPT, OCS There is a clear psychological component with both knee sleeves and belts. Athletes consistently report improved confidence and a greater sense of stability when using them. That matters. In both Physical Therapy and strength training, perception influences output. If a sleeve or belt allows you to train with less...

Sport Injuries

The Real Reason Your Wrist Hurts After Pickleball and How to Fix It Fast

April 10, 2026

By: Erica Tran, PT, DPT, OCS Pickleball is growing rapidly, and with that growth comes a rise in wrist pain among players. From a physical therapy perspective, this discomfort is rarely random. It is most often the result of repeated stress, inefficient mechanics, or not allowing the body enough time to recover. Over time, this...

Sport Injuries

Low Back Pain and Pickleball What You Need to Know

April 8, 2026

By: Erica Tran, PT, DPT, OCS Pickleball has exploded in popularity over the past decade, attracting players of all ages with its fast pace, social nature, and relatively low barrier to entry. But as courts fill up, so do reports of aches and injuries, especially low back pain. If you have ever walked off the...

Conditions

What is “Criterion-Based ACL Rehab” and Why is it Better Than Time-Based Rehab?

April 6, 2026

By: Lucas Glomb, PT, DPT, OCS Much physical therapy still bases ACL rehabilitation on timelines and protocols. Week-by-week progressions, boxes to check, phases that unlock just because enough days have passed. It’s organized. It’s easy to follow. But it misses the point. Time tells you how long it’s been since surgery. It doesn’t tell you...

Conditions

Does Injury To A Climber’s Shoulder Determine Function?

April 1, 2026

By: John Crawley, PT, DPT, OCS Does it matter if you hurt your labrum? Does it matter if you have worn out your biceps tendon? The answer might surprise you. Often people think that identifiable injury to their body means they need surgery or that they will not be able to climb as hard or...

Patient Resources

Abdominal Bloating and Distension: A Pelvic Floor PT’s Perspective

April 1, 2026

By: Chelsey Vasquez, PT, DPT, PRPC Abdominal bloating and distension are common concerns I hear from patients in pelvic health physical therapy. Many people feel uncomfortable pressure in their abdomen after eating or by the end of the day. While digestive conditions can contribute, another often overlooked factor is abdominophrenic dyssynergia. Abdominophrenic dyssynergia occurs when...

Conditions

Why Your Shoulder Hurts after Jiu Jitsu (And When to Seek Help)

March 31, 2026

By: Rani Helvey-Byers, PT, DPT, OCS The shoulder is the second most commonly injured site in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.1 If you train regularly, there’s a good chance you’ve dealt with shoulder pain at some point. The higher rate of injury in the shoulder stems from its being an incredibly mobile joint – a fact that makes...

Older Posts

Screening for Achilles Injury Risk in Pickleball Players: A Practical, Evidence-Based Guide

Stop Blaming Your Hands: The Real Reason Your Pickleball Reactions Are Slow

Processed Foods Linked To Poor Muscle Health

Knee Sleeves and Weight Belts: Help or Hype?

The Real Reason Your Wrist Hurts After Pickleball and How to Fix It Fast

Low Back Pain and Pickleball What You Need to Know

What is “Criterion-Based ACL Rehab” and Why is it Better Than Time-Based Rehab?

Does Injury To A Climber’s Shoulder Determine Function?

Abdominal Bloating and Distension: A Pelvic Floor PT’s Perspective

Why Your Shoulder Hurts after Jiu Jitsu (And When to Seek Help)

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