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Mend Physical Therapy Blog and Injury Information

Groin strains are the second most common muscle strain, behind the hamstring, among soccer players.  The dynamic movements required by both offensive and defensive players place high demands on the long muscles of the hip and knee.  Our previous blogs have shown the effectiveness of Physical Therapy interventions to reduce the risk of future hamstring...

Sprinting either in track or sport requires rapid, high force muscle contractions across the lower body.  If the forces utilized during the acceleration phase of running are greater than the capacity of the muscle to absorb these forces injuries can occur.  Hamstring strains in this population of runners are common due to the rapid shortening...

It is estimated up to 10 million Americans participate in either indoor or outdoor climbing activities.  Research documents 4 to 5 injuries per 1000 hours of climbing participation and each climber can expect 1 to 2 injuries over a climbing career (Backe et al. 2009).  These injuries can be either traumatic or overuse in nature. The...

Reducing Hamstring Strains in Sprinters

Hamstring strains or pulls are a common injury among acceleration sports including rugby, soccer, and sprinting.  Our previous blogs have written about the causes and treatments of these muscle injuries.  One of the common causes of injury involves a lengthening contraction (eccentric) of the muscle during these explosive sports movements.  If the muscle is unable...

The functional movement screen was designed to screen athletes and individuals on both upper and lower body movement tasks in order to identify those at risk for future injury.  As participants move through the 7 movement tasks, Physical Therapists are able to identify areas of weakness, tightness, or decreased coordination.  Based on these results exercises...

Photo Credit: charlieweingroff.com In our prior posts we have described the injury risks associated with athletic activities.  There will always be an inherent risk with athletic participation but current research is identifying Physical Therapy tests which can help predict future injury.  These test batteries involve movement assessments of functional positions such as squatting, jumping, and...

ACL injuries  are becoming more common among both recreational and professional athletes.  The majority of these athletes who sustain complete tears of their ACL ligament will undergo ACL reconstruction and intensive post operative Physical Therapy.  Often, the ACL surgery is delayed after the injury to allow the athlete to regain their lost range of motion...

Photo Credit: cyclingweekly.com In a prior post we discussed the prevention, treatment, and prognosis for iliotibial band syndrome.  The iliotibial band is commonly injured due to poor running biomechanics (cross over running gait) and muscle imbalances.  Specifically, weakness in the gluteus medius and maximus and an overutilization of the tensor fascia lata muscle which connects...