Meniscal tears, either traumatic or degenerative in nature, are a common source of knee pain in patients presenting to our Boulder Physical Therapy and Lafayette Physical Therapy clinics. Degenerative tears most commonly observed in middle or older aged adults have become a recent topic of interest in the media and medical research. Authors and researchers...
Cycling is a fantastic way to stay active, improve cardiovascular health, and enjoy the great outdoors. However, for some cyclists presenting to our Boulder Physical Therapy and Lafayette Physical Therapy clinics, low back pain can be a significant obstacle that hinders their enjoyment of this activity. Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or just starting out,...
In our Boulder Physical Therapy and Lafayette Physical Therapy clinics we commonly prescribe mobility or stretching exercises to reduce pain and restore lost function. Accelerating a patient’s return to the activities they enjoy. When combined with other forms of exercise, in particular strength training, stretching is an effective method of restoring lost motion in joints...
I can remember reading the exercise literature over 20 years ago and learning the impact of mental imagery on strength gains. Participants who solely thought about their strength training workouts over a study period demonstrated strength gains compared to a control group. In addition, these mental workouts could also limit the amount of atrophy observed...
In our Boulder Physical Therapy and Lafayette Physical Therapy clinics cardio is king for many of our patients. Although gaining in popularity, weight training unfortunately falls behind cardiovascular training in training frequency, intensity, and duration. Patients not performing strength training can run the risk of reduced bone density, loss of muscle mass, reduced performance, and...
Rucking, the straightforward yet powerful exercise of walking with a weighted backpack, combines the benefits of bone density health and strength training. The added weight provides a resistance that engages various muscle groups, promoting strength and muscle development throughout the body. This not only enhances overall physical fitness but also contributes to improved metabolism and...
Neck pain is a common condition affecting up to 80% of the population at some point in their lives. Unfortunately, without treatment neck pain can become recurrent in nature. In our Boulder Physical Therapy and Lafayette Physical Therapy clinics we treat neck pain with a combination of manual therapy, exercise, and education. Treatment by Physical...
The meniscus are found on the inside and outside of each knee. They provide cushion and stability between the two bones joining at the knee. A meniscal tear is one of the more common knee injuries and can occur with trauma such as compression and rotation (ex. cutting) or occur with aging. The latter tear,...
Strength training participation is increasing as more and more Americans realize the health benefits of this form of exercise. Current research continues to support the mental, emotional, and physical benefits of strength training. Strength training principles require participants to select a weight designed to fatigue a given muscle within the desired reps. For example, if...
Patellar tendinopathy is a painful condition along the tendon below the knee cap commonly diagnosed in jumping or bounding athletes. In our Boulder Physical Therapy and Lafayette Physical Therapy clinics we often encounter this diagnosis among patients who did too much too soon or too little for too long. Tendons require consistent loading through exercise...