Cracking the Code: What is Endometriosis

What is Endometriosis? Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. This leads to an inflammatory reaction within the pelvis and abdomen. It affects 10-15% of female-bodied people and 35-50% of people struggling with pelvic pain and infertility (~200 million people). It is often referred to as the “great imitator” which leads to it being under-diagnosed or misdiagnosed, and contributes to why it often takes 7-20 years to be diagnosed. What causes Endometriosis? The cause of endometriosis is unknown. It…

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Rock Climbing Technique Basics

If you are new to rock climbing and have started your journey by yourself in a gym, then you have probably heard other climbers discussing different types of holds and techniques. If you are confused or unsure of what they are talking about, then this is a great place to start. In this post we will talk through some common terms in regards to technique and how you interact with a wall, however this will not be an exhaustive list by any means as there are many climbing specific words,…

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Building Strength with Limited or No Equipment

The plethora of at-home workouts and access to virtual exercise classes has been a definite bright spot in our current situation. Coaches and instructors have begun to utilize dozens of variations and combinations of the squat, push up, and sit up to create equipment-free programming for us to do at home. Usually, this style of exercise primarily targets muscular endurance and has fantastic cardiovascular benefits, but building strength and promoting muscular hypertrophy are difficult to achieve unless you have the means to appropriately load (e.g. have your own fully stocked…

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Static Stretching for Distance Runners

To Stretch or Not to Stretch? What Runners Should Know About Stretching for Injury Prevention and Performance: I have had numerous runners over the years come into the clinic and tell me they have pain. They will then look down at their feet and admit “I don’t stretch though, so I guess it’s my own fault.”  The perception that stretching is an important feature in injury prevention and recovery is pretty pervasive, but is it accurate? First, we can look at pre-exercise stretching.  It appears that following a sustained static…

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Desk Job Mobility

If you spend hours per day on a computer or at a desk, take a look at the photo below. We all used to deem the body on the right as having “bad posture,” but the truth is that this is merely our body’s response to the repetitive positioning demands placed on it. Good news! It is retrainable, and the concept is simple: stretch the structures that are tight, activate/strengthen the structures that are inhibited/weak. Below are some movements that you can incorporate into your work day to supplement all…

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Spinal Manipulation For Back Pain

Back and neck pain are two of the most common reasons why individuals seek care from a health professional. A popular manual treatment technique at the back and neck is a thrust manipulation. Most people at some point in their life have seen a YouTube video of someone causing a loud crunching sound after manipulating someone’s back, but does it help reduce pain and improve function? Current research suggests that spinal manipulation can be an effective technique when addressing back pain. The following is a guide for those who are…

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Staying Active During the Holiday Season

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The holidays are upon us, which means lots of festivities and quality time with loved ones. While it is one of the most wonderful times of the year, it also poses a challenge to maintain a regular fitness routine. The good news is that it does not have to be an all or nothing situation. The first, and most important, tip is to remember that it is okay to give yourself a pass if you are not able to maintain your usual exercise schedule. The holidays are meant to be…

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I Just Injured My Ankle, Do I Need An X-Ray?

Ankle sprains are one of the most common injuries in the United States and commonly happen during sports and recreational activities.  Injuries can result from rolling the ankle, falling on the ankle, or contact injuries from sport.  After an ankle injury occurs, one of the first questions asked is; do I need to go to the doctor or get an x-ray?  The following blog is a guide for individuals who suffered an acute ankle injury and are unsure if they need an x-ray.  The Ottawa ankle rules:  The Ottawa ankle…

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Understanding Pain

by Dr Nathan Pierce, DPT, OCS. Have low back pain?Did you know that 80% of the population will experience lower back pain in their lifetime? 85% of low back pain is non-specific meaning that the cause is not clear. How can that be? Oftentimes this is because pain is equated with tissue damage.Pain doesn’t always equal tissue damage. In fact, pain is not a sensation at all. The term “pain fiber” is misleading as they do not exist. What we do have are nociceptors. Nociceptors are tiny nerve fibers located…

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ACL Injuries & Prevention in Sports

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the four main ligaments that connects the femur (thigh bone) and the tibia (shin bone) together. The ACL sits in the middle of the knee. Its main job is to prevent the tibia from sliding out in front of the femur. So how can you injure your ACL? It can happen from a contact injury (like getting tackled in football), but most of the time, it occurs from a noncontact injury (like planting your foot to quickly change direction while running or…

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