Our Favorite Dynamic Warm-Up Exercises for Runners

Set your RUN up for SUCCESS!!! Whether you have been running for years, or you are new to the team, prepping for your run can really make a difference! A proper warm up helps your running performance, and sets you up for success in the long run.  Running requires a lot of hip and core strength in order to maintain alignment, good form, and proper weight transfer when moving from one foot to the next.  A dynamic warm-up is used to improve mobility while moving through a range-of motion vs.…

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Top Places to Ride Your Mountain Bike Near Baltimore

Mountain biking is one of the fastest growing sports in the country, and as more people are opting to ride their bikes on dirt - an increase in trail access is occurring. Maryland has one of the most diverse riding areas on the east coast, the state has everything from beginner flat trails, to black diamond rocky downhill runs. Whatever your skill level, you can find something near Baltimore to challenge your riding capabilities!  Patapsco Valley State Park  One of the most popular areas in Maryland - and for good…

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How to Treat and Prevent Belayer’s Neck

Battling Belayer’s Neck When discussing pain and injuries from climbing, generally those that occur on the wall are what come to mind. However, if you ask someone an hour or two into belaying, they could easily name another. Belayer’s neck can be a real pain in the n—just kidding, we won’t do it. But those of us who are into climbing know that reaching the top feels great from up high on the wall, while not as comfortable watching from below. You feel that pain, tenderness, and stiffness creeping into…

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When Should You Use a Weight Belt?

We’ve all seen some gym taboo when we are working out. Biceps curls in the squat rack, not re racking weight, and starting a conversation mid set with someone. Let me add another to the list: using a weight belt excessively. Too many times have I seen someone doing shrugs or biceps curls with a weight belt on. What benefit does this person gain from using it? Let me be the first to tell you: NOTHING!    What do weight belts do? Don’t get me wrong, weight belts are a…

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Shin Splints: What? How? Why?

Shin splints, technically known as medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS) affects 5-35% of runners.  It involves pain on the inside of the lower leg that occurs with running and typically develops gradually.   Though some aspects of the pathology remain unclear, we do know it involves the interaction of the tibialis posterior, flexor digitorum longus muscles; possibly the soleus muscle; the crural fascia (a connective tissue in the lower leg); and their attachment onto the tibia bone.  In prolonged, chronic cases we see a stress reaction in the bone where there…

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Bulletproofing for Obstacle Course Racing

Hey OCR fans, we know you are fanatics about your sport and we want to keep you in it for the long haul.  Many of you may have signed up for that yearly pass, and there is nothing worse than suffering an injury that would prevent you from being able to get your money’s worth!  Here at FX Physical Therapy, we provide 1 on 1 treatment, and offer movement physicals that will give us some insight to your movement patterns and help you identify any areas that could potentially put…

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What Makes a Youth Pitcher Elite?

All little leaguers aspire to be elite at their craft. We’ve watched tee ball games where kids can only throw the ball 5 feet. Then, magically, they hit a certain age where they are throwing the ball 90 ft with ease and control. What changed? How can we predict a player’s velocity and what skills are required to become elite? Many sports performance studies are focused around pitchers, however, we can still use this information to help with any baseball position!     What Causes Youth Baseball Players to Improve?…

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Myths About Chronic Pain

Have you been living with pain for months? Maybe even years? Experiencing pain is a normal part of life, but living in chronic pain is not. It is exhausting and can affect your ability to work, take part in social gatherings, and participate in the activities you enjoy. There are many misconceptions regarding chronic pain. Here are 3 of those common myths.    Myth #1: Pain only occurs when you are injured. Have you ever finished yard work or gardening and afterwards noticed cuts or scratches on your arms or…

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Keeping Your Cool This Summer

The increasingly longer days and rising temperatures can only mean one thing—Summer is here. With sun tans and barbecues come the increased risk for heat-related illnesses. It’s important to be aware of warning signs and what to do if you see them, especially for those of us who love to exercise outside and spend time in the sun. Your body is working hard at all times to keep your body temperature just right so that your cells stay alive, healthy, and working the way they’re supposed to. Just like a…

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Miles of Trails and Trails of Miles

The Number 1 Reason for Running Injuries One of the biggest reasons that many runners get injured is that they increase their mileage (or volume of training) too quickly.  Running is hard on the body, and it takes your body time to adapt.  So, how do you know how much you should run, and how quickly you can increase your volume?   How to Avoid Running Injury If you are just starting to run or are coming back to running, the key is to start slowly.  Pick a pace that…

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