Returning to Winter Sports After an ACL Injury

By: Kaitlyn Smith, PT, DPT As an avid skier who has experienced both the icy slopes of the East Coast and the powdery trails out West, one thing remains constant: knee injuries are a leading concern in skiing and snowboarding accidents. In 2024, these injuries accounted for 27-41% of incidents at ski resorts, commonly involving ACL or MCL sprains. Unfortunately, following ACL repair surgery, the risk of re-injury—either at the repair site or the opposite knee—increases due to natural compensations. To address this, physical therapists have developed detailed return-to-sport protocols…

Continue ReadingReturning to Winter Sports After an ACL Injury

From Oversplits to Strength: Safer Stretching Strategies for Dancers

Recently, in the dance world, more people have been discussing appropriate vs. harmful stretching habits. Stretching oversplits has become a hot topic within this umbrella of harmful stretching practices. In this blog, we will cover why you should avoid stretching your oversplits and what are the better options for improving your flexibility.  Anatomy of Stretching  When you are stretching your splits, you are stretching the muscles in your legs, tendons, and ligaments. Tendons connect muscle to the bones around them, and ligaments connect bone to other bones. Tendons are best…

Continue ReadingFrom Oversplits to Strength: Safer Stretching Strategies for Dancers

Integrating Cycling into Your Running Routine: A Path to Becoming a Stronger Endurance Athlete

When incorporated into a well-rounded running training program, cycling can enhance your overall performance and endurance. Whether your goal is a 5K, half marathon, or full marathon, cross-training with cycling helps improve cardiovascular fitness, minimize injury risk, and stave off mental burnout.  At FX Physical Therapy, we’ve compiled five compelling reasons why hopping on a bike can make you a better runner. 1. Boost Cardiovascular Fitness for More Efficient Running Cycling is a powerful tool for maintaining and enhancing your cardiovascular endurance, which directly benefits your running performance. A 2018…

Continue ReadingIntegrating Cycling into Your Running Routine: A Path to Becoming a Stronger Endurance Athlete

Importance of Plyometric and Multi-Planar Training for Field Sport Athletes

Written By: Jacob Myers, PT, DPT, CSCS When designing a fitness routine or strength & conditioning program, many athletes and trainers emphasize the importance of training “functional movement patterns.” These patterns refer to the global movements we commonly perform in daily life, and therefore, it is crucial to develop strength and endurance in these areas. The primary functional movement patterns include: Horizontal & Vertical Pushing: Examples include bench press, push-ups, and military press. Horizontal & Vertical Pulling: Exercises like rows and pull-ups. Squat: A staple movement such as the barbell…

Continue ReadingImportance of Plyometric and Multi-Planar Training for Field Sport Athletes

Importance of Verbiage Used for Athletes Returning to Sports

Written By: Taylor Hensh, PT, DPT, CSCS Multidisciplinary Approach to Athlete Rehabilitation Rehabilitating athletes effectively requires a multidisciplinary approach, involving collaboration among physical therapists, athletic trainers, physicians, nutritionists, and mental health professionals. This comprehensive strategy ensures that all aspects of the athlete’s recovery are addressed, promoting optimal healing and performance (Brennan et al., 2017). Consistent terminology across the care team enhances trust, understanding, and accountability throughout the rehabilitation process (Cook & Finch, 2014). Individualized Return to Sport Progression Returning to sport after an injury is not a one-size-fits-all process; it…

Continue ReadingImportance of Verbiage Used for Athletes Returning to Sports

RED-S and Postpartum Return to Running

Written By: Corinne Howe, PT, DPT What is RED-S? RED-S, or Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport, results in impaired functions such as metabolic rate, menstrual function, bone health, immunity, protein synthesis, and cardiovascular health. This condition arises when an individual’s caloric intake does not meet the energy demands of daily activities and exercise habits. Key Symptoms of RED-S in Postpartum Women The energy demands of postpartum women differ significantly from those at other life stages. Factors to consider include daily activity energy demands, breastfeeding status, sleep quality, and exercise-related energy…

Continue ReadingRED-S and Postpartum Return to Running

Unlock Your Running Potential: Strength Training Tips for Spring Races

Written By: Bailey Souder, PT, DPT As your running race draws near, you may feel the strain of burnout or the frustration of plateauing progress in your training. While focusing on increasing your weekly mileage is important, incorporating structured strength training into your routine can be a game-changer! ENDURANCE Beyond simply logging miles, scientific research highlights the crucial role of strength training in muscular endurance and resilience. Compound lifts like squats and deadlifts not only build raw strength but also endurance. These exercises engage multiple muscle groups simultaneously to mimic…

Continue ReadingUnlock Your Running Potential: Strength Training Tips for Spring Races

Tips and Tricks to Prevent Injuries in Pickleball

Written By: Dr. Allison Funk, PT, DPT, ATC Pickleball is a sport that combines skills from badminton, ping pong and tennis that can be played on indoor and outdoor courts. Participants are often attracted to pickleball as it is a great form of low-impact exercise that promotes socialization and competitiveness for all ages. But before you grab a paddle, it's worth knowing how to keep yourself injury-free on the court. As much fun as pickleball is, it does come with some risks, especially for those over 60. Injuries like sprains,…

Continue ReadingTips and Tricks to Prevent Injuries in Pickleball

The FACTS About Low Back Pain and Golf

Golf often has the reputation of being a low intensity sport which places little stress upon the body. Those who play golf will tell you that is far from the case. As an avid golfer myself and Physical Therapist, I can testify that golf is a demanding sport on the body and golf health is something that is important to address for anyone who plans to pursue the lifelong game. The most common golf-related injury is low back pain (LBP) with 15-35% of amateurs and 55% of professionals experiencing LBP…

Continue ReadingThe FACTS About Low Back Pain and Golf

Importance of Strength Training in Youth Athletes

As an athlete, you’re at the top of your game, right? You train, you practice, and you work out. There’s no need for you to strength train – you’re essentially training the muscles you need to perform your best as you play. Incorrect! It is imperative that youth athletes, especially high school athletes, participate in strength/resistance training as part of their off-season and in-season training schedule, regardless of their sport. Strength training has a huge number of benefits, examples include, but not limited to, reduced risk of injury, increased strength,…

Continue ReadingImportance of Strength Training in Youth Athletes