Hip, Knee, Osteoarthritis, Running
Mandie Majerus
Bone Stress Injuries

What is a bone stress injury (BSI) and how do I know I have one? How long will it take to get me back to running? As a physical therapist who treats a lot of runners and as a lifelong runner myself, I have always had a passion for keeping runners running. The act of running can make someone’s day tick along better, can help with consistent sleep, calm the nerves and can even make a runner more fun to be around. It can be social or an act of solitude. It can be alarming for a runner when they start to experience a nagging pain that doesn’t warm up or even worsens as they run. Pain that doesn’t dissipate with a warm-up routine or is vague at first but then becomes localized or intensifies through the run can be a sign of a bone stress injury or BSI. BSI is a general term indicating mechanical load is exceeding the bone’s structural ability to withstand the load. However, BSIs occur on a continuum. One end of that continuum is a stress reaction, the other end can be stress fracture or even a full fracture of the bone. The runner recognizes this as pain that isn’t normally present. BSIs can occur for many reasons whether due to biomechanics or from a nutritional standpoint or a combination of both. As high-school and college cross-country runners prepare now for this upcoming season, they should be aware of the common causes and ways to prevent bone stress injuries.

Bone Stress Injuries
Physical Therapy, Fitness, hiking, Knee
Mark Bouma, PT, DPT, OCS, COMT, FAAOMPT, CFI
Raking Leaves

Mark Bouma, PT takes readers through the areas to watch out for while raking leaves. The fall changes in the PNW is a time of beautiful color but also typically wet and heavy leaves.

Patellofemoral pain is largely a diagnosis of exclusion. There can be many causes of knee pain and it is important for your healthcare provider to properly assess your individual condition. Many individuals have anterior knee pain with prolonged sitting with flexed knees.

There are three common provocative diagnostic tests that are most closely correlated with patellofemoral joint pain:

  • Squatting

  • Climbing Stairs

  • Eccentric Step-Down Test

Research has linked several key factors that may contribute to an individual developing patellofemoral pain. These factors are not present in everybody who has symptoms, but there are often impairments in one or more of these areas found during a physical therapy exam.

Raking Leaves
Physical Therapy, Fitness, Knee, Football, Hip, Neck pain, Running
Victor Kolar, PT, DPT, CSCS, TPIc
Turkey Bowl

Victor Kollar, PT takes you through the areas to think about as you get ready for your annual turkey bowl football game.

Turkey Bowl
physical therapy, Fitness, Physical Therapy, Ankle
Ben Wobker
Riq Woolen: Foot & Ankle Injury

The Seattle Seahawks have been dealing with a challenging season on the injury front, and the ankle injury to standout cornerback Tariq Woolen has added yet another layer of complexity. Woolen, a key figure in Seattle's defensive scheme, has demonstrated elite skills throughout the season, allowing a league-low 27.3% completion rate and an astonishing 1.7 passer rating when targeted. His injury has not only affected the team's defensive depth but has also posed significant challenges in maintaining consistency in coverage. In this article, we delve into the details of Woolen’s injury, its implications for the Seahawks, and what the team can do moving forward.

Riq Woolen: Foot & Ankle Injury
physical therapy, Ballet, Cross-Fit, Fitness, Physical Therapy
Ben Wobker
Relative Energy Deficiency

If you're a runner, you may have heard of the Female Athlete Triad, a term once used to describe a combination of low energy availability, menstrual dysfunction, and bone health issues. However, our understanding of these conditions has evolved, giving rise to a broader concept: Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S). This condition is not just for elite female athletes; it affects athletes of all levels and genders. Let’s break down what RED-S is, why it's important, and how you can protect yourself as a runner.

Relative Energy Deficiency

physical therapy

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Riq Woolen: Foot & Ankle Injury

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Riq Woolen: Foot & Ankle Injury

The Seattle Seahawks have been dealing with a challenging season on the injury front, and the ankle injury to standout cornerback Tariq Woolen has added yet another layer of complexity. Woolen, a key figure in Seattle's defensive scheme, has demonstrated elite skills throughout the season, allowing a league-low 27.3% completion rate and an astonishing 1.7 passer rating when targeted. His injury has not only affected the team's defensive depth but has also posed significant challenges in maintaining consistency in coverage. In this article, we delve into the details of Woolen’s injury, its implications for the Seahawks, and what the team can do moving forward.

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Relative Energy Deficiency

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Relative Energy Deficiency

If you're a runner, you may have heard of the Female Athlete Triad, a term once used to describe a combination of low energy availability, menstrual dysfunction, and bone health issues. However, our understanding of these conditions has evolved, giving rise to a broader concept: Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S). This condition is not just for elite female athletes; it affects athletes of all levels and genders. Let’s break down what RED-S is, why it's important, and how you can protect yourself as a runner.

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Shin Splints in Youth Football

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Shin Splints in Youth Football

Shin splints are characterized by pain along the inner edge of the shinbone (tibia). This condition occurs when muscles, tendons, and bone tissue around the tibia become overworked. Shin splints are common in athletes who engage in activities with a lot of running and jumping, particularly when the body is not yet accustomed to the intensity of the activity.

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Imagery

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Imagery

Last Thursday night, Seattle’s beloved wide receiver Tyler Lockett suffered a finger fracture

injury during a game against the San Francisco 49ers. The injury occurred when Lockett

attempted to catch a pass and his finger was accidentally stepped on by a 49ers player. Finger

fractures can be painful and can affect a person’s ability to grasp or hold objects. In Lockett’s

case, the injury could potentially impact his ability to catch and hold the football.



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Tyler Lockett

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Tyler Lockett



Learning to visualize these scenarios prior to an event may regulate your emotions, have better control of your environment, and honestly, you may end up with a positive outcome with all the repetitions and practice.


Sharpen your skills, and be as detailed as possible. I know that when I used to play basketball I remember being at the free throw line, 4th quarter, my team was down by 5 points in the playoffs. When I got to the line I noticed the fans in the crowd going crazy, cheerleaders stomping on the floor, and teammates at the free throw line sweaty, huffing, and puffing. Both coaches yelling at their players to get them ready after the 2nd free throw attempt. As I stand at that free throw line, I can feel the sweat drip through my jersey, down my arms. I could even see the sweat drip onto the free-throw line. Everything felt slow, I couldn’t hear anything, and it felt like I had tunnel vision. It was just me, the basket, and the ball. 


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ACL Series Part 3: Rehab

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ACL Series Part 3: Rehab

Right now, I am 1.5 years post ACL surgery, but 3.5 years post ACL injury. I will be recalling my experience starting at the time of injury all the way through my individual Physical Therapy experience. This will be a multi-part series that tells my story, plus various research facts and personal details along the way.



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ACL Series Part 2: Surgery

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ACL Series Part 2: Surgery

Right now, I am 1.5 years post ACL surgery, but 3.5 years post ACL injury. I will be recalling my experience starting at the time of injury all the way through my individual Physical Therapy experience. This will be a multi-part series that tells my story, plus various research facts and personal details along the way.



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ACL Series Part 1: Pre-Surgery

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ACL Series Part 1: Pre-Surgery

Right now, I am 1.5 years post ACL surgery, but 3.5 years post ACL injury. I will be recalling my experience starting at the time of injury all the way through my individual Physical Therapy experience. This will be a multi-part series that tells my story, plus various research facts and personal details along the way.



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Spondylolysis and Spondylolisthesis

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Spondylolysis and Spondylolisthesis

Spondylolysis is estimated to occur as much as 25-60% in athletic populations The most common age group for occurrence is 11-18 years old, with higher likelihoods of injury occurring during puberty and growth spurts. Adolescents today typically play multiple sports throughout the year, often overlapping with minimal to no rest between seasons. Sports involving high impact and spine loading, as well as trunk rotation and extension, have a higher incidence of spondylolysis. Research shows football, gymnastics, power lifting, diving, baseball, softball, hockey, basketball, and soccer tend to have an increased risk for this injury……

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Blood Flow Restriction

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Blood Flow Restriction

“Speed kills” is a phrase often heard in the athletic world to emphasize the idea that the faster the athlete is, the more successful he or she will be. As a health professional and a performance coach, it is important to teach athletes that being fast does not always have to rely on genetic background. There are plenty of specific mechanics that can turn speed into a skill.

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Hawks Shoulder Surgery

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Hawks Shoulder Surgery

With the 27th pick of the 2020 NFL Draft, the Seahawks selected Jordyn Brooks, a menacing linebacker out of Texas Tech. While many Seahawk fans doubted the pick, as we often do in the current Seahawks era, Pete Caroll and John Scneider have had their reasons and a master plan that can leave fans holding their breath. Brooks is the first linebacker the Seahawks have drafted in the first round since 2009 when they selected Aaron Curry out of Wake Forest. Interestingly, Curry also happens to be a new-hire for the Seahawks as a defensive assistant coach as of this year.

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Stretching

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Stretching

Everyone knows that stretching is good for you, but most people are wrong in WHY they think it is good for you. As a PT and frequent gym-goer, I often hear that stretching is good because it helps lengthen the muscles. This is completely wrong. I think it is time to debunk some of the myths surrounding stretching. After reading this page, you will have a better understanding of what does and does not happen when you stretch. You might even be able to enlighten those around you in yoga class or at the gym.