At ProActive Physical Therapy, one of the treatment techniques we use for a lot of Combine athletes is Graston Technique. Often times their injuries are soft tissue and chronic in nature. They may have even been receiving the treatment at their University. This is also a very effective treatment technique for all of our clients. We use it often on our clients who enjoy all levels of activity and fitness.

Graston Technique^® is an evidence-based form of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization that enables clinicians to effectively address scar tissue and fascial restrictions through comprehensive training, resulting in improved patient outcomes.
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It’s that time of year again, after college bowl games when the top college players are getting prepared to perform at the NFL Combine. Every January here at ProActive Physical Therapy we support Activ8 Athleticism in getting players in top form for their big day. They arrive from all over the country and live here to train and rehab for 8 weeks or more. Continue Reading »

Here at ProActive we do not subscribe to a “no pain, no gain” philosophy when it comes to exercise. Exercise should be fun and more importantly, no one method is right for everyone. One of our favorite pieces of rehab equipment at ProActive is our rebounder. We use it for throwing programs, balance training, and return to running programs. But, it can also be used at home as an exercise method. In order to help astronauts returning from space, NASA did a study on reconditioning exercise. Here are some of the potential benefits when compared to treadmill training.

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Does running a race seem too daunting? Or do you feel running for fitness is beyond your level? Well, just because walking is the most basic form of mobility, it shouldn’t be overlooked when trying to boost our activity and fitness levels. The benefits from regular walking can be lifesaving. According to the American Heart Association a regular walking routine (at least 30 mins. of brisk walking 4-7 days a week) reduces the risk for heart disease, diabetes, and stroke; increase bone density; helps control weight; and helps maintain balance and coordination.

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So you want to run a race in 2015 even if your running shoes haven’t seen much action? Setting a race goal can be a heart smart resolution with a big health payoff. It provides a concrete goal, and encourages consistent exercise. Here are some things to help you get started, keep at it, and cross the finish line.

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It is already 1 month into the New Year and you are still having trouble starting your New Year’s resolution to start a fitness program and get in shape….. but where to start? Becoming more physically fit is great for anyone’s health, but preventing injury while doing it is equally important. Here are a number of steps to take to get started and prevent injury.

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Having a goal of a great trip down the road, should help make your training easier to do consistently, and should make the trip much more enjoyable. But we can’t forget to stretch.

Strength and flexibility focusing on the legs and trunk are vital in injury prevention specific for skiing. And balance training has been shown to be the single most important exercise for preventing ACL tears in women. Flexibility or stretching exercises should be done daily. 2 sets of each exercise holding for 60 seconds each is a good guideline. Below are some major muscle groups that need to be focused on:

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Have you made your ski lodge reservations yet?…..Well now it is time to prepare your heart and body for a full day of skiing with decreased risk of pain and injury. We can increase our safety and performance this winter by starting now with a pre-conditioning program that includes four components: endurance, strength, flexibility, and balance.

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Even though it is still warm and sunny here in San Diego, we all are starting to think about when we are going skiing this year. The next question we should ask ourselves is… am I ready to go skiing this year? Skiing requires muscles and muscle groups that are used very little the rest of the year. If we don’t prepare, our risk for injury increases. As we all have heard before, most injuries occur toward the end of the day as people become fatigued and as daylight and conditions have deteriorated. But, we here at ProActive have seen our fair share of patients who were injured on the first run of the day as well.

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This week, I would like to follow up on the statement made by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine that stated children need a 2-3 month break from a specific sport to avoid overuse injuries, overtraining, and burnout. Overuse injuries can develop due to the body’s process of remodeling being out of balance, a muscle imbalance of tightness or weakness across a joint, or improper form during an activity. Of course, the therapists at ProActive Physical Therapy are skilled at treating children and teens with these overuse injuries as well as addressing our patients as a whole person to help avoid future exacerbations of symptoms.

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