SPOONER BLOG
Athletes, Struggling to Jump High Enough? Here’s Your Fix
By: Becca Sutton, PT, DPT, MSC, ATC
Whether you’re going up for a rebound in basketball, spiking in volleyball, or going up for a header in soccer, your vertical jump can change the game. Without the right strength and mobility, athletes often compensate with poor mechanics that can limit performance and even increase injury risk.
Becca Sutton, PT, DPT, MSC, ATC[…]
Why does my body hurt? What is the science behind pain?
By: Gail Kaiser, PT, OCS, TPS, CSCS
You stub your toe on the bedframe. “OUCH!” you shout, rushing to grab ice for the throbbing ache. That sharp pain is your body’s built-in warning system: Something’s wrong—stop what you’re doing or get help! Without this alarm, we wouldn’t know when we were sick, injured, or in danger. As C.S. Lewis once[…]
World Physical Therapy Day: Our Neighbors, Our Teammates, Our Therapists, Our Support
At Spooner, physical and occupational therapists aren’t only in the clinic treating injuries. They are an active part of the neighborhoods they serve. On World Physical Therapy Day, we’re reminded that our therapists are also the coaches on the sidelines, the mentors helping students grow, the providers helping athletes stay healthy, and the people standing beside families through their toughest[…]
From Good to Great: 5 Tips Every Wrestler Needs to Know
By Payson Staats, FIT Trainer
What’s better than training with a pro who knows wrestling, not just from books, but from stepping onto the mat and knowing the work firsthand? Payson Staats wrestled the majority of his life, pushing through tough practices and training. Now, as a Performance and Personal Trainer at Spooner, he combines that real wrestling experience with[…]
How Can You Feel Like YOU Again With A Chronic Illness?
If you live with a chronic condition like Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) or Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), you know that even the smallest tasks can take everything out of you. Some days, just getting out of bed feels like a mountain to climb. When your body isn’t working the way you’d like it’s easy to[…]
Hockey Hits Hard: How to Stay Healthy On the Ice
By Aaron Reinhardt, Physical Therapist, Hockey Dad, and Lifelong Hockey Player
Hockey is fast, physical, and thrilling—but that same intensity makes injuries part of the game. As a physical therapist, hockey dad, and player, I’ve seen it from every side: the bench, the clinic, and the ice. I’ve taken the hits, guided my son through a high-school SLAP tear, and[…]
The Thing That Will Change The Next 30 Years of Your Life
Why Functional Movement Matters At Every Age
By Annika Larsen, PT, DPT
You would be surprised how often people overlook the power of functional movement until it starts holding them back. Naturally as we evolve, we move differently or compensate which creates changes in our body. Compensations or lack of movement can lead to pain or difficulty with daily tasks. Learning how[…]
How to Balance Training, School Sports, and Club Sports Without Burning Out
If you’re trying to juggle school, club, and training, you’re not alone. A lot of athletes feel like they have to pick one or the other. The truth is, you can do all three. You just need a plan. Let’s walk through what that actually looks like, step by step.
Not Sure Where[…]
What It’s Really Like to Be a Physical Therapy Student at Spooner
By: Sarah Van Horn, Physical Therapy Student and Eric Brown, PT, DPT, COMT, OCS
Full Circle: From Patient to Physical Therapy Student at Spooner
When Sarah first stepped through the doors of Spooner, she wasn’t dreaming of a career in healthcare. She was a middle schooler—navigating the ups and downs of an injury and learning what it meant to heal. At[…]
ACL Injury Prevention and Optimal Post-Op Rehabilitation
By: Torrey Foster, PT, DPT, OCS, FAFS, CSCS
When people think about ACL injuries, they usually think about surgery and rehab, but reducing the risk of an ACL injury is just as important. Not just for younger athletes, but for every athlete. Why? Because ACL recovery is a long road. It’s not like an ankle sprain where you’re back in[…]
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