In my last blog post, I talked about the most common soccer injuries, and how I use a suspension system from Norway to help my clients overcome injury and get back to an active life by rebalancing their muscles. Today I'm going to talk specifically about how I apply suspension exercises to strengthen the hamstring, since this group of muscles (Semitendinosus, Semimembranosus, and Biceps Femoris) is so difficult and painful to heal from when injured.

Before becoming a Doctor of Physical Therapy, I completed my 200-hour Yoga teacher training and then taught several classes weekly at a popular studio in Los Angeles. During that time, I also completed my Pilates Instructor certification through Balanced Body. I was fortunate to train under one of my PT school professors who incorporated Pilates into her physical therapy practice. (She also taught me how to use the Redcord suspension system, but that's a story for another time!)

Have you ever felt stuck with your workout routine? Or felt that no amount of exercise can help you shed those last few pounds? ‍It might be time for you to consider syncing your workout routine to your menstrual cycle. As women, we are cyclical beings. Throughout about a 28-30ish day window, we are shifting and constantly changing. Our hormones, attitudes, and emotions are different each day.

If you're an Activcore client, you probably already know that we combine physical therapy and fitness into a total body experience. This integrated approach helps you get and stay out of pain, age well, and feel empowered to be fully engaged in your life. Our team members frequently trade services because we know the power and efficacy of working as a team focused on your health and well being.

When I first became a physical therapist, it seemed like all the rage in fitness and rehab was about strengthening one specific muscle or muscle group. For example, I would hear about the VMO (Vastus Medialis Oblique) muscle and how “vital” it was for proper tracking of the knee cap when squatting. Or how the glutes were “key” to an effective golf swing. Or how the rhomboids had to be “strong” for good posture. In some cases these theories proved to have some level of validity. But in many cases they became outdated theories and a sign of limited evidence.

As we dive into the summer, our focus for this month is on how we work to seamlessly integrate physical therapy and fitness into our programs at Activcore. We're excited to introduce you to our incredible providers in both fields of practice, aiming to demystify the treatment process and highlight some essential elements of restoring and maintaining performance.

Shoulder injuries can be debilitating, hindering our daily activities and compromising our overall well-being. Mindful exercise methods like Pilates and the Gyrotonic Expansion System® are a helpful addition to physical therapy. Both approaches focus on strength, balance, breathing, stability and mobility. But they differ in their principles and techniques.

As a Performance Specialist at Activcore, I frequently get questions from my clients about bone density and ways to improve it (or at least maintain it). Building strong, healthy bones is essential for overall well-being and longevity. While traditional weightlifting has long been associated with bone-building benefits, Kettlebell training offers a dynamic and effective alternative.

We depend on our nervous system to help us interpret the world around us. Our autonomic nervous system is the part of our body that gives us ‘fight or flight’ or ‘rest and digest’ responses. Fight or flight responses are directed by the sympathetic nervous system, while rest and digest responses by the parasympathetic system. However, in our modern day world, this part of our nervous system is challenged in an unprecedented way...

I joined the Activcore Performance team in Atlanta, GA in April 2023. An Atlanta native and Juilliard trained professional dancer, I discovered Gyrotonic during my time in Chicago dancing at Hubbard Street, one of the preeminent dance companies in the United States. My dance career has also included performing in the cast of Hamilton. I now teach dance around Atlanta, and I am thrilled to be on the Gyrotonic teaching team at Activcore.