What are activation exercises? Activation exercises are small, isolated exercises that target specific muscles or small groups of muscles. These often focus on one particular movement at a joint such as hip flexion, or internal, or external rotation. This type of exercise brings in blood flow to “wake up” and warm up small muscles that may not be highlighted during … Read More
When should I use cold therapy?
For some, it’s almost instinctual to use ice when they get injured or whenever they are in pain. In the past, icing or cold therapy has been used to reduce pain and inflammation in muscles and joints. However, new research has suggested that we reconsider the traditional uses of cold therapy. So when should we actually use cold therapy? The … Read More
Can Plantar Fasciitis Cause Calf Pain?
Both calf pain and plantar fasciitis are common injuries for runners and those participating in constant weight-bearing and/or high-impact activities. The two are highly related, but is one a cause of the other? Causes of Plantar Fasciitis The plantar fascia is a thick connective tissue running along the sole of your foot, providing arch support and shock absorption. Plantar fasciitis … Read More
Does walking barefoot help plantar fasciitis?
The plantar fascia is a thick connective tissue structure that supports the foot arches and helps absorb shock upon impact. Repetitive impact and overuse of this structure lead to degeneration and pain known as plantar fasciitis. There has been speculation that walking barefoot can help with symptoms of plantar fasciitis, but is this true? We have read through the research … Read More
Scraping for IT Band Syndrome
Runners, or any athletes that are constantly on their feet, may be prone to iliotibial (IT) band syndrome. The pain on the outside of your knees can be debilitating and keep you from being active. Fortunately, Sidekick tools can be used to attack almost all of the causes of IT band syndrome. This article will guide you through scraping the … Read More
Sidekick vs Graston: 3 Critical Differences
It’s not uncommon to compare “Sidekick”, “Graston” and “muscle scraping” – or even think of them as one. We get it, there are many similarities! Sidekick and Graston are both Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) techniques used to break up the tension and promote healing in soft tissue. But how do they differ from one another? We’re here to … Read More