by Chantel Gorton, PT, DPT, SCS Scared of needles? Don’t worry. This vaccine doesn’t come from a doctor’s office. No pokes, no band-aids, and no insurance bill. But there is a catch: it takes work. The secret ingredient? Muscle. The Anti-Monster Defense System Think of your muscles as a built-in
by Ally Folkert, DAT, LAT, ATC, CSCS As we close off a month focused on shoulder health, let’s summarize what industrial athlete-specific research has to say regarding workplace shoulder injuries and how we can prevent these issues in the first place. If your job requires heavy lifting, repetitive motion, or
by Nick Hueneburg, MS, ATC, CES, CEAS What can grip strength tell us? Grip strength has been shown to have positive correlations with overall muscular health, endurance, and even longevity. Studies have linked strong grip with lower risks of cardiovascular disease, better mobility in older adults, and fewer injuries in
by Mitchel Musselman, ATC The shoulder is one of the most complex yet most free moving joints in the human body. Given its design and complexity this also makes it one of the most vulnerable joints we have. Studies show 18-26% of people will experience some sort of shoulder injury
by Casee Yarborough, LAT, ATC Did you realize that “Elbows In, Thumbs Up” is actually aimed to protect the shoulder? The different joints of our upper body work so closely together that the positioning of the hand, wrist, and elbow can actually affect stress and strain on the shoulder. How
by WRNW The Green Zone is our body’s strongest and safest working range. When tasks fall inside this zone, our spine is supported, our core is engaged, and we’re set up for safe, efficient movement. But not every job fits neatly inside these boundaries. Maybe we’re lifting a bulky item
by Peyton Mayberry, LAT, ATC Picture this. You’re in a rush. Maybe you want to get one task done right before lunch, or you’re just ready for a break and this is the last thing on your list. The task involves moving a box a short distance, which is normally
by Adam Dwyer, MS, ATC We tend to think about alignment from the waist up (alignment through our core of the hips, shoulders, and spine), but our foundation is just as critical. Our feet set the tone for everything above them. Misalignment down low can ripple upward into the knees,
by Mac JuVette, LAT, ATC We’ve all heard the phrase: “Common sense ain’t so common.” Often, it’s the most basic things that are the most misunderstood and or misapplied. Breathing is a prime example. It’s one of the most important tools we have to reinforce our health, yet it’s often
by Steve Limbrunner, ATC Just because we’re all industrial athletes doesn’t mean we all do the same work in the same places. There’s difference in location, in job task, and even the nuance of our particular movement demands. However, something we all have in common is that we walk, move,
by Dylan Wirick, MS, LAT, ATC Work Right has got great imagery of lifting. Graphics that show proper lifting posture – a wide stance, chest up, a neutral spine, and hinging at the hip. And those how-to visuals are important. But let’s be honest: most objects on the job don’t
by Trevor Addison, MS, ATC There’s a common saying on safety-conscious construction sites: “ladders last.” This means ladders should only be used when all other options have been exhausted. This idea doesn’t eliminate the use of ladders, far from it in fact, but it does get workers to consider other
