Shoulder pain is a game changer. A painful shoulder can quickly limit the activity level for athletes and non-athletes alike. The shoulder joint is the…

Because it is one of the most mobile joints, the shoulder joint is also one of the most injured joints in the human body. This…

  By Sarah Westgreen at Tuck Sleep When you don't sleep enough, you're not at the top of your game. Sleep deprivation can make you…

For most, the term "pain management" creates haunting visions of pain medicine, drastic lifestyle changes and expensive doctor bills. In the sports medicine world, that…

"Educate your physical therapy patients" was the message my fellow classmates and I heard as we polished our healthcare skills in the outstanding physical therapy…

I'm often asked: "How do pro athletes heal so fast following a major surgery?" My answer is two-fold: "They lock into a positive attitude before…

To convince my patients, fellow #SpartanRace athletes and friend that ice therapy works, I simply tell them: "Ice is your best friend"! Ice is cheap,…

I competed in the Asheville (NC) Super Spartan Race with my buddies last weekend. From the 7 hour ride north with my friends, to the jokes at…

I flipped a giant tire today during my Spartan workout.  Flipped, as in singular.  One.  Uno.  Eins.  Once was enough. I'm allergic to sports injuries.…

How many of us overthink our wellness, fitness exercises and health maintenance plans? "Guilty as charged!" Wake-up Call I'm writing this blog post from the…

Calf Strain: A Running & Jumping Athlete's Nightmare He sits on the bench with an ice bag on the back of his lower leg.  A…

Eliminating Your Pain: Finding Your CONTROL - ALT - DELETE When your computer locks up, what do you do?  The CONTROL - ALT - DELETE…

Self-Care Tips for Athletes with Joint Swelling I saw a physical therapy patient this week with a chronic knee injury.  His knee was swollen and…

Will Cross Training Make Me Stronger…or Injured? I get lots of questions from non-professional athletes looking for ways to avoid injuries. Any injury, large or…

Football's in the air.  It has a way of making sports seem legitimate again.  The buzz of training camp and how "my team" will do…

April 25, 1988 was the day my childhood NFL dream came true. Ronnie Barnes, the Head Athletic Trainer for the New York Giants and one…

Today is a true day of "role reversal" for me.  Instead of being the physical therapist, I'll be the patient rolling into the operating room…

A Runner's Case Study in Courage As told by Colleen Clarson - At first glance, it was only a daunting fitness challenge.  At second glance,…

Measuring Your Fitness Program With Gratitude How does an athlete measure his/her success? High profile athletes have coaches, fans and ESPN to judge their performance.…

Taking the Brakes Off For Great Health I'm in Atlanta preparing for our last preseason game against the Falcons. We're just ending our press-season training…

Running With a Swollen Ankle As a runner I can get away with saying this:  Runners aren't normal.  Admit it because we all know it's…

[caption id="attachment_2241" align="alignleft" width="135"] Two Boys Playing[/caption] I had a wonderful Christmas last week. It was a memorable holiday that allowed me to spend time…

I stopped by Home Depot on the way home from work last night.  This time of the year in the NFL, I have to do…

[caption id="attachment_2871" align="alignleft" width="256"] Source: Pixabay[/caption] The truth hit me with the sting of a punch in the gut.  The words "Another runner was hit…

[caption id="attachment_2847" align="alignleft" width="289"] Source: Pixabay[/caption] It wasn't a good workout but it was a great run.  I just finished a 5:30 AM run in…

This Sunday's Jaguars game against the Chicago Bears will be special for me for many reasons.  For starters, it's my 500th NFL game.  At 49 years…

[caption id="attachment_2850" align="alignleft" width="245"] Source: Pixabay[/caption] I received a call from a dear friend of mine regarding his knee injury.  I get lots of these.…

Gameday in the NFL.  It's easily the best day of the week for players, coaches, athletic trainers and, of course, the fans. I'm often asked:…

With the 2012 NFL pre-season in full swing, there is one things you can count on:  Hamstring injuries.  Anytime you combine highly competitive and dehydrated…

When someone has the opportunity to spend time in an NFL athletic training room, they usually come away saying the same thing: "I never realized how…

I received great questions on MikeRyanSportsMedicine.com from Carl in Texas and Maria' in France related to how world-class athletes recovery so effectively.  Recovery is one of my favorite…

This past weekend while vacationing with my family, I was introduced to Terry while we worked out at CrunchGym in Danville, CA.  He is a close…

With record high temperatures blanketing the country so early this summer, I’ve received dozens of emails and texts regarding heat and hydration questions from runners. …

Everyone of us is looking for the "perfect workout".  It's the workout that gets us in awesome shape while burning pounds of fat and makes our…

This is a fun and interesting article on the 10 most common reasons why people don't exercise. It not only describes the lame excuses many…

We spend thousands of dollars a year on our running shoes to maximize our comfort and cushioning to protect our feet, knees, hips and low…

I recently recieved a great question on Osgood Schlatters disease of the knee, a common topic for questions on MikeRyanFitness, that I wanted to share. The…

NFL Draft Day is here and I think it’s safe to say that most football fans are tired of the Mock Draft-mania.  We’ve heard plenty…

I received an email from a follower with a simple and important question:  "How to I determine how hard to exercise when I want to…

"Why Fitness Rocks" by Paul Phillips - MudRunManiac.com              900 As of today, 900 is the total number of burpees…

[caption id="attachment_1853" align="alignleft" width="223" caption="Mike Ryan, Mud Run Winner"][/caption] This past weekend's big local mud run is the talk of the town.  With thousands of…

This weekend's mud run race is a big deal in Jacksonville.  Organized and run by the Northeast Florida Chapter of the National MS Society, the…

Running Injuries: My Pain Management Plan It's 6:55 AM.  I'm wrapped in ice while scarfing down a healthy bowl of cereal and writing this post.…

High Ankle Sprain Management Managing a high ankle sprain is not easy, and rehab requires a significant amount of experience.  It reflects a balance of…

Running Foot Pain or Stress Fracture? Pain is often a runner's most loyal training partner, free from the busy social calendars or alarm clock failures…

Injury Prevention Made Practical I have 33 days to get ready for a 1/2 marathon race that covers 13.1 miles.  I'll spare you the details…

  I can hear you now: "What's a guy from Florida know about running in cold weather?!" The answer:  Too much. Growing up in the…

Knee swelling is a major concern for athletes young and old.  Understanding their swollen knee is an important step to decreasing their pain and regaining…

Assisting the efficient joint relationship in the knee, two cartilaginous menisci rest on the flat surface of the larger lower leg bone (tibia). The inner…

Understanding Kneecap Pain for Runners Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) typically presents with a dull pain just beneath the kneecap and lower front part of the…

As you can imagine, I get asked a lot of questions about sports related injuries, “how do I treat” this and that injury and proper…

Managing a Foot Stress Fracture the Right Way A stress fracture in the foot is usually associated with an overuse injury to weight-bearing bones. Most…

Anterior cruciate ligament tears have become too common.  Most non-professional athletes just assumes that an ACL surgery is a simple procedure with little chance that…

I'm often asked about orthotics and the questions usually involve two basic issues:      1.  Do orthotics really work?      2. Why are orthotics so expensive?…

Let's admit the obvious: Fitness takes time and it's not always fun. It's ironic when you think about it.   In today's fast pace lifestyle if there' one…

I have to admit, I'm very impressed with the popularity of fantasy football and how many football fans are involved in fantasy leagues around the…

I have to laugh when friends ask me, "what's the big deal about a simple groin strain?!"  My reply is always the same and their…

Watching ESPN this past weekend while in Charlotte getting ready for our big game against the Cam Newton Panthers, I heard an amazing statistic:  Five…

[caption id="attachment_1332" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Marathon Runners {Photo: dmytrok)"][/caption] The Human Body is one of the greatest machines in the world. It can be put through…

Kind of a bold title, wouldn't you agree? A painful hip is a common complaint with athletes of any age.  I've demonstrated the proof of…

I read a great article this weekend in the Health section of the Wall Street Journal titled: “As Sports Medicine Surges, Hope and Hype Outpace…

What the Hell is a Shoulder Labral Tear? Understanding A Shoulder Labral Tear Shoulder glenoid labrum injuries are common in sports that require repetitive overhead…

Tame Heel Pain Flareups From Plantar Fasciitis Understanding Plantar Fascia Strains Plantar fasciitis causes localized pain in the backside portion of the arch that attaches…

With the recent heat wave that has gripped the country, many of us are struggling to tolerate the brutal heat and humidity.  It's one thing…

Understanding Referred Shoulder Pain Referred pain is common in the human body due to the many nerves that originate in the spinal cord and branch…

Understanding a Lateral Meniscus Tear “I tore my cartilage” is the term most athletes use to describe the possible source of their knee joint line…

Understanding Ankylosing Spondylitis Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the sacroiliac (SI) joints and the axial skeleton often having a strong genetic…

Finding a Relief Pitcher for Rotator Cuff Tendonitis - Supraspinatus Tendonitis Understanding Supraspinatus Tendonitis The supraspinatus is a muscle located on the top of the…

Understanding Running Knee Pain Pain associated with running can contribute to some forms of overuse injuries. Constantly subjecting the structures holding the joint to mechanical…

Understanding Spondylolysis Spondylolysis is a condition created when a localized fracture of the bony arch, referred to as the pars interarticularis. This injury is most…

Understanding Sinus Tarsi Syndrome Sinus Tarsi Syndrome is a rather common foot injury for stop-and-go type sports, which can leads to pain in the sinus…

How to Thaw a Frozen Shoulder Understanding Frozen Shoulder/Adhesive Capsulitis Frozen shoulder is a condition that affects the shoulder joint capsule: a fibrous covering of…

What is a Long Head Bicep Rupture? Understanding a Long Head of Biceps Brachii Tendon Rupture Proximal biceps brachii tendon ruptures (bicep ruptures) are more…

Understanding Spondylolisthesis Spondylolisthesis is a condition that causes an alteration of the normal alignment of the spine. The term was coined from its Greek root…

He's back and no one is more excited than he is today. Not long ago this amazing cyclist had to dig deep to simple ride…

Come on, who doesn’t love a great massage with a happy ending?! I can see you smiling now just thinking of that satisfied feeling at…

Injury can present a huge psychological challenge for athletes. Pain, on its own, provides a significant mental and emotional challenge. Being in pain is tiring…

Understanding Knee Pain From Cycling Cycling is a wonderful sport for athletes at any age.  Whether you’re biking the flat roads here in Florida or…

In the athletic world, there are all sorts of events and competitions that take place on a yearly basis. From the Super Bowl to the…

If you know long enough in advance that you’re going to have major back surgery, look at that time as an opportunity. You don’t have…

I received a message from a Jags' season ticker holder with a simple medical question related to a not so simple shoulder injury.  This loyal…

The truth is….athletes “pull” muscles. That is something everyone is at risk for with an active lifestyle. Biceps femoris tendonitis is typically an injury resulting…

The Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) is a thickening of the medial or inner knee joint capsule.  The MCL is the stabilizing ligament between the medial…

What is pes anserine bursitis? This ailment, while not extremely common, can be quite painful. It is the result of inflammation of the pes anserine…

Oz had the famed Curtain. Babylon had the mighty Walls. The NFL has The Door. Only "Authorized Personnel" are allowed through the NFL Draft Room…

“I didn’t know there was a 2nd Combine!” I hear it all the time and somehow the secrecy of this 2nd NFL Combine continues.  No…

I feel so strongly about my low back rehab plan that I'm going to guarantee it will reduce your low back pain! Low back pain…

Subacromial Bursitis Made Easy Understanding Shoulder Bursitis The subacromial bursa is a thin, sac-like structure located just under the acromioclavicular, or AC, shoulder joint. It…

[caption id="attachment_204" align="alignleft" width="194" caption="FLEXIBILITY IS FOR ALL ATHLETES & ALL SPORTS"][/caption] 80% of us will have back pain at some point in our lives.…

This weekend may prove to be the dirtiest, most fatiguing, most fun and most rewarding time that you’ve had since your were a kid at…

Understanding Fat Pad Impingement The infrapatellar fat pad is a sensitive mass of tissue that lies behind the patella tendon and on the front side…

The big race is this Saturday…the Gate River Run 15 km USA Championship Race.  This race goes well beyond a local “bragging rights” race by…

“I’m having numbness down my leg and no one seems to know why!” she barked out frustratingly over the phone.  I hear similar complains from…

[caption id="attachment_639" align="alignleft" width="276" caption="Mike Ryan Biking in Colorado July 2010"][/caption] March 1st is here and we can officially stop blaming our health and fitness…

I just posted an article on Shoulder Impingement Syndrome or Tennis Shoulder in my Shoulder Injuries section of MikeRyanFitness.com. A friend of Nate's came to…

Impingement Syndrome of the Shoulder: Tennis Shoulder Years back, a friend of a former colleague came to see me with left shoulder pain. I had…

[caption id="attachment_673" align="alignleft" width="195" caption="RUNNING WITH A SMILE"][/caption] Today is an exciting day in Jacksonville, FL.  Today is the 4th annual 26.2 With Donna Breast…

Metatarsalgia: Foot Pain’s Evil Brother Metatarsalgia is a general term relating to forefoot pain, secondary to inflammation in the distal foot and toe area.  Joints…

How to Survive a Rotator Cuff Tear While thinking up the title for this article, I actually laughed out loud. Given the diversity of sources…

Shoulder Therapy Made Easy If you are experiencing general shoulder pain and want to work out the kinks and reduce your shoulder soreness, this article…

Avoiding Long-Term Problems with a Dislocated Shoulder Shoulder dislocation is an all-too-common injury for many athletes.  Although possible in any direction, approximately 90% of these…

AC Joint Separation Management Acromioclavicular (AC) joints are easily injured and susceptible to secondary issues such as arthritis, laxity, and shoulder pain.  Often referred to…

The evolution of sports has proved to be a fascinating and often amusing combination of creativity, science and hype.  From the lightest of high-tech equipment…

Sprained Ankle Management Year over year, ankle sprains are the most common lower extremity injury in all of sports.  From a minor “tweak” to a…

[caption id="attachment_375" align="alignleft" width="248" caption="Mike Ryan - Corporate Wellness"][/caption] I was really excited to be featured in the Jacksonville Daily Record this week. The article…

If you experience pain when twisting at the waist or bending over, you may be suffering from Sacroiliac joint pain. The two sacroiliac joints are…

[caption id="attachment_274" align="alignleft" width="200"] Turf Toe Caused By Hyperextension[/caption] Turf toe is an injury with a short name but a long history of pain in…

Core workouts should be a key part of everyone’s workout plan.  If you’re like most people, you want a flatter stomach and stronger abdominal (Abs)…

One of the most common questions that I’m asked is:  “With a sports-related injury, when do I use ice and when should I apply heat?”…

If you want to keep your knees happy, make your quadriceps (quads) a top priority.  The good news is this…the goal of having healthier and…

How To Eliminate Heel Pain In order to eliminate heel pain, it is important to understand its underlying cause(s). Although the term "heel pain" is…

Chondromalacia, known as "Runner's Knee", is one of the most common sources of knee pain for athletes over 20 years old.  The patella injury involves…

Iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS), or Illiotibial band tendonitis, is a frustrating and troubling injury.  Because of it’s common mechanism of injury involves repetitive knee flexion…

How To Recognize And Treat Achilles Tendon Ruptures Your Achilles tendon is remarkably strong. It connects the calf muscles (comprised of the gastrocnemius and soleus)…

“He has this huge bump below his knee, his doctor says he’ll grow out of it but it hurts him all the time.  What should…

Understanding a Lumbar Spine Bulging Disc It seems that most non-medical people understand more about their computers and smart phones than they know about their…

Achilles Tendonitis Understanding Achilles Tendonitis Achilles tendonitis is a common injury associated with the presence of inflammation and scar tissue in the largest tendon in…