
Keys to Managing Your Shoulder Pain
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…

The Myths and Truths Inside a Painful Shoulder
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…

How Sleep Impacts Injuries
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…

Pain Management Made Easy
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…

Lifestyle Matters: What I Learned from my Physical Therapy Patients This Week
"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…

How Valuable are the Medical Exams at the NFL Combine?
The medical examinations at the NFL Combine are extremely valuable. A huge part of the annual NFL Combine in Indianapolis this week is the medical…

Closer Look at Aaron Rodgers’ Clavicle Fracture
Week 6 of the 2017 NFL season added another painful chapter to the venomous rivalry between the Green Bay Packers and the Minnesota Vikings. Packers’…

Checklist for Surgery: Rehabbing Like a Pro Athlete
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…

Athletic Training Student Tips for Football Training Camps
For every athletic training student, this time of year is one of great excitement and stress. Football training camps in the NFL and college are…

Cold Truth About Ice Therapy
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,…

Managing Your Wrist Pain
Wrist pain will humble even the toughest of athletes. With a painful wrist, suddenly simple tasks becomes painful. Opening a door, picking up our kids…

Appreciating Assistant Athletic Trainers
John Norwig has the right to be proud. Playoff football’s in the air. I’m here in Kansas City with NBC Sports’ Sunday Night Football crew…

Inside the NFL Concussion Protocol
You hear it every Sunday, watching an NFL player escorted to the locker room after taking a big hit to the head: "He's in the…

Spartan Race Recovery Made Easy
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…

Avoid Sports Injuries With 1 Simple Question
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.…

Simplify Your Health and Wellness
[caption id="attachment_2820" align="alignleft" width="352"] Image Source: Pixabay[/caption] How many of us overthink our wellness, fitness exercises and health maintenance plans? "Guilty as charged!" Wake-up Call…

Microfracture Surgery for NFL Players
[caption id="attachment_2826" align="alignleft" width="214"] Source: Pixabay[/caption] As we await for the bright lights to begin Round 2 of the 2016 NFL Draft, the big looming…

Calf Strain: A Running & Jumping Athlete’s Nightmare
[caption id="attachment_2828" align="alignleft" width="264"] Source: Pixabay[/caption] He sits on the bench with an ice bag on the back of his lower leg. A calf strain…

Eliminating Your Pain: Finding Your CONTROL – ALT – DELETE
When your computer locks up, what do you do? The CONTROL - ALT - DELETE key combo is probably your go-to plan to put your…

Self-Care Tips for Athletes with Joint Swelling
[caption id="attachment_2816" align="alignleft" width="264"] Source: Pixabay[/caption] I saw a physical therapy patient this week with a chronic knee injury. His knee was swollen and stiff,…

NFL Rookie Hamstrings Beware
[caption id="attachment_2861" align="alignleft" width="223"] Source: Pixabay[/caption] Dear Rookie Hamstrings, We all know the deal. You busted your ass all last summer, during a long and…

Recovering From a Spartan Race: Sports Medicine Secrets
[caption id="attachment_2831" align="alignleft" width="289"] Source: Pixabay[/caption] I competed in the big Charlotte Spartan Race with my friend Paul Wilson yesterday. I had so much fun….in…

A New Look at Sports Hernias
I got the call last week and his stress level was obviously high. "They think she has a sports hernia!" my good friend said. "Her…

Jimmy Graham’s Shoulder Injury Plan
As New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham prepares for Sunday's 2015 NFL Pro Bowl, he's still dealing with an injured right shoulder. As with…

Smart Start With CrossFit
[caption id="attachment_2840" align="alignleft" width="274"] Source: Pixabay[/caption] I did my first CrossFit workout (at CrossFit Pablo Beach in Jax Beach) this weekend….and my ass and hamstrings…

The Secret Behind Managing Injuries in the NFL
I get asked about NFL injuries almost every day..…and I love it because NFL injuries have been a huge part of my life for over…

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 small, can change your life. As we…

Top 5 Factors Causing Hamstring Strains
[caption id="attachment_2864" align="alignleft" width="258"] Source: Pixabay[/caption] "What's he got?" the coach shouts with frustration as I approached with my exam findings of the injured football…

Time For Change
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…

Gratitude, Change & a Trusted Vision
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…

How to Shorten Your Shoulder Scope Recovery Time!
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, it was terrifying…if not seemingly impossible.…

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. Runners and bikers have the clock…

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 camp which includes living in the hotel…

Fantasy Football Dominance Using NFL Injury Reports
The NFL season is two weeks away and that means that the Fantasy Football Drafts are coming soon. Fantasy Football popularity is very impressive and…

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 true. Veteran distance runners and…

Smart Injury Free Mud Run Racing
[caption id="attachment_2882" align="alignleft" width="271"] Source: Pixabay[/caption] This Saturday’s Tough Mudder- Jacksonville is coming to town with lots of hype. Known for it’s very original and…

How I Got My Ass Kicked in a Mud Run
[caption id="attachment_2858" align="alignleft" width="273"] Source: Pixabay[/caption] Last weekend was the big local mud run, the MuckFest MS here in Jacksonville, Florida. It's a great event…

Healthy Attitude + Healthy Habits = Living The Dream
I ran 10 miles yesterday morning with Dawn, Beth, Kevin and Rob. It's a great group of runners and even better people. They're optimistic, energetic, healthy, humorous…

Pre-Race “To Do’s” for Your Best Running Race
I'm ready to go for tomorrow's Donna Breast Cancer 1/2 Marathon here in Jacksonville, FL. Both the 1/2 marathon and the full marathon are wildly…

NFL Players’ Access to Certified Athletic Trainers in High Schools
I often talk to our Jacksonville Jaguars players about their past experience with injuries and sports medicine care. From their days playing ball in midget…

Simple Steps to Eliminate Back Pain
A few days ago a coworker came to me complaining of low back pain. You know the drill: Stabbing pain with forward bending, spasms grabbing…

My Favorite Four Letter Word
[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…

Upcoming Sports Medicine Tips!
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…

5 1/2 Tips to Beat Bad Ankle Pain
[caption id="attachment_2842" align="alignleft" width="309"] Source: Pixabay[/caption] Too many of us live with daily ankle pain. Usually the factors creating ankle pain are often quite controllable…

A Runner Safety Wake Up Call
[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…

Runner’s Guide to Managing Calf Pain
[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…

From Picking Up Cups to Living the NFL Dream
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…

Torn Meniscus: To Scope or Not to Scope?
[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 For An NFL Athletic Trainer
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:…

#1 Tip to Heal a Hamstring Strain
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…

Paying the Price for Fitness
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…

Key to Olympics & NFL Training Camp Success: Rapid Recovery
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…
Kicking Off the NFL Training Camp
Today is commonly referred to as"Report Day" in the NFL for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Hotel check-in at 10, medical updates at noon, miscellaneous updates and…

Achilles Tendonitis vs Achilles Bursitis
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…

Runners Guide to Running in the Heat
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. …
Stephen Strasburg vs Heat Illness: A Success Story
Ace pitcher Stephen Strasburg left Saturday’s game after the 3rd inning because of heat illness and dehydration. The 106-degree temperatures in Atlanta were brutal for…

Seeking the Perfect Workout: “Just Whack It”
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…
![(Lame) Reasons People Commonly Give for Not Exercising [fitness.com]](http://www.mikeryansportsmedicine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/3-Stooges-101.jpg)
(Lame) Reasons People Commonly Give for Not Exercising [fitness.com]
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…
![Obesity’s Effects on Bones & Joints [kentuckianahealthfitness.com]](http://www.mikeryansportsmedicine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Knee-inner-22.jpg)
Obesity’s Effects on Bones & Joints [kentuckianahealthfitness.com]
Stephen P. Makk published a wonderful article in Kentuckiana Healthy Woman on Obesity's Effects on Bones and Joints. Highlights include his breakdown of the routine tasks obese people have…

The 5 1/2 Lessons I Learned From Getting Food Poisoning
Three days ago, while enjoying a wonderful time on the beach with family and friends, I took a bite of my take-out fish sandwich and…

Avoid Running Injuries By Running on the Right Surface
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…

The Return of Osgood Schlatter Knee Pain
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…

Insider Medical Questions with the NFL Draft
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…

Burning Body Fat the Smart Way
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…

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

5 1/2 Tips to Win a Mud Run
[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…

Inside the Mud Run
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 as I shoveling down a healthy bowl of cereal while I'm writing this post. I had a fun…
![The Danger of Overtraining in Running [adventure.howstuffworks.com]](http://www.mikeryansportsmedicine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Runner-middle-age-22.jpg)
The Danger of Overtraining in Running [adventure.howstuffworks.com]
As a runner, we're often guilty of trying to do too much and the results are bad: Running injuries and/or poor performances. Overtraining in running…

Fueling Your Body: Healthy Foods to Supplement Your Training
It’s no secret that healthy food plays an integral role in performance. At the end of the day your body will perform better when it…

Life at the NFL Combine – 2012
It’s NFL combine time and the excitement here in Indy has never been better. With Super Bowl memories still alive in the host city and…

Appreciating the Gift of Good Health
It didn't take long before I knew it would be a special day. This past Sunday morning I lined up to start the 5th running…

Managing a Knee Torn Cartilage
Understanding a Torn Cartilage The menisci or “cartilage” of the knee remains a common source of knee pain for athletes of any age. The “C”…

An NFL Athletic Trainer’s Life During the Off-Season
It's been 184 days or 6 months since the very first NFL pre-season game when the Chargers hosted the Seahawks on August 11, 2011. Every…

High Ankle Sprain Management in the NFL
New England Patriots' TE Rob Gronkowski's ankle sure is getting a great deal of attention as we head into this weekend's big Super Bowl matchup.…
Running Foot Pain or Foot Stress Fracture?
As a runner, pain is often your most loyal training partner. Pain has no social calendar to work around or a sleep disorder to leave…

Injury Prevention Made Practical
I have 33 days to get ready for a 1/2 marathon, 13.1 miles. I'll save you the details of my To Do List for the…

Five (and 1/2) Lessons I Learned from Maurice Jones-Drew
[caption id="attachment_1690" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="MoJo with Mike Ryan and his son"][/caption] This NFL season marked a milestone for me. With twenty-four years in the league,…
The Benefits of Running in Cold Weather [mademen.com]
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…

The 100 Year Old Marathon Runner (not a typo)
I love this story on so many levels. From his amazing accomplishment to his funny T-shirt, this one will make you smile. Hopefully it makes…

Finishing Ironman…With a Fractured Pelvis
[caption id="attachment_1642" align="alignleft" width="233" caption="Falling off the bike Hurts!"][/caption] This week's guest blog posts is from a very special athlete: Jessica Lane. She is all…

Youth Concussions: The Story of a Mom on a Mission
Introduced to The Difference Maker In April of 2010 I was speaking at the 7th annual Sports Related Conference on Concussion & Spine Injury at…

5 Tips to Improve Your Swollen Knee
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…

Medial Meniscus Tears Made Easy
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…

Kneecap Pain and Running
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…

Answering Your Questions about Heat vs. Ice Therapy
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
Stress fractures in the foot are usually characterized as an overuse injury of weight-bearing bones. High impact sports involving running and jumping such as distance…
![Battling Performance Muscle Cramps [active.com]](http://www.mikeryansportsmedicine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Cramp-leg-29.jpg)
Battling Performance Muscle Cramps [active.com]
One of the wonderful benefits of exercising is enhancing the function and appearance of your muscles. Working out is hard enough without your muscles working…

When an ACL Surgery & Rehab Goes Bad
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…
![Tackling Turf Toe [emedicine.medscape.com]](http://www.mikeryansportsmedicine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Toe-turf-toe-55.jpg)
Tackling Turf Toe [emedicine.medscape.com]
Turf Toe.... it's an injury that doesn't sound like much but can certainly "packs a punch". Athletes that suffer from a sore big toe can…

Foot Orthotics – Are They Worth the $?
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?…
![Managing Neck Pain [neckinjuries.org]](http://www.mikeryansportsmedicine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Neck-pain-female-92.jpeg)
Managing Neck Pain [neckinjuries.org]
A neck injury can happen very suddenly but have lasting effects. Athletes who suffer neck injuries usually take extra precaution with their rehab because of…

Why Mud Runs are the Best Way to Build Fitness
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…
![Taming a Rib Injury [buzzle.com]](http://www.mikeryansportsmedicine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Rib-Injury-84.jpg)
Taming a Rib Injury [buzzle.com]
A rib injury seems simple enough....until it's you with the injury. An athlete with a bruised or broken rib will commonly describe an injury which is…

Mastering NFL Injury Reports for Fantasy Football Owners
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…
![Sidelined by the Shoulder [aafp.org]](http://www.mikeryansportsmedicine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/shoulderinjury-leedman.jpg)
Sidelined by the Shoulder [aafp.org]
[caption id="attachment_1422" align="alignleft" width="225" caption="Shoulder Injury (Photo: Leedman)"][/caption] In the 2011 NFL season so far one of the most common injury is the shoulder. Numerous…

How Bad Can a Groin Strain Be?
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…
![How to Recover from the Unavoidable Ankle Sprain [coreperformance.com]](http://www.mikeryansportsmedicine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/How+to+Avoid+Ankle+Sprains.jpg)
How to Recover from the Unavoidable Ankle Sprain [coreperformance.com]
[caption id="attachment_1381" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Dreaded Ankle Sprain (Photo: Thinkstock Photos)"][/caption] There's on injury which is painful and and can happen at moments notice. It's the dreaded sprained…

A Speedster’s Nightmare: The Hamstring Strain
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…
![Running at Record Times [the-fitness-motivator.com]](http://www.mikeryansportsmedicine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/record-times.jpg)
Running at Record Times [the-fitness-motivator.com]
[caption id="attachment_1355" align="alignleft" width="267" caption="Running a Record Time"][/caption] You cross the finish line, achieving your goal of finishing the race. Millions of thoughts are racing through your mind:…

Concussion Management in the NFL: 2011
Concussions are the hot topic in the NFL, as it is with every level of modern-day athletics. If an athlete in any sport has an opportunity to…
![How to Maintain the Greatest Machine in the World [IntoSport.com]](http://www.mikeryansportsmedicine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/marathon-dmytrok.jpg)
How to Maintain the Greatest Machine in the World [IntoSport.com]
[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…

Eliminating 80% of Your Hip Pain in Less Than 5 Minutes
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…

Where Are You Getting Your Sports Medicine Advice?
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…

Finalizing an NFL Roster
Saturday, September 3rd at 6:00 PM EDT. That’s the deadline that will directly impact the careers of more NFL players than any other day of…

What the Hell is a Shoulder Labral Tear?
Understanding Shoulder Labral Tear Shoulder glenoid labrum injuries are common in sports where repetitive overhead movements and physical contact are present. The shoulder has more…

Taming the Fire of a Painful Heel From Plantar Fasciitis
Understanding a Plantar Fascia Strain Plantar fasciitis is a painful condition with localized pain in the backside of the arch where it attaches to the…

What I Learned in (Training) Camp This Summer
How Ending the NFL Lockout Changed My Perspective on Sports Medicine Tonight is the first pre-season game of the awoken 2011 NFL season and no…

Outsmarting Heat Illness
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, which run from the spinal cord to the…

NFL Training Camp…Let the Fun Begin!
Confession time: It's the toughest part of the year...18 hours days, long busy practices in the 100+ degree heat and humidity, huge #'s of injuries…

Tackling a Lateral Meniscus Tear of the Knee
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…

Back Pain Relief from Ankylosing Spondylitis
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 Supraspinatus tendonitis is a common injury in many sports that include aggressive overhead movements. The supraspinatus is a muscle located on the…

How to Kick Into High Gear Against Runner’s Knee Pain
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…

What to Do When Suffering from “Damn Back” aka Spondylolysis
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…

Solving the Stop and Go Issue of Sinus Tarsi Syndrome
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 Heat up a Frozen Shoulder
Understanding Frozen Shoulder/ Adhesive Capsulitis Older athletes are more prone to suffer from the frozen shoulder syndrome, also referred to as adhesive capsulitis. Frozen shoulder…

What is a Long Head Bicep Rupture?
Understanding a Long Head of Biceps Brachii Tendon Rupture Proximal biceps brachii tendon ruptures (bicep rupture) are more common than most would assume. High intensity…

The Slipping Back Problem of Spondylolisthesis
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…

“I’ll Never Take My Good Health For Granted Again”
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…

How to Get a Massage with a Happy Ending Every Time!
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…

Finding Confidence After Injury
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…

Going Round and Round with Cycling Knee Pain
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…

1st Place Sports Takes Care of Its Customers
1st Place Sports, Jacksonville's premier running store for over 30 years, demonstrated its commitment to its customers again this week. Long recognized as one of…

Sports Medicine Tips to Stay Safe in The Nashville Kids Triathlon
Sunday’s big event will be a major step in enhancing the health and well-being of children in the Nashville area. Making sure those smiling faces…

Triathlons – Stretching the Limits of The Human Body
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…

Train like an Athlete for Back Surgery
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…

Pondering Questions After a Biceps Tear
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…

Biceps Femoris Tendonitis: The Forgotten Hamstring
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…
Taming an MCL Sprain
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…
Tiger’s Knee’s in Trouble
Tiger Woods has been "in the rough" a few times over the past couple of years. His latest challenge may prove to be more difficult…

Football Injuries: Learning from the Best
[caption id="attachment_933" align="alignleft" width="150" caption="Football Injuries Happen"][/caption] I arrived home last night after a wonderful "working" vacation in Destin, FL. I was very fortunate to…

Playing it Smart with Pes Anserine Bursitis of the Knee
[caption id="attachment_927" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Pes Anserine Bursitis"][/caption] What is pes anserine bursitis? This ailment, while not extremely common, can be quite painful. It is the…

The Door: Inside the NFL Draft
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…

Sports Medicine Tips to Stay Safe in First Coast Kids Triathlon
[caption id="attachment_911" align="alignleft" width="143" caption="YOUNG, HEALTHY & HAPPY"][/caption] Sunday’s big event will be the first step in creating an active and healthy lifestyle for thousands…

Young Pitchers at Risk for Serious Shoulder Injuries
If you want little Johnny to have shoulder and elbow problems early in life, sign him up as a pitcher for the Little League team…

The Mysterious NFL Combine
“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…

How Can I Help You?
"How Can I Help You? [caption id="attachment_883" align="alignleft" width="201" caption="What Are Your Sports Medicine Questions?"][/caption] These five simple words can be the difference between someone…

3 Simple Steps Guaranteed to Reduce Low Back Pain
[caption id="attachment_869" align="alignleft" width="248"] LOW BACK THERAPY STARTS BEFORE THE INJURY[/caption] I feel so strongly about my low back rehab plan that I'm going to…

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

Flexibility Tips: Warrior Poses for the Warrior Athlete
[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.…

How Kyrie Irving Duked Season Ending Turf Toe
[caption id="attachment_817" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Kyrie Irving"][/caption] I'm always amazed to see athletes come back to play. I know just how hard everyone works to get…

Sports Medicine Tips for Fun in the Mud Run
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…

Why Fat Pad Impingement Hurts so Damn Much
Understanding Fat Pad Impingement [caption id="attachment_790" align="alignleft" width="150" caption="INFRAPATELLAR FAT PAD (in yellow)"][/caption] The infrapatellar fat pad is a sensitive mass of tissue that lies…

Fun Chatting With Jaguars’ Fans
[caption id="attachment_761" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Live Chat With Mike Ryan"][/caption] My "Live Chat" today on the Jacksonville Jaguars' official website was so much fun. The number…
Tips for Fast & Healthy Running
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…

Why You Are Having Leg Numbness
[caption id="attachment_741" align="alignleft" width="154" caption="LEG NUMBNESS"][/caption] “I’m having numbness down my leg and no one seems to know why!” she barked out frustratingly over the…

Invest in Yourself: Focus on Your Carrot
[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…

An Inside Look at the NFL Combine
[caption id="attachment_703" align="alignleft" width="109" caption="NFL Combine Workouts"][/caption] With the NFL Combine medical exams and individual workouts starting tomorrow, there’s a lot of excitement in the…

Shoulder Impingement Syndrome
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…

Tennis Shoulder: Impingement Syndrome of the Shoulder
[caption id="attachment_686" align="alignleft" width="193" caption="IMPINGEMENT SYNDROME OF THE SHOULDER"][/caption] A friend of one of our coaches came to see me yesterday with left shoulder pain. …

Recovery: Avoiding Running Injuries
[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
[caption id="attachment_530" align="alignleft" width="257"] No One Can Ignore Metatarsalgia Foot Pain[/caption] Metatarsalgia is a general term relating to forefoot pain secondary to inflammation in the…

How to Survive a Rotator Cuff Tear
[caption id="attachment_456" align="alignleft" width="180" caption="The Pitcher's Fear of the Rotator Cuff Tear"][/caption] As I came up with the title of this article I actually laughed…

Athletic Trainers Shine in Super Bowl
I just finished watching a great Super Bowl, as I'm sure most of you did as well. Maybe it's just me being a "medical guy"…

Shoulder Therapy Made Easy
[caption id="attachment_431" align="alignleft" width="259" caption=""Look Maa, the Shoulder Therapy is Working!""][/caption] If you are experiencing general shoulder pain and want to return to exercising your…

Avoiding Long-Term Problems with a Dislocated Shoulder
[caption id="attachment_427" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="SHOULDER DISLOCATION - "HERE COMES THE PAIN""][/caption] Shoulder dislocation is an all too common an injury for many sports with both…
How To Treat Shoulder Pain Caused By AC Joint Separation Acromioclavicular joints or AC joints are easily injured and susceptible to secondary issues such as…

The Inside Scoop on ACL Tears
[caption id="attachment_412" align="alignleft" width="288" caption="Mechanism for an ACL Tear"][/caption] The evolution of sports has proved to be a fascinating and often amusing combination of creativity,…

Sprained Ankle Management
[caption id="attachment_405" align="alignleft" width="200" caption="Lateral Ankle Sprain"][/caption] Ankle sprains remain the most common lower extremity injury in all of sports. From the minor “tweak” of…
![Jaguars Trainer to Tackle Corporate Wellness [JaxDailyRecord]](http://www.mikeryansportsmedicine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/mr-headshot.jpg)
Jaguars Trainer to Tackle Corporate Wellness [JaxDailyRecord]
[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…

Tips For Getting Relief From Sacroiliac Joint Pain
[caption id="attachment_300" align="alignleft" width="201" caption="SI Joint Pain"][/caption] If you experience pain when twisting at the waist or bending over, you may be suffering from Sacroiliac…

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

Ab Exercises: The Truth about the “Six Pack”
[caption id="attachment_262" align="alignleft" width="276" caption="Great Abs with Exercises"][/caption] Core workouts should be a key part of everyone’s workout plan. If you’re like most people, you…

Knee Therapy: Sports’ Best Kept Secret
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?”…

Quad Strengthening to Prevent Knee Injuries
[caption id="attachment_327" align="alignleft" width="191" caption="Develop Strong Quads like Spiderman"][/caption] If you want to keep your knees happy, make your quadriceps (quads) a top priority. The…

How To Eliminate Heel Pain
In order to eliminate heel pain, we have to know what causes heel pain? Although the term heel pain is somewhat general, if you suffer…

Chondromalacia of the Patella Tendon
[caption id="attachment_316" align="alignleft" width="282" caption="Chondromalacia - Dreaded Runner's Knee"][/caption] Chondromalacia, known as "Runner's Knee", is one of the most common sources of knee pain for…

How Professional Athletes Successfully Treat Knee ITB Syndrome
[caption id="attachment_198" align="alignleft" width="253"] Running With ITB Syndrome[/caption] Iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS), or Illiotibial band tendonitis, is a frustrating and troubling injury. Because of it’s…

How To Recognize And Treat Achilles Tendon Ruptures
[caption id="attachment_222" align="alignleft" width="278" caption="Achilles Rupture"][/caption] Your Achilles tendon is a strong tendon in your body. It connects the calf muscles (made up of the…

Osgood Schlatters: Managing Youth Patella Pain
[caption id="attachment_190" align="alignleft" width="259" caption="Painful Osgood Schlatters Disease"][/caption] “He has this huge bump below his knee, his doctor says he’ll grow out of it but…

Bulging Disc of the Low Back
Understanding a Lumbar Spine Bulging Disc [caption id="attachment_715" align="alignleft" width="175" caption="Lumbar Spine Pain"][/caption] It seems that most non-medical people understand more about their computers and…

Achilles Tendonitis
Understanding Achilles Tendonitis [caption id="attachment_482" align="alignleft" width="186" caption="Common Location of Achilles Tendonitis"][/caption] Achilles tendonitis is a common injury associated with the presence of inflammation and…