ARTICLES

Understanding the Biomechanics of Your Golf Swing Did you know that the human body is composed of 206 bones, 600 muscles, 900 ligaments, and over 7 trillion nerves?! That's a lot to contemplate, and to think the body works "in unison" during your golf swing is even more amazing! And because there are literally thousands of moving parts, there are lots of things that can (and oftentimes do) go wrong. Like when your arms move before your pelvis ( casting ), or when you move you

Tissue repair and healing following an injury is a complex process involving biological, psychological, and social components. This article focuses on the biological aspects of healing following an acute musculoskeletal injury, though it's important to remember that injury and pain involve much more than just cellular mechanisms. The Four Phases of Healing: Your Body's Recovery Timeline When injuries occur or surgery is performed, our bodies repair themselves in a systematic,

Disclosure:  Some links in this article are affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you make a purchase through them—at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products that I trust and believe can benefit your recovery or performance journey. Table of Contents What Is Collagen? Collagen as a Protein Why Collagen Is Incomplete (But Still Important) The 5 Essential Types of Collagen Why Collagen Matters for Golfers Best Collagen Sources Recommended Collagen

Did you know that the human body is composed of more than 60% water by volume? Even mild dehydration—losing just 2% of your total body water—can cause cardiovascular strain while significantly hindering aerobic performance and cognitive function. What Does 2% Dehydration Actually Mean? Let's put this into practical terms: If you weigh 200 pounds and lose 4 pounds after a strenuous workout, you've lost 2% of your body weight in water. For athletes and fitness enthusiasts, this

Introduction The golf swing is one of the most complex athletic movements in sports. From setup to finish, a golfer's body moves through all three planes of movement—bend, side bend, and rotation—in less than three seconds. The spinal motion that occurs at such speeds isn't just mind-bending—it's literally spine-bending! Spinal Dynamics in the Golf Swing For a professional golfer using a driver, the spine undergoes remarkable ranges of motion across all three planes: Sagittal

Our Visual System: The Foundation of Performance Your visual system—comprising both your eyes and brain—impacts every aspect of your athletic performance. Whether you're aligning to a ball, reading a putt, visualizing your shot, or maintaining balance, vision plays a crucial role. While our bodies have multiple systems to maintain balance (proprioceptors and vestibular canals), we rely heavily on our eyes to interpret our environment. But what if your visual system isn't func

Disclosure:  Some links in this article are affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you make a purchase through them—at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products that I trust and believe can benefit your recovery or performance journey. The Red Light Revolution in Healthcare Red means go! When it comes to traffic lights, red means stop. But in healthcare, red light therapy might be exactly what you need to go forward on your wellness journey! While

Introduction While Shakespeare was one of the most prolific writers the world has seen, the answer to the question he posed, and the one that I modified ever so slightly, is indeed to HIIT! Don't worry—I'm not inciting violence here. HIIT refers to High-Intensity Interval Training in case you were wondering. So please don't go and hit your brother or anyone else just because I said to HIIT! Now that you know the answer to the question, let's explore why high-intensity interva

Vitamin Z: The Miracle Sleep Vitamin Your Body Needs I'm sure you've taken vitamins at some point in your life, but have you ever heard of Vitamin Z ? It's one of those vitamins that increases mood, helps with recovery from injury, and may help to mitigate chronic pain. Not only can it be used by everyone from babies to older adults, but there's no unwanted side effects or expiration date (at least none that I'm aware of!). Any guesses on what this miracle vitamin might be? I

Table of Contents: Understanding Back Pain in Golfers Individualized Approaches to Back Pain Common Back Pain Myths Effective Management Strategies When to Seek Professional Help Understanding Low Back Pain in Golfers Did you know that low back pain is the leading cause of disability in the US, affecting at least 80% of individuals at some point during their lifetime? The annual costs associated with low back pain are a staggering $100 million and rising. For golfers, the sta

Have you ever heard of the terms "adjustment," "thrust," or "manipulation" in the healthcare setting? If you're among the nearly 50% of American adults suffering from musculoskeletal injuries, chances are you have. These manual therapy techniques are powerful tools in a physical therapist's arsenal for treating pain and improving mobility. What Exactly Is Manipulation Therapy? Manipulation is a specialized manual treatment technique performed by trained physical therapists.

Are you searching for effective, lasting pain relief in Ellisville or the greater St. Louis area? Electric dry needling is a cutting-edge therapy offered at Integrative Therapeutics, your local Ellisville clinic, that combines traditional dry needling with gentle electrical stimulation. This modern approach targets muscle pain, chronic tightness, and sports injuries—helping you recover faster and get back to what you love. What is Dry Needling Therapy? Dry needling , also kn

Introduction: Why Golf Mobility is Essential for Success It almost goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway: to be a successful golfer, you need more than just a set of clubs and hours of practice. Proper golf mobility exercises are essential for developing your game and reaching your highest potential. Power, strength, speed, balance, and mobility are key physical elements for playing golf well. But at the base of it all lies mobility—think of it as the foundation of th

Dr. David Didlake, DPT Ever since I can remember, I’ve wanted to start my own practice. Helping people has always been my passion—it’s what drew me to physical therapy in the first place. My journey really took shape in college, where I played soccer at IVC. Unfortunately, I suffered a hip injury—a labral tear—that changed the course of my athletic career. The rehab process was tough, and despite my best efforts, I wasn’t able to return to competitive play. That experience ta

Introduction Physical therapy (PT) is a vital healthcare profession that helps people of all ages recover from injury, manage chronic pain, and improve their movement and quality of life. But there are many misconceptions about what physical therapy is and what physical therapists do. Did you know that in all 50 states, you can see a physical therapist without a physician referral? And that the average physical therapy doctoral program is highly competitive, with an acceptan