Upper Body Archives - Rita Chorba, PT

01Feb 2023 by ritapt

What the Cup! Cupping Therapy for Sports and Tactical Injuries

Lifting, Lower Body, Neck Back, Recovery, Running, Spine, Tactical, Upper Body

What the Cup! Cupping Therapy for Sports and Tactical Injuries "The octopus got me again!" Cupping therapy, also known as vacuum therapy, is a negative pressure treatment applied over the skin to treat physical pain and injuries. Cupping increases blood flow, releases old blood and scar tissue deposits, and decompresses underlying structures (up to 4 inches under the surface!) A transient pattern of purple circle marks over the treated area is a signature side effect in stressed or injured tissues where old debris has been "drawn up." Recipients appear to have been attacked by a particularly vigorous sea creature. Skin response 15 minutes after a cupping treatment in a person with neck injuries, frequent dehydration in hot climates, and prolonged helmet wear. In physical therapy and sports medicine, cupping remodels…

31Dec 2021 by ritapt

Hate Stretching? Stop “Shoulding” On Yourself and Start One of These Programs Today

Lifting, Lower Body, Recovery, Running, Tactical, Upper Body

Hate Stretching? Stop "Shoulding" On Yourself and Start One of These Programs Today "I should stretch more," says at least one of my clients every week. While that statement may or may not be accurate, those choice words reveal a level of personal resistance that certainly doesn't help the cause. Perhaps you "should" stretch. Stretching helps you move better in life and in your workouts. And a regular stretching routine can reduce that "old man" feeling when you get out of bed (by a lot). But suppose you're not naturally flexible, or you have nagging aches and pains. In that case, stiff muscles and joints are likely to protest your random stretching efforts. In the same way that you might only eat veggies when trying to cut weight, stretching just…

31Dec 2021 by ritapt

Missing mobility that can help boost your pull-up workouts

Lifting, Spine, Tactical, Upper Body

Missing mobility that can help boost your pull-up workouts Upper back, or thoracic, mobility is a key maintenance issue for the overhead athlete. The thoracic spine plays a vital role in keeping the shoulders out of pain and working correctly. A loss of mobility here can cause painful compression of the rotator cuff muscles or make your lat muscles have to work overtime for pull-ups. And if repping pull-ups isn’t your thing, consider the unattractive humpback you’re likely to develop if you neglect mobility work here! Assess While plenty of videos online show ways to increase thoracic mobility, it’s important that you first determine if you have a deficit. That way, you can monitor your progress and choose effective exercises. To measure your thoracic mobility, use the Seated Rotation Test.…

27Apr 2019 by ritapt

Selection Injuries: The Good, Bad And Ugly – Part 1 (Shoulder)

Tactical, Upper Body

Selection Injuries: The Good, Bad And Ugly - Part 1 (Shoulder) Originally published by SOFLETE. You can read the article on their website here. Just about anyone who endures a selection course will come out a little worse for the wear. Some injuries are simply from overuse and will heal with proper rest and recovery practices. However, there are certain things to watch out for that could indicate a more severe injury is lurking. I know, because I’ve been on the receiving end with several operators over the years whose injuries could have cost them a career. During my time as a physical therapist at Marine Special Operations Command, I worked with Raiders to keep them fit, ready, and durable. I’ve have the privilege of being able to serve through…