Dr. Damien Jackson-Ricketts, PT, DPT

football, injury, sport-619243.jpg

Always Injured? Here’s Why

I see people in my practice all the time who tell me they’re always getting injured and feel trapped in a revolving door of injury after injury after injury. They usually feel hopeless that they’ll ever break free of this vicious cycle. Understandably, this is an immensely frustrating experience. It is often helpful to know …

Always Injured? Here’s Why Read More »

Workout recovery

Workout Recovery Optimization

When designing a training program, how much emphasis do you place on the workout parameters (load, frequency, reps, sets, volume, etc.) vs. your recovery between workouts? You may have heard that recovery is important, but you’re not quite sure how important or what that even means. In truth, recovery after a workout is just as …

Workout Recovery Optimization Read More »

What is pain

What is Pain, Really?

Everyone has some concept of what pain is, but beneath the surface-level experience lies a complex process that we still don’t fully understand. Under normal conditions in healthy individuals, pain serves an important purpose. Sometimes, however, this system can go awry, leading to the development of long-term debilitating pain that is challenging to overcome. Whether …

What is Pain, Really? Read More »

landscape, mountains, sky-78058.jpg

Mobility for Runners

Running is a complex movement involving coordinated action at many joints throughout the body. In addition to strength, endurance, and motor control; runners must have the prerequisite mobility. While the average person may not be able to identify the specific nuances of faulty running mechanics, most can tell when someone has especially good running form. …

Mobility for Runners Read More »

non-exercise activity thermogenesis

The Easiest Way To Burn More Calories

Most people immediately think of running, lifting weights, or taking fitness classes when hoping to burn more calories. While these are all effective and important for burning calories and improving health, there is a simple strategy you can start leveraging every day to significantly increase your caloric expenditure. I’m talking about something called Non-Exercise Activity …

The Easiest Way To Burn More Calories Read More »

diaphragm anatomy

The Diaphragm – Anatomy Highlight

The diaphragm is an under-appreciated muscle that influences many aspects of our physical and mental health. While the diaphragm’s main role is in respiration (breathing), it also plays a part in a wide range of body processes including nerve function, lower back health, stress vs. relaxation, digestion, and more. In this article, I’ll go over …

The Diaphragm – Anatomy Highlight Read More »

Relaxation techniques

The Autonomic Nervous System

Maybe you’ve heard of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) before, maybe not. Either way, this subsection of your nervous system is playing an integral part in your everyday life. The autonomic nervous system is a part of your peripheral nervous system that controls a wide range of involuntary physiologic processes. These are things that we …

The Autonomic Nervous System Read More »

breathwork

How Do You Breathe?

We all breathe constantly throughout the day. Our bodies breathe almost automatically, with no thought at all unless something brings it into our conscious awareness. On the other hand, when we exercise hard, experience pollution, or get sick, breathing can suddenly consume our full attention. Throughout history, various cultures have engaged in breathwork practices involving …

How Do You Breathe? Read More »

Subscribe

Sign up to get notified whenever a new blog post drops!