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The Path To Wellbeing

Racing: Chase Results or Enjoy the Experience? cycling gravelcyclist oregontrailgravelgrinder otgg stageracing thepainfreeathlete Aug 08, 2022

After a two-year delay due to Covid-19, my husband and I were excited to finally be on the start line for the 2022 Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder (OTGG). The OTGG is a 5-day stage race in the Cascade mountains. Our trek included nearly 350 miles and more than 30,000 feet of climbing. A bonus of our...

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Prevent Injuries: Ease Back Into Exercise injury kneepain running runninginjury sportsinjury thepainfreeathlete Jul 13, 2022

Let’s say you’re a runner, because the person who inspired this blog is, and this is her story. I’ll call her Kate, although it’s not her real name. In a nutshell, Kate took a week off of running, then she went back to it at the same intensity and duration as before. The...

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3 Gentle Back Extension Exercises back extension back pain end back pain lower back posture exercises relieve back pain thepainfreeathlete Apr 13, 2022

Back extension is a normal human movement! However, doing back extension exercises, particularly of the lumbar spine (low back), is not universally practiced or accepted. In fact, people have strong opinions about this issue. I have had students refuse to do these types of exercises in class...

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How You Think Affects Your Pain cbt cognitive behavior therapy distorted thinking mind traps pain free pain management thepainfreeathlete Mar 09, 2022

Listen to the audio version of this blog Here.

Thoughts are inputs into the nervous system that can increase or decrease your sensation of pain.

Have you ever noticed your pain decrease when you are having fun, in a beautiful place, or engaged in a meaningful activity?

Conversely, have you felt...

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Clamshells and Balancing the Gluteus Medius chronicpain coaching functionaltraining glutepain healchronicpain healyourself hippain posturealignmenttherapy thepainfreeathlete Feb 08, 2022

The clamshell is a classic exercise that’s typically given to strengthen the gluteus medius through external hip rotation. Unfortunately, many people often perform the exercise without proper positioning, muscle integration, and breathing. Something I often tell my clients is, We...

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