Though it’s tempting to hang up your shoes for the winter and wait for spring, don’t underestimate the benefits of running in the cold. Cold weather jumpstarts a runner’s metabolism by preventing the body from preserving fat stores. That means it’s easier to burn calories and get rid of fat. Simply put, running in the cold is a great way to fight winter weight gain. It also helps runners impacted by seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Endorphins released in exercise increase positive moods and decrease depression symptoms. Plus, running outdoors helps increase energy and motivates runners to re ..read more

People across Chicagoland are looking for things to do outside the house as the holiday season arrives and temperatures continue to plummet. With limited outdoor activities available during the colder winter months, ice skating remains a timeless holiday activity, bringing families and friends together. Now more than ever, it’s essential to maintain your health and safety when partaking in ice skating activities to avoid a trip to the hospital over a preventable cold weather accident.  We’ve assembled our best ice skating safety guidelines to make adults and children feel safer while havi ..read more

It’s that time of year again: the weather has cooled down, family and old friends are back in town, and teams have been picked for the annual family Thanksgiving Turkey Bowl. But every year, you might realize it’s getting harder to get out of bed the next day (and it’s not gorged yourself on grandma’s mashed potatoes). Don’t fret. We want to help keep you on the backyard football field this Turkey Bowl season, feeling healthy and ready to go no matter what position you’re playing. Thanksgiving Backyard Football Injuries Did you know the median age for Turkey Bowl injuries is 33? Over the yea ..read more

2023 marks the 57th anniversary of America’s fastest-growing sport, pickleball. With over 36 million pickleball players in the United States, Illinois ranks in the top 10 for the number of pickleball locations with 396. As the weather warms up this spring and more people hit the pickleball court, CORE Orthopedics and Sports Medicine wants to help you avoid serious injuries. Are Pickleball Injuries Common? Pickleball is the combination of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. Easy to learn and low-impact, the sport has quickly become a popular activity for people 55 and older (52% of core pickleba ..read more

How to Pick the Right Running Shoe As the weather warms up, runners across the country are ready to get back to pounding the pavement instead of the treadmill. After a year of canceled and virtual-only events, it’s no wonder that 66% of those surveyed for Running USA’s National Runner Survey said that they plan to participate in a 5K or 10K this year. It’s not always about competition, though: Respondents also said they run for their health (79%), stress relief (44%), and enjoyment (40%). Whatever your reason for running, be sure you have the right running shoes before heading out.  W ..read more

Whether you’re an expert or a complete novice, skiing and snowboarding injuries tend to pop up at the most inopportune times. According to recent studies, skiers suffer three injuries every 1,000 skiing days, whereas snowboarders suffer anywhere from four to sixteen injuries per 1,000 days. Any mountain sport will always have an inherent risk, but prevention efforts limit the potential for serious skiing and snowboarding injuries. Here are a couple of the most common winter sports injuries and what steps you can take to prevent them from causing long-term consequences. *Note: You’ll notice tha ..read more

At 26.2 miles, marathons are one of the most physically demanding yet emotionally rewarding experiences for any runner. While pre-training injuries are often the result of overworking your muscles, it’s not just about what you do with your body before the marathon. During the marathon, those positive endorphins start flowing, and the adrenaline kicks in, so it’s easy to focus on just one step at a time. However, marathon enthusiasts caution that ignoring the warning signs and not taking care of yourself during your run cause serious injuries. You’ve already put yourself through months and mile ..read more

Despite its reputation as a low-impact, low-risk activity, golf continues to be one of the more dangerous sports for adults. According to 2018 research from Golf Support, you are more likely to be injured playing golf than rugby, hockey, and combat sports. Some golf injuries are preventable, while others, like the “estimated 40,000 golfers who seek emergency treatment due to head injuries caused by errant golf balls and flying club heads,” are far less predictable. Our goal at CORE Orthopedics is to keep you on the golf course and out of the clubhouse. These 5 stretches for golfers are the p ..read more

Don’t let common cycling injuries keep your feet off the pedals this spring and summer. Our guide on how to avoid bicycle injuries helps identify what those injuries look like, how to prevent them, and when best to reach out to a doctor. How To Avoid a Cycling Injury Avoiding common cycling injuries can be broken down into two categories: on-bike work and off-bike work. On-bike work On-bike work includes everything related to the cycle itself, including your gear and posture.  Proper Bike Fit: When buying a bicycle, don’t just grab the first one you like. One of the easiest ways to av ..read more

The score is 40-30, the next point wins. The midday sun beats down on your neck as you throw the tennis ball up in the air. As you rear your arm, you suddenly hear a crack in your back and crumble to the ground in pain. Whether you’re an elite tennis player like Serena Williams or Rafael Nadal, or just someone who loves a game on the weekend, tennis injuries happen at any time.  But armed with the knowledge of what to look for and how to avoid tennis injuries, you can stay playing pain-free for much longer. We created this guide for preventing common tennis injuries to keep you on the cou ..read more