April

Newsletter

Gardening Do's & Don'ts to Avoid Pain

April 14 is U.S. National Gardening Day

Spring is the perfect time to get back into gardening and using the right techniques can help prevent common injuries like back pain, shoulder strain, and knee discomfort.

When starting yard work - make sure to warm up your muscles, use proper lifting mechanics when moving soil or pots, and switch tasks frequently to avoid overuse. Using supportive tools like kneeling pads, and keeping your garden beds at a comfortable height can also reduce strain.

If you notice persistent soreness, stiffness, or limited mobility after yard work, it may be time to address it early with a licensed physical therapist. Staying mindful of your body while gardening can help you enjoy the season while staying active, healthy, and injury-free.

Reach out to one of our eight IMPACT Physical Therapy & Sports Recovery locations today - to keep enjoying all your spring activities!

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Gardening Do's & Don'ts Video

Top 10 Myths About Pain, Injuries, and PT

IMPACT's Top 10 Myths About Pain and Injury Video

As part of our 10-Year Anniversary celebration, we are continuing our Top 10 Health & Wellness Tips, with Aprils theme is focused on 10 Myths About Pain, Injuries, and PT!

Not all pain means you should just “push through it.” Many common pain myths can lead to longer recovery times or worsening symptoms. Getting evaluated by a physical therapist can help you understand the root cause and create a plan to move and feel better. Reach out for an injury evaluation today!

Find Shin Splint Pain Relief

Shin Splint Pain Relief Stretches and Exercises

If you start noticing shin pain while running or walking, you may be experiencing shin splints, a common overuse injury among runners and active individuals.

Shin splints often develop when the muscles, tendons, and bone tissue around the shin become overloaded from sudden increases in activity, running on hard surfaces, or wearing improper footwear.

Early shin splint pain relief strategies include reducing mileage, applying ice, stretching the calves, and strengthening the lower leg muscles to improve shock absorption. Ignoring shin pain can lead to more serious injuries such as stress fractures, so addressing symptoms early is important.

Physical therapy for shin splints can help identify movement imbalances, improve running mechanics, and create a personalized exercise program to relieve pain and prevent the injury from returning—so you can get back to running comfortably and safely.

If you have a race scheduled this year - see how IMPACT helps Chicagoland runners prevent injuries and recovery faster! Call us today at 833-299-4672.

Book a Sports Recovery Service Today

Run Your Best with a Video Gait Analysis

Injury-Free Marathon Success in the South Loop!

We love celebrating our patients’ wins—especially stories like this one from Robb, who completed the NYC Marathon completely injury-free after working with our South Loop physical therapy team!

After struggling with knee tendonitis and hip pain during his first marathon, Robb came to IMPACT Physical Therapy & Sports Recovery – South Loop for a running gait analysis.

With expert guidance (shoutout to Courtney!) and targeted gait adjustments, he was able to train fully and finish his second marathon pain-free from start to finish.

✅ Running Gait Analysis

✅ Sports Physical Therapy

✅ Injury Prevention & Performance Training

✅ Trusted by Chicago Runners

If you’re training for a race or dealing with running-related pain, our IMPACT physical therapists and athletic trainers are here to help you move better, run stronger, and stay injury-free.

Read the Full Testimonial

Blog: Ice vs. Heat for Injuries:

When to Use Each for Faster Pain Relief

Not sure whether to use ice or heat for an injury?

Here’s a quick guide from IMPACT Physical Therapy & Sports Recovery to help you recover safely and effectively.

Ice is best for acute or recent injuries (less than six weeks old) because it helps reduce swelling, inflammation, and pain—making it ideal for sprains, strains, tendinitis, and joint flare-ups. Think “ice first” to calm inflammation.

Heat, on the other hand, is better for chronic pain and muscle stiffness, as it improves blood flow and helps loosen tight muscles once swelling has gone down.

No matter which you use, follow the 20 minutes on / 20 minutes off rule to protect your skin. If ice or heat isn’t relieving your pain, our licensed physical therapists at IMPACT Physical Therapy & Sports Recovery in the Chicago area and Champaign can provide personalized treatment to help you heal and get back to your daily activities faster.

Read The Full Blog

Poll of the Month

Are you participating in any races in 2026?

5K/10K

We will share the poll results in the next month's newsletter!

March results for "What’s your #1 injury rival?" Low Back Pain - 18.8%, Neck Pain - 17%, Hip Pain - 17%, Knee Pain - 17%, Foot/Ankle Pain - 17%, Shoulder Pain - 13.2%

IMPACT Physical Therapy & Sports Recovery can help with each of these ailments and more!

SHOP

Ice Cup & Roller

When Ice is the Right Choice

The Arctic Flex ice cup massager provides targeted ice therapy for the face and body, helping reduce swelling, puffiness, eye bags, and minor pain while supporting a refreshed, contoured appearance.

Its reusable two-piece design is easy to fill and freeze, features a comfortable nonslip grip, and includes two molds for convenient rotation.

Shop now and discover all the essentials to stay prepared this winter!

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