[P]rehab author
Arash Maghsoodi received his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Southern California. For his undergraduate studies, he attended San Diego State University and…
Arash Maghsoodi received his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Southern California. For his undergraduate studies, he attended San Diego State University and studied Kinesiology. After sustaining a career-ending ankle sprain while playing collegiate soccer, he realized how disabling and life-altering injuries can be. Arash currently resides in beautiful Santa Monica, California. His clinical experience is primarily in the orthopedic and sports setting. He has treated a wide variety of conditions ranging from the post-operative individual to the professional athlete. Arash is keeping the family legacy of becoming a physical therapist, as his mother is a practicing clinician of 30 years in the Orange County area.
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33 articles
The general population is spending more and more time in sedentary jobs/positions, sitting down hunched over a computer desk for hours on end. This is leading to adaptive changes that are not in favor of our posterior chain musculature.! The hamstrings and gluteus muscles are the…
So you've been trying to get back into shape and just when you caught stride your knees started to hurt, now what!? There are a few key elements in handling this issue that include optimal exercise selection, smart programming, and activity modification. Here is a comprehensive…
The bridge is a versatile exercise that can be used for developing great gluteal muscle function. Individuals with back and hip pathologies are often taught to perform bridges in the hook-lying position, elevating the pelvis off the floor. This exercise is particularly useful for…
What is the core and how do we train it? When you think of the core, you often think of a "6-pack" or "washboard stomach". However, our core is much more than just the superficial abdominal muscles that are visible to the eye. The core goes much beyond that, with layers of…
The importance of the deep stabilizing musculature of the neck for spinal segmental support and control has been demonstrated in clinical research, which indicates that many patients with neck pain have inadequate support from these muscles. Insufficiency in the pre-programmed…
Neck pain is one of the most significant health problems worldwide, as it is estimated that 22-70% of the population have neck pain at some time in their lives. It has also been suggested that the incidence of neck pain is increasing! It is ranked as the fourth leading cause of…
Landing mechanics has always been a hot topic within the realm of the rehabilitation and sports medicine world. Let’s be honest, watching elite athletes perform at a high level and analyzing their movement is sexier than most low-level rehab exercises for movement enthusiasts. So…
Do you have knee pain? Have you tried changing your movement mechanics when performing a squat? Did you know there are different ways to squat by using a knee strategy versus a hip strategy? A knee strategy has been shown to increase the risk of tibiofemoral joint injuries,…
Ankle sprains are the most common injury in sports and physical activity, estimated to be about 25% of all injuries across sports. Of all ankle injuries, 85% involve the lateral ankle ligaments. There is strong evidence suggesting you increase the risk of re-spraining your ankle…
Low back pain is the leading cause of activity limitation and work absence throughout much of the world and is associated with an enormous economic burden. This is a serious call to action to provide the general public with low back exercises for back pain! Low back pain doesn't…
The barbell bench press is arguably one of the most effective movements in developing strength and power in the upper body. It’s a great way to train the primary pushers of the upper body, including the pectoralis group, the deltoids, and the triceps. Despite the bench press…
Normal ankle motion is so critical for the health and longevity of your body. The ankle moves your foot primarily into plantarflexion (toes away from you) and dorsiflexion (toes up towards the shin). For the sake of this article, we are going to discuss ankle dorsiflexion motion,…
When you sit for a prolonged period of time do you notice some neck, back, or shoulder discomfort? We have all been there at some point in our lives. We can guarantee your back doesn't feel great after sitting still for 8 hours. Do not worry, this is completely normal. It is a…
No gym, no problem! This article will help you master an at-home workout routine. With home workouts, you likely don't have much exercise equipment. There are a plethora of exercises that you can perform to keep your body in shape. With all the at-home routines I have seen…
This article will demonstrate the 4 of the most undervalued exercises that I wish I had incorporated into my routine throughout my younger years. You learn from mistakes, but the mistakes don't have to be yours. These 4 most undervalued exercises are high-value movements that we…
Progressing exercises are a systematic and organized approach that should be individualized to each person depending on their health, fitness level, and specific goals. The great part about exercise is that everyone is able to start somewhere! No matter what that starting point…
Are core exercises as important as we once thought? Several reviews have recently challenged the idea of improving core stability for the prevention and treatment of low back pain. There is strong evidence suggesting that stabilization exercises are no more effective than other…
This article will cover lateral ankle sprain advanced exercises & techniques. We have written a previous ankle [P]Rehab article on how to [P]Rehab your ankles and initially manage a lateral ankle sprain. However, how do you get the ankle back to 100%? What exercises should you…
The scapula is one of the least congruent joints in the body. There is no bony articulation between the scapula and the thorax. This is why the scapula can move so easily, essentially it is a free-floating bone that can move into protraction/retraction, elevation/depression,…
If you have played various sports such as ice hockey or soccer before, you are probably familiar with tweaking your groin muscle (adductor). A groin strain is an injury to the muscle-tendon unit of the adductor tendon or its insertion into the pubic bone. The reason groin strains…
Trendelenburg gait, otherwise referred to as a hip drop or trunk lean with walking are all compensatory movement patterns that may lead to back pain, hip pain, knee pain, or SI joint pain over time. There are many reasons this may occur, some of which include pain secondary to a…
Jumper's knee is when there is irritation of the patella tendon, the tendon just beneath your knee cap. Patella tendon pain is a common source of anterior (front) knee pain often occurring from repetitive or excessive overload onto the patellar tendon. This is often a condition…
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS) is a fairly common diagnosis, affecting approximately 8% of the population. Pain with TOS often presents anywhere between the neck, face, occipital region or into the chest, and shoulder, with paresthesia into the upper extremity based on where the…
The Serratus Anterior, which is also known as the “Big Swing Muscle” or “Boxer’s muscle”, is an important muscle that helps optimize the proper movement of our shoulders. Not only does this muscle have a cool name, but it is also needed for a plethora of arm movements; whether it…
Did you know there are 27 muscles that cross the ball and socket hip joint?! Some muscles act as primary movers while others act as dynamic stabilizers for the hip. When the hip capsule is hypomobile (or tight), your body is likely to compensate either up or down the kinetic…
The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon of the body for a good reason, it takes much of the load when we are running, jumping, or even walking! This tendon connects the calf muscles to the heel assisting with force transmission and acts like a spring when you push your foot off…
Sedentary lifestyles are an undesirable hallmark of modern society, affecting a significant proportion of the population. Prolonged sitting, (a form of sedentary behavior), has progressively become the norm with computerization in the workplace. These developments are not only…
In this article, you will learn about a six-week core training program that is supported by research to increase passive core stiffness. As explained by the great Stuart McGill, improving core stiffness can help with the ability to transfer force and can enhance the amount of…
Single leg strengthening exercises are truly functional. Yes, I said the F-word. Single leg strengthening exercises are functional because they help with making activities of daily living easier, can improve athletic performance, can help with longstanding aches and pains, and…
Why do some athletes jump higher, sprint faster, and cut quicker than others? It is because of power! A common misconception is that training for strength by loading large amounts of weight directly increases athleticism; however, the transfer to your athletic endeavors is not…
Do your hips feel tight? Do you want to learn how to improve the mobility of your hips? The hip is one of the most active and mobile joints in the human body. Whether you perform activities such as walking, ambulating stairs, deadlifts, or playing sports, having adequate hip…
The shoulder is a complicated body part. It is an extremely mobile joint that is able to move within many different planes of movement; however, as a result of its ability to move excessively, its stability may sometimes become compromised. In addition, there are other parts of…
This article will use a global approach, via Developmental Kinesiology, to train muscles through purposeful movements. Some of you may know this as “Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization,” (DNS). DNS is originated by Pavel Kolar, who was known as one of the best students of the…
