OrthoCarolina Resources

What Type of Charlotte Runner Are You?

Are you a die-hard roady who puts in mile after mile on pavement? Do you crave the off-camber footing of a technical trail? Or maybe you're a new runner just getting into the swing of this running thing?

Biking the Backroads and Trails of Gaston County

Exploring Gaston County, N.C., by bike is perhaps the best way to gain an appreciation for what makes this the go-to spot for outdoor recreation in the region. Spencer and Crowders Mountain burst skyward from the surrounding piedmont and miles of creeks and rivers carve pathways through the tree canopy on their journey from mountains to sea.

#YouImprovedChat: Staying Active with a Busy Schedule

Many of us have a lot on our plate when it comes to the day-to-day. We work hard, and we play hard. Or try to, anyway. Aaron Hewitt, PA-C is a physician assistant with OrthoCarolina who works long hours, but loves his job. Outside the clinic, he thrives on keeping his body active and staying healthy. You can typically find him at CrossFit, doing yoga, or running (even marathons!). Aaron joined us for a Twitter chat and took your questions, offering his best advice on how to incorporate activity into your daily routine. If you missed the chat, here’s what he had to say.

Five Exercises for the Swimming Athlete to Complete Out of the Water

Swimming for the high school and collegiate athlete is a year-round commitment that demands hours in the pool each week. Here are five exercises that target mobility of the shoulder and upper back, strength of the rotator cuff and surrounding core muscles.

Basic Principles of Football Safety

With the constant barrage of info through television and social media, we are more aware than ever about injures that surround football. From concussions to ACL tears, it seems like there is always some drama and controversy surrounding how best to prevent and manage these issues. For those of us who have children playing sports, these issues are much more important than just making sure our fantasy football lineups are competitive each week.

3 Must-Do Outdoor Adventures in Queen City

Dr. David Anderson, an orthopedic surgeon with OrthoCarolina, has a philosophy about our modern ethos.

"We all work a little too much," he says. “We spend too much time inside, glued to computer screens and mobile devices.”

An Insider's Guide to the Booming Running Scene in Winston-Salem

Stop by Foothills Brewing on a Wednesday evening around 6 p.m. and you’ll find the crowd chugging electrolytes instead of beer. Each week, the Foot Soldier Run Club hosts a group run that usually draws about 40 people of all levels and abilities, from aspiring couch-to-5K athletes to marathon runners.

On the Water in Gaston County

With everything from mirror-like flatwater to Class III rapids, Gaston County, N.C., features a place to paddle for everyone from novice to expert. Spring has arrived and summer’s not far behind, so stock your dry bag, strap down the kayaks and SUP boards, and head to the launch for a day on the water. Here are some of our favorite destinations.

The Best Hikes in Gaston

A unique combination of geology and history—multiple rocky monadnocks rising 1,500 feet above the surrounding Piedmont and a longstanding community-wide commitment to natural preservation—earns Gaston County its reputation as a regional hiking destination. Check out these trails to understand what makes Gaston the go-to training ground for runners, hikers, backpackers, and weekend warriors throughout the southeast.

4 Fantastic Waterfalls Within a 2-Hour Drive of Charlotte

Staying active in the peak of the Charlotte summer is tough. The humidity on those steamy, Southern days feels like a backpack, weighing you down while you hike or run. Finding the trails that offer some respite is an essential strategy for outdoor enthusiasts here.

Exercise Like an NFL Athlete

Being an NFL athlete is no easy feat. Those guys are constantly training, but not all NFL players focus on the same areas. It largely depends on the position they play.

Hear it from an Athletic Trainer: Why Warming Up is a Crucial Piece in Your Soccer Training Plan

If you could increase your soccer skill level efficiency, drastically reduce your chance of injury, and help your body feel better before and after soccer, would you want to know how?

No Timeouts: Minimizing Injury Risk in Young Soccer Players

Soccer is not only one of the fastest growing sports, but it’s also one of the most fast-paced. Like any contact sport there is always potential for injury, but during the juvenile and teenage years those chances are higher simply due to growth patterns and growing bodies.

Running While Pregnant: What to Know

Exercise and running has always played a big part in Kathleen White’s life. So when Kathleen, a physical therapist, became pregnant, she was even more motivated to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle for herself, as well as her baby.

Life After Football: What Happens to the Human Body When the Days of Playing Are Over?

It can be difficult to end a career in any sport for those who are hard-wired to do what they love, but the post-football career can be tough physically as well as mentally.

To the Mountains and Back: 10 Easy Outdoor Day Trips from Winston-Salem

Clear your calendar now and finish off a summer full of adventure in the mountains around Winston-Salem with these 10-day trip ideas.

Songs for Your Workout

When you take a look around the gym or see someone out running, there is a good chance they have headphones on. I mean, it is no coincidence that there are so many workout playlists out there. Think about your own playlist that you put on shuffle when you get your endorphins flowing.

To All Swimmers: Get Faster and Stay Healthier - Cross Train.

Swimming is a great lifetime activity. Whether you're a recreational, masters level, triathlete or competitive swimmer, doing some dry land cross training should be an integral part of your regular weekly workout routine. It can be hard to leave the pool for one day and opt for a dry land workout, but there are many benefits that will leave you a better swimmer and with a more well-rounded level of fitness.

Bursitis: What Roofers, Plumbers, and Football Players Need to Know

For centuries, people with physically demanding occupations have been known to be prone to developing large, swollen knees and elbows, especially after a serious bump or bruise. Originally dubbed “miner’s elbow” and “handmaid’s knee”, these conditions are now known to be varieties of bursitis, the inflammation of a bursa, a fluid-filled sac that limits friction between the skin and a joint such as the knee or elbow.

Soccer Injuries: What to Do

Jennifer DeRosa knows all too well about soccer injuries. Jennifer started playing soccer at four years old and battled through injuries from a young age through college, playing Division 1 Soccer at UNC Asheville. Injuries included knee and neck strains, and she even needed anterior compartment surgery to bilateral lower legs.

Cadie’s Charlotte Running Story: The Rookie Run ‘N’ Walk

In 2009, a blood clot resulted in the amputation of my left leg above the knee.

Rock Climbing in Winston-Salem: What to Know and Where to Go

The North Carolina Triad has earned its reputation as one of the Southeast region’s premier climbing destinations, one hold at a time.

Thoughts After My First Pilates Class

Trying new things can be hard, but variety is what makes life interesting right? Not too long ago, I decided to try out Pilates for the first time.

What to Know About Football Injury Prevention at the High School & College Level

Is it ever too early to start talking about football? No way!