UNC Sports Medicine Institute

09/04/2026

Despite their common names, tennis and golfer's elbow don't just happen on the court or greens.

Repetitive activities like:
🏋️ Weightlifting
⌨️ Typing
🔨 Manual labor
🎾 any racquet sport
can all contribute to tennis (outer) elbow or golfer's (inner) elbow pain.

In this UNC Health Talk article, Dr. Garzone shares expert tips on prevention, treatment, and when to seek help.

The good news? Most cases improve with activity modification, physical therapy, and proper strengthening.

🔗 to access the article

09/01/2026

We're Hiring Athletic Trainers to join UNC Orthopaedics' teams at the:
📍 Sports Medicine Center (formerly CPII)
📍 Ambulatory Care Center

You'll work directly with physicians and staff to help care for patients recovering from injuries and returning to the activities they love.

✨ Clinic-based role with no evenings or weekends
👨‍⚕️ Collaborate with leading orthopaedic specialists
🩵 Make an impact every day
💰 Qualify for a $10,000 incentive program paid over a 3-year commitment

🔗in bio to see more details

08/22/2026

📖⚽️🥗 What does it take to fuel performance, recovery, and long-term health in women’s football?

As the women’s game continues to grow, so does the need for sport-specific nutrition guidance. A recent review led by Abbie Smith-Ryan, PhD, brings together current evidence and practical strategies to help female football athletes optimize performance, recovery, and overall health.

From training and competition demands to recovery and athlete well-being, this work provides valuable insights for athletes, coaches, sports dietitians, athletic trainers, and sports medicine professionals. Full article: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13314892/

08/21/2026

How to Stay--or Get--Fit as You Age February 10, 2022 Fitness and Mobility Wellness Remember your first steps? Of course you don't--you were probably about a year old. You've been walking so long that you can't remember ever not So don't stop now. Exper...

08/21/2026

Friday Fit Tip: Eat your way to better muscle recovery and deeper sleep.

Intense exercise causes microscopic muscle tears, which your body repairs during deep sleep phases.

To support this recovery process, it's important to avoid heavy, high-fat meals within three hours of bedtime, as they can disrupt your sleep quality. Instead, consider having a light evening snack that includes tryptophan and complex carbohydrates. Options like a small bowl of oatmeal with walnuts or some tart cherry juice can naturally boost melatonin production, promoting better sleep.

08/18/2026

Last but certainly not least, this year's conference will also feature three outstanding UNC physical therapists who are advancing evidence-based musculoskeletal care through clinical practice and research:
🔹 Madison Franek, PT, DPT, CSOMT, UNC Therapy Services
🔹 Philemon Miller, PT, DPT, CSCS, UNC Therapy Services
🔹 Hiral Master, PT, PhD, MPH, UNC Division of Physical Therapy

Together, these speakers highlight the critical role physical therapists play across the continuum of care, from injury diagnosis and management, to return to field/court rehab to the integration of emerging technologies that enhance patient care.

Whether you are a physician, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, physical therapist, athletic trainer, or other healthcare professional, you'll leave with practical knowledge you can apply immediately to better serve your patients. Learn more and register at https://go.UNC.edu/SMIconference

08/15/2026

📖Are you considering psychological, strength, and performance-based measures to inform readiness for return to sport? This study of 822 patients, found RTS criteria for these 3 domains aligned for less than one-third of participants. When considering ACL-RSI, single-leg hop, and quadriceps strength criteria together, psychological and physical readiness did not align for 69% of patients. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13309660/

As sports medicine professionals continue to refine return-to-sport criteria, research like this helps move the field toward a more comprehensive understanding of recovery.

08/11/2026

We have an amazing group of orthopaedic experts who will share their knowledge to help clinicians stay current with the latest evidence and improve care for younger patients with musculoskeletal conditions.
Join us to hear from:
🔹Dr. Samantha Tayne
🔹Dr. Kendall Bradley
🔹Dr. Vinay Narotam
🔹Heather Carroll, FNP
And, a presentation on AI use in Sports Medicine from:
🔹Dr. David Berkoff

Whether you are a physician, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, physical therapist, athletic trainer, or other healthcare professional, you'll leave with practical knowledge you can apply immediately to better serve your patients. Learn more and register at https://go.unc.edu/SMIconference.

UNC School of Medicine

08/07/2026

📖Can a patient's perception of recovery tell us about their actual physical recovery after ACLR?

This study found that patients who achieved a Patient Acceptable Symptom State (PASS) on patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures after ACL reconstruction demonstrated greater strength and limb symmetry than those who did not reach PASS thresholds. The findings suggest that PROs may provide valuable insight into rehabilitation progress and functional recovery. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39745270/

Research like this helps clinicians better understand recovery and support patients as they work toward safely returning to sports and the activities they love.

08/06/2026

Job opportunities with our PT teammates!

Looking for your next opportunity as a Physical Therapist?
UNC Therapy Services is hiring across the Triangle, with opportunities spanning Mebane, Chapel Hill, and Raleigh.

Join a collaborative team committed to delivering exceptional patient care, advancing clinical excellence, and helping North Carolinians move better and live healthier lives.
✅ Outpatient orthopedic PT focus
✅ Supportive clinical teams and managers
✅ Professional growth and development

Explore available positions and find your place with UNC Therapy Services.
Follow the hiring link to see all the details and apply: https://linktr.ee/unctherapyservices