“They want a step-by-step plan to keep them in the gym consistently”
Injured barbell patients (CrossFitters, powerlifters, and weightlifters) are a different breed of athletes.
While Instagram or YouTube would make you believe these athletes are looking for corrective exercises, they are NOT. They are not looking for core exercises. They are not looking for hip mobility exercises.
They don’t want to stop. They want to continue training despite aches and pains.
They don’t want simple pain relief. They want a step-by-step plan to keep them in the gym consistently.
They are looking for a sports PT to tell them “what’s wrong.” They are looking for a PT to help them improve their mechanics. They are looking for a PT to help them adjust their training volume and intensity.
Essentially, they are looking for a PT to consolidate everything into a simple plan with weekly progressions, 2-3 corrective exercises, minor adjustments to their barbell mechanics, and modifications to their training volume and intensity.
If you’re a PT who relies on exercises to solve pain, this is only 25% of the solution for barbell athletes.
This approach translates to minimal to moderate outcomes…and barbell athletes continue to “shop around” for a PT who “gets them.”
They will continue shopping for medical providers until they find their long-term solution. These patients will “trial” several PTs before they get what they want.
I’ve worked with elite and novice barbell athletes and this is the most common story.
If you don’t want to be a number on their list of failed medical providers, you need to learn how to analyze the back squat, front squat, deadlift, and overhead shoulder movements.
You need to learn how to adjust mechanics to alleviate tissue stress and allow healing.
You need to learn how to fine-tune volume and intensity with injured barbell athletes.
Lastly, you need to have the confidence to manage barbell athletes. If these elements are not addressed in their PT sessions, they will drop off your schedule.
If you’ve been “shopped” before or want to avoid this happening to you, you need to register for my “Management of the Barbell Athlete” CEU course.
You’ll walk away with an “all-in-one”, easy-to-follow approach to managing CrossFitters, powerlifters, and weightlifters.
If you work with these athletes or want to work with them, this course is perfect for you.
CLICK HERE to learn more.
Below is the podcast I created for sports physical therapists on this topic:
If you have any questions, please email me at drchris@drchrisgarcia.com.
Sincerely,
Dr. Chris Garcia, PT, DPT, SCS, CSCS, USAW
P.S. If you’re more of a visual learner, check out my YouTube video on this topic below.
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