Aspiring PT student and S&C coach

[ejm]

Hello all,

I'm a current undergrad in biochem who's hoping to go to PT school. I'm also an active competitor in a few lifting sports as well as a semi-trainer (i.e. I've trained people but nothing formal yet).

I found SomaSimple while looking for PT forums to browse and the moment I started reading these threads I felt in over my head, which I think is a good thing! I've read through a few of the major threads but will need to find some primers before I can really delve in deep.

One thing that I'm struggling with is the dramatic difference between the PT/rehab/performance therapies that I assumed were the cornerstone of injury prevention and treatment in athletes and the arguments here that said therapies are not addressing any real issues. (I may be reading this all wrong, though!)

For example, if I am presented with an athlete with tight calves, I'd recommend they attack their foam roller, do some PNF stretching, and some basic ankle mobility work. Or an athlete with back pain, I'd look at their posture, their glute/ham strength, see how their performing their lifts, and recommend strengthening exercises and form modifications as necessary.

The argument here seems to be that those are addressing symptoms, rather than causes of the issue, which is where I'm confused, as I've seen those kinds of recommendations work for people before . . . What should I be thinking about when approached with these sort of cases (lack of muscle activation, lack of range of motion, etc)? What other kind of therapies should I be recommending? The neurological approach to chronic pain is a no-brainer to me--but for tight, weak muscles that seem to be inhibiting athletic performance, shouldn't some strengthening or stretching be involved in therapy?

Let me reiterate I am VERY new to PT and when I bring up these questions I am not trying to attack anyone--I'm just struck by the difference of opinion I read here and in the larger S&C world I participate in.

[Jason Silvernail]

Welcome ejm. "The Performance Lab" section may be of interest.

[student]

Hey EJM,

Its a bit of a rough ride at first. Just remember that while a number of things on here will spill over to performance training most of the focus on this site is on pain.

That said I find the S&C industry (and PT) seems to be full of lemmings who blindly follow their chosen leader. You will find a thread on stretching here for the pain questions I would start here.

Welcome to SS

[zimney3pt]

Welcome EJM. Yes, there can be a lot to digest if your new or old to PT. Just like any good meal, take it slow and savor each bite.

[Sheffphysio]

its a long journey, you never arrive the destination, so enjoy the trip. always ask why and how. So for your athlete with back pain, why would you look at their posture? why would you look at their glut / ham strenght and why would you recomend them to get stronger... are they weak??

it drove me nuts for years!