Athletic Shoulder - Ian Horsley: Not the Shoulder!

Apr 21, 2025

Ask episode

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

Episode 184: In this episode of the Athletic Shoulder Podcast, powered by Inform Performance and hosted by Ben Ashworth, we’re joined by Hon. Professor Ian Horsley, a renowned Chartered Physiotherapist and Athlete Health Lead at the UK Sports Institute. With over 25 years of experience in elite sport, Ian has worked with England Rugby, Rugby League, professional football clubs, and was part of Team GB’s HQ physiotherapy team at four Olympic and two Commonwealth Games.

Ian is internationally recognized for his expertise in shoulder dysfunction, upper limb rehabilitation, and dysfunctional breathing. He also serves as Clinical Director at Back in Action Rehabilitation and holds an honorary professorship at the University of Salford, where he contributes to the MSc in Sports Rehabilitation program.

Topics Discussed:

The importance of respiratory health in movement and rehab
Assessing thoracic shape and breathing patterns to support shoulder function
How cranial nerves and eye movements influence pain and range of motion
Using the brain’s activation to enhance rehabilitation exercises
Case studies from elite sport showcasing holistic assessment techniques
The 'not the shoulder' approach to shoulder treatment
The role of proprioception in athlete performance and recovery
Innovative methods like sensory input and non-threatening assessments
Gaps in current functional and overhead testing for athletes
The value of collaborative research in advancing shoulder rehab

Tune in for a masterclass in shoulder performance and rehabilitation, combining neuroscience, biomechanics, and decades of elite sport experience.

Where you can find Ian: