#675: Eric Cressey, Cressey Sports Performance — Tactical Deep Dive on Back Pain, Movement Diagnosis, Training Principles, Developing Mobility, Building Power, Fascial Manipulation, and Rules for Athletes

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Jun 1, 2023

Eric Cressey, President of Cressey Sports Performance and Director of Player Health for the Yankees, shares insights on tackling back pain and enhancing athletic performance. He emphasizes the importance of movement diagnosis and individualized assessments for pain management. Cressey discusses effective training principles, mobility, and power development, and addresses thoracic mobility to combat sedentary lifestyles. He also highlights the rising elbow injuries in youth baseball and advocates for comprehensive strategies to protect young athletes.

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ANECDOTE

Cressey's Shoulder Recovery

Eric Cressey's shoulder pain led to an undersurface cuff tear diagnosis and scheduled surgery.
Through self-rehab, ART, and training adjustments, he canceled the surgery after becoming pain-free.

INSIGHT

Movement Diagnosis Importance

Treat movement issues, not just medical diagnoses.
A movement diagnosis considers how you move relative to your symptoms.

ANECDOTE

Subluxating Ulnar Nerve

A young baseball player with elbow pain saw a general ortho; MRI was clean.
An elbow specialist diagnosed a subluxating ulnar nerve, requiring surgery for recovery.

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Eric Cressey (@EricCressey), MA, CSCS, is president and co-founder of Cressey Sports Performance, with facilities in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, and Hudson, Massachusetts. He has worked with clients from youth sports to the professional and Olympic ranks but is best known for his extensive work with baseball players; more than 100 professional players train at CSP each offseason. He also serves as Director of Player Health and Performance for the New York Yankees.

Eric double-majored in exercise science and sports and fitness management at the University of New England and then received his master’s degree in kinesiology with a concentration in exercise science at the University of Connecticut. He has published books and video resources that have been sold in more than 60 countries. He regularly lectures both nationally and internationally, and his research has been published in The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. He serves as a consultant to New Balance, Proteus Motion, and Athletic Greens.

Eric has a free blog and a free newsletter on his website, EricCressey.com, and has a podcast at EliteBaseballPodcast.com.

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[06:08] The email responsible for this conversation.

[09:19] Why pinpointing the cause of lower back pain can be so challenging.

[20:22] Initial diagnosis through movement.

[22:59] How seemingly unrelated meds can exacerbate pain.

[24:38] Posture considerations.

[26:55] Addressing and correcting suboptimal patterns of movement.

[28:55] Resources for understanding movement screens.

[30:00] Ingredients that make up a lower back pain cocktail.

[34:42] Even with the greatest care, wear and tear over time is normal.

[40:19] Improving thoracic mobility.

[43:56] Conquering Quasimodo.

[45:14] Defusing deskbound damage.