Athletic Shoulder: Jo Gibson - The Kinetic Chain & Much More
Oct 10, 2024
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Jo Gibson, a Clinical Physiotherapy Specialist at the Liverpool Upper Limb Unit, shares her extensive expertise in shoulder rehabilitation. She discusses the critical role of the kinetic chain in shoulder function and emphasizes the importance of individualization in treatment. The conversation also explores the psychological aspects of recovery, highlighting techniques to assess athletes' confidence and performance. Jo advocates for a collaborative approach, urging practitioners to foster trust through movement and communication during rehabilitation.
Understanding the kinetic chain is essential for effective shoulder rehabilitation, as it helps identify movement strategies contributing to injury.
Effective communication and confidence-building are crucial in shoulder rehabilitation, as they address psychosocial factors impacting recovery.
Deep dives
Jo Gibson's Expertise in Shoulder Rehabilitation
Jo Gibson is a highly experienced clinical physiotherapy specialist with a career spanning several decades in shoulder rehabilitation. Her expertise covers a wide range of contexts, including elite sports teams across various disciplines such as football and rugby, where she provides consultancy on shoulder pathologies. Since she began her specialization in shoulder treatment, Gibson has emphasized the need for proactive rehabilitation approaches, especially for athletes recovering from surgery. This shift has allowed her to better address common issues faced by shoulder patients and improve the overall quality of rehabilitation in professional sports.
Challenges in Shoulder Rehabilitation
One major challenge in shoulder rehabilitation is the fear of the unknown, which can hinder recovery post-surgery or after sustaining an injury. Athletes often lack experience in managing shoulder injuries compared to more common lower limb injuries, leading to uncertainty in their rehabilitation journey. This fear can result in patients developing stiffness and impacting their overall performance, which further complicates the rehabilitation process. Jo Gibson notes that the early stages of rehabilitation are crucial, as any stiffness developed in the first few weeks can greatly limit recovery outcomes.
Kinetic Chain Assessment in Rehabilitation
Gibson advocates for a comprehensive understanding of kinetic chain assessment to improve shoulder rehabilitation outcomes. She highlights the importance of examining how the shoulder functions within the broader context of the athlete's body, allowing for better identification of movement strategies that may contribute to injury. For example, addressing both upper and lower body assessments can help detect compensatory movements that may lead to further dysfunction. By focusing on how athletes engage their shoulders during functional tasks and recognizing patterns of fear and inhibition, clinicians can create more effective rehabilitation strategies.
Importance of Communication and Confidence in Rehabilitation
Effective communication and building confidence are key components in shoulder rehabilitation according to Jo Gibson. Establishing trust with athletes through clear communication can help alleviate their concerns and encourage a more proactive approach to their recovery. Additionally, addressing psychosocial factors, such as an athlete's mental state and emotional well-being, plays a vital role in their overall recovery process. Gibson emphasizes that athletes who feel confident in their rehabilitation and understand the logic behind their treatment are more likely to progress effectively and reduce the risk of re-injury.
Episode 156: Ben Ashworth chats to Jo Gibson. Jo is a Clinical Physiotherapy Specialist working at the Liverpool Upper Limb Unit at the Royal Liverpool Hospital and a Consultant for R4P. She has worked as a Shoulder Specialist since 1995 and lectures nationally and Internationally about assessment and rehabilitation of the shoulder complex. Jo has co-developed Masters modules with Liverpool University for the diagnosis and treatment of upper limb pathology and has co-authored national guidelines for the management of different shoulder pathologies. Jo’s recognized expertise has resulted in consultancy work with many elite sports teams in varying sports including football, rugby, cricket, gymnastics, swimming, boxing, canoeing and tennis.
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Topics Discussed
Addressing Communication Challenges
The Role of the Kinetic Chain in Shoulder Function
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