Tendons with Greg Lehman

Feb 22, 2025

Greg Lehman, a Toronto-based physiotherapist and strength coach known for his straightforward approach to rehabilitation, discusses the intricate world of tendons. He emphasizes the significance of individualized treatment plans, challenging traditional rigid approaches. The conversation delves into the complexities of tendinopathy, the critical role of tendon stiffness, and the impact of metabolic health on recovery. Lehman also explores innovative loading protocols and the balance between managing pain and maintaining athletic performance.

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INSIGHT

Diagnosis Doesn't Dictate Treatment

Diagnoses often don't dictate rehab treatment.
Focus on the individual and their sport/activity, not the specific tissue.

INSIGHT

Tendon Stiffness and Strength

Tendon stiffness, reflecting tendon strength, might be a key rehab factor.
However, building up the tendon might be more critical than stiffness itself.

INSIGHT

Tendinopathy Treatment Options

Heavy loading increases tendon stiffness, but other rehab methods also work.
Manual therapy and medium load programs improve pain and function equally well.

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Greg Lehman's Approach 03:06 Understanding Tendinopathy and Its Implications 05:59 The Role of Tendon Stiffness in Rehabilitation 09:06 The Complexity of Tendon Rehabilitation 12:01 The Importance of Individualized Treatment Plans 15:03 Exploring the Connection Between Metabolic Health and Tendon Pain 17:59 The Debate on Stretching and Tendon Health 21:04 Compression and Its Effects on Tendons 24:06 Managing Activity Levels During Rehabilitation 26:54 Evaluating Loading Protocols for Tendon Recovery 30:08 Muscle-Tendon Imbalance and Injury Risk 33:10 Research Insights on Tendon Adaptation 36:34 Understanding Tendon Strain Dynamics 39:04 Exploring Tendon Rehabilitation Protocols 42:54 The Role of Muscle in Tendon Health 46:24 Isometrics and Their Evolving Role in Rehab 56:36 Patient-Centered Care in Tendon Rehabilitation

Takeaways

The diagnosis often does not dictate treatment in rehab.
Tendon stiffness is a key factor in rehabilitation.
Individualized treatment plans are crucial for effective rehab.
Metabolic health can significantly impact tendon pain.
Stretching may still have a role in tendon health.
Compression effects on tendons are complex and not fully understood.
Maintaining activity levels can be beneficial during rehab.
Loading protocols should be tailored to the individual.
Muscle-tendon imbalances can increase injury risk.
Research continues to evolve our understanding of tendon adaptation. Tendon strain is influenced by joint angle and muscle contraction.
Isometric holds may not be the only effective method for tendon rehabilitation.
Patient-centered care is crucial in designing rehabilitation programs.
Performance goals should be integrated into rehabilitation strategies.
Muscle strength plays a significant role in tendon health and recovery.
The body can adapt to protect injured areas, complicating rehabilitation.
Isometrics can provide analgesic effects, but results vary among individuals.
Conscious isolation of muscle groups may be necessary for effective rehab.
Tendons respond to load, regardless of the type of contraction used.
Understanding individual patient goals is essential for effective treatment.

Greg's Website: https://www.greglehman.ca

Greg's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/greglehman?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaY1JK0-KyV8C2O6j4k0Nv2xCnekXbXyAyevDP_vAwhwrFPt-vdPlgeJV6U_aem_5GCz-V50wzOwW-ZtfDIKzw

Greg's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greglehman/

Greg's Twitter: https://x.com/GregLehman?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

Notes here: https://jackedathlete.com/podcast-125-tendons-with-greg-lehman/