Dr. Justin Farnsworth, a board-certified sports physical therapist with two decades of coaching under his belt, shares groundbreaking insights on Achilles injuries. He emphasizes that while injuries can't be entirely prevented, smart strategies can improve resilience. Dr. Farnsworth dismantles the outdated RICE protocol, advocating for compression and targeted isometrics instead. He also introduces heavy eccentric training and contralateral strength training as essential techniques for recovery and performance, all while challenging common misconceptions in injury management.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Mentorship Shapes Career
Early career mentorship shaped Dr. Farnsworth's skillset significantly.
He emphasizes the value of learning live with expert practitioners over just textbooks.
insights INSIGHT
No True Injury Prevention
There is no true injury prevention, only risk mitigation.
Load management is often misunderstood and doesn't fully explain injury occurrences.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Train Calves Lengthened
Train calves in fully lengthened positions to mimic injury mechanisms.
The leaning landmine calf raise targets the calf with hip extension and ankle dorsiflexion.
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Dr. Justin Farnsworth turns conventional wisdom about Achilles tendon injuries upside down in this eye-opening conversation about prevention, rehabilitation, and performance training. With recent high-profile NBA Achilles injuries making headlines, his practical, evidence-based approach offers a refreshing perspective for trainers and athletes alike.
"Anyone selling you an injury prevention program is a snake oil salesman," states Dr. Farnsworth, explaining that while we can't prevent injuries entirely, we can implement smart strategies to build resilience. Drawing on his 20 years of coaching experience and 13 years as a board-certified sports physical therapist, he breaks down the biomechanics of Achilles injuries and shares specific techniques for training the tendon properly.
The conversation explores why heavy eccentric training (true overload, not just controlled lowering) is crucial for tendon health, and why training the calf in fully lengthened positions might be your best protection against injury. Dr. Farnsworth challenges the outdated RICE protocol, explaining why compression and targeted isometrics often work better than ice, and why complete rest is usually counterproductive for healing.
For trainers working with injured clients, there's practical advice on rehabilitation timelines (typically 9-12 months for Achilles ruptures), the powerful benefits of contralateral training for the uninjured side, and how to safely program around pain. Perhaps most valuable is his three-part framework for Achilles health: mobility, strength in lengthened positions, and rate of force development through progressive plyometric training.
Whether you're a fitness professional or someone recovering from a tendon injury, this episode delivers actionable strategies to build stronger, more resilient bodies. Check out Dr. Farnsworth on Instagram @DrJustinFarnsworth or visit his "Programming Around Pain" course for
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