Session 95 - How Different is Sports and MSK Therapy with Steve Miller
Nov 7, 2021
auto_awesome
Steve Miller, bridges gaps between Sports and MSK therapy. They discuss the compatibility, integration, and differences between sports therapy and MSK therapy. They explore the relevance of baseline in sports therapy and the disparities between sports therapy and musculoskeletal therapy. They emphasize the importance of articulating the rehabilitation journey, creativity in rehab design, and changing mindsets in sports therapy. They also discuss the sense of community and collaboration among practitioners in the field.
Integrating good practice into sports requires active participation and ownership from athletes.
Manual therapy and pain relief interventions should be used strategically as a 1% addition to overall rehab in sports and MSK settings.
Empowering athletes and patients to take control of their own bodies and rehabilitation leads to long-term self-care and performance improvement.
Deep dives
Integrating Sport and MSK: Challenges and Best Practices
Integrating sport and MSK (musculoskeletal) practices can be complex, as there are often different rules and regulations for managing athletic patients. The podcast discusses the importance of finding ways to integrate good practice into the world of sports. One key insight is the need for athletes to take ownership of their own bodies and participate actively in their rehabilitation process, rather than relying solely on passive treatments. This approach empowers athletes to manage their own injuries and build a strong foundation, which is crucial for performance. The podcast also explores the challenge of limited time in professional sporting environments, where quick turnaround is essential. It highlights the importance of creative rehab design and progressive loading to maximize the efficacy of limited time. Overall, the episode emphasizes the need for a clinical reasoning-led approach, tailoring treatments to individual athletes and balancing passive interventions with active participation.
The Role of Manual Therapy and Pain Relief Interventions
The podcast delves into the role of manual therapy and pain relief interventions in sports and MSK settings. While manual therapy can have benefits, its efficacy may be diluted when time and frequency of application are limited. The discussion highlights the need to prioritize measurable change and objective markers in sessions, especially in professional sports where time constraints are significant. The podcast underscores the importance of using interventions, such as taping and manual therapy, as a 1% addition to overall rehab, which can make a difference in an athlete's performance, recovery, and injury prevention. It also addresses the challenge of managing expectations and navigating cultural influences that may overemphasize passive treatments. The focus on evidence-based practice and clinical reasoning remains essential in determining when and how to apply pain relief interventions.
Fostering Patient Empowerment and Rehab Creativity
The podcast highlights the shift towards empowering athletes and patients to take control of their own bodies and rehabilitation. It explores the importance of fostering self-directed rehabilitation and self-management techniques, such as trigger point release, self-massage, and stretching exercises. The discussion emphasizes the need for patients to develop a sense of ownership in their recovery process and the benefits of progressive loading exercises with clear progressions. The episode underscores the value of creativity in rehab design and the ability to adapt interventions for individual patients based on their baseline, functional goals, and specific sports requirements. Ultimately, the focus is on developing a bespoke, patient-centered approach that facilitates long-term self-care and performance improvement.
The Influence of Coaches and Directors in Professional Sport
Coaches and directors play a significant role in shaping the culture and expectations within professional sports teams. They have a strong influence on managing injuries and determining player availability. Their experience and knowledge contribute to making informed decisions about injury management, such as estimating recovery time for specific injuries. However, some coaches may have a more traditional approach, focusing solely on structural issues and seeking imaging confirmation for diagnoses. The pressure to meet time frames and the financial implications associated with player availability can create a challenging environment for medical teams.
The Role and Challenges of Imaging in Professional Sport
Imaging plays a significant role in professional sports, although its use varies between sports. In football, there is a higher reliance on imaging compared to rugby. Financial considerations may contribute to the increased use of imaging in football, where every joint is scanned to identify underlying issues. In rugby, imaging is used as a secondary backup option rather than a guiding factor in injury management. The decision to use imaging is often driven by added assurance for coaches and the need to cover medical departments legally. However, the value of imaging in predicting outcomes and guiding clinical decisions is debated, and factors like functional ability and subjective experiences of athletes also need to be considered. The challenges of balancing structural findings with functional performance and educating athletes about the complexities of injuries are ongoing in the field of sports medicine.
Session 100 creeps closer and boy oh boy do we have some exciting news for you to come...
Beforehand though we continue to record sessions of super high quality and this month we are delighted to speak to Steve Miller of Grow Physio who bridges gaps between the Sports and Musculoskeletal landscape.
How different are these areas of practice? Can you specialise in both or do you become a generalist? Where are the overlaps and what are the differences?
A fascinating discussion and we would love to hear from you about it so email us info@physio-matters.com or get in touch by social media with the team on @tpmpodcasts, Jack @jackachew and Steve @growphysio
