An Upslip of half of the pelvis is an extremely common injury for athletes. It involves half of the pelvis (usually the left side) moving upward relative to the opposing side. This has a ripple effect on the rest of the lower body. It can change leg length, place a stretch on specific muscles, and […]
Typical Treatment
Lateral Knee Pain: Typical Treatment Many clinicians wonder why their patients don’t trust them to fix their problems. Why?? MANY CLINICIANS ONLY TREAT PAIN, NOT THE PROBLEM! Unfortunately, lateral knee pain is typically treated in a way that does little to fix the origin of the problem. This is a mechanical issue, not a […]
Squats and Lunges
Ankle Dorsiflexion: As we have discussed, there is a ripple effect up the entire kinetic chain. A dorsiflexion restriction is very evident in squatting and lunging patterns. Keep in mind that the very same squatting and lunging patterns are some of the most fundamental movements in all of sport. So, ignoring these issues and problems […]
Squat Technique
Ankle Dorsiflexion: As we have discussed, there is a ripple effect up the entire kinetic chain. A dorsiflexion restriction is very evident in squatting patterns. The Squat is likely the most fundamental movement pattern for all athletics, and for life in general. If we can’t squat in functional manner, we will struggle to sit in […]
Sport Specific Movements
Thoracic Spine Mobility: The easiest way to explain the impact the Thoracic Spine has on sporting movements is to go watch a friendly golf outing between 2 gentlemen. One friend is the taller, thinner athlete, who doesn’t appear to be all that athletic, but has a smooth, “sweet” swing that appears effortless. His friend […]
Metabolic Factors
Improving the Anaerobic capacity is the final key to improving an athlete’s movement skills as it relates to speed and power sports. Research tells us that there are a great number of advantages to training anaerobically on a treadmill. Payne demonstrated an increase in Oxygen uptake and lactate levels with interval uphill running. Itoh attributed […]
Metabolic Training
Improving the Anaerobic capacity is the final key to improving an athlete’s movement skills as it relates to speed and power sports. Research tells us that there are a great number of advantages to training anaerobically on a treadmill. Payne demonstrated an increase in Oxygen uptake and lactate levels with interval uphill running. Itoh attributed […]
Improved Running Mechanics
Everyone performing any kind of motor learning with an individual can attest that utilizing a very controlled environment is the easiest means to achieve desired results. The treadmill makes motion analysis very simple because of the controlled environment that the athlete is placed in. In most cases, it eliminates the need for video analysis because […]
Leg Length Evaluation
Assessing Leg Length is important for preventing injury, treating injury, and increasing performance. It is a simple process that involves a table and a close to eye. It is a fluid movement, which can be broken down into 5 parts for ease of explanation. The total movement should take less than 5 seconds or so. […]
Knee Injuries
Ankle Dorsiflexion: If you take a moment to review our information on how poor dorsiflexion affects the body, you’ll understand how a dorsiflexion restriction can play havoc on the entire kinetic chain. It can make squatting and lunging difficult and can decrease glute firing, which are all very important for performance and health. But, the […]
Self Joint Mobs
Ankle Dorsiflexion: Teaching an athlete to fix their own restrictions may be the best way to achieve long term success. Teaching them about their problems helps them understand their issues and empowers them to fix them on their own. This allows the athlete to buy into their treatment plan. It also allows them to perform […]
Thoracic Spine Rotation
Thoracic Spine Mobility: So, what are the best ways to improve Thoracic Spine Rotation? There are a variety of ways. If you have the manual skills, there are manual mobilizations. If you have access to a good Chiropractor, they can make some dramatic improvements with some good manipulations. At MTS, we prefer to combine therapeutic […]
Thoracic Spine Extension
Thoracic Spine Mobility: So, what are the best ways to improve Thoracic Spine Extension? There are a variety of ways. If you have the manual skills, there are manual mobilizations. If you have access to a good Chiropractor, they can make some dramatic improvements with some good manipulations. At MTS, we prefer to combine therapeutic […]
Spinal Health
Thoracic Spine Mobility: As Newton said many, many years ago “for every action, there is an opposite and equal reaction.” This is a basic principle of physics and applies to the human spine. So, when one part of the spine develops an unnatural curve, the rest of the spine will be affected. Balancing Act To […]
Sport Specific Movements
Thoracic Spine Mobility: The easiest way to explain the impact the Thoracic Spine has on sporting movements is to go watch a friendly golf outing between 2 gentlemen. One friend is the taller, thinner athlete, who doesn’t appear to be all that athletic, but has a smooth, “sweet” swing that appears effortless. His friend […]
Shoulder Injuries
Ankle Dorsiflexion: So, many people will think you are crazy if you tell them that you are going to fix their shoulder injury simply by fixing their poor ankle dorsiflexion. And, to a certain degree they’re right. We cannot say that a shoulder injury is completely due to a lack of dorsiflexion. We also can’t […]
Shoulder Performance
Thoracic Spine Mobility: When we talk about the performance capabilities of the shoulder, we are mostly talking about overhead athletes. This includes things like throwing a football, throwing a baseball, swimming, an overhead dumbbell press, or anything else that requires an athlete to take their had above their head. Obviously, in just about all sports, […]
Shoulder Joint Pain
Thoracic Spine Mobility: What does the Thoracic Spine have to do with the Shoulder joint? In one word… EVERYTHING!! As we discuss on a regular basis at MTS, everything is connected. So, to cut to the chase, is goes like this… The humerus sits in the glenoid and is stabilized in the glenohumeral joint by […]
References
1. Baechle, T.R. Essentials of Strength and Conditioning. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics, 1994. 2. Chu, D.A., Jumping Into Plyometrics. Champaign, IL: Leisure Press, 1992. 3. Chu, D.A., Korchemny, R., Sprinting Stride Actions: Analysis and Evaluation. NSCA Journal. 11(6). 1989. 4. Coaches Roundtable. Speed Development. NSCA Journal. 12-73. Jan 1984. 5. Corn, R.J., Knudson D. Effect […]
Peroneals-Posterior Tibialis Interaction
Imagine a classic tug of war… As one team pulls hard on the rope, the other team gives a little and stretches out their arms as the flag in the middle moves closer to the team which is pulling harder. Then, the team with outstretched arms regains their composure and pulls the flag back towards […]
Pec-Scapular Stabilizer Interaction
The old adage usually holds true that “every action has a an opposite and equal reaction.” With the human body, that usually means that if there is a restriction somewhere, there will be an issue somewhere else. As it pertains to the shoulder, a restriction in the Pecs (especially Pec Minor) will cause a poor […]
Overhead Movements
Thoracic Spine Mobility: Oftentimes athletes will use overhead pressing movements to improve shoulder strength. We also see a lot of coaches using the Overhead Squat Movements for a variety of reasons. Both are great exercises, when the athlete has the appropriate amount of Thoracic Spine Extension. Unfortunately, if the Thoracic Spine is locked up and […]
Plantar Fascia
Ankle Dorsiflexion: The Plantar Fascia is a thick layer of connective tissue that lines the bottom side of the foot. It’s primary role is to support the arch of the foot and give the foot structure. To review our anatomy, the Plantar Fascia originates on the base of the calcaneus (heel) and inserts on the […]
Proximal Tibiofibular Joint
Lateral Knee Pain: Many people will read this and wonder why this joint is so important? We never learned in anatomy or kinesiology that this joint was imporant because it has no real action or movement. WHEN IT COMES TO LATERAL KNEE PAIN, THIS JOINT USUALLY MEANS EVERYTHING! We discussed why typical treatment methods […]
Leg Lunges
Ankle Dorsiflexion: As we have discussed, there is a ripple effect up the entire kinetic chain. A dorsiflexion restriction is very evident in lunging patterns. A lunge is essentially a similar movement pattern as a squat, but it places a much larger load on the lead leg, due it’s single leg stance position. It necessitates […]
Joint Mobs
Ankle Dorsiflexion: If you are a sports medicine professional and looking for the best way to increase mobility and range of motion, joint mobs should be your technique of choice. Possessing good manual skills are part of what makes a good athletic trainer or physical therapist. Joint mobs are extremely beneficial, but also difficult to […]
Improved Sprint Mechanics
Everyone performing any kind of motor learning with an individual can attest that utilizing a very controlled environment is the easiest means to achieve desired results.The treadmill makes motion analysis very simple because of the controlled environment that the athlete is placed in. In most cases, it eliminates the need for video analysis because the […]
