07/03/2020
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Fixing technique problems & rehabbing injury often starts with returning to the basics of movement. Often the most simple exercises (when done correctly) can expose & help fix problems in mobility and stability. However, there comes a time where we also need to load the body.🏋🏼♂️
Many athletes can hide problems in stability and mobility with bodyweight movements. It’s not until they are challenged by loading a movement that the problem is made visible. This is why load can be a great teaching tool.👍🏼
Example: an athlete returning from knee injury goes through their rehab where single leg squats and relatively light exercises are performed. They’re eventually pain free & their rehab professional says “okay you can go back to your prior training” without ever loading them IN CLINIC. However as soon as the athlete starts loading their deadlift or squat in training their technique problem of a hip shift or twist comes out. The physical therapist, chiro or athletic training may have never seen it because they never tested the athletes capacity under anything but light loads!🤯
Takeaway: rehab isn’t just “lay on the bed and do these simple exercises.” If you are trying to return to heavy lifting, you MUST test that capacity with your rehab specialist. That’s one reason why I judge my physical therapy clinics based on whether they even have a squat rack...many unfortunately don’t. If you want to truly fix problems, you need to address movement across a range of loads!🏋🏼♂️
