Most Popular Articles on this site

Joe Heiler PT
I've become much more familiar with trigger point referral patterns and treating these out the past couple years since taking the Kinetacore Functional Dry Needling course. Some of the most common trigger points I end up dry needling and/or using Graston Technique to treat can be found in the medial gastrocnemius and soleus. Treating these areas can be very beneficial for those with plantarfasciosis and heel pain....keep reading

Dr. Ken Cieslak D.C., ATC, CSCS
Dr. Cieslak is back with another great webinar: reviewing the historical development of manipulative therapies, looking at the research as it compares manipulation to mobilization, and tackles controversial topics such as specificity of thrust, mechanical vs neurophysiological mechanisms of action, and indications/contraindications....keep reading

Kevin Neeld CSCS
In collegiate and professional athletics, the term "sports hernia" seems to be frequenting conversations more and more. While the diagnosis of a sports hernia seems to be increasing both in prevalence and media attention, the injury remains poorly understood and defined. An in-depth look into the associated research helps explain why there is so much confusion surrounding this injury....keep reading

Mahmoud Zaerian DC, CSCS
Loss of optimal neuro-motor and arthro-kinematic function in the ankle joint as seen in athletes with chronic ankle instability has been shown to lead to loss of optimal functioning up the kinetic chain to the pelvic girdle and even the shoulder girdle. This loss of optimal functioning at the ankle joint can be the underlying cog in the wheel and impediment to full recovery in other sports related injuries such as loss of GH joint motion, reduction in hip extension and strength and knee related symptoms....keep reading

Joe Heiler PT, CSCS
There are just certain things that seem to be a given in our culture nowadays and poor posture is one of them. A forward head and shoulder, kyphotic t-spine, and tight hip flexors can and will manifest themselves in a variety of dysfunctions, but for me its more neck pain than anything. Sitting over a computer a couple hours a day now doesn't help matters, but when I want to calm things down this is the quick exercise I'll use....keep reading

Michael Boyle
Who do we believe? The strength guys say something like "forget doing abs, just do heavy squats and deadlifts". Don't even say the word core around these guys. The functional guys say "lying down is not functional". The functional guys seem to be against any core training not done standing. If we proceeded logically we would see that both groups, the strength guys and the functional guys, at least agree that all good core training is done standing. As usual, I disagree with both parties....keep reading

Kevin Fay PT, DPT, CSCS and Joe Heiler PT, CSCS
Recently returned from sunny Tempe after attending the Selective Functional Movement Assessment Level 2 (of course it was snowing in Michigan - April 21st). As always Gray, Kyle, and Phil did an excellent job, and I never cease to be amazed at their clinical skills. Here are some of the highlights and important points from the conference....keep reading

These are some of the basic upper and lower body foam roller exercises that I use with my patients and athletes. Feel free to download and use them as you wish. Just head on over to the download page under 'Exercise PDFs'....keep reading

Here is another manual technique of the week from Patrick Ward working over Carson Boddicker. This time he goes over massaging the diaphragm. I also added a video they did quite a while ago demonstra...keep reading

Keats Snideman B.Sc., CSCS, RKC, LMT
In this webinar Keats will go over several facets of improving sprint performance with an emphasis on injury-prevention. Topics will include assessment/screening (including FMS implications), strength and conditioning work, core training, flexibility/mobility, recovery & regeneration ideas (including the importance of massage), programming and "Reality-Based" periodization. Also discussed will be the importance of sprint mechanics & relaxation and the controversy over generalized and specific "sprint" drills, etc.....keep reading

Perry Nickelston, DC, FMS, SFMA talks about the role of Active Isolate Stretching in recovery and regeneration programs, functional durability, performance enhancement and injury prevention. Learn the systems of implementation and protocols combined with fascial release and muscle activation drills to enhance results. Special attention on the 'Hip Cuff' and its relationship to the Joint by Joint Theory of movement. Discover the how, what, when, why and where of rope stretching to benefit your clients....keep reading

The jump stop is an important move during the game of basketball to get an advantage over the opponent. Similar positions are encountered in other sports as well. We analyze the movement demands as well as particular considerations for rehab and sports performance when preparing athletes for this particular move....keep reading

In this webinar, David discusses the background of the rugby league, typical injuries, his screening and prehab processes, the role of strength and conditioning, treatment approaches for acute and chronic injuries, and much more.....keep reading

Here is video #2 from my summer video session with Gray. I was fortunate enough to watch Gray treat a patient with hip and back pain who was injured golfing a day or two previous. The guy could barely walk through the door and was 12-14" from his toes on MS Flexion assessment. Gray treats out his hip using Dry Needling techniques and then takes him through MS Flexion progressions. Guy finishes the session about 2 inches off his toes (he can't remember the last time he was that close) and walks out feeling like a new man! In the video, I'm the patient and Gray takes you through the case and his thought process. This one is priceless!...keep reading

Gray discusses Functional Movement Taping as part of the Selective Functional Movement Assessment. He explains how FMT differs from traditional taping techniques, how and when to use it, and some of the different techniques for ankles, knees, and shoulders....keep reading

Nick Tumminello
After my article Stick Your Neck Out was published; I surprisingly caught some flack from the "hardcore" types just because I showed a stability ball being used in a few of the exercise applications. Since I'm not emotionally attached to any one piece of equipment or style of training, I was not upset in the least about this. However, it did make me realize how misunderstood the Swiss ball is within the "hardcore strength" community.
So, in light of this realization, I'm stepping up to set the record straight once and for all about Swiss balls and how they should and shouldn't be utilized in and effective strength program....keep reading

Joe Heiler
In part one of 'ACL Prevention', I spent quite a bit of time on how to nail the squat pattern, progressing to single leg squats, and ultimately to plyometric training. One area that was neglected somewhat was 'Hopping'. This is the crucial final component to any great prevention program, or rehab program for that matter....keep reading

Shelby Turcotte, MS, PES, YCS
About two years ago my professional life as a personal trainer, performance coach, and movement coach took a drastic turn; I attended a local Functional Movement® seminar with Lee Burton. It was at this seminar that I started to realize that there is much more practical knowledge available in the field of performance enhancement than I had previous realized. While talking with Mr. Burton I was inspired to begin thinking more "outside of the box" than I had done previously. After two days of movement analysis and corrective exercise progressions I began to think of innovative ways to help progress my athletes (and clients) more effectively than before....keep reading

Patrick Ward MS, CSCS, LMT
I'm kicking off a series of articles on soft tissue work and flexibility/mobility training, and thought I'd start with a great article by member Patrick Ward. Patrick first wrote it for his blog, Optimum Sports Performance, awhile back and I've been waiting for the chance to get it up so big thanks to him for letting me use it. Look for more articles to come on EQI stretching and foam rolling, a webinar from member Dr. Ken Ciezlak "Evaluating the Popular Soft Tissue Therapies", and much more......keep reading