Optimize and Enhance Performance

The Best Self Myofascial Release Tools

January 23, 2017

Not all foam rollers and self myofascial release tools are the same. It’s really important to choose the right tool for the right need. I’ve tried so many different tools, here are a variety of the best tools that I recommend.

Hip Variations and Why My Squat Isn’t Your Squat

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November 1, 2016

Today’s article is an AMAZING guest post from my friend Dean Somerset. I’ve been talking a lot lately about how hip anatomy should change your mechanics and why exercises like squats should be individualized based on each person, but Dean blows this topic out of the water with this article.

Should Everyone Deadlift?

October 10, 2016

The deadlift is an amazing exercise, but often underutilized, especially in the rehabilitation setting. This is a shame because the deadlift can be very helpful for many people. In this article I discuss why I feel the deadlift should be an important part of anyone’s program, especially those in rehabilitation.

3 Ways to Modify the Deadlift so Anyone Can Perform

October 3, 2016

This month's Inner Circle webinar is on 3 Ways to Modify the Deadlift so Anyone Can Perform. In this presentation, I break down the 3 most common reasons why people often don’t perform a deadlift: the inability to load, poor hinge patterns, and altered hip anatomy. Deadlifts are great, and especially underutilized in rehab, but with these 3 modifications, anyone should be able to perform.

Working Core Training in 360 Degrees

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September 19, 2016

There’s more to core training than sit ups and planks. To truly maximize function, you need to train the core in 360 degrees to stabilize and transmit forces.

Layering The Basics For Optimal Movement

August 1, 2016

This week’s post comes from my friend and colleague at Champion, Dave Tilley. Dave is no doubt one of the most impressive up-and-coming PTs out there right now and we are thrilled to have him part of our team at Champion. In this day and age, I’m seeing more and more students and young professionals skip the basics. In this post, Dave talks about how he focuses on some of the basics to achieve optimal performance.It’s good to take a step back and make sure we have addressed the low hanging fruit before we scale the entire tree. Only once the basics are covered can we start tackling more complex concepts to help optimize their movement or performance.

An Easy Drill to Enhance Thoracic Extension

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July 11, 2016

One of my big principles of rehabilitation and corrective exercises is that you follow up mobility drills with some sort of activation or strengthening drill. You want to use the body in this newly gained mobility.For some reason, I feel like this is often ignored with thoracic mobility.In the video below I show an extremely easy way to start working on thoracic extension endurance. Certainly not groundbreaking, but an important drill that is often overlooked.

Enhancing Thoracic Mobility

June 27, 2016

Limited mobility of the thoracic spine is a common finding and something that tends to get worse over time. To me, it's one of those "use it or lose it" types of mobility in the body. Several issues can occur from limited thoracic mobility, such as shoulder, neck, and even low back pain.Thoracic mobility drills are common, but only part of the puzzle. I have a new presentation where I'll be reviewing some of the self mobility, manual therapy techniques, and corrective exercises I use to enhance thoracic mobility.

What Exactly is Optimal Movement Quality?

June 8, 2016

I usually think of optimal movement as simply two things: 1) Do the right joints move (and the wrong ones don’t)? And 2) Do the right muscles work (and the wrong ones don’t)?Simple. Watch this video to learn more about what I mean.

The Use of Non Motorized Treadmills to Facilitate Gait and The Posterior Chain

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May 31, 2016

We’ve recently started playing more with non motorized treadmills at Champion and have been very happy with the results. They are great at facilitating a normal gait pattern and engaging the posterior chain. I explain more in this video.

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The Best Self Myofascial Release Tools

Hip Variations and Why My Squat Isn’t Your Squat

Should Everyone Deadlift?

3 Ways to Modify the Deadlift so Anyone Can Perform

Working Core Training in 360 Degrees

Layering The Basics For Optimal Movement

An Easy Drill to Enhance Thoracic Extension

Enhancing Thoracic Mobility

What Exactly is Optimal Movement Quality?

The Use of Non Motorized Treadmills to Facilitate Gait and The Posterior Chain

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