‘Athletes’ Archives
posted on January 12th, 2013, by Rich. Comments Off posted so far.
With NFL fans and the popularity of Robert Griffin III, the question has been raised, how will RG III do after knee surgery? And will he be able to match the speedy recovery of Adrian Peterson?
According to reports Dr. James Andrews repaired Griffin’s anterior cruciate and lateral collateral ligaments on Wednesday January 9, 2013. The average return to sport with ACL reconstruction is in the 1-2 year range. But with today’s advanced techniques the outcomes have gotten better and better. Injuries which were once career ending are now just a 1 year hiatus from the game.
When considering when RG III will return to NFL football, there are many, many factors to consider. In my opinion here are a few of the main considerations for a full recovery:
- How did the surgery go? 5 hours is a long time. How much damage was there? How good was the repair. Will there be any post surgical complications like infections.
- The rehab: How efficiently and effectively will the Doctors, Physical Therapists and rehab team communicate, work together and inspire each other to succeed.
- Good fortune.
- The heart and drive of the player and his rehab team.
Moving too fast or too slow can impair progress. And coming back too soon can lead to re-injury or even new injuries.
So by now the rehab process should have begun, with physical therapy well underway. The early recovery seeks to heal the acute affects of surgery swelling, lack of motion, and lack of muscle firing, while protecting the repair. The second phase of recovery involves strengthening, coordination, balance and muscle re-education. In the third phase, strengthening, conditioning, coordination and agility are progressed, while in the forth phase the player moves into functional training and conditioning in preparation for return to sport. Each phase has criteria for advancement. In the end, successful completion of each phase of recovery and timely progression to the next will determine his return to football.
“When adversity strikes you respond in one of two ways….You step aside and give in..Or you step up and fight.” Robert Griffin III
Given his attitude, determination and strength of character, I’d bet on Griffin III’s return to football to be sooner than later. I wish him well and look forward to see him back on the field. He seems to be a great role model, and a great asset to the NFL.
For more information on ACL reconstruction and rehab, like us on Facebook , follow us on Twitter, or contact our office.
photo credit: Richard Lipski, AP
filed under ACL injury, Athletes, Physical Therapy, Sports injury.
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posted on January 31st, 2012, by Rich. 1 Comment posted so far.
It’s Super Bowl week and all of the talk is about the big game. Much of the conversation is in comparing the play of quarterbacks Eli Manning and Tom Brady. When comparing quarterbacks, arm strength and ability to throw the football are always at the top of discussion. But what goes into a quarterback’s arm strength and ability to throw?
Throwing, kicking, and hitting activities all depend on what is called “the kinetic sequence”. This is a series of body movements that transfer energy from the ground up the chain of body segments to deliver a whip-like force to the end segment. In throwing, this series of movements create the “whip” upon the hand and finally the football. The more efficient the whip, the more power is generated to the ball. In a recent article, Sam Borden summarizes how in spite of his physical size, Eli Manning generates tremendous arm strength from the ground up. To be one of the best takes more than brute strength; it takes technique, physical ability, and a great mindset. And both of our Superbowl Quarterbacks have it.
The keys to an efficient kinetic sequence rely on several factors including the following:
- Fundamentals – Quarterbacks must develop good throwing technique. What is the good technique or throwing sequence? Watch this Sports Science episode to see Drew Brees’ technique and incredible accuracy.
- Flexibility - Quarterbacks must develop the muscular flexibility and joint range of motion to create load and store energy to release the “whip” in the throw.
- Core strength/stability - Quarterbacks must have core stability, or the strength within the body to stabilize individual moving parts to help transfer energy to the next moving segment.
- In addition to physical characteristics and the kinetic sequencing of throwing, mindset is a huge component of a quarterback’s success. Both Tom Brady and Eli Manning have the right mindset. They have the belief, trust, and confidence in what they are doing to free their mind and body to make good throws. For more on mindset and brain power read this article on Drew Brees
Quarterbacks like Eli Manning, Tom Brady, and Drew Brees have all of these qualities. This is what makes them great.
For NFL quarterbacks, functional training is about training the specific movement patterns and sequences necessary to throw.
So while watching the Superbowl, take time to recognize the expertise and skill with which both quarterbacks play, and to think about your own athletic abilities. Are you training for function? Are your workouts specific?
For more tips and information, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter. If you have any questions about functional training, give us a call.
Image by: AJ Guel Photography
filed under Athletes, Performance Training.
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posted on August 3rd, 2011, by Rich. Comments Off posted so far.
Which racquet is right for you?
The type of racquet you use on the tennis court can play a huge role in the amount of stress you put on the hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder. Injuries such as wrist tendonitis, tennis elbow, and rotator cuff tears can all be in part caused by the racquet you use. Here are a couple things to consider, when choosing a tennis racquet:
-Larger racquet head! Contacting the ball in the center of the racquet instead of the outer frame will reduce the amount of stress on the arm. A professional can get by with using a smaller racquet head, but a beginner may want to use a larger racquet head to assure clean ball contact and decrease stress to the arm.
-Ease Up! Gripping the racquet too tight prior to ball impact increases the vibration load on the arm. Try lightening up on your grip.
-Just ease the tension! When getting your racquet strung, try reducing the string tension. This will allow the ball to spend more time on the strings during contact, which decreases the average stress on the arm with each stroke.
-Heavier or lighter? A heavier racquet will place less stress on the arm in terms of initial shock created by impact. However, a heavier racquet will require more muscle activation to create racquet head speed. So a lighter racquet may be preferred for a beginner adult or junior player.
So which racquet will you choose? When in doubt, “demo” a few racquets from your favorite tennis store in order to find the perfect one for you. Get some input from your tennis pro. They will be able to provide some valuable advice based on your style of game.
Just remember, a racquet that has a larger head, is of moderate weight, strung at moderate tension, and gripped loosely before and during impact combines the best characteristics to decrease the risk of injury from the interaction of the ball hitting the racquet.
Final thought! A tennis racquet is just one factor in reducing the risk of common overuse injuries. The forearm and arm muscles have a large capacity to absorb the stresses placed on the arm as long as those muscles are strong and flexible. A good tennis strength and conditioning program can be helpful in addressing those muscles that need work. Proper stroke technique and an appropriate training schedule are also important factors that reduce the risk of injury as well improve your tennis performance.
If you have any questions about tennis health and fitness please call us at 504-841-0150 or follow us on Twitter @BaudryTherapy.
- Kevin Dessauer, DPT
Some of the information from this article came from the USTA Sports Science Committee White Paper on Tennis Technique and Injury Prevention.
filed under Athletes, Sports injury, Tennis.
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posted on August 2nd, 2011, by Rich. Comments Off posted so far.
Plantar fasciitis one of those diagnoses that can be difficult to deal with. It has been reported to occur in 2 million Americans per year and in 10% of the population over a lifetime. I frequently see patients with a long history of plantar fasciitis or heel pain who have tried many things and seen many experts, before getting to my office.
One of the reasons plantar fasciitis is so tough is that the cause is usually multi-factoral. In addition to foot wear, trauma, or environmental hazards, there is usually a combination of flexibility, mobility, and strength issues that contribute to the problem. Without addressing all of the factors, the treatment fails. The best treatment approach I have come across for plantar fasciitis is physical therapy utilizing the ASTYM technique. This treatment approach is thorough and looks at the many factors involved with plantar fasciitis.
Click here to watch a short video of the ASTYM process.
Here is a recent patient account of their experience with this condition:
Rich:
Just a note to thank you for your help in resolving my heel problem with ASTYM therapy treatments and stretching exercises. When I was referred to you by my son-in-law, who as you know is also a physical therapist, I was literally at the end of the road in trying to resolve the pain in my heel from plantar fasciitis, which started about 6 months ago. I tried a podiatrist whose primary therapy was steroid injections, alternating hot and cold wraps, a walking boot, a splint at night, various insoles and orthotics, and ultrasound treatments, all to no avail. After 10 ASTYM treatments over a period of approximately 2 1/2 months, along with your prescribed stretching exercises, I can report that I am virtually pain free. From your initial evaluation through the last treatment, you and your staff have been professional, thorough and efficient. You must continue to spread the word about the benefits of ASTYM, as will I.
Have you had plantar fasciitis? Are you looking for treatment for your plantar fasciitis right now? We want to hear from you. Don’t let plantar fasciitis stop you in your tracks. Tell us about your experience and let’s see if together we can get you back to tip top shape.
- Rich
filed under Aches and Pains, Athletes, Physical Therapy, Running, Sports injury.
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posted on June 30th, 2011, by Rich. Comments Off posted so far.
Golfer’s elbow, like tennis elbow, is a common problem seen not only in golfers, but tennis players, throwers and even carpenters. Golfer’s Elbow, also known as medial epicondylitis, is defined as an inflammatory process involving the the muscles/tendons in the inside of the forearm that flex or bend the elbow and wrist. This condition is characterized by pain in the area of the inside of the elbow and forearm. These symptoms are usually made worse with gripping activities, and impact activities like hitting golf balls or tennis balls.
There can be many causes for golfer’s elbow. Most commonly I’ve seen it as the result of an overuse type injury.
The good news is that with proper diagnosis and a good treatment plan these conditions usually resolve. But don’t wait to see if your symptoms will go away on their own, take action.
My recommendations for when you think you have golfer’s elbow are to:
1) See your physician for proper diagnosis. He/she will be able to diagnose your problem and present options for recovery.
2) See your physical therapist for evaluation and treatment. Physical therapists can uncover the contributing factors leading to the problem and develop a comprehensive program to promote healing and return to the game.
One of the most beneficial treatment approaches for golfer’s elbow that we have used in our clinic is ASTYM. ASTYM is a system of treatment that stimulates soft tissue healing through coordinated deep soft tissue mobilization and reconditioning. This system has proven to provide an ideal environment for healing. For best PT results find a therapist that uses ASTYM.
Additional keys to treating golfer’s elbow:
- Early intervention. Seek out the advice of a medical professional as soon as symptoms are recognized. Do not assume the problem will just go away.
- Make sure you clearly understand the injury and why it is happening.
- Consult medical professionals you trust and who can provide you with a clear plan for recovery. Your treatment should involve a strategy to decrease pain and promote healing while addressing the causes and promoting reconditioning of the damaged tissue. You need a plan that will get you back in the game.
- Work with your tennis or golf professional for technique management and proper equipment fitting. Faulty mechanics and inappropriate equipment can definitely contribute to the problem.
For more information on golfer’s elbow and appropriate treatment options please feel free to respond to this blog, email or call us at 504 841 0150.
filed under Aches and Pains, Athletes, Athletics, Golf conditioning, Men's Health, Physical Therapy, Recreational Activities, Sports injury, Tennis.
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posted on June 23rd, 2011, by Rich. Comments Off posted so far.
Sarcopenia is defined as the age associated loss of strength and muscle mass. Sarcopenia affects us all, as we age. Starting as early as the mid to late 30′s, it is common to see a slow loss in strength. This gradual loss of strength is often associated with pain and eventually a loss of function. It appears that for men, the strength loss occurs at a greater rate than it does for our women counterparts.
This scenario is seen over and over in our clinic. Men will come into the clinic with some sort of pain. This is usually a pain that they have been dealing with for a long time. They come through our doors because the pain has gotten so bad that it is interfering with the things they want to do, like playing golf, tennis, or even working. Upon evaluation 2 things quickly become apparent:
- there is a loss of mobility
- lack of strength/stability
Strength loss can significantly affect your ability to do the things you like to do. If you have given up on some of your favorite activities, have trouble competing at the same level, or are looking to prevent this from happening to you, try strength training.
Here are some tips to get you started:
- To get stronger you need resistance exercises. Generally you should select a resistance that you are able to do about 8-12 repetitions.
- Slower is better than faster. Lift the weight slowly and with good control. This will help you recruit more muscle fiber and reduce chances of injury.
- Strength can be gained with as little as 1 set of an exercise, 1 to 2 times per week.
- Allow for enough recovery time between workouts. I like at least 48 hour recovery period. In general, the harder you work out the longer the recovery needed.
- Body weight exercises are great. Exercises like push ups, pull ups and bridges can be an effective, inexpensive option. Remember to perform the exercises slowly. If these are too hard to complete 8-12 reps, modify the exercise to make it easier.
- Weight machines are another way to get started with strength training. Use a variety of machines to promote muscle balance. Choose a resistance that you can complete 8-12 slow repetitions.
- Use good form and don’t work into pain.
- For best results you should consult a professional to specifically design your program. There are many things that go into effective strength training. A physical therapist or exercise physiologist are ideal to fit your specific needs.
For additional information on strength training or the programs here at Baudry Therapy Center please feel free to comment or contact our office at 504 841 0150.
filed under Aches and Pains, Athletes, Back pain, Core stability, Exercise, Healthy Living, Men's Health, Physical Therapy, Recreational Activities, Senior Health, Weight training.
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posted on May 26th, 2011, by Rich. Comments Off posted so far.
The occurance of serious knee injuries is up to five times higher in females than males.
Sportsmetrics programs have proven to decrease knee injuries in female athletes.
To find out more about sports training and preventing knee injuries please call us at 504 841-0150, or see www.sportsmetrics.net
filed under ACL injury, Athletes, Athletics, Exercise, Sports injury, Women's Health.
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posted on April 21st, 2011, by editor. 3 Comments posted so far.
By Rich Baudry PT, DPT, OCS
There is a lot of buzz about Crescent City Classic this week. The famous annual race is held the Saturday before Easter Sunday. People come from far and wide to participate in this great event for many reasons: in honor of a loved one, to run their first race, or just another excuse to have a great time New Orleans style…you name the reason, that’s why people participate in the Crescent City Classic!
I look at the Crescent City Classic as a time to celebrate. I enjoy running with friends and family. We celebrate our ability to run and enjoy each others company along the way. It’s great to get out there and enjoy exercising with 1,000’s of fellow New Orleans natives.
Race prep starts a day or two before the event with some hydration; I drink plenty of water the day before and day of the race. I try to eat balanced meals with fruits and vegetables. I make plans with friends for driving, pickups, etc. The day of the event I have a light breakfast, make sure my socks are on and shoes laced up right…now I’m race bound and ready to experience the Crescent City Classic!
The “cattle” are herded into position. There is a light buzz of chatter and excitement at the starting line.
As the race begins you try not to trip over someone, or their cooler, while bouncing off other runners and having a great time. You try very hard to stay with your friends, getting distracted by fun costumes at times. I love it! Easing into the run, reaching a steady pace. I don’t try to race as there is not much of a point to that. If you are competing for time, you should run somewhere else as this race is for you to enjoy all of the hard work you’ve put in training day-in and day-out. So, there is really no pressure to perform and you really don’t even think about running. You’re enjoying the people around you, the music from the sidelines, and the many sights of runners in costume. You see short and tall, skinny and not so skinny but mostly you see enjoyment. Crescent City Classic is a race for everyone.
Crescent City Classic after party makes the day’s event even more fun by providing a festival type atmosphere. Jambalaya, cold beer and live music. It’s awesome!!! Everyone has that euphoric post run feeling. The crowd is full of energy, relaxed, and living in the moment. For a short time, there are no thoughts of the stress of work and responsibilities that need to get done.
That’s what I like about the Crescent City Classic. I hope you come out this year to join us and enjoy this classic event.
What’s your favorite Crescent City Classic experience?
filed under Athletes, Exercise, News & Events, Running.
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posted on April 15th, 2011, by editor. Comments Off posted so far.
Rich Baudry and Brandon Rousseve of Baudry Therapy Center discuss throwing dynamics. Learn how to throw like a pro and get prepped for spring baseball season!
filed under Athletes, Baseball Training, Recreational Activities.
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posted on April 2nd, 2011, by editor. Comments Off posted so far.
Rich Baudry and Brandon Rousseve of Baudry Therapy Center discuss baseball training drills geared to strengthen your throwing arm, giving you the power to throw all season long.
filed under Athletes, Baseball Training, Exercise.
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