Passive modalities form a significant part of the patient experience and can be an effective way to improve pain profiles, mobility and function in the short term. As sports chiropractors, we are expected to be able to provide a lot more than spinal or even peripheral adjustments. Soft tissue techniques such as Active Release Technique, Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Manipulation, Shockwave, Grip and Rip, Dry Needling, Laser, cupping etc. are among the tools that athletes expect us to have.

As practitioners, we’re getting better at putting out fires. Acute elbow pain – there’s a protocol for that. Patella tendon pain – there’s a few go-tos that can settle that down. However, what the evidence shows is that the biggest predictor for pain and injury is a previous injury. So what are we, as practitioners, missing? Does the absence of pain mean the problem is fixed, or are we missing something? Are we limited by our passive modalities?

The idea of addressing stability by training so-called stabilisers with isolated concentrics neglects the idea that true stabilisation is reflex driven and relies more on proprioception and timing than the intrinsic capacity of the muscle. (Cook, 2010)
Effective corrective strategies need to look at the whole movement pattern, use reflex driven stabilisation, variety, appropriate cuing as well as the absolute strength of the stabilisers.

The Move Strong Kettlebell course will build your confidence in delivering a thorough active care program to your patients that will go beyond traditional low threshold exercises. You will learn how to safely challenge patients in a way that builds self efficacy and breaks down movement fear avoidance and kinesiophobic behaviors.

Andrea

DC, BExSci, SFGII, SFL, ASCA, ICCSP

Matt

MChiro, BSc, BA, SFG II ASCA, ICCSP