Seeking elite level treatment and recovery in the NFL and what this means for you

Those of you that know me or have read my articles over the years, know that on a yearly basis, I head to Houston, Texas to learn and be inspired by cutting edge treatments and knowledge adopted by the NFL’s Houston Texans American football team. You may already realise that some of these all-world athletes command millions of dollars to execute athletic feats that many of us could only dream of achieving.

You’d also know that American football is one of the world’s more impactful collision sports, and so it stands to reason that on a weekly and daily basis, any number of athletes might be undergoing various recovery programs and maintenance regimens. All of which are painstakingly designed and put together to help ensure peak performance. That’s why I head out to Houston whenever invited, to learn and absorb. These visits help push ourselves and our clients towards consistent peak performance.

For me, it’s all about knowing what’s up, what happens and what’s next.

And the big news coming out of elite sports teams in the United States is data. Data Data Data. Data collection is key. When I was invited back to the NFL in June, I found that the Houston Texans had a whole new team of sports scientists analysing data – sprint data, acceleration, deceleration data, you name it. Whereas back in the day, it was common practice to have the team physio look over a particular player and instinctively know what needed to be done, and act on that knowledge. But let’s face it, in this day and age, we’re all seeking to understand why certain things happen, what can be done about them and why. In general terms, our appetite for information has increased exponentially.

Using the force… plates!

Force plates by Aussie company Vald, are an instrument whereby every detail of a movement that applies force to a surface can be monitored and yes, displayed on a giant monitor or screen. Thanks to the in-depth analysis of acceleration and deceleration and other elements of movement and forces that are applied by and to an athlete, real data can be displayed and examined.

What does that mean to you when you come to visit us at Evoker Physio Sydney City?

Well, in simple terms, it means that since we’ve been exposed to how elite athletes are monitored and cared for in the NFL we can bring that expertise, experience and suite of tools into play to help get you back to your personal best. Once we have this technology in-house, you will have a better visual understanding of why we’re asking you to follow a particular treatment strategy.

Our assessments based on empirical data from force plates, which we will show you, provide proof of concept. The data will build on your trust in our team and if you’re interested, you can delve into the data with us.

• Why am I applying more force through my left leg?
• During x movement, I seem to favour right side
• It’s really clear that my body is trying to adapt and protect this area which affects my gait…

We’ll see all of this and the data behind it, and you will be able to as well — there’s meaning to everything that we ask you to do in order to achieve your personal best, and you’ll be able to see that.

Defining and refining the use of BFR therapy

How three years of persistence and research is paying off for our patients

I first had the opportunity to see and study blood flow restriction therapy in the United States when I visited the Houston Texans in 2018. I remember writing about how this exciting technology was enabling elite athletes to get more from their rehabilitation routines than they would have without the new treatment. Here’s how I introduced the new technology to you way back in 2019.

“a remarkable practice that cuts off a significant percentage of the blood flow to affected limbs (50% to upper and 80% to lower) prior to training. The idea behind adopting high levels of “occlusion” is that by restricting the amount of oxygenated blood to the limb and then forcing it to train, you see much greater strength gains in much shorter periods of time, therefore allowing players to return to the field far quicker than through conventional rehabilitation.”

Well, there was some significant hesitancy in adopting this technology here in Australia three years ago. Now, Australian doctors are far more accepting of this therapy to aid recovery.

But I’m not just mentioning this to go over old ground. There has been a new wrinkle in terms of how best to utilise the treatment.

Here’s what we now know

When an injury is realised, we understand that one of the first things to occur is the shutdown of the small stabilising muscles. Understanding this is important because it affects the way we apply the blood flow restriction therapy. We need to use the BFR to help focus on the small stabilising muscles in the early phases of your rehab. We need to work on these so that more global strength work can be integrated into the programme, safely, at a later date.

This is all very important because, as we know, strength is almost always part of the solution. If the supporting stabilising muscles are in great shape, then our road to recovery is that much smoother. And once that challenge has been overcome, you’re on a much broader road to peak performance.

Performance points

The “power of or” and how it can help you

For most of us, holiday time is just around the corner. So whether you’re preparing for summer and lazy days on the beach, or perhaps a ski trip for some Northern Hemisphere fun, you’ll want to be at or near your best, physically. So, if you spend significant portions of your day sitting, remember to take standing breaks. That will at least help insulate you against the damage done by hours of desk work and immobility.

But here’s the big performance point for the month. When you’ve decided to start ramping up your exercise regime to return yourself to your former glory, remember the elements that you’re working with:

• Distance
• Volume
• Intensity

Often, we tried to increase all of these elements at once. We don’t realise the risk we’re putting our bodies at because we feel like we’re increasing at a slow enough rate so as to avoid any potential damage. However, the rule of thumb that I would like to offer you is increase distance OR volume first, prior to increasing intensity with each workout. Never all three at once. If you try to increase all three at the same time, you are tripling your risk of misadventure.

As always, planning is the key and you can create for yourself a workable schedule based on the “power of or” simply by scheduling when and how you’ll increase distance or volume, and then intensity during separate workouts.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR…

ADAM MONTEITH | FOUNDER & APA Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist
MHlth Sc (Manip Phty) BPhty BExSc

Connect with Adam Monteith on LinkedIn

After completing a rather unique double degree – a Bachelor of Physiotherapy & Exercise Science in 2003, & a Masters of Manipulative Physiotherapy at the University of Sydney in 2010 (a voluntary, yet brutal, undertaking for a physiotherapist who wants to be better), Adam established Evoker in 2011. A physiotherapy practice with a difference. & that difference, or ‘niche’, was absolute excellence. 100% of the time. Attention to customer service detail, & excellence in physiotherapy.

Adam’s career in physiotherapy began in the ‘elite’ sporting arena at the Brisbane Broncos Rugby League Club. The lessons learned in this ‘sink or swim’, high pressure environment of the 03/04/05 seasons, created a platform for Adam to really excel in this profession. Adam has accepted invitations to look after the physical health of other Physiotherapists, Doctors, Specialists, Surgeons & none other than a former Prime Minister of this country.

Adam Monteith is a highly skilled musculoskeletal physiotherapist. You can be assured that when you see Adam, your complaint will be thoroughly assessed, and he will use the most appropriate and up to date techniques to treat your problem. Adam’s treatment will always be governed by research. He is constantly analysing the results of the most recent clinical trials so that you can receive the most up to date treatment, helping you to get better sooner. Adam only ever uses evidenced based and clinically proven treatment techniques. Adam Monteith is also a member of the Australian Physiotherapy Association.

Adam is very time aware and prides himself on seeing his patients on time. With a greater than 10 year history of treating and servicing the busy professional in Sydney city, he respects your time and does his best not to keep you waiting.

Adam has:
25 years combined study & clinical experience in physiotherapy/physical therapy
Worked in the heart of Sydney city for more than 15 years
Worked with both the elite athlete & ‘weekend warrior’
Had great success in treating:
– Acute sporting injuries
– Overuse running, cycling & swimming injuries
– Post operative shoulders, hips, knees and ankles
– Complex neck & back cases.
– Adam is often called on for 2nd and 3rd opinions in these complex scenarios.

Expect: A good listener, time spent in assessment phase, plenty of ‘hands on’ physio and exercise.