A Relationship-Based Approach to Recovering from Sports Injury with Dr. Brian Gurney of beFIT- EP058
Being sidelined due to injury is a struggle for athletes of all skill levels. The ability to move well and achieve peak performance is part of who you are, and it is beyond frustrating to feel like you may never get that back. Finding the right practitioner—be it a physiotherapist, chiropractor or osteopath—can be just as challenging. What certifications should you be looking for? What modalities are the most effective? How much one-on-one time will your therapist be willing to spend learning about you and your condition?
Dr. Brian Gurney is a physical therapist and personal trainer at beFIT, a clinic founded on the philosophy that every client deserves the full attention of their therapist. Brian is a licensed Doctor of Physical Therapy and certified Sports Clinical Specialist, and his area of expertise is movement disorders related to sports and spine injuries. Before beFIT, he was the head of a large private practice in New York City, and he has treated a number of high-profile clients including NFL, NHL, MLB and IFBB athletes as well as professional dancers.
Today, Brian explains how his love of sports and movement led to his decision to become a physiotherapist, helping athletes recover from injury and return to high-level performance. He shares his approach to working with clients, discussing why manual therapy and exercises are the best treatment options. Brian offers insight on avoiding injury with hip mobility exercises and regular movement throughout the day. Listen in for Brian’s take on body weight strengthening exercise as the best route to overall health and learn what to look for in a physiotherapist, chiropractor or osteopath—because the approach is more important than the title!
Topics Covered
[1:12] How Brian became a physiotherapist- Plan to become aerospace engineer
- Couldn’t imagine sitting all day
- Considered teaching, coaching
- Discovered exercise science
- Physical therapy good complement
- ‘Lift as much as possible’ in high school
- Shift to total body approach, focus on core strength and mobility
- Manual therapy
- Exercise to correct imbalances
- Educate around cause of injury
- Emphasize importance of consistency
- App to facilitate accountability
- Studies very poor, not proven effective
- Dry needling
- Adequate time to evaluate, educate patient
- Background in manual therapy, exercise
- Licensed Sports Clinical Specialist
- People participate in sports longer
- Not educated in how to exercise properly
- Classes may not cater to individual
- Body weight strengthening exercises
- Tightness in hips (affects lower back)
- Tightness through upper back, shoulders (affects neck)
- Caused by sitting for long periods
- Mobility exercises in hips, ankles and shoulders
- Standing desk
- Movement every hour
- Body builder with torn patella
- Couldn’t lift leg after surgery
- Back on stage after year
- 2nd place at Arnold
- Encourage exercise of entire body
- Neurological connection helps recover
- Objective measure, desire to match
- One-on-one, hour-long sessions
- Time to evaluate, educate patients
- Establish connection with clients
- App available as accountability tool
- PTs available to answer questions
- Up front with patient about costs
Learn More About Brian
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