Mike Mathews

Husband. Father. Physical Therapist. Strength Coach.

[Mike Mathews @mikemathewsdpt]

Some thing that I see my students commonly miss is that they don’t ask the client what they expect to get out of the treatment for that day. Setting the expectation (both for the client and clinician) allows for optimal achievement of the CLIENT’s goals and improved satisfaction.

[Mike Mathews @mikemathewsdpt]

Clients routinely ask me what “exercises” are best for “blank” condition/injury. My answer to nearly all of these questions is a question: How do you know it is “blank” condition? Quality exercise/rehab prescription is preceded by a quality diagnosis.

[Mike Mathews @mikemathewsdpt]

Most players don’t get hurt DOING weighted ball programs but rather get hurt from the effects of the weighted ball programs, mainly increased range of motion (external rotation). - ASMI Injuries in Baseball Course

[Mike Mathews @mikemathewsdpt]

Identify the alignment or movement fault, correct it, and then strengthen the new movement pattern. #simplicity

[Mike Mathews @mikemathewsdpt]

“Therapeutic interventions to diminish inflammation have been explored with mixed success, likely because inflammation is a component of a healthy biological response that ushers in a healing cascade.” Andarawis-Puri et al 2015. Interesting thought on tendon health and healing.

[Mike Mathews @mikemathewsdpt]

4/5: Symmetry is making sure that as you grind you don’t lose the effectiveness of the movement. This usually requires offset loads (ie: single leg RDLs or single arm bench press) to make sure that the athlete is building/maintaining symmetry while grinding.

[Mike Mathews @mikemathewsdpt]

5/5: Ballistics is taking the movement and performing it at high speeds. (ie: KB Swing for the hinge) Athletes have to earn to be in this territory of training. Poor patterning, insufficient grinding, and/or asymmetry disqualify an athlete from ballistics.

[Mike Mathews @mikemathewsdpt]

3/5: Grinding is what I would consider building strength in a particular movement (ie: deadlift for the hinge or goblet squat for the squat). Apply load that requires the body to adapt (build/recruit more muscle) so that the body can lift a larger load later.

[Mike Mathews @mikemathewsdpt]

2/5: Patterning means teaching the specific movements (hinge, squat, push, pull, etc). Typically without load or with a load that contributes to the learning of the movement.

[Mike Mathews @mikemathewsdpt]

1/5: I have found the following teaching progression from Dan John highly effective when coaching/training athletes in a variety of lifts: Patterning-Grinding-Symmetry-Ballistics

[Mike Mathews @mikemathewsdpt]

Just posted a photo https://t.co/Rl3u04uomy

[Mike Mathews @mikemathewsdpt]

I love getting these texts! #baseball #baseballrehab @athlpotential https://t.co/RTv66JMhQK

[Mike Mathews @mikemathewsdpt]

“Prod it (your injured tissue), don’t push it. Go a little bit… little bit… little bit… little bit.” Dan John on training during an injury phase. This is why I (PTs) have a job. We are professional “prodders”knowing just how much to stress your injured tissue and in what ways.

[Mike Mathews @mikemathewsdpt]

“Cause enough pain free stress to sufficiently activate the involved muscles for the desired period of time without producing sufficient stress to cause fatigue.” Gary Reinl summed up therapeutic exercise (and most treatment) in one sentence. #physicaltherapy #physiotherapy

[Mike Mathews @mikemathewsdpt]

Just posted a photo https://t.co/LvjurBlvQl

[Mike Mathews @mikemathewsdpt]

@ChrisCampMD @OfficialJAAOS @EricMakhniMD @Lafi_KhalilMD @mayoclinicsport @HenryFordHealth Was fortunate to help with this study in gathering the data from players. This perception is true and I found it very interesting/alarming as similar velocity gains can be seen from good strength and conditioning WITHOUT risk!

[Christopher Camp, MD @ChrisCampMD]

Survey of 376 college/pro baseball players on Weighted Balls. #’s to know👇

71% use WB
#1 reason: ⬆️ velo
75% say WB ⬆️ performance
73% say WB ⬆️ injury
17% link prior injury to WB
72% will use WB in future

Most see a risk, but are willing to take it

https://t.co/1mh96xa3s7

[Mike Mathews @mikemathewsdpt]

Without a standard of movement then everyone thinks they are excellent. Standards allow for proper assessment and prescription of movement and exercise to allow for continual advancements. Don’t know your standard? Find someone who does. #strengthcoach #physicaltherapist

[Nate Dowdle @NateDowdle]

This guy has been keeping this girl healthy throughout her first HS soccer season. Thanks, @mikemathewsdpt! https://t.co/45ew6EptIn

[Mike Mathews @mikemathewsdpt]

Speed development (running, throwing, etc) may be more about taking away any “brakes” that don’t allow for top speed than developing more speed in the system.