Rehab to Resilience: Transforming Sports Therapy Outcomes

Presented by Jim Rivard

Video Runtime: 76 Minutes; Learning Assessment Time: 39 Minutes

This course explores the intersection of advanced sports manual therapy techniques, tissue-specific rehabilitation, and athletic performance optimization. This course bridges the gap between pathoanatomical and impairment-based frameworks, providing a comprehensive approach to improving patient outcomes. Participants will learn to assess and treat athletes with diverse presentations, using evidence-based methods to enhance tissue repair, resilience, and movement efficiency. This course is designed for athletic trainers and physical therapists in clinical, outpatient, and sports performance settings who seek to refine their diagnostic skills and interventions, empowering them to foster long-term resilience and optimal athletic performance in their patients.

Learning Objectives

Analyze sports manual therapy models to bridge pathoanatomical and impairment frameworks for improved patient care delivery
Determine the impact of rehabilitation strategies on the mechanical properties of tissue repair
Organize rehabilitation programs by integrating mechanotherapy, joint mobility interventions, and motor control
Select manual therapy techniques to enhance tissue resilience and athletic performance

Course Series Overview

Meet your instructor

A person with spiky hair in a light suit and patterned tie stands indoors, representing modern hybrid care for medbridge.

Jim Rivard

Jim Rivard received his bachelor of science in physical therapy from the University of Puget Sound in 1988. He then completed four years of postgraduate residency and fellowship training at the Ola Grimsby Institute (OGI) and a chronic pain management certificate program at McGill University. Jim is the founder of MTI…

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Chapters & learning objectives

1. Sports Manual Therapy (SMT) Models of Practice

This chapter introduces the foundational models of sports manual therapy, focusing on pathoanatomical and impairment-based approaches. Participants will explore how these frameworks can be integrated to address biomechanical, neurophysiological, and biochemical factors. Emphasis is placed on the biopsychosocial influences impacting athletes, guiding clinicians in tailoring interventions that address both tissue health and individual patient needs.

2. Mechanotherapy and Movement

In this chapter, participants will delve into mechanotherapy as a tool for tissue repair and stress/strain tolerance enhancement. The content highlights the importance of specificity in rehabilitation, from optimizing exercise dosage to integrating tissue-sparing strategies. Real-world applications are discussed, focusing on the progression of rehabilitation through strength and conditioning to athletic performance.

3. Passive and Active Impacts on Mechanical Properties of Collagen

This chapter focuses on the mechanical properties of collagen and their role in tissue rehabilitation. Participants will analyze the effects of different speeds and forces on collagen health and repair. Strategies to minimize negative impacts of immobilization while maximizing tissue elasticity, plasticity, and resilience are emphasized, equipping clinicians with practical techniques for early and advanced stages of rehabilitation.

4. When Collagen Injuries Stop Talking Back

This chapter examines the interplay of biomechanical and neurological models in addressing movement impairments in athletes. Clinicians will learn how to identify and reverse manual therapy lesions, optimize afferent feedback, and improve motor control. Case examples demonstrate the transition from manual therapy interventions to functional and athletic movement patterns, underscoring the importance of evidence-guided practice in achieving optimal outcomes.

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