How can a CAMPT Physiotherapist help CrossFit Athletes?
CrossFit has great coaching on how to engage muscle groups, and brace muscles so that the deadlift, clean, snatch and other olympic lifts are performed safely and effectively.
There is a missing piece here, and that’s mobility. A lot of time is spent engaging and turning muscles on, and there is very little time relaxing muscles such as glutes, hamstrings and upper trapezius.
Common injuries that CrossFit athletes face include:
- Rotator cuff tendinitis, tear or shoulder impingement
- Long head of Biceps tendinitis, tendinosis or tear
- Neck pain, headaches or migraines
- Low back pain
- Sciatica
An advanced practice Physiotherapist such as a CAMPT therapist will start with a comprehensive assessment. This will include a detailed history, a movement assessment and a manual therapy assessment. We will look for areas of decreased mobility, muscle shortening, or nerve sensitivity.
Following our thorough assessment we will design an individualized treatment plan. Treatment options with a CAMPT therapist can include highly skilled manual therapy and manipulation techniques.
Part of every treatment plan will include detailed and specific exercises to address your issues.
Here are some key stretches for CrossFit Athletes that can help increase range of motion, which can lead to big strength and power gains. Remember that if these exercises cause pain, stop doing them and consult us immediately.
Downward Dog is a great stretch and yoga pose that will work mobility into your hamstrings, glutes, lumbar spine (low back), gastrocs (calves), and also create extension and mobility in your thoracic spine (upper back) and shoulders.
Pigeon Pose is typically a tough one for CrossFitters as we generally have strong and deeply engaged glutes. This is a great way to create more space in your hips.
The seated twist is a great way for athletes to increase mobility of the thoracic spine or mid back
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