Tearing your Achilles tendon is a major injury that may require surgery. While some people can recover from an Achilles rupture without surgery, some will require surgery in order to return to highly ballistic and plyometric sports like gymnastics and olympic weightlifting.   Stacie Barber, PT is a physical therapist, nationally competitive weightlifter, recreational gymnastics, and PT practice owner of The Physio Fix sustained a full rupture of her Achilles tendon at her first annual holiday party. While this injury was devastating emotionally and physically, it did not happen during her chosen sport, but rather during a Ninja Warrior holiday party!   After the shock of the injury wore off, Stacie connected with an orthopedic surgeon regarding her options for recovery. Just three days after the injury Stacie underwent surgery and returned to work two days later. The main factor in deciding to go the surgical route for the Achilles rupture was that there was a 9 cm gap between both ends of the torn tendon and no overlap when she was put in full plantar flexion. This meant that there was little opportunity for the tendon to heal itself.   In this episode of the PRS Podcast, Dr. Stacie Barbell shares the story of her recovery after the surgery, how she continued to train and maintain her strength the whole time, and the process by which she returned to olympic weightlifting and gymnastics after the Achilles rupture with surgery.   In this episode we discuss: What clinical factors lead to the decision to have Achilles rupture repair surgery How her post-op protocol for Achilles surgery varied from the typical protocol and why Footwear and assistive devices for Achillies repairs and how they helped/hindered Complications she experienced after the surgery and the process to address them How she continued to train without interruption post injury  Kneeling & seated lifts to continue to train olympic lifts How long it took and how she progressed to get back to full ROM, heavy power and olympic lifts The timeline and progression for reintroducing gymnastics The importance of asking for help Insurance processes for covering the pre-surgical imaging, surgery, and assistive devices post-op The benefits of going out-of-pocket for post surgical return to sport physical therapy How this surgery changed Stacie as a clinician    Dr. Stacie Barber is the founder and owner of The Physio Fix, which was established in 2017. Stacie received her B.S. in Exercise Science from Illinois State University in 2011 where she was also an NCAA student-athlete, earning several honors in the sport of gymnastics. After undergrad, Stacie went on to become a strength and performance coach, furthering her knowledge of exercise prescription and implementation before pursuing her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree which she obtained from Duke University in 2015.    As a former collegiate gymnast and current Olympic Weightlifter, Dr. Stacie has had her fair share of orthopedic injuries and surgeries (11 surgeries to be exact!), so she understands how detrimental an injury can be for an athlete at any level. Therefore, she spends a lot of time with patients analyzing their movement patterns, identifying deficits, and improving body mechanics to not only fix the current problem but to also prevent further compensations and degeneration.    Get in Touch with Stacie! @ThePhysioFix on IG The Physio Fix website   Resources Mentioned in this Episode: #52 - Functional Anatomy of the Foot & Ankle in Barbell Training with Dr. John Petrizzo, PT, PRSCC, CSCS, SSC How to Train with one leg The Physio Fix Achilles Protocol Program (for purchase from The PhysioFix) Stacie’s Achilles Rupture & Repair Blog (1 full year on Youtube)     If you’re enjoying our podcast, please leave us a review on Apple or Spotify.   Join our Facebook Community for free form checks, live Q&As & more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PRS.Barbell.Mastery    Got questions or guests you'd like to hear on the show? Submit them here: https://forms.gle/7Vu2HmgHoeQY9xM59  Check out the Clinical Barbell Coaching Institute to learn more about the PRS education opportunities! https://bit.ly/43VjRFz Get in touch with the show! Web: https://www.progressiverehabandstrength.com Email: [email protected] Rori IG: @rorimegan_prs Alyssa IG: @alyssahope_prs Bre IG: @breannejulia_prs  

Powerlifting is a relatively safe sport in that the risk for injury is far less than contact and team sports and still less than Crossfit and weightlifting. Foot and ankle injuries directly caused by powerlifting are extremely rare. In fact, most injuries of the foot and ankle that affect your ability to powerlift occur outside of training. If they do occur as a result of barbell training, they are usually caused by a weight room accident.   You may feel that because a foot or ankle injury affects the way you walk or how you bear weight on your foot, that you shouldn’t squat or deadlift. However, in most cases, barbell training can and should be uninterrupted due to a foot or ankle injury. If you can put the foot down, you can perform the squat, bench press, deadlift, and overhead press. The reason this is the case is because there is little to no ankle movement and there should be no foot movement during the powerlifts.    In this 10 Minute Tip podcast episode we encourage you to keep training in appropriate ways with respect to foot and ankle injuries in three categories and exactly how to do that: Chronic conditions: Bunions Plantar fasciitis Weight Bearing injuries Stress fractures Ankle sprains Tendonopathy Non-weight bearing injuries Post surgical Fractures     If you’re enjoying our podcast, please leave us a review on Apple or Spotify.   Join our Facebook Community for free form checks, live Q&As & more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PRS.Barbell.Mastery    Got questions or guests you'd like to hear on the show? Submit them here: https://forms.gle/7Vu2HmgHoeQY9xM59  Check out the Clinical Barbell Coaching Institute to learn more about the PRS education opportunities! https://bit.ly/43VjRFz Get in touch with the show! Web: https://www.progressiverehabandstrength.com Email: [email protected] Rori IG: @rorimegan_prs Alyssa IG: @alyssahope_prs Bre IG: @breannejulia_prs  

Tearing your Achilles tendon is a major injury that may require surgery. But do you need to have surgery to repair a torn Achilles tendon? Surgery is not the only answer and it is possible to return to powerlifting and continue to hit PRs if you work hard and continue to barbell train during the rehabilitation process.   Martin Hsieh is a physical therapist, parent of five children, recreational basketball player, and competitive powerlifter. In July of 2022 he sustained a full rupture of his Achilles tendon. Like most foot and ankle injuries that affect one’s ability to barbell train, this injury was not sustained while powerlifting, but during a recreational league basketball game.    After the shock of the injury wore off, Martin consulted with a few of his physical therapy associates, and two orthopedists regarding his options for recovery. After a few weeks he decided that it was in his best interest to approach his Achilles rehabilitation without surgery and shares the story of his return to competitive powerlifting in less than a year.    In this episode of the PRS Podcast we discuss: How he tore his Achilles tendon playing basketball and what factors played into the injury presenting itself in that moment The role that fatigue accumulation plays in injury development The two injuries he wouldn’t want to sustain given his experience as a physical therapist Why he elected not to have surgery to repair a full rupture of his Achilles tendon and how he approach rehab insead When he resumed barbell training and what modifications he to help him continue without interruption What he would differently if he tore his Achilles again If and how he plans to go back to playing basketball after an Achilles rupture His best piece of advice for injured athletes when determine what course of action to take next   The purpose of this podcast interview is to help athletes feel less alone when experiencing serious injuries affecting one or both limbs. As well, we provide coaches and clinicians with tools to help barbell athletes process their injuries and continue to train even when training is not ideal.    Martin graduated from University of Maryland College Park in 2008 with a BS in cell biology and molecular genetics. He received his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in 2012 from University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Martin is a board certified myofascial trigger point therapist who performs trigger point dry needling as well as a level II certified instrumental assisted soft tissue mobilization clinician.    He believes that making his patients stronger and moving better with less pain is the key to improving their quality of life. He is an advocate for strength training for patients of all ages and incorporates barbell, kettlebell, and body weight exercises into his treatment regularly. Physical therapy does not have to be therabands and boring table exercises!   In his free time Martin enjoys spending time with his family, basketball, and golf. Since 2014 he has become a semi-competitive powerlifter and is currently a top 100 lifter in the nation in his weight class. He continues to pursue his powerlifting goal in his free time and plans to compete nationally if the timing is right.   Connect with Martin on Instagram @needles_and_deadlifts     If you’re enjoying our podcast, please leave us a review on Apple or Spotify.   Join our Facebook Community for free form checks, live Q&As & more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PRS.Barbell.Mastery    Got questions or guests you'd like to hear on the show? Submit them here: https://forms.gle/7Vu2HmgHoeQY9xM59  Check out the Clinical Barbell Coaching Institute to learn more about the PRS education opportunities! https://bit.ly/43VjRFz Get in touch with the show! Web: https://www.progressiverehabandstrength.com Email: [email protected] Rori IG: @rorimegan_prs Alyssa IG: @alyssahope_prs Bre IG: @breannejulia_prs      

Injuries are unavoidable, and sometimes you may end up with an injury or surgery that leaves you non-weight bearing. You may think you must stop all powerlifting while recovering from injuries or surgeries affecting your legs. However, we encourage you to modify your movements and mindset to continue your barbell training without interruption.    Common injuries and surgeries that may affect your ability to barbell train are quad and Achilles tendon repairs, labral repairs or FAI surgery, ACL reconstructions, knee scopes, or even ankle sprains or fractures. All injuries vary in the length of time it takes to fully heal from them, how much weight you can bear through the limb, and your movement ability at each leg joint.  However, this does not mean you have to stop training, it simply means you have to find a way to continue to train as best as possible.   When designing a powerlifting program to accommodate a leg injury or surgery, we need to consider a few things: Can you bear weight through the affected leg? Are you able to bend your knee? Is it safe for you to maneuver weight plates yourself? What equipment do you have access to besides a power rack, barbell, and weight plates?   Considering all this, we can formulate a training program that allows us to continue training the upper and lower body with little interruption after a significant injury or surgery to one of your legs.   In this 10-Minute Tip Podcast episode, we discuss specific modifications to powerlifting and barbell training for all of these scenarios. Resources Mentioned in this Episode: 56 Alternatives to Barbell Train Around Mobility or Injury Limitations (Article)      If you’re enjoying our podcast, please leave us a review on Apple or Spotify.   Join our Facebook Community for free form checks, live Q&As & more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PRS.Barbell.Mastery    Got questions or guests you'd like to hear on the show? Submit them here: https://forms.gle/7Vu2HmgHoeQY9xM59  Check out the Clinical Barbell Coaching Institute to learn more about the PRS education opportunities! https://bit.ly/43VjRFz Get in touch with the show! Web: https://www.progressiverehabandstrength.com Email: [email protected] Rori IG: @rorimegan_prs Alyssa IG: @alyssahope_prs Bre IG: @breannejulia_prs    

Are you wondering if you need to fix your ankle mobility to squat better, if you should wear orthotics when lifting weights, or why specific shoes help you lift weights? Understanding how the foot and ankle function is important for making specific decisions about your feet and ankles in barbell training.    The feet are our connection to the ground and our base of support and force transfer in all movements involving our feet and the ground. Because of this, the foot and ankle are quite complex, have a lot of movement, and have many bones, muscles, and joints to produce a stable and flexible base for human movement. As such, the foot and ankle are susceptible to injury outside of barbell training and powerlifting rather than because of it.   Most foot and ankle issues that impede someone’s ability to barbell train generally come from issues or injuries that occur outside of training. In most cases, it’s possible to continue to train even with injuries or limitations to the foot or ankle.   In this episode of the PRS Podcast, we discuss: The general functional anatomy of the ankle and foot How much ankle mobility do you need to barbell squat, and what to do about it How your ability to walk relates to barbell training and squat Flexible versus stiff feet The pros and cons of arch support And much more   If you’re a chiropractor, physical therapist, medical doctor, strength coach, or student clinician, this episode is a great review and application tutorial regarding the foot and ankle in barbell training.   Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Overcoming a Hip Fracture and Squat Fails (Article) #41 - Femoroacetabular Impingement, A Labral Tear, & A Hip Fracture: Coach Rori’s Story of 5 Nationals, 4 Arnolds, & 2 World Championships Without Surgery (Podcast)     If you’re enjoying our podcast, please leave us a review on Apple or Spotify.   Join our Facebook Community for free form checks, live Q&As & more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PRS.Barbell.Mastery    Got questions or guests you'd like to hear on the show? Submit them here: https://forms.gle/7Vu2HmgHoeQY9xM59    Get in touch with the show! Web: https://www.progressiverehabandstrength.com Email: [email protected] Rori IG: @rorimegan_prs Alyssa IG: @alyssahope_prs  

Pelvic organ prolapse, urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, hernias, and diastasis recti are common conditions people of all ages and genders experience. You may be wondering if you can powerlift with pelvic floor or core dysfunction and our answer is almost -YES!    In the final episode of our Pelvic Health month on the PRS Podcast, Drs. Breanne Maruca, PT, PRSCC, CLT, WCS, CF-L1 and Rori Alter, PT, PRSCC, SSC discuss the easiest way to not only identify your pelvic floor symptoms provocation, but also how to continue to make train progress while addressing your specific issues.  Here are our best pieces of advice for managing incontinence, prolapse, hernias, and diastasis recti in barbell training and powerlifting: Keep a symptoms journal Lower your training fatigue while keeping intensity and volume in meaningful ranges   For the scoop on this, listen to our 10 Minute Tip episode and reach out to us if you need further help! Resources Mentioned in this Episode: #48 - Functional Anatomy of the Core & Pelvic Floor in Barbell Training with Dr. Breanne Maruca, PT, PRSCC, CLT, WCS (Podcast) #1 - Key Features of the PRS Sustainable Training Method: Bridging the Gap Between Barbell Training, Powerlifting, & Rehabilitation (Podcast) Progression without Regression: How to Adjust Training So Things Don't Go Awry! (Article) RPE in Powerlifting: What is RPE? + How to Use Rating of Perceived Exertion Optimally (Article) How to Manage Strength Training Fatigue in Your Barbell Training | Fatigue Management While Powerlifting (Article) Tracking Your Barbell Training: The Importance of RPE & E1rm in Reaching Your Goals in Powerlifting & Strength Training (Article)     Experiencing powerlifting urinary incontinence and need help resolving it? Book a free consultation with Dr. Breanne HERE!   If you’re enjoying our podcast, please leave us a review on Apple or Spotify.   Join our Facebook Community for free form checks, live Q&As & more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PRS.Barbell.Mastery    Got questions or guests you'd like to hear on the show? Submit them here: https://forms.gle/7Vu2HmgHoeQY9xM59    Get in touch with the show! Web: https://www.progressiverehabandstrength.com Email: [email protected] Rori IG: @rorimegan_prs Alyssa IG: @alyssahope_prs  

You have a baby and 6 weeks later you’re cleared for exercise. What does this even mean? How are you supposed to return to heavy barbell training or powerlifting after carrying a baby inside of you for 9 months and then delivering them into this world?   It is astounding that women are not provided more education and care after growing and delivering a baby. They are expected to heal from 40 weeks of pregnancy and then the trauma of labor and delivery. Whether a woman delivers vaginally or via cesarean section, the amount of physiological and emotional change and trauma their body goes through is immense. And yet, they are afforded 24 to 72 hours in the hospital and one postpartum doctor visit 6 weeks later.    Most women are left with longstanding issues and struggle to regain and maintain their prior levels of fitness and athleticism because they do not understand nor are they supported in how to help their bodies heal, recover, and return to optimal function.    In this episode of the PRS Podcast Dr. Rori Alter, PT, PRSCC, SSC and Dr. Breanne Maruca, PT, PRSCC, CLT, WCS, CF-L1 share many of the short and long term complications women experience postpartum six phases of return-to-powerlifting postpartum.    While many women experience complications, most women do not consider that there is anything to do about it because after all, they “had a baby.” But while short and long term dysfunction is common, it’s not normal and should not be expected to be that way forever.    Some of the most common things women may experience both early and long term postpartum are: Vaginal tearing and scarring Vaginal pain or pain with intercourse Urinary urgency or incontinence Cesarean section scar deformities or adhesions Cesarean section pain, sensation loss, or change Pelvic organ prolapse Low back, sacroiliac joint, or hip pain Difficulty with breathing and endurance Diastasis Recti   While these conditions are very common, they are not normal and early intervention through physical therapy can have a tremendous impact on a woman’s quality of life and function as a mother. More specifically, initiating physical therapy early on can help women return to fitness much sooner and in a higher capacity than letting these conditions persist.   Through the eyes of two barbell athletes, strength coaches, and women’s health physical therapists, postpartum return-to-exercise is divided into six phases and begins immediately postpartum.   The 6 Phases of Returning to Powerlifting Postpartum are as follows: Phase 1: immediately post delivery - about 0-2 weeks Phase 2: being cleared for return to activity - 2 to 4 weeks (depending on delivery/complications)-6 weeks Phase 3: return to barbell training - 6 weeks -1 year ish Phase 4: end of 4th trimester Phase 5: through 2 years Phase 6: no longer experiencing sleep disturbances   For a deep dive into the elements of returning to powerlifting and barbell training postpartum, check out this episode on the PRS Podcast!     Need help with your pelvic floor issue? Book a free consultation with PRS Clinical Coach Dr. Breanne HERE!   If you’re enjoying our podcast, please leave us a review on Apple or Spotify.   Join our Facebook Community for free form checks, live Q&As & more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PRS.Barbell.Mastery    Got questions or guests you'd like to hear on the show? Submit them here: https://forms.gle/7Vu2HmgHoeQY9xM59  Check out the Clinical Barbell Coaching Institute to learn more about the PRS education opportunities! https://bit.ly/43VjRFz Get in touch with the show! Web: https://www.progressiverehabandstrength.com Email: [email protected] Rori IG: @rorimegan_prs Alyssa IG: @alyssahope_prs Bre IG: @breannejulia_prs    

In this episode of the PRS Podcast, Dr. Rori Alter, PT, PRSCC, SSC sits down with the PRS Pelvic Health Specialist, Dr. Breanne Maruca, PT, PRSCC, CLT, WCS to discuss the relationship between the pelvic floor, core strength, hip, and even back issues. As Rori shared in a previous episode, she noticed an improvement in her hip pain symptoms after pelvic floor therapy, which highlights the fact that the body truly operates as a system, and not a collection of parts. Consequently, pelvic floor health and function should always be considered even when dealing with seemingly unrelated issues.   Experiencing powerlifting urinary incontinence and need help resolving it? Book a free consultation with Dr. Breanne HERE!   If you’re enjoying our podcast, please leave us a review on Apple or Spotify.   Join our Facebook Community for free form checks, live Q&As & more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PRS.Barbell.Mastery    Got questions or guests you'd like to hear on the show? Submit them here: https://forms.gle/7Vu2HmgHoeQY9xM59    Get in touch with the show! Web: https://www.progressiverehabandstrength.com Email: [email protected] Rori IG: @rorimegan_prs Alyssa IG: @alyssahope_prs

    Episode #50: Diastasis Recti & Hernias: What you need to know to lift heavy weight even if you have these! Diastasis Recti and Hernias are common abdominal concerns that personal trainers, lifters and doctors are concerned about when it comes to lifting weight. However, it’s safe to continue barbell training or powerlifting even if you’ve been diagnosed with either of these.   Though commonly believed to be a tearing of the midline fascia, Diastasis Recti is the separation or widening and weakening of the fascial connection between the two rectus abdominis muscles. This commonly occurs in nearly all pregnancies and during abdominal expansion, for example with a “beer gut,” or a hard, round belly. Because there is no tearing of the linea alba, or fascia connection between the two rectus abdominis muscles, diastasis recti is both manageable and reversible.Thus, it is possible to continue to barbell train if managing intra abdominal pressure and barbell training fatigue and technique appropriately.    A hernia is a disruption to connective tissue that maintains our organs in the abdominal and pelvic cavities. These disruptions are most commonly found in the inguinal or groin region and around the belly button. Because of the disrupted tissue, internal organs displace into the inguinal canal or umbilicus to varying degrees. There can be pain and discomfort or none at all associated with hernias as well as damage to the displaced organ. Based on the level of pain and potential damage to organ tissue, surgical intervention is more commonly associated with hernias than diastasis recti.    However, in most cases, symptoms and progression can be minimized with proper internal pressure, technique and fatigue management in barbell training thus making it safe to continue to barbell train or powerlift even with a hernia in some cases.   In this episode of the PRS podcast, Dr. Breanne Maruca, PT, PRSCC, CLT, WCS and Dr. Rori Alter, PT, PRSCC, SSC discuss: How Diastasis Recti and Hernias are not the same thing The varying degrees of Diastasis Recti and Hernias When to consider physical therapy or surgical management How pressure management is the key to barbell training with diastasis recti and hernias   If you’re enjoying our podcast, please leave us a review on Apple or Spotify.   Join our Facebook Community for free form checks, live Q&As & more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PRS.Barbell.Mastery    Got questions or guests you'd like to hear on the show? Submit them here: https://forms.gle/7Vu2HmgHoeQY9xM59    Get in touch with the show! Web: https://www.progressiverehabandstrength.com Email: [email protected] Rori IG: @rorimegan_prs Alyssa IG: @alyssahope_prs  

Kegels are the most well known “exercise” for the pelvic floor and most people believe that if you accidentally pee yourself you should do kegels. However, in most cases of incontinence in powerlifting, kegels are not the answer!   Kegels are a pelvic floor muscle exercise that was coined by a male physician many years ago. However, most people do not understand how to properly perform a kegel nor properly implement in the treatment of pelvic floor dysfunction and urinary incontinence.    The general population believes that accidentally peeing yourself is a function of weakness of the pelvic floor and therefore you must strengthen it by doing Kegels. But the problem with this is that most pelvic floor dysfunction is powerlifters is a product of fatigue, mechanical failure, and significant tension, for which Kegels are not the answer. The other problem with Kegels as a treatment for powerlifters is that there is no way to load the Kegel as heavy as your lifts.   In this episode of the PRS Podcast, Dr. Rori Alter, PT, PRSCC, SSC sits down with the PRS Pelvic Health Specialist, Dr. Breanne Maruca, PT, PRSCC, CLT, WCS discuss the misconceptions about Kegels and pelvic floor dysfunction in powerlifters and how to properly use a Kegel within the treatment plan as a whole.    Experiencing powerlifting urinary incontinence and need help resolving it? Book a free consultation with Dr. Breanne HERE!   If you’re enjoying our podcast, please leave us a review on Apple or Spotify.   Join our Facebook Community for free form checks, live Q&As & more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PRS.Barbell.Mastery    Got questions or guests you'd like to hear on the show? Submit them here: https://forms.gle/7Vu2HmgHoeQY9xM59    Get in touch with the show! Web: https://www.progressiverehabandstrength.com Email: [email protected] Rori IG: @rorimegan_prs Alyssa IG: @alyssahope_prs