Hi Kris- I too am a physical therapsit (from NJ) and have a great love and interest in the sport of gymnastics. My 7 year old daughter will be competing as a level 6 gymnast this fall. As we are ALWAYS at the gym, and the coacheds know I am a PT, they often ask for my opinion on things which I am more than happy to offer. I see so many injuries (many caused by a bad floor system) but also a lot of posture issues that I would love to address, but don’t want to step on toes!! How can I get more formally involved as a consultant? Thank you Jeannie Roland
Hi Jeannie - it is always difficult to avoid stepping on toes, especially if an ego problem is present. I believe the key word is “formally.” It seems as though I have always done a little bit better when I was FORMALLY involved. I have a great love for dance. I worked as a PT for a dance college and it worked because it was a formal set-up with the dancer at center. Any ego that was flying around was muffled by the goal of the program. Consulting idea…bring to the table (or floor mat) an evaluation/assessment tool that you, the expert at muscle testing, posture, and alignment, could perform on any or all gymnasts in the program. I love working with recreational gymnasts. Good posture and muscle balance are lifetime endeavors. Back to the gymnasts…have a free posture clinic…maybe set-up a plan for pre and post-season evals. at a price and then regularly scheduled “clinic” hours at the gym on a sign-up basis. Start with a free educational session for the staff and owners. Be there. Charge for your services. Word-of-mouth is good. All of the gymnasts will benefit one way or another. Set reasonable prices; I often wonder if we should set a medical fee per month that each gymnast pays whether they need the services or not - but when they need advice and care…it’ll be there. It’ll beat the hassle and co-pay for some parents. You can’t heal everyone, but you can help many. Keep in touch about eval forms and ideas that work for gymnasts.
P.S. When a gymnast gets to the highest level (at Championships, Olympic Trials, World Championships, Olympic Games) they are surrounded by physical therapists, physicians, chiropractors, acupuncturists, osteopaths, massage therapists, and more! It’s a team effort that I think should start at the grass roots level!
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April 25th, 2008 at 10:02 pm
jeannie roland
Hi Kris- I too am a physical therapsit (from NJ) and have a great love and interest in the sport of gymnastics. My 7 year old daughter will be competing as a level 6 gymnast this fall. As we are ALWAYS at the gym, and the coacheds know I am a PT, they often ask for my opinion on things which I am more than happy to offer. I see so many injuries (many caused by a bad floor system) but also a lot of posture issues that I would love to address, but don’t want to step on toes!! How can I get more formally involved as a consultant? Thank you Jeannie Roland
May 2nd, 2008 at 2:13 pm
posture
Hi Jeannie - it is always difficult to avoid stepping on toes, especially if an ego problem is present. I believe the key word is “formally.” It seems as though I have always done a little bit better when I was FORMALLY involved. I have a great love for dance. I worked as a PT for a dance college and it worked because it was a formal set-up with the dancer at center. Any ego that was flying around was muffled by the goal of the program. Consulting idea…bring to the table (or floor mat) an evaluation/assessment tool that you, the expert at muscle testing, posture, and alignment, could perform on any or all gymnasts in the program. I love working with recreational gymnasts. Good posture and muscle balance are lifetime endeavors. Back to the gymnasts…have a free posture clinic…maybe set-up a plan for pre and post-season evals. at a price and then regularly scheduled “clinic” hours at the gym on a sign-up basis. Start with a free educational session for the staff and owners. Be there. Charge for your services. Word-of-mouth is good. All of the gymnasts will benefit one way or another. Set reasonable prices; I often wonder if we should set a medical fee per month that each gymnast pays whether they need the services or not - but when they need advice and care…it’ll be there. It’ll beat the hassle and co-pay for some parents. You can’t heal everyone, but you can help many. Keep in touch about eval forms and ideas that work for gymnasts.
P.S. When a gymnast gets to the highest level (at Championships, Olympic Trials, World Championships, Olympic Games) they are surrounded by physical therapists, physicians, chiropractors, acupuncturists, osteopaths, massage therapists, and more! It’s a team effort that I think should start at the grass roots level!