Fencing Injuries, Prehab & Physical Therapy for Athletes - Dr. Rachel Hey-Shipton | Direct Elimination Ep. 23

🎙️ EPISODE 23 | RACHEL HEY-SHIPTONThe Fencing Podcast of All Fencing Podcasts.What if the reason you're still hurt, still compensating, or still underperforming isn't a lack of training — but a lack of the *right* care? Dr. Rachel Hey-Shipton has built a reputation among USA national team fencers and Olympians for doing something most sports PTs don't: actually understanding fencing. In this episode, she exposes a systemic gap in how fencers are treated, breaks down the injuries unique to this sport, and reframes physical therapy as a performance tool — not just a last resort.In this episode, you'll discover:- Why fencers have historically been handed rehab programs designed for other sports — and how that mismatch makes injuries worse, not better- The difference between prehab and rehab, and why waiting until you're in pain to see a PT is like waiting for a cavity before visiting the dentist- The most common fencing-specific injuries — hip labral tears, proximal hamstring issues, knee pain, and foot and ankle problems — and why the sport's unique stance and movement patterns drive all of them- How addressing the mind-body connection and emotional side of injury can unlock performance gains that pure movement correction alone never willRachel Hey-Shipton is a Doctor of Physical Therapy who trained at Columbia University after studying kinesiology at Cal Poly SLO. She taught herself the mechanics of fencing by watching hundreds of slow-motion YouTube videos frame by frame — because she believed fencers deserved sport-specific care. Her clients have included USA national team athletes and Olympians, and her approach has earned her a cult following in the NYC fencing community.⏱️ CHAPTERS00:00:07 Intro & Welcome00:04:28 Rachel's Background00:06:33 How Rachel Discovered Fencing00:11:14 When Should Someone See a PT?00:19:13 Most Common Fencing Injuries00:26:49 Rachel's Origin Story00:36:00 The Mind-Body Connection in Physical Therapy00:43:15 Should You Become a PT?00:54:15 One Light Answers💬 QUOTES"I felt like there was a big gap that I was hearing in your care and that it was really really common that you guys were getting programming that was for another sport that was just kind of shunted to you. I didn't hear that you were getting the care that I thought you should get for the things that you were describing."MYO - click hereModern physical therapy to futureproof your body. Through 1:1 expert care, they use full-body awareness and proactive insights to intercept injury, reduce pain, and improve your every day. Use promo code "DIRECTMYO100" for $100 off your first session.Thank you for listening!🔗 Check out FencR🌐: https://www.fencr.app/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fencr.app🔗 Connect with Us🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple: https://link.me/directelimination📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/directelimination/🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@directeliminationpodcast📺 Subscribe for more episodes: youtube.com/@DirectElimination🔗 Prieur USA🌐: https://www.prieurusa.com/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prieur_usa/