The Ask Mike Reinold Show

If you’ve spent any time on social media or in many gyms lately, you’ve probably heard the buzz about BPC-157. Often called the "healing peptide," it’s being touted as a miracle cure for everything from chronic tendinopathy to acute muscle tears. Patients are showing up in our clinics asking where they can get it, and some "wellness clinics" are already handing out injections like candy.But as sports physical therapists, we have to look past the "bio-hacker" headlines and look at the hard data. Is there actually any human evidence that this works? And more importantly, is it even legal for your athletes to use?A brand-new systematic review just hit the journals, and it’s the most comprehensive look we’ve seen yet at the mechanism, the MSK outcomes, and the massive safety "gray areas" surrounding this compound. The results are fascinating, but they come with some major red flags that every clinician needs to hear before their next patient interaction.In this week’s episode, I’m diving deep into the science of BPC-157. We’re breaking down the pathways it uses to (potentially) speed up tissue repair, the truth about the current human research, and the legal warnings you must give your athletes to protect their careers.To see full show notes and more, head to: https://mikereinold.com/the-truth-about-bpc-157-peptide-in-sports-medicine-what-you-need-to-know/Learn our proven system for sports PTs who want to master ACL rehab, confidently progress patients, and guide athletes safely back to high-level sport.Click here to learn more Click Here to View My Online CoursesWant to learn more from me? I have a variety of online courses on my website!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show_____Want to learn more?  Check out my blog, podcasts, and online coursesFollow me:  Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Youtube

We’ve all been there—you’re working with a high-level athlete after a Bankart repair or Laterjet, they’re at the 6-month mark, their ROM looks great, and they’re itching to get back on the field. The surgeon gives the green light, but you can’t help but wonder: Are they actually ready?In the world of ACL rehab, we have strict batteries of tests, symmetry indexes, and psychological readiness scales. But when it comes to the shoulder, the literature has been surprisingly quiet on what "ready" actually looks like. A new scoping review just dropped in IJSPT that digs into the return-to-sport rates for over 2,000 competitive athletes, and the results are a massive wake-up call for sports physical therapists.The study looked at the difference between soft tissue repairs and bony augmentations, but more importantly, it looked at how we are making the decision to clear these athletes. Is it based on strength? Function? Or just a date on the calendar?On this week’s episode of the podcast, I’m diving deep into this research to discuss the current success rates of shoulder stabilizations and, more importantly, the 10 criteria surgeons are using to clear athletes. Some of what they found might surprise you—and it might change the way you progress your next shoulder patient. Check out this week’s episode to learn more!To see full show notes and more, head to: https://mikereinold.com/outcomes-and-return-to-sport-testing-after-bankart-and-laterjet-shoulder-stabilization-surgery/Learn our proven system for sports PTs who want to master ACL rehab, confidently progress patients, and guide athletes safely back to high-level sport.Click here to learn more Click Here to View My Online CoursesWant to learn more from me? I have a variety of online courses on my website!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show_____Want to learn more?  Check out my blog, podcasts, and online coursesFollow me:  Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Youtube

Wouldn't it be amazing if an ACL tear can heal on its own without surgery?For sure, and there have been recent discussions about the Cross-Bracing Protocol and its impact on these injuries.But is this too good to be true?In this episode, we discuss the emerging cross-bracing protocol for non-operative ACL treatment, exploring its potential benefits and drawbacks. There is some skepticism about the protocol's effectiveness, but we discuss the importance of patient selection and quality of life considerations in treatment decisions.Good timing on this episode. I just released my brand new online course, The ACL Rehab Masterclass: A Complete Guide to Criteria-Based Rehabilitation, Testing, and Return to Sport. I teamed up with Dan Pope and Kevin Coughlin to share the exact system we use at Champion. Click here to learn more about The ACL Rehab MasterclassTo see full show notes and more, head to: https://mikereinold.com/can-the-acl-actually-heal-without-surgery/Learn our proven system for sports PTs who want to master ACL rehab, confidently progress patients, and guide athletes safely back to high-level sport.Click here to learn more Click Here to View My Online CoursesWant to learn more from me? I have a variety of online courses on my website!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show_____Want to learn more?  Check out my blog, podcasts, and online coursesFollow me:  Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Youtube

Ten weeks to start throwing after UCL surgery sounds like a miracle timeline, until you’re the clinician staring at a stiff elbow, a deconditioned arm, and a protocol that assumes the athlete is further along than reality. We’re seeing more internal brace UCL repairs and fewer “classic” Tommy John reconstructions, and that shift is changing how baseball pitchers, gymnasts, and other overhead athletes move through rehab.We talk through what’s actually different about the internal brace procedure, why surgeons became so optimistic early on, and why many athletes still aren’t truly ready to throw at week 10 even if they’re technically cleared. Readiness means more than ligament stability. We dig into the practical stuff that decides outcomes: restoring extension early without creating inflammation, building real strength and arm care habits, and using a plyometric progression before a return-to-throwing program. We also share what we’re watching for clinically, including ulnar nerve irritation from prolonged bracing, motion that never quite “settles,” and the unique posterior-medial elbow pain that can show up with deep flexion or forced extension.Most importantly, we argue for criteria-based rehab over calendar-based rehab. If the athlete has time before the next season, use it to build capacity instead of chasing an artificial milestone. If you work in sports physical therapy, sports medicine, or baseball performance, this conversation will help you spot red flags early and guide internal brace athletes with more confidence.Subscribe, share this with a coach or clinician who manages throwing programs, and leave a review if it helps. What’s the earliest return-to-throwing timeline you’ve seen that actually held up long term?To see full show notes and more, head to: https://mikereinold.com/the-new-tommy-john-the-rise-of-the-internal-brace/ Learn our proven system for sports PTs who want to master ACL rehab, confidently progress patients, and guide athletes safely back to high-level sport.Click here to learn more Click Here to View My Online CoursesWant to learn more from me? I have a variety of online courses on my website!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show_____Want to learn more?  Check out my blog, podcasts, and online coursesFollow me:  Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Youtube

We’ve all seen it: the acute ACL patient who drags their leg into the clinic, unable to squeeze their quad to save their life. We call it Arthrogenic Muscle Inhibition (AMI), and for years, we’ve treated it as a stubborn, long-term enemy. But a fascinating new study from the American Journal of Sports Medicine suggests we might be overcomplicating it.Researchers analyzed 300 acute ACL patients and found that while AMI is incredibly common (affecting over half of patients), it’s also surprisingly fragile. In fact, they found that nearly 80% of cases could be fully reversed in a single session with simple exercises. In this episode, we dive into the 'Red Flags' that predict quad shutdown—including one common sleeping habit you need to ban immediately—and how to flip the switch back on for your patients.To see full show notes and more, head to: https://mikereinold.com/risk-factors-of-arthrogenic-muscle-inhibitionLearn our proven system for sports PTs who want to master ACL rehab, confidently progress patients, and guide athletes safely back to high-level sport.Click here to learn more Click Here to View My Online CoursesWant to learn more from me? I have a variety of online courses on my website!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show_____Want to learn more?  Check out my blog, podcasts, and online coursesFollow me:  Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Youtube

We all have our favorite "go-to" exercises for patellar tendinopathy. For years, the single-leg decline squat has been the gold standard, often introduced early in rehabilitation to target the tendon. But what if I told you that this specific exercise actually places more load on the patellar tendon than running or double-leg jumping?A massive new study just analyzed 35 common rehabilitation exercises—from step-ups to plyometrics—and ranked them based on actual biomechanical load. The results turn traditional progression models upside down and might explain why some of your patients flare up during "standard" rehab protocols. In this week's episode, we break down the 3 distinct tiers of tendon loading and give you a data-backed roadmap to build the perfect progression.To see full show notes and more, head to: https://mikereinold.com/ranking-the-top-patellar-tendon-exercises-by-tendon-load/Learn our proven system for sports PTs who want to master ACL rehab, confidently progress patients, and guide athletes safely back to high-level sport.Click here to learn more Click Here to View My Online CoursesWant to learn more from me? I have a variety of online courses on my website!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show_____Want to learn more?  Check out my blog, podcasts, and online coursesFollow me:  Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Youtube

The use of ChatGPT and other AI models has exploded in recent years, and you're starting to see this in most professions, including the medical profession.We've been using AI quite a bit at Champion for a variety of things and wanted to share our experiences. We go over some of the use cases as well as different models that we've tried with varying successWe do think you should be using AI. It's an opportunity for growth.We dig into how AI actually helps us treat, teach, and stay current without drowning in papers. From OpenEvidence to Gemini vs ChatGPT, we share real clinic workflows, movement apps we like, and guardrails to avoid hallucinations.• why we trust OpenEvidence for fast, linked citations• how AI reduces bias during eval prep• when to compare ChatGPT, Gemini, and Grok• prompts that demand sources and confidence levels• movement analysis apps for golf and bar velocity• ambient note tools to draft SOAP notes• ethical guardrails on privacy, consent, and hallucinations• practical routines for morning research sprints• using AI to generate screeners, red flags, and alternatives• model strengths, weaknesses, and staying literateTo see full show notes and more, head to: https://mikereinold.com/using-chatgpt-and-ai-in-physical-therapy/Learn our proven system for sports PTs who want to master ACL rehab, confidently progress patients, and guide athletes safely back to high-level sport.Click here to learn more Click Here to View My Online CoursesWant to learn more from me? I have a variety of online courses on my website!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show_____Want to learn more?  Check out my blog, podcasts, and online coursesFollow me:  Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Youtube

Mike Boyle had a great discussion on Instagram several weeks ago about adults lifting to failure and using low rep schemes.It sparked a lot of arguments among people about which approach is best and whether there's always an answer to this question.We discuss whether adults should lift to failure on low-rep schemes in this week's episode. We'll go over what we do at Champion, how we mostly agree with this, and why we may work low reps for a very certain population for a specific reason.To see full show notes and more, head to: https://mikereinold.com/should-adults-lift-for-less-than-5-reps-per-set/ Learn our proven system for sports PTs who want to master ACL rehab, confidently progress patients, and guide athletes safely back to high-level sport.Click here to learn more Click Here to View My Online CoursesWant to learn more from me? I have a variety of online courses on my website!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show_____Want to learn more?  Check out my blog, podcasts, and online coursesFollow me:  Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Youtube

Surgeons are adding more lateral extra-articular procedures to ACL reconstructions, especially in young cutting and pivoting athletes. On paper, it sounds great—tighten up the anterolateral side, improve stability, protect the graft. But what does that actually mean for clinical outcomes and for how we manage rehab?A new Level 1 systematic review and meta-analysis just pulled together the randomized trials comparing isolated ACL reconstruction to ACL reconstruction plus a lateral extra-articular procedure. The results raise important questions: Are these athletes truly more stable? Do we see fewer graft ruptures? And are we quietly trading those benefits for more pain, stiffness, or long-term joint issues?In this week’s podcast, we break down what the data really show, how it should influence your decision-making as a sports physical therapist, and what to watch for when an athlete walks in with a LET on their op note. Check out the full episode to hear how (and when) this should change your rehab approach.To see full show notes and more, head to: https://mikereinold.com/aclr-let-overkill-or-the-new-gold-standard/Learn our proven system for sports PTs who want to master ACL rehab, confidently progress patients, and guide athletes safely back to high-level sport.Click here to learn more Click Here to View My Online CoursesWant to learn more from me? I have a variety of online courses on my website!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show_____Want to learn more?  Check out my blog, podcasts, and online coursesFollow me:  Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Youtube

Wow, I can't believe it's been 10 years!It truly is an honor to be able to host a live episode celebrating the 10-year anniversary of our podcast. Thank you so much for listening all these years!In this episode, we'll answer live questions from an audience of listeners, reflect on some of our favorite moments of the podcast, and give out some prizes and special discounts to all the listeners!Special thanks to our amazing friends from Ancore, SmartCuffs, Suji, SportGrips, and mTrigger for donating the prizes!To see full show notes and more, head to: https://mikereinold.com/10-year-anniversary-episode/Learn our proven system for sports PTs who want to master ACL rehab, confidently progress patients, and guide athletes safely back to high-level sport.Click here to learn more Click Here to View My Online CoursesWant to learn more from me? I have a variety of online courses on my website!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show_____Want to learn more?  Check out my blog, podcasts, and online coursesFollow me:  Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Youtube

Quadriceps shutdown after ACL reconstruction is one of the biggest barriers we see in the clinic. Even with modern surgical techniques and “aggressive” rehab, too many athletes struggle to get their quad strength back, and that deficit shows up later in gait, loading, and confidence on the field.A new systematic review and meta-analysis just took a fresh look at neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) as an adjunct to ACL rehab. Does adding NMES actually move the needle on quad strength? Does timing matter? And does any of this translate into better knee function where it counts?In this week’s podcast, we break down what the authors found, how strong the evidence really is, and how we’re thinking about NMES programming in our own ACL protocols. If you’re working with post-op knees, you’ll want to hear this before you set up your next rehab plan.To see full show notes and more, head to: https://mikereinold.com/should-every-acl-get-e-stim-what-the-new-nmes-meta-analysis-really-shows/Learn our proven system for sports PTs who want to master ACL rehab, confidently progress patients, and guide athletes safely back to high-level sport.Click here to learn more Click Here to View My Online CoursesWant to learn more from me? I have a variety of online courses on my website!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show_____Want to learn more?  Check out my blog, podcasts, and online coursesFollow me:  Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Youtube

There is substantial variability in rehabilitation protocols following PCL and meniscus repair surgery. There is often a conservative period where we minimize or avoid hamstring activity.Biomechanical studies show that hamstring activity can increase posterior translation of the tibiofemoral joint and potentially put stress on a healing meniscus repair.In this episode, we discuss the science behind this and how we integrate hamstring exercises into our rehabilitation protocols for these patients.To see full show notes and more, head to: https://mikereinold.com/hamstring-exercises-after-pcl-and-meniscus-surgery/Learn our proven system for sports PTs who want to master ACL rehab, confidently progress patients, and guide athletes safely back to high-level sport.Click here to learn more Click Here to View My Online CoursesWant to learn more from me? I have a variety of online courses on my website!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show_____Want to learn more?  Check out my blog, podcasts, and online coursesFollow me:  Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Youtube

Baseball injuries continue to rise at an alarming rate. Over the years, we have seen the development of more advanced training velocity programs and pitchers that are focused on enhancing their performance during the offseason.This has led to a variety of development programs being performed over the offseason, which takes away from downtime and allows the body to heal after a long competitive season.In this episode, we talk about some of the science behind why you should take time off from throwing, and perhaps how long you should take off during the offseason.To see full show notes and more, head to: https://mikereinold.com/how-much-time-off-should-you-take-from-throwing-after-the-baseball-season/Learn our proven system for sports PTs who want to master ACL rehab, confidently progress patients, and guide athletes safely back to high-level sport.Click here to learn more Click Here to View My Online CoursesWant to learn more from me? I have a variety of online courses on my website!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show_____Want to learn more?  Check out my blog, podcasts, and online coursesFollow me:  Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Youtube

Blood flow restriction training is gaining popularity, and new research continues to show benefits and potential new uses.We review a brand-new randomized trial examining a brief BFR session before exercise in patients with knee pain. The question: Can a quick change before you even start your main work meaningfully alter pain during the session that follows? The results nudged us to rethink how we open visits for athletes with anterior knee pain. Want the exact setup—and when it’s worth trying?Check out this week’s podcast for details on how we’re applying this paper to what we do at Champion.To see full show notes and more, head to: https://mikereinold.com/using-blood-flow-restriction-to-neuromodulate-pain-during-exercise/ Learn our proven system for sports PTs who want to master ACL rehab, confidently progress patients, and guide athletes safely back to high-level sport.Click here to learn more Click Here to View My Online CoursesWant to learn more from me? I have a variety of online courses on my website!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show_____Want to learn more?  Check out my blog, podcasts, and online coursesFollow me:  Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Youtube

If you treat a lot of knee pain, this week’s episode is for you.We review a new best-practice guide for patellofemoral pain that pulls together research, patient voices, and expert reasoning into one playbook. But here’s the twist: when you blend the data with what patients actually want and what clinicians really do, one deceptively simple priority rises to the top - something many of us already use, but probably not the way this paper suggests.I know we are changing what we do at Champion. Curious what it is and how to sequence everything else around it? Check out this week’s podcast episode.Show Notes:Evaluation and Treatment of the KneeBest practice guide for patellofemoral pain based on synthesis of a systematic review, the patient voice and expert clinical reasoningTo see full show notes and more, head to: https://mikereinold.com/practice-guidelines-for-patellofemoral-pain/ Learn our proven system for sports PTs who want to master ACL rehab, confidently progress patients, and guide athletes safely back to high-level sport.Click here to learn more Click Here to View My Online CoursesWant to learn more from me? I have a variety of online courses on my website!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show_____Want to learn more?  Check out my blog, podcasts, and online coursesFollow me:  Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Youtube

Returning to sport after an injury is always a challenge. In the profession, a lot of attention has been given to objective testing to determine when and how to progress athletes. This has been a significant evolution that will definitely improve outcomes.But what do you do when an athlete passes objective testing but not psychological readiness testing?We talk about what we do in this week’s podcast episode.To see full show notes and more, head to: https://mikereinold.com/what-to-do-when-an-athlete-passes-objective-testing-but-not-psychological-readiness/Learn our proven system for sports PTs who want to master ACL rehab, confidently progress patients, and guide athletes safely back to high-level sport.Click here to learn more Click Here to View My Online CoursesWant to learn more from me? I have a variety of online courses on my website!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show_____Want to learn more?  Check out my blog, podcasts, and online coursesFollow me:  Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Youtube

There is no doubt that back and hip pain are often linked and sometimes confusing to diagnose. But sometimes it's hard to differentiate the two, and what may be the underlying cause versus the symptoms.We discuss in this week’s podcast episode.To see full show notes and more, head to: https://mikereinold.com/how-to-differentiate-between-hip-and-low-back-pain/Learn our proven system for sports PTs who want to master ACL rehab, confidently progress patients, and guide athletes safely back to high-level sport.Click here to learn more Click Here to View My Online CoursesWant to learn more from me? I have a variety of online courses on my website!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show_____Want to learn more?  Check out my blog, podcasts, and online coursesFollow me:  Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Youtube

A meta-analysis was recently published, suggesting that outcomes may be the same between nonoperative and surgical reconstruction after ACL injury. Clearly, social media has been buzzing. But are outcomes really the same? We discuss this in this episode.To see full show notes and more, head to: https://mikereinold.com/are-the-outcomes-really-the-same-between-nonoperative-and-surgical-treatment-of-acl-injuries/Learn our proven system for sports PTs who want to master ACL rehab, confidently progress patients, and guide athletes safely back to high-level sport.Click here to learn more Click Here to View My Online CoursesWant to learn more from me? I have a variety of online courses on my website!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show_____Want to learn more?  Check out my blog, podcasts, and online coursesFollow me:  Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Youtube

One of the most essential parts of ACL rehabilitation is regaining strength in the leg. Traditionally, rehab specialists have been guilty of underloading people during the rehabilitation of these injuries.Ah, the old “3 sets of 10.”In this episode, we review a recent journal article that compares the outcomes of two different set and rep schemes during ACL rehabilitation.To see full show notes and more, head to: https://mikereinold.com/periodization-of-strength-training-after-acl-reconstruction/Learn our proven system for sports PTs who want to master ACL rehab, confidently progress patients, and guide athletes safely back to high-level sport.Click here to learn more Click Here to View My Online CoursesWant to learn more from me? I have a variety of online courses on my website!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show_____Want to learn more?  Check out my blog, podcasts, and online coursesFollow me:  Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Youtube

Hamstring strains continue to rise in sports.  As we continue to learn more, the evolution of our rehabilitation programs has also evolved.Here are our current thoughts on how fast to progress athletes back to sports after a hamstring strain.To see full show notes and more, head to: https://mikereinold.com/how-to-progress-rehabilitation-following-hamstring-strains/Learn our proven system for sports PTs who want to master ACL rehab, confidently progress patients, and guide athletes safely back to high-level sport.Click here to learn more Click Here to View My Online CoursesWant to learn more from me? I have a variety of online courses on my website!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show_____Want to learn more?  Check out my blog, podcasts, and online coursesFollow me:  Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Youtube

Objective strength testing is always important to document progress and ensure that patients are ready for the next phase of rehabilitation.But, when do you start testing strength with a hand-held dynamometer after rotator cuff repair surgery?We discuss on this episode of the podcast.To see full show notes and more, head to: https://mikereinold.com/when-to-test-strength-after-a-rotator-cuff-repair/Learn our proven system for sports PTs who want to master ACL rehab, confidently progress patients, and guide athletes safely back to high-level sport.Click here to learn more Click Here to View My Online CoursesWant to learn more from me? I have a variety of online courses on my website!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show_____Want to learn more?  Check out my blog, podcasts, and online coursesFollow me:  Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Youtube

Low back pain injuries are common in athletes, and often present differently than the typical orthopedic disc-related neurogenic pain.In this episode, we discuss a recent review article on the diagnosis and management of low back pain in athletes.It was nice to see this topic applied to a specific athletic population and include recommendations on treatment as well as evidence-based lifting modifications.To see full show notes and more, head to: https://mikereinold.com/evaluation-and-treatment-of-low-back-pain-in-weight-lifting-athletes/ Learn our proven system for sports PTs who want to master ACL rehab, confidently progress patients, and guide athletes safely back to high-level sport.Click here to learn more Click Here to View My Online CoursesWant to learn more from me? I have a variety of online courses on my website!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show_____Want to learn more?  Check out my blog, podcasts, and online coursesFollow me:  Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Youtube

As we continue to learn more and more about arthrogenic muscle inhibition after ACL reconstruction surgery, we can continue to build better rehabilitation programs for our athletes.In this episode, the team discusses a recent review article on AMI and its impact on postoperative rehabilitation and return to sport decision-making.To see full show notes and more, head to: https://mikereinold.com/management-of-arthrogenic-muscle-inhibition/Learn our proven system for sports PTs who want to master ACL rehab, confidently progress patients, and guide athletes safely back to high-level sport.Click here to learn more Click Here to View My Online CoursesWant to learn more from me? I have a variety of online courses on my website!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show_____Want to learn more?  Check out my blog, podcasts, and online coursesFollow me:  Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Youtube

In this podcast, we review a recent article on the effect of strength training on running economy and performance.Many people have been advocating for incorporating more strength training into the routine of runners for some time.  It’s nice to see research emerging to continue supporting this.A simple strength training program can improve running performance.To see full show notes and more, head to: https://mikereinold.com/does-strength-training-improve-running-performance/Learn our proven system for sports PTs who want to master ACL rehab, confidently progress patients, and guide athletes safely back to high-level sport.Click here to learn more Click Here to View My Online CoursesWant to learn more from me? I have a variety of online courses on my website!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show_____Want to learn more?  Check out my blog, podcasts, and online coursesFollow me:  Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Youtube

Swelling and quadriceps muscle weakness are not uncommon after ACL reconstruction, and can even persist for several months.Athletes want to get back to running and eventually their sport as fast as they can. But sometimes using time-based criteria is not optimal.In this episode, we answer a question about whether an athlete should start running 5 months after an ACL reconstruction, even though they have persistent swelling and very low quad strength compared to the other limb.To see full show notes and more, head to: https://mikereinold.com/how-to-manage-persistent-swelling-after-acl-reconstruction/Learn our proven system for sports PTs who want to master ACL rehab, confidently progress patients, and guide athletes safely back to high-level sport.Click here to learn more Click Here to View My Online CoursesWant to learn more from me? I have a variety of online courses on my website!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show_____Want to learn more?  Check out my blog, podcasts, and online coursesFollow me:  Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Youtube

Over the last several years, the PT community has grown more convinced that athletes should not return to sport earlier than nine months.Research reports suggested that 9 months was a magic number. But what if your patient looks amazing at 8 months?In this episode, we review a recent article that showed that athletes returning earlier than 9 months were not at more risk if they met the proper objective criteria.To see full show notes and more, head to: https://mikereinold.com/is-9-months-the-sweet-spot-after-acl-reconstruction/Learn our proven system for sports PTs who want to master ACL rehab, confidently progress patients, and guide athletes safely back to high-level sport.Click here to learn more Click Here to View My Online CoursesWant to learn more from me? I have a variety of online courses on my website!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show_____Want to learn more?  Check out my blog, podcasts, and online coursesFollow me:  Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Youtube

The debate over postoperative rehabilitation after rotator cuff repair continues to evolve.In this episode of the podcast, we review a recent article that looked at outcomes between two groups, one that was stiff and one that wasn’t.Here are our thoughts on the paper.To see full show notes and more, head to: https://mikereinold.com/does-stiffness-lead-to-better-outcomes-after-rotator-cuff-repair/ Learn our proven system for sports PTs who want to master ACL rehab, confidently progress patients, and guide athletes safely back to high-level sport.Click here to learn more Click Here to View My Online CoursesWant to learn more from me? I have a variety of online courses on my website!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show_____Want to learn more?  Check out my blog, podcasts, and online coursesFollow me:  Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Youtube

It's important to have objective test data to safely progress patients and return them to sport after injuries like ACL reconstruction.Isokinetic testing is still the gold standard. However, the machines are large and expensive, and they are used much less frequently.We don’t even have an isokinetic machine at Champion.Here’s what we do instead.To see full show notes and more, head to: https://mikereinold.com/do-you-need-isokinetic-testing/Learn our proven system for sports PTs who want to master ACL rehab, confidently progress patients, and guide athletes safely back to high-level sport.Click here to learn more Click Here to View My Online CoursesWant to learn more from me? I have a variety of online courses on my website!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show_____Want to learn more?  Check out my blog, podcasts, and online coursesFollow me:  Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Youtube

Internal bracing is becoming a very popular procedure with orthopedic surgeons. Repairing ligaments and then augmenting the tissue with an internal brace has shown to be promising throughout the body, including the MCL of the knee.But, what do you do if there is prolonged stiffness?To see full show notes and more, head to: https://mikereinold.com/knee-mcl-repair-with-internal-brace/Learn our proven system for sports PTs who want to master ACL rehab, confidently progress patients, and guide athletes safely back to high-level sport.Click here to learn more Click Here to View My Online CoursesWant to learn more from me? I have a variety of online courses on my website!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show_____Want to learn more?  Check out my blog, podcasts, and online coursesFollow me:  Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Youtube

Oblique injuries are common in baseball players, and not so common in other sports.With baseball players training so much more in the offseason with high volume and max intent, it’s no wonder these injuries are rising.Here’s how we approach these injuries and how to progress them back to hitting.To see full show notes and more, head to: https://mikereinold.com/oblique-injuries-in-baseball-players/Learn our proven system for sports PTs who want to master ACL rehab, confidently progress patients, and guide athletes safely back to high-level sport.Click here to learn more Click Here to View My Online CoursesWant to learn more from me? I have a variety of online courses on my website!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show_____Want to learn more?  Check out my blog, podcasts, and online coursesFollow me:  Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Youtube

Restoring range of motion after a rotator cuff repair is one of the most important factors in long-term patient satisfaction.Internal rotation is especially important, as a loss of IR can really limit their functional movements.There are many variables to consider when rehabbing a rotator cuff repair patient. Several factors will alter our speed of progression.Unfortunately, protocols vary greatly. Here are our thoughts on restoring range of motion after rotator cuff repair surgery.To see full show notes and more, head to: https://mikereinold.com/restoring-range-of-motion-after-rotator-cuff-repair/Learn our proven system for sports PTs who want to master ACL rehab, confidently progress patients, and guide athletes safely back to high-level sport.Click here to learn more Click Here to View My Online CoursesWant to learn more from me? I have a variety of online courses on my website!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show_____Want to learn more?  Check out my blog, podcasts, and online coursesFollow me:  Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Youtube

Rehabilitation after ACL reconstruction is a long, sequential process.We look for specific criteria before progressing our athletes back to running.Here are the criteria we look for and the progression we follow for plyometrics, running, sprinting, and agility work to help athletes get back to competition after ACL surgery.To see full show notes and more, head to: https://mikereinold.com/return-to-running-after-acl-surgery/Learn our proven system for sports PTs who want to master ACL rehab, confidently progress patients, and guide athletes safely back to high-level sport.Click here to learn more Click Here to View My Online CoursesWant to learn more from me? I have a variety of online courses on my website!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show_____Want to learn more?  Check out my blog, podcasts, and online coursesFollow me:  Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Youtube

Little League Elbow is a common injury in youth baseball players. Little League Elbow is a growth plate injury typically seen in baseball pitchers around the age of 13.At this age, the bone is typically the weak link, not the ligament. This is why we see more bony growth plate injuries than Tommy John injuries in youth athletes.These often take longer to heal than you think, so we don’t usually rush them.Here’s how we rehab these injuries.To see full show notes and more, head to: https://mikereinold.com/little-league-elbow/Learn our proven system for sports PTs who want to master ACL rehab, confidently progress patients, and guide athletes safely back to high-level sport.Click here to learn more Click Here to View My Online CoursesWant to learn more from me? I have a variety of online courses on my website!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show_____Want to learn more?  Check out my blog, podcasts, and online coursesFollow me:  Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Youtube

Over the last decade, the amount of sports physical therapy residency programs has skyrocketed. There are so many great programs now.Our students ask us all the time if they should do a residency.Our answer is always, “It depends.” They aren’t for everyone.Here are our current thoughts on sports PT residencies, who should consider them, and who shouldn’t.To see full show notes and more, head to: https://mikereinold.com/update-on-sports-pt-residencies/Learn our proven system for sports PTs who want to master ACL rehab, confidently progress patients, and guide athletes safely back to high-level sport.Click here to learn more Click Here to View My Online CoursesWant to learn more from me? I have a variety of online courses on my website!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show_____Want to learn more?  Check out my blog, podcasts, and online coursesFollow me:  Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Youtube

Ah, the diagnosis of biceps tendonitis. We’ve all seen it so many times on script from doctors.Is all anterior shoulder pain coming from the biceps? How can you tell? How does this change your rehab?We’ll answer all this and more in this episode.To see full show notes and more, head to: https://mikereinold.com/evaluation-and-treatment-of-biceps-pain/Learn our proven system for sports PTs who want to master ACL rehab, confidently progress patients, and guide athletes safely back to high-level sport.Click here to learn more Click Here to View My Online CoursesWant to learn more from me? I have a variety of online courses on my website!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show_____Want to learn more?  Check out my blog, podcasts, and online coursesFollow me:  Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Youtube

It’s so awesome to see so many cash-based physical therapy businesses starting around the country.It’s really been an amazing experience for us at Champion to be out-of-network with health insurances for over 10 years.In this episode, we have some advice, pros, and cons for those looking to succeed with this model.To see full show notes and more, head to: https://mikereinold.com/what-it-takes-to-start-a-cash-based-pt-practice/Learn our proven system for sports PTs who want to master ACL rehab, confidently progress patients, and guide athletes safely back to high-level sport.Click here to learn more Click Here to View My Online CoursesWant to learn more from me? I have a variety of online courses on my website!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show_____Want to learn more?  Check out my blog, podcasts, and online coursesFollow me:  Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Youtube

We’re starting to see more and more ACL reconstruction procedures with an LET, or lateral extra-articular tenodesis. Especially in revisions and younger female athletes.In this episode we talk about the technique, how it changes the rehab progression, and some tips on what to watch out for.To see full show notes and more, head to: https://mikereinold.com/acl-reconstruction-with-lateral-extra-articular-tenodesis-let/Learn our proven system for sports PTs who want to master ACL rehab, confidently progress patients, and guide athletes safely back to high-level sport.Click here to learn more Click Here to View My Online CoursesWant to learn more from me? I have a variety of online courses on my website!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show_____Want to learn more?  Check out my blog, podcasts, and online coursesFollow me:  Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Youtube

If you want to help your athletes maximize their potential, you need to have a system to assess athletic qualities.This is important to individualize programming and monitor progress.We follow a few steps in our system:1. Identify the athletic qualities needed in a sport2. Identify an assessment to measure this quality3. Determine the technology neededHere are the athletic qualities we value at Champion, and how we assess them.To see full show notes and more, head to: https://mikereinold.com/what-athletic-qualities-do-we-test-and-how/Learn our proven system for sports PTs who want to master ACL rehab, confidently progress patients, and guide athletes safely back to high-level sport.Click here to learn more Click Here to View My Online CoursesWant to learn more from me? I have a variety of online courses on my website!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show_____Want to learn more?  Check out my blog, podcasts, and online coursesFollow me:  Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Youtube

One of the most common questions we tend to get over time is how to return athletes back to sport after an injury.This is one of the main topics in our online Champion Sports PT Mentorship, and probably the most popular portion of the program for past students (BTW, our next cohort starts in January… click here to learn more). In this episode, we talk about the criteria to start a return to sport progression, and then how to advance our athletes to make sure they are ready to return to competition.To see full show notes and more, head to: https://mikereinold.com/building-return-to-sport-programs/Learn our proven system for sports PTs who want to master ACL rehab, confidently progress patients, and guide athletes safely back to high-level sport.Click here to learn more Click Here to View My Online CoursesWant to learn more from me? I have a variety of online courses on my website!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show_____Want to learn more?  Check out my blog, podcasts, and online coursesFollow me:  Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Youtube

Limb symmetry index is often used to measure performance and determine return to play.Makes sense, but what if the other side isn’t perfect?We prefer to look at more than just LSI, but there’s a bunch that goes into it. We discuss in this episode.To see full show notes and more, head to: https://mikereinold.com/is-limb-symmetry-index-our-goal/ Learn our proven system for sports PTs who want to master ACL rehab, confidently progress patients, and guide athletes safely back to high-level sport.Click here to learn more Click Here to View My Online CoursesWant to learn more from me? I have a variety of online courses on my website!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show_____Want to learn more?  Check out my blog, podcasts, and online coursesFollow me:  Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Youtube

Rotator cuff tears are becoming more common in younger active patients in their 40s and 50s.Typically, they are small tears at this time, but what should we do with them? Should we consider surgery? Should we avoid it at all costs?We talk about some of the things to consider in this episode.To see full show notes and more, head to: https://mikereinold.com/rotator-cuff-repair-surgery-in-younger-patients/Learn our proven system for sports PTs who want to master ACL rehab, confidently progress patients, and guide athletes safely back to high-level sport.Click here to learn more Click Here to View My Online CoursesWant to learn more from me? I have a variety of online courses on my website!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show_____Want to learn more?  Check out my blog, podcasts, and online coursesFollow me:  Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Youtube

There are a ton of scientific and medical journals these days. Seems like there are more and more each year.We’ve talked over the years about how there are actually some journals you want to avoid, and others that you want to follow.In this episode, we talk about our current favorites plus some other current thoughts on how to stay current.To see full show notes and more, head to: https://mikereinold.com/our-favorite-journals-to-stay-currentLearn our proven system for sports PTs who want to master ACL rehab, confidently progress patients, and guide athletes safely back to high-level sport.Click here to learn more Click Here to View My Online CoursesWant to learn more from me? I have a variety of online courses on my website!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show_____Want to learn more?  Check out my blog, podcasts, and online coursesFollow me:  Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Youtube

Blood flow restriction training has been such a great addition to what we do in physical therapy.Just like everything else, the more we use it, the more we refine what we are doing.Here are our latest thoughts on how we are using BFR at Champion.Check out the show notes below to see our latest recommendations on BFR cuffs.To see full show notes and more, head to: https://mikereinold.com/bfr-update-for-2025-how-were-using-blood-flow-restriction-training/Learn our proven system for sports PTs who want to master ACL rehab, confidently progress patients, and guide athletes safely back to high-level sport.Click here to learn more Click Here to View My Online CoursesWant to learn more from me? I have a variety of online courses on my website!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show_____Want to learn more?  Check out my blog, podcasts, and online coursesFollow me:  Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Youtube

We’ve all had the patient walk in the door with acute low back pain. It’s awful. They’re in a ton of pain and can’t function.In this episode, we discuss our strategies for working with people with acute lumbar radiculopathy to get them on the right path as soon as possible.To see full show notes and more, head to: https://mikereinold.com/how-to-treat-acute-lumbar-radiculopathy/ Learn our proven system for sports PTs who want to master ACL rehab, confidently progress patients, and guide athletes safely back to high-level sport.Click here to learn more Click Here to View My Online CoursesWant to learn more from me? I have a variety of online courses on my website!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show_____Want to learn more?  Check out my blog, podcasts, and online coursesFollow me:  Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Youtube

We all know it’s important to challenge our patients with load during the exercise progression of a rehabilitation plan.Many people like to poke fun at the concept of 3 sets of 10 repetitions, probably because some abuse it, but there is a time and place for everything.In this episode, we discuss set and rep schemes and how we periodize our exercises during physical therapy and even the gym.To see full show notes and more, head to: https://mikereinold.com/how-to-periodize-a-rehabilitation-program/Learn our proven system for sports PTs who want to master ACL rehab, confidently progress patients, and guide athletes safely back to high-level sport.Click here to learn more Click Here to View My Online CoursesWant to learn more from me? I have a variety of online courses on my website!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show_____Want to learn more?  Check out my blog, podcasts, and online coursesFollow me:  Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Youtube

Rotator cuff repair surgery is one of the most common procedures in physical therapy, yet the recommended postoperative guidelines vary significantly.Different doctors worldwide disagree on what’s best. Some want to be conservative and delay range of motion and physical therapy to maximize the chance that the repair does not fail.But is that best? Are there negatives?In this episode, we discuss some of the science behind delaying range of motion after rotator cuff repair surgery.To see full show notes and more, head to: https://mikereinold.com/should-you-delay-range-of-motion-after-a-rotator-cuff-repair/Learn our proven system for sports PTs who want to master ACL rehab, confidently progress patients, and guide athletes safely back to high-level sport.Click here to learn more Click Here to View My Online CoursesWant to learn more from me? I have a variety of online courses on my website!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show_____Want to learn more?  Check out my blog, podcasts, and online coursesFollow me:  Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Youtube

Our understanding of SLAP tears, or superior labral tears of the shoulder, continues to evolve. In the past, we often rushed to surgical repair of a SLAP lesion, but now we understand that not all SLAP tears need to be repaired. In fact, repairing some types of SLAP tears in the wrong person could make them worse!In this episode we talk about the difference between a “good” SLAP tear and a “bad” SLAP tear.To see full show notes and more, head to: https://mikereinold.com/update-on-slap-tears-good-slaps-vs-bad-slaps/ Learn our proven system for sports PTs who want to master ACL rehab, confidently progress patients, and guide athletes safely back to high-level sport.Click here to learn more Click Here to View My Online CoursesWant to learn more from me? I have a variety of online courses on my website!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show_____Want to learn more?  Check out my blog, podcasts, and online coursesFollow me:  Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Youtube

Rate of force development has become popular in the strength and conditioning world, but not so much in rehabilitation.After an injury, we often work on strength and power, but we must also work on producing force as quickly as possible to benefit athletes.In this episode, we discuss how to measure RFD and how to incorporate it into the rehabilitation process for an injured athlete.To see full show notes and more, head to: https://mikereinold.com/rate-of-force-development-in-rehabilitation/Learn our proven system for sports PTs who want to master ACL rehab, confidently progress patients, and guide athletes safely back to high-level sport.Click here to learn more Click Here to View My Online CoursesWant to learn more from me? I have a variety of online courses on my website!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show_____Want to learn more?  Check out my blog, podcasts, and online coursesFollow me:  Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Youtube

The future of ACL reconstruction and repair is evolving. One of the newer techniques to try to repair the native ACL ligament rather than needing a graft is using a bridge enhancement. This is called the BEAR technique for Bridge-Enhanced ACL Repair.This procedure has specific indications, contraindications, and rehabilitation guidelines.In this episode, we discuss this procedure and the difference in rehabilitation between the BEAR technique and a traditional ACL reconstruction.To see full show notes and more, head to: https://mikereinold.com/acl-repair-using-the-bear-technique/ Learn our proven system for sports PTs who want to master ACL rehab, confidently progress patients, and guide athletes safely back to high-level sport.Click here to learn more Click Here to View My Online CoursesWant to learn more from me? I have a variety of online courses on my website!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show_____Want to learn more?  Check out my blog, podcasts, and online coursesFollow me:  Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Youtube

One of the areas that physical therapists often report feeling a lack of confidence is building a return to running program after an injury or surgery.There are a few things to consider, such as the type of athlete and what their goals are in the long run. But in general, a slow and gradual progression is often best.Here are the factors we consider and how we build our return to running programs.To see full show notes and more, head to: https://mikereinold.com/return-to-running-after-an-injury/Learn our proven system for sports PTs who want to master ACL rehab, confidently progress patients, and guide athletes safely back to high-level sport.Click here to learn more Click Here to View My Online CoursesWant to learn more from me? I have a variety of online courses on my website!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show_____Want to learn more?  Check out my blog, podcasts, and online coursesFollow me:  Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Youtube