Dealing with Injury : Speakers & Interviews

I seem to have struck a nerve.

Good! The conversation should never end when it comes to injury prevention and athletic performance. This discussion has already gotten a Div. 1 coach to rethink how injuries are managed. If that's all that happens, then Coward, Chris Ritter, me and everyone else here will have done a service to athletes. Period.
Oh, and Mark...did you have anything useful to say...? If you think of anything that will help Luka, feel free to share!
Thanks,
Phil Hueston, NASM-SFS, PES
IYCA Youth Fitness Specialist
All-Star Sports Academy
Toms River, NJ
phil @ allstarsportsacademynj.com

Why does he have to prove anything to you? It's like you want the last word on this, but no one really cares about your opinion because you don't know anyone in this video.

Coward,

If you would have me consider Coach Sinnott in a different light, this doesn't help:
{{"Your (sic) an arrogant who knows nothing about Eddie Sinnott. Take all your degree bull- and stick it up your ass."}}
Lovely, really.
I appreciate your emotion regarding Coach Sinnott. Should I still stick my degree bull- up my a&&? Or have you gotten that out of your system? :)-
I deal with coaches EVERY DAY! Too many of them say the same things Coach Sinnot did, and mean them exactly as they came across: Win at any cost.
Coach Sinnott seems, from what others say (you included) to be a more concerned, process-based coach then many.
Frankly, I'm sick to death of helping to produce injury-resistant, high performing athletes only to have neanderthal trainers and coaches screw up their careers.
My offer stands: I'LL TRAIN HIM FREE OF CHARGE, NO MATTER HOW MANY HOURS IT TAKES, UNTIL THE PROBLEM IS CORRECTED.
Additionally, if Coach Sinnott would like help with Luka, and with preventing this injury type in others, I'd be pleased to help. He can email me or call me and I'll be happy to help as much as possible.
My only concern is my clients...my athletes. And for what it's worth, my education was earned through training, experience and dedication. I will continue to seek the best solutions and methods to progress for my clients, and my practice will continue to grow.
Phil Hueston, NASM-SFS, PES
IYCA Youth Fitness Specialist
All-Star Sports Academy
Toms River, NJ
phil @ allstarsportsacademynj.com

Phil,

Since I am already know as Anonymous Coward I'll remain as such. I never critiqued or even addressed whether you are smart or qualified. It is obvious that you are both. I'm sure that you are right in your diagnosis. I had a brother with similar stability issues and the things you are saying is exactly what allowed him to keep swimming throughout and after college. My angry post was simply and emotional response to your attack on Eddie's character and care for his athletes when you don't have any knowledge apart from this brief video. Obviously poor decisions could be made based on bad advice from doctors less qualified or knowledgeable than yourself. The main point I care about making is that having swam for Eddie and been a teammate of Luka, I have NEVER met or worked with any other coach who is more process oriented than he is. Eddie always puts the health and well-being of his swimmers above his own intentions for an end result or product as you referred to it.
Sincerely,
Anonymous Coward
(no long list of degree crap)

You know what's really funny...the "critics" of those of us offering knowledge and advice based on EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION, SCIENCE and PRIOR RESULTS are unwilling to offer real names or backgrounds.

Say who you are and what your background is...it's how MUTUAL RESPECT is developed!
As for the other comments...all I can say is that in 10 years, the coaches who've made statements like those of Coach Sinnott have been the type of coaches I've described.
Since there's a widespread support for him (not to mention a history of success), I'm certainly willing to forego previous criticisms of him until or unless other information is revealed.
The remainder of my criticisms and advice remain. The only effective way to rehab and prevent the recurrence of an injury resulting from a stabilization dysfunction or pattern is to correct the injury patter which cused it.
Artificially stabilizing the joint at any time EXCEPT at rest does not accomplish this.
As for the useless comments from Anonymous Coward...how's this for wanting to help:
I'll train Luka FREE OF CHARGE until the injury is rehabbed. If Luka follows my post-rehab program for flexibility, stability, strength and power, it won't happen again!
Now..."anonymous" critics, shut it and let the professionals help this kid have a decent season!
Oh yeah...and how about contributing YOUR credentials (and maybe something useful) to this conversation.
And in all fairness to Coach SInnott and the SMU Medical Staff, this may be an injury that has past the critical and sensitive stages. In other words, it may be at a point where the "fix" takes longer than the pre-season or season itself.
If that's the case, and we were'nt told whether it is, then "swimming through the pain" may be the only way Luka can participate.
My offer stands, and they can reach me at 732-597-3725.
And, yes, I will help the coaches if asked to. That's why I'm in this business...FOR THE ATHLETES!
And by the way, I'll even help you, Anonymous Coward, if you ask nicely!
Phil Hueston, NASM-SFS, PES
IYCA Youth Fitness Specialist
All-Star Sports Academy
Toms River, NJ
phil @ allstarsportsacademynj.com

Phil to ease your mind, Eddie is most definitely not a product based coach, and is most certainly a process based coach. If he didn't care about the health of Luka then he would have made him swim the 800free relay at ncaas.. which he didn't and butterfly leg on the 400medley relay.. which he didn’t, so if he didn't seek to earn more points from his stud sprinter at the only meet that truly matters it is safe to say that the harness is simply an experimental project to potentially help Luka. Remember to keep in mind Eddie is no doctor, he is a swim coach who is listening to what doctor’s say is a potential tool for rehab.

i think this is a good video for me because it tells if you have a problem with your back or shoulder what to do to cure it. luv the video guys

I also happen to be a C.S.C.S, and some of the things said in the video were a bit puzzling. Obviously, we are have very little information about Luka's injury, but it seems as though Phil and Chris are right on with their assessment's. Instead of bashing Phil and Chris, who seem to know a good bit about how the body works, maybe you should start listening to them. I'm sure Coach Sinnott cares for his swimmers; it's just that some of the things that were said in the video just don't make a lot of sense.

From the little information I gathered from the video, it does seem to be an overuse injury--not a postural problem. And the only way to fix an overuse injury--yea, rest. But at this point, it may be too late if it started last year. I just hope it all works out for him. I swam my senior year with a serious injury, and it sucks. I didn't make it any worse though, I kicked when it hurt.

Phil,

Your an arrogant who knows nothing about Eddie Sinnott. Take all your degree bull- and stick it up your ass. If you really want to help Luka then have a private email conversation with the coaches. Don't make allegations against the character of the coaching staff that you have NO right or knowledge to make!!

I love all of these professionals here, seems like they all know whats best for him! Some might say swimming through the pain is stupid and that he just going to further injure himself but obviously he has weighed his options. He said that there was a surgery that he could have but he (Luka) said he didn't want to have it because the most likely result of having shoulder surgery would be a down season, and if he has already red-shirted a year then he would no longer be eligible to participate in NCAA competition. I believe its the swimmers decision medically, whether he's doing damage or not! Nothing can replace the feeling of accomplishment when a season is finished knowing that you have giving it your all and overcome all obstacles. Right on Luka!!! go get 'em
-Fellow Collegiate Swimmer

Andy, no disrespect meant, but it's highly inefficient to artificially create posture in an injured joint. The reality is that if he doesn't teach his scapular system to create stability during normal and athletic movement patterns, the injury will continue in a chronic manner.

Pain is a signal to the body that something must change. If you change it through artificial means (braces, etc.), the neuromuscular stabilization required for high-performance movement will never return at even a nominal level.
As for Coach Sinnott being "protective" of his swimmers, sorry, but any coach who will do whatever it takes to allow a swimmer to push through pain for 19 seconds (his words, not mine) without regard to the long-term consequences is being irresponsible.
I'm sure he's a great swim coach, but he needs to defer this problem to people with real, fresh ideas. As for trainers, just because they're D1 trainers doesn't mean squat. Some are great, some aren't.
As for wearing the brace to "build up the supporting muscles so that he can maintain posture without the brace," it won't happen like that.
When you train like that, the result is that either a new compensation/ dysfunction pattern is created, or the problem that caused the injury in the first place (in this case Scapular Instability, apparently) gets reinforced.
Luka's pain and immobility is a symptom, not the cause. When the scapula is unstable, muscles around it have to perform in ways they're not designed for. For example, the middle trapezius is primarily a movement muscle, not a stailizer. However, this is often the pain site when the scapular stabilizers fail or fatigue beyond their ability to perform. Simplified explanation, but it works for this purpose.
Artificially stabilizing this system will NOT create the strength required in the stabilizers (sub-scapularis, levator scapula, teres major and minor, infraspinatus, etc.) to prevent this from occurring repeatedly. Trainers need to deal with the cause of the injury and the patterns created, not train around the injury.
Luka's recovery will be faster and more effective if he, and his trainers and coaches, rehab the injury through a progression of NON-SUPPORTED scapular stabilization exercises. The athlete needs to understand that injury is the zero % point, with full athletic participation without fear of re-injury being the 100% point.
In my experience, most swimmers benefit immensely from ground-based training for both upper and lower body. Creating core strength that can be effectively translated through the extremities will both prevent injuries and improve performance.
One aspect of this injury being completely overlooked is the way Luka's describing the pain. He talks about feeling it when the bones rub on each other. Without more information and a complete assessment of his kinetic chain and athletic movement screen, it's nearly impossible to be sure, but his description indicates an overuse injury. These are all too common among swimmers at all levels.
Unfortunately, most coaches have the "product" in mind (winning), as opposed to the "process" (maintaining the athlete's health and integrity while acheiving). I hope Coach Sinnott is a "process" based coach, but that's not what it sounded like.
Bottom line here is that Luka needs to improve scapular stabilization in a free-moving manner, and THEN rebuild the strength in and around the shoulder.
I wish him the best, and hope he recovers fully!
Phil Hueston, NASM-SFS, PES
IYCA Youth Fitness Specialist
All-Star Sports Academy
Toms River, NJ
phil @ allstarsportsacademynj.com

Luka has been under the close supervision of professionals (doctors, trainers, coaches, etc) from the onset of his discomfort. His health and longterm wellbeing is everyone's primary concern. Every swimmer at SMU does scapular stabilization exercises whether they have an injury or not. This brace is intended to help teach the body proper posture and give Luka an opportunity to build up the supporting muscles so that he can maintain that posture without the brace. He has no intentions of wearing the brace for longer than a 1 hour period. After taking the brace off the first time he commented on how he could immediately feel the flaws in his posture and has already learned what he can do differently to improve his posture without the brace. As Luka improves his posture naturally, the brace will be eliminated.

Coach Sinnott is very protective of his swimmer's health, and if a swimmer is not fit to swim he will not let them. Often times this is the case even though the swimmer is asking to swim. Any suggestion to the contrary is simply not true. Coach Sinnott's flexibility and creativity in training has allowed swimmers to maintain their fitness level while rehabbing, and achieve great results after recovering from an injury. It is a testament to him as a coach and a person.

No disrespect to anyone is intended here, just want to understand.

What is NASM and CSCS and PES ... I assume they are some type of professional certifications .....
This athlete has been dealing with this injury for 9 months and he most likely has seen doctors and therapists. And, being that he is with a DI school, is most likely under the care of the school doctor who has been consulted with regards to the brace?

Phil, you are right on. Additionally I'm not sure if it's the best idea to wear it for a majority of the day as that could essentially become a crutch for the body and then it won't know how to properly hold correct posture; much like wearing a weight belt all the time will basically "turn off" the postural muscles of the torso.

With regards to the tape that was used in the Olympics that's a kinesthetic reminder to the athlete of how their posture should be and not an implement that is soley responsible for the posture and support of the shoulder.
I hope that the additional kicking is also done without a board for the most part as that would only inflame the shoulder more. There's a fine line that you have to walk in terms of getting through pain (I think discomfort is a better word) and going over the edge that you cause damage. Not to be political but when the coach said that the goal is to get it so that there's less pain that he can then swim through it and still lift that sounds like an "acceptable level of violence". Really is there such a thing? Personally I hope Luka gets healed up and does well this season but I wish that there was better advice for him to listen to, and this isn't to bash on Eddie as I've really enjoyed his interviews. There just needs to be more education on this stuff to trickle down to the coaches that work with these athletes, for the athletes sake.
Not sure if it will fit but this is a great article on the topic:
Does It Hurt?
Michael Boyle
I get asked rehab questions all the time. I have rehabilitated athletes in almost every major sport who were told they were "all done" by a doctor or a team trainer. Because people know my background, they often ask for advice.
Most of the time they ignore the advice because the advice does not contain the answer they want. They say "it only hurts when I run", I say things like "don't run".
A famous coach I know once told me "people don't call for advice, they call for agreement or consensus. If you don't tell them what they want to hear, they simply call someone else". His advice to me, don't bother wasting your time with advice.
Here I go again wasting time.
If you have an injury and are wondering whether or not a certain exercise is appropriate, ask yourself a simple question. "Does it hurt"? The key here is that the question 'does it hurt?" can only be answered yes or no. If you answer yes, then you are not ready for that exercise, no matter how much you like it. Simple, right? Not really. I tell everyone I speak with about rehab that any equivocation is a yes. Things like "after I warm-up it goes away" etc. are all yes answers. It is amazing to me how many times I have asked people this simple question only to have them dance around it. The reason they dance around the question is that they don't like my answer. They want to know things like "what about the magic cure that no one has told me about?". What about a secret exercise? I have another saying I like, "the secret is there is no secret". Another wise man, Ben Franklin I think, said "Common sense is not so common".
If you are injured and want to get better, use your common sense. Exercise should not cause pain. This seems simple but exercisers ignore pain all the time and rationalize it. Discomfort is common at the end of a set in a strength exercise or at the end of an intense cardiovascular workout. Additional discomfort, delayed onset muscle soreness, often occurs the two days following an intense session. This is normal. This discomfort should only last two days and should be limited to the muscles not the joints or tendons. Pain at the onset of an exercise is neither normal nor healthy and is indicative of a problem. Progression in any strength exercise should be based on a full, pain-free range of motion that produces muscle soreness without joint soreness. If you need to change or reduce range of motion, this is a problem. Progression in cardiovascular exercise should also be pain free and should follow the ten percent rule. Do not increase time or distance more than ten percent from one session to the next. I have used these simple rules in all of my strength and conditioning programs and, have been able to keep literally thousands of athletes healthy. I'm sure the same concepts will help you.

You've got to be kidding!

Let's artificially stabilize the scapula so that we can permanently train a compensation and dysfunction pattern into the shoulder movement that will result in more and further injury! Brilliant, coach!
I've been training swimmers in New Jersey for years. They come to my facility with shoulder injuries and the first thing we do is work on SCAPULAR STABILIZATION!!!!!!!
Mind you, we actually stabilize the scapula in an integrated manner that serves to prevent further inflammation and damage. That's the way to strengthen the shoulder for competitive swimming!
This coach is interested in only one thing: pushing his stud horse to the brink of shoulder destruction in order to win! Shame on him!
Step back, assess the real problem (Scapular instability), determine the best way to solve the problem and THEN train it for faster, stronger, more explosive movement!
Don't fall for this nonsense, even if it did come from the Olympic doctors!
Train right, develop healthy processes and you'll be able to enjoy BOTH the journey (preparation) AND the destination (winning!)
Phil Hueston, NASM-SFS, PES
IYCA Youth Fitness Specialist
All-Star Sports Academy
Toms River, NJ
phil @ allstarsportsacademynj.com