CrossFit rehabilitation needs barbells, a rig, and a keen eye! Performance Physical Therapy in Boston, MA

This week’s blog is brought to you by Dr. Julia Muller, PT, DPT, CF-L1.

I have been CrossFitting since 2018 and have had the pleasure of coaching athletes in CrossFit, Olympic lifting, powerlifting, and functional strength training since 2021. 

Are you a CrossFitter who has ever been told by a friend or healthcare provider to “find a different sport” because of the “risk of injury”? At The Method, we will never tell you to leave your passion or your community.

Did you know that CrossFit actually has lower injury rates than other popular sports such as running, soccer, gymnastics, and football? Research has shown that factors like coaching supervision, consistent training volume, and years of experience are key to minimizing injury risks across all sports.

CrossFit has gained immense popularity over the past decade due to its close-knit community, the efficiency of getting an intense workout in under an hour, and its ability to teach fitness principles to athletes of all levels. Injuries can be incredibly frustrating, as athletes often feel disconnected from their community and experience the physical toll of losing momentum in their fitness journey.

What should you do if you experience an injury while CrossFitting? 

Your next call should be to a physical therapist with experience in treating injuries related to the sport. These injuries are often caused by poor movement mechanics, limited mobility, strength imbalances, a sudden increase in training intensity, poor recovery practices, or coaching that fails to address these factors early on. Physical therapy for CrossFit-related injuries involves a thorough evaluation where all of these aspects will be assessed and specific solutions will be provided.

In the clinic, we are trained to assess and cue your movements to determine what may be contributing to your pain. Our goal is to keep you in the gym as much as possible while giving you specific instructions on how to train around your injury, all while directly addressing the issue. The solution is rarely just stretching, resting, or ignoring the problem. We use injuries as opportunities to learn more about your body’s needs, helping you reach optimal performance in the future and minimizing the risk of future injuries.

“Can a performance physical therapist still help me improve my CrossFit performance, even if I’m not in pain?” 

Absolutely! With our trained eye for movement and thorough body assessments, we often catch minor issues before they develop into larger injuries. A common example is a stiff ankle that makes it challenging for an athlete to achieve full-depth squats under a barbell or perform wall balls effectively. This limitation can lead to knee or hip pain as those joints begin to compensate. 

Even if you are not actively in pain but have had an injury in the past that still haunts you, it is never too late to seek further help. Often unresolved movement compensations like joint stiffness or muscle guarding can lead to further issues. You deserve peace of mind with your training to achieve your performance goals!

If any of these concerns resonate with you, reach out to the team of Doctors of Physical Therapy at the Method in Boston, MA or Charlestown, MA to get a solid plan for your recovery and performance.