Progressive Rehab & Strength

In this episode of the Progressive Rehab & Strength Podcast, Dr. Rori Alter and Dr. John Petrizzo break down how strength training allowed a 75-year-old barbell trainee to avoid inpatient rehab after fracturing both her hip and wrist. Her story is a testament to how barbell training preserves function, independence, and quality of life—even after serious injury. "The stronger you go into these sorts of situations, the better off you're going to be—because you're going to have more lean body mass, more muscle mass, more bone mineral density… So that if you lose some of it, you're not going to be as negatively impacted as someone who has low levels going in." – Dr. John Petrizzo, PT, CSCS, PRSCC, SSC Key Topics Discussed The role of strength training in rehab for older adults How physical therapists and orthopedic surgeons can safely use barbell exercises Adapting barbell training during recovery from fractures and surgery The benefits of building "physiological reserve" through strength Strategies to maintain training with one-sided injuries Using machines, bands, and unilateral work as part of barbell-based rehab Key Takeaways Strength training can prevent the need for inpatient rehab You can apply progressive overload without a barbell Barbell lifts can be safely modified in rehab Muscle and bone strength serve as protection, not risk, as we age 0:00 – 1:39 – Episode intro + Pat's story setup 1:40 – 5:00 – Pat skips inpatient rehab after hip + wrist fractures 5:00 – 9:30 – Strength training keeps older adults independent 9:30 – 10:50 – Rehab often unnecessary if strong enough 10:50 – 13:18 – Medical disclaimer + conceptual discussion 13:19 – 17:00 – How to train lower body post-fracture 17:01 – 22:00 – How to train upper body with one arm 22:01 – 25:00 – Applying progressive overload in rehab 25:01 – 30:00 – Healing timelines + early rehab mobility 30:01 – 35:00 – Managing PT visits + training around insurance limits 35:01 – 41:00 – Transitioning from rehab to barbell training 41:01 – 45:00 – Strength as physiological reserve in aging 45:01 – 52:00 – Doctors dismissing lifting + final takeaways Listen now and share this episode with a clinician, athlete, or loved one who needs to hear it. Got a question you would like the PRS team to answer on the show? Submit it here! https://forms.gle/7Vu2HmgHoeQY9xM59 If you're enjoying our podcast, please leave us a review on Apple or Spotify. Free Resources! Need help with an injury or programming? Book a free consultation call with one of the PRS Clinical Coaches here! Interested in attending some of the free PRS community events and getting early access to PRS Podcast episodes? Sign up for our weekly newsletter here! Join our Facebook Community for free form checks, live Q&As & more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PRS.Barbell.Mastery Get in touch with the show! Web: https://www.progressiverehabandstrength.com Email: podcast@progressiverehabandstrength.com Rori IG: @rorimegan_prs John IG: @johnpetrizzo

In this episode of the Progressive Rehab & Strength Podcast Inspirational Interview Series, Dr. Rori Alter sat down with Anna Marie Oakes-Joudy, an athlete who faces life's toughest challenges and emerges stronger every day. Anna Marie shares her personal journey through the hardships of raising and homeschooling 5 children, demonstrating resilience, and the transformative power of strength training. As a mother of five—including a set of twins—she balances her role as a dedicated parent while excelling as a barbell coach, homeschooling her children, and running a successful business. From overcoming significant obstacles to finding empowerment in lifting, her story is one of perseverance and inspiration. Listeners will be moved by her candid reflections on how she navigates setbacks and finds purpose in both training and life. Anna Marie discusses the mental and physical battles she endured and how she leveraged strength training as a means of grounding herself. She opens up about the crucial role of a supportive community and the guidance she received along the way. Her experiences highlight the power of mindset and how shifting perspectives can turn adversity into an opportunity for growth. Juggling motherhood, coaching, homeschooling, and entrepreneurship, Anna Marie provides an honest look at the challenges she faces daily and how she stays focused on her goals. Whether you're an athlete facing challenges or someone looking for motivation to push through tough times, this conversation offers invaluable insights. Throughout the interview, Anna Marie and Dr. Rori Alter explores key themes such as goal setting, adapting mindsets, and the importance of consistency in training and life. Some of the thought-provoking questions she answers include: How do you find balance between raising five children, running a business, and staying committed to your own strength journey? What advice do you have for other parents who struggle to prioritize their own health and fitness? What were the biggest mental barriers you had to overcome, and how did you work through them? She also shares how she integrates her passion for strength training into her family life, setting an example for her children and encouraging them to build confidence through movement. This episode serves as a reminder that even when circumstances seem insurmountable, persistence and a strong support system can pave the way for success. Join us for this powerful and uplifting conversation with Anna Marie. Whether you're a working mom of one or a stay-at-home-dad of 5, her journey will leave you feeling inspired and ready to tackle your own challenges head-on. Listen now and be reminded of the strength that lies within you! Resources & Links: Anna Marie's IG: @am_strength Anna Marie's email: am.strength.ss@gmail.com Client Spotlight | Anna Marie's 4th Pregnancy/Postpartum & Barbell Training Pregnancy & Postpartum Barbell Training Resources If you're enjoying our podcast, please leave us a review on Apple or Spotify. Free Resources! Need help with an injury or programming? Book a free consultation call with one of the PRS Clinical Coaches here! Interested in attending some of the free PRS community events and getting early access to PRS Podcast episodes? Sign up for our weekly newsletter here! Join our Facebook Community for free form checks, live Q&As & more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PRS.Barbell.Mastery Got questions or guests you'd like to hear on the show? Submit them here: https://forms.gle/7Vu2HmgHoeQY9xM59 Get in touch with the show! Web: https://www.progressiverehabandstrength.com Email: podcast@progressiverehabandstrength.com Rori IG: @rorimegan_prs Alyssa IG: @alyssahope_prs

In this episode of The Progressive Rehab & Strength Podcast, new parents and Clinical Coaches, Drs Rori Alter and John Petrizzo, dive into the challenges of maintaining a strength training program, specifically powerlifting and barbell training, after having a baby for the first and second time. From sleep deprivation to time constraints, they explore how your approach to training must shift in the postpartum period. If you're a parent, or soon-to-be parent, they talk about the differences in training expectations before and after having kids, and how to avoid the common pitfalls that lead to injury and burnout after. This episode discusses the importance of flexibility and consistency over perfection, how to modify your lifting program to suit your current life stage, and the critical need to listen to your body and adjust your approach. It also covers how to stay realistic and avoid frustration by embracing the idea that this is a temporary phase, and there will be opportunities to get back to a more robust powerlifting routine that works for you. Key Takeaways From This Episode: Managing Expectations in Postpartum Powerlifting for Both Parents: Training as a new parent may look very different from training before kids. Explore the shift in mindset and realistic goals when it comes to strength training during the postpartum period. Sleep Deprivation and Its Impact on Strength Training & Recovery: Sleep disturbances are commonplace after having a child, whether it's the first, second or third time. Whether it's early postpartum or you're in the midst of a sleep regression, your ability to recover is impacted and training must adapt while you're in this ever changing life phase. Finding Time to Train: How parents can carve out time for strength training despite the busy, unpredictable schedule of parenting. This episode tackles the myth of "I don't have time to train" and shares practical tips for fitting in workouts, even when life gets chaotic. Consistency Over Perfection: Why aiming for consistency instead of perfection can be a game changer in the postpartum period. It's all about progress, not perfection. The Importance of Modifying Your Program: Not adjusting your training can lead to injuries and hinder your progress. This episode gives real-life examples of clients who struggled with injuries because their standard programs weren't suited to their current life stage and recovery capacity. Recovery and Injuries: Why you may need to slow down and focus more on recovery, especially after childbirth, when typical strength training programs may not provide enough rest. Temporary Phase: Recognizing that this challenging stage is temporary, from the fourth trimester to toddlerhood, and that balance and recovery will improve as time goes on. Episode Highlights: The #1 reason people stop exercising is lack of time – and this becomes even more of a challenge after having kids. Case studies of clients balancing demanding careers and new families, who had to modify their training to avoid injuries and achieve better recovery. Real talk about the physical and mental adjustment needed after introducing a new family member, and how training programs need to reflect these changes. Links and Resources: John's article: One Year of Low Volume Training How to Incorporate Cardio Into Your Strength Training Program How to Manage Strength Training Fatigue in Your Barbell Training | Fatigue Management While Powerlifting The Sustainable Training Builder (Free): designed to help you completely customize and adjust your barbell training program and nutrition by tracking the most important data for optimal recovery, performance, and sustainability If you're enjoying our podcast, please leave us a review on Apple or Spotify. Free Resources! Need help with an injury or programming? Book a free consultation call with one of the PRS Clinical Coaches here! Interested in attending some of the free PRS community events and getting early access to PRS Podcast episodes? Sign up for our weekly newsletter here! Join our Facebook Community for free form checks, live Q&As & more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PRS.Barbell.Mastery Got questions or guests you'd like to hear on the show? Submit them here: https://forms.gle/7Vu2HmgHoeQY9xM59 Get in touch with the show! Web: https://www.progressiverehabandstrength.com Email: podcast@progressiverehabandstrength.com Rori IG: @rorimegan_prs Alyssa IG: @alyssahope_prs

In this episode of Progressive Rehab & Strength Podcast, we sit down with PRS client and competitive powerlifter, Stephanie Tracy. We dive into her incredible journey from competing at Powerlifting America's Bench Press National Championships to representing the USA at the Pan American Championships. Along the way, we discuss the mental and physical challenges that come with injuries, how Steph found the strength to push through, and what it takes to keep competing at the highest level, even when your body may be working against you. Get our FREE Powerlifting Meet Day Bundle HERE >> progressiverehabandstrength.com/powerliftingbundle Stephanie opens up about her history in competitive powerlifting, the setbacks she's faced due to injury, and the mindset that keeps her in the game. She shares the story of her shoulder injury, how it affected her training and mentality, and the decision-making process that led her to compete at the Pan American Championships despite not being at 100%. We also discuss how strategy helped her succeed in this international competition, even though she didn't hit a PR or go 3/3, and what kept her smiling after a tough performance. Steph Tracy highlights many of the elements we discussed in our Powerlifting Competition Series on the Podcast and we're excited for her to share her story with you. In this candid conversation, Stephanie gives valuable advice for anyone dealing with an injury while preparing for a competition and how to determine when to push through and when to take a step back. What You'll Learn in This Episode: The ups and downs of Stephanie's competitive powerlifting journey, including her experience with injuries and how they've shaped her approach to the sport. Why powerlifting is a great sport for people of all backgrounds and abilities. How to stay mentally focused during competition, even when dealing with setbacks. The real reason Steph accepted the invitation to the Pan American Championships, despite being injured. The importance of strategy in overcoming physical limitations and how it contributed to her performance. How to evaluate whether you should push through an injury or take time off from competing. Why injuries don't necessarily have to end your competition season. The role of imaging in understanding the extent of an injury and its impact on performance. Episode Highlights: Injuries and Resilience — Stephanie talks about the challenges injuries have presented throughout her powerlifting career and how they've affected both her training and mindset. Pushing Through the Pain — A deep dive into the mental toughness required to compete at a high level when injured, and how strategic thinking allowed Stephanie to succeed even when she wasn't at full strength. Facing the Decision — Stephanie's advice for anyone dealing with an injury and whether to continue pushing toward a competition or take time off to heal. Why It's Not Always About PRs — Despite not hitting a PR at the Pan American Championships, Stephanie explains why she felt proud of her performance and how the experience shaped her approach to future competitions. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about perseverance, strategy, and the power of mindset in competitive powerlifting, even in the face of injury. Resources & Links: Follow Stephanie on Instagram @civilwarbabe Learn more about PRS podcast Visit PRS to learn more about coaching and training programs for powerlifters #6 - Part 2 - Pain & Injuries in Barbell Training - Do You Need an MRI? If you're enjoying our podcast, please leave us a review on Apple or Spotify. Need help with an injury or programming? Book a free consultation call with one of the PRS Clinical Coaches here! Interested in attending some of the free PRS community events and getting early access to PRS Podcast episodes? Sign up for our weekly newsletter here! Join our Facebook Community for free form checks, live Q&As & more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PRS.Barbell.Mastery Got questions or guests you'd like to hear on the show? Submit them here: https://forms.gle/7Vu2HmgHoeQY9xM59 Get in touch with the show! Web: https://www.progressiverehabandstrength.com Email: podcast@progressiverehabandstrength.com Rori IG: @rorimegan_prs Alyssa IG: @alyssahope_prs

In this episode of Progressive Rehab & Strength Podcast we continue our discussion on Powerlifting Game Day Strategy. We focus on the nuances of managing and competing at the highest levels of powerlifting, with a particular emphasis on coaching advanced athletes through regional, pro, national, and international powerlifting competitions. This episode is designed for advanced lifters and new lifters entering the higher competition circuit, and their coaches who are preparing for national and international competitions, offering actionable strategies to optimize performance when every detail matters. Coach Alyssa breaks down the critical differences between advanced lifters and those at the beginner or intermediate levels, exploring how a lifter's game day strategy evolves as they progress in the sport. From refining the technical aspects of attempt selection to the mental fortitude required for high-stakes competition, we cover everything you need to know about navigating the challenges that come with elite-level powerlifting meets. Key topics include: Building a Competitive Powerlifting Total: How to strategically plan attempts to build a winning total, including handling the psychology of openers, progressions, and third attempts. Handling Red Lights in a Meet: What to do when an attempt doesn't go as planned—how to stay calm, reset, and come back stronger, and when it's time for the coach to step in. The Role of the Meet-Day Handler: Why a handler becomes essential at this level or powerlifting , how to optimize their role in assisting with warm-ups, attempt selection, and managing last-minute decisions. Advanced Deadlift Strategy: Why the deadlift can make or break your competition, and how to approach it strategically—especially when the bar is heavy and every kilo counts. Competition Day Logistics: Navigating the complexities of lot numbers, squat to bench to deadlift transitions, and managing potential delays or distractions in the warm-up area. DOTS Scoring and Pro-Level Strategy: Understanding the impact of DOTS scores on rankings and how this affects attempt planning at national and world-level events. We'll also discuss how to fine-tune your lifter's mindset, optimize performance under pressure, and deal with the unique challenges that arise at high-level meets. Whether you're a coach guiding a lifter to their first national competition or managing a seasoned pro at the world level, this episode is packed with strategies to elevate both your athlete's performance and your coaching game. Tune in for expert advice on mastering the finer points of game day and ensuring that your athlete executes with precision, confidence, and focus on the biggest stages in powerlifting. Get our FREE Powerlifting Meet Day Bundle HERE >> progressiverehabandstrength.com/powerliftingbundle If you're enjoying our podcast, please leave us a review on Apple or Spotify. Need help with an injury or programming? Book a free consultation call with one of the PRS Clinical Coaches here! Interested in attending some of the free PRS community events and getting early access to PRS Podcast episodes? Sign up for our weekly newsletter here! Join our Facebook Community for free form checks, live Q&As & more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PRS.Barbell.Mastery Got questions or guests you'd like to hear on the show? Submit them here: https://forms.gle/7Vu2HmgHoeQY9xM59 Get in touch with the show! Web: https://www.progressiverehabandstrength.com Email: podcast@progressiverehabandstrength.com Rori IG: @rorimegan_prs Alyssa IG: @alyssahope_prs

In this follow-up episode, Drs. Rori Alter, PT, and Alyssa Haveson, PT, delve into the critical decisions powerlifters face when selecting a weight class for competition. Building on their previous conversation about the timing of entering a meet, they explore the key factors that influence whether you should cut weight, bulk up, or stay at your current body weight to optimize your performance. In this episode, they answer essential questions like: How do powerlifting weight classes work, and who are you actually competing against? What factors should influence your decision to lose weight or gain weight for a competition? When is it a smart strategy to cut weight (and how to do it safely), versus bulking for powerlifting? Should you train at a heavier body weight relative to your weight class? What's the difference between a weight cut and a water cut—and when should you do either? When is it time to change weight classes, and how does this impact your personal records (PRs)? How does gaining or losing weight affect your strength, technique, and overall performance? Should you outgrow a weight class, and what are the signs? If you're wondering how to make the right weight class choice for your next competition—or if you're unsure whether to bulk or cut—this episode is packed with expert advice on how to navigate these tough decisions! Resources mentioned in this episode: Weigh-in & Meet Day Eating Guide Episode #24: Danny Lennon, MSc - Cutting & Confining to a Powerlifting Weight Class | A Decision Hierarchy If you're enjoying our podcast, please leave us a review on Apple or Spotify. Need help with an injury or programming? Book a free consultation call with one of the PRS Clinical Coaches here! Interested in attending some of the free PRS community events and getting early access to PRS Podcast episodes? Sign up for our weekly newsletter here! Join our Facebook Community for free form checks, live Q&As & more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PRS.Barbell.Mastery Got questions or guests you'd like to hear on the show? Submit them here: https://forms.gle/7Vu2HmgHoeQY9xM59 Get in touch with the show! Web: https://www.progressiverehabandstrength.com Email: podcast@progressiverehabandstrength.com Rori IG: @rorimegan_prs Alyssa IG: @alyssahope_prs

Rori and team are taking a quick break from podcasting for the fall. Stay tuned, though, because they'll be back soon with more podcasts! In the meantime, check out the PRS website (link below) as well as the many other resources PRS offers. If you're enjoying our podcast, please leave us a review on Apple or Spotify. Need help with an injury or programming? Book a free consultation call with one of the PRS Clinical Coaches here! Interested in attending some of the free PRS community events and getting early access to PRS Podcast episodes? Sign up for our weekly newsletter here! Join our Facebook Community for free form checks, live Q&As & more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PRS.Barbell.Mastery Got questions or guests you'd like to hear on the show? Submit them here: https://forms.gle/7Vu2HmgHoeQY9xM59 Get in touch with the show! Web: https://www.progressiverehabandstrength.com Email: podcast@progressiverehabandstrength.com Rori IG: @rorimegan_prs Alyssa IG: @alyssahope_prs

The shoulder is one of the most commonly injured areas of the body in the sport of powerlifting and strength training. But injuring your shoulder does not mean you should stop training. Barbell lift modifications can be made so you can continue to powerlift while you rehabilitate your shoulder injury. In this episode of the PRS Podcast the Clinical Coaches discuss our algorithm for technique modification to allow you, your clients, or patients to continue to train each powerlift while rehabilitating a shoulder injury. Additionally, we discuss how you can continue to train your whole body early on after having shoulder surgery and what early return-to-sport for powerlifting looks like. We break down technique modifications and return-to-powerlifting after surgery via a discussion on each lift so there is no reason why your athleticism should decrease when you are recovering from a shoulder surgery or injury. Resources mentioned in this episode: Pain & Injuries Part 1 Pain & Injuries Part 2 Pain & Injuries Part 3 Barbell Strap If you're enjoying our podcast, please leave us a review on Apple or Spotify. Need help with an injury or programming? Book a free consultation call with one of the PRS Clinical Coaches here! Interested in attending some of the free PRS community events and getting early access to PRS Podcast episodes? Sign up for our weekly newsletter here! Join our Facebook Community for free form checks, live Q&As & more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PRS.Barbell.Mastery Got questions or guests you'd like to hear on the show? Submit them here: https://forms.gle/7Vu2HmgHoeQY9xM59 Get in touch with the show! Web: https://www.progressiverehabandstrength.com Email: podcast@progressiverehabandstrength.com Rori IG: @rorimegan_prs Alyssa IG: @alyssahope_prs

Chiropractic adjustments are often used for the treatment of neck pain and headaches. However, there is an increasing awareness that cervical spine manipulation may not be safe, therefore it's important to know the risks, benefits, and alternatives when determining if cervical spine adjustments are best for you. There is a strong relationship between the structures of the neck and head with balance and performance in barbell training and powerlifting. This is why we coach people to maintain a neutral neck posture in line with the rest of their spine and to focus their eyes on a specific point close to their bodies while executing the powerlifts. Not considering and adhering to sound technique in the cervical spine may lead to neck pain, headaches, dizziness, or injuries in barbell training. This may lead you to seek out the care of a chiropractor for manipulation or adjustment of the cervical spine for neck pain or other disorders of the head and neck. But is chiropractic adjustment of the cervical spine safe and what you need? In this episode of the PRS Podcast, our hosts sit down to discuss Dr. Taylor Goldberg, DC who discusses the efficacy and safety of cervical spine manipulation. There are many other treatments that can provide the same benefit in a safer capacity One of the iIssue with traditional chiropractors is they market themselves as the only way to fix symptoms and make someone healthier. The narrative and language used by traditional chiropractors scares people into believing they need adjustments forever and it is the only way to feel well Chiropractic manipulation isn't doing what it says it's doing because… Bad palpation skills Not adjusting the level we think we are adjusting Bones don't move Medical Subluxation & Chiropractic Subluxation are different confusing people about the mechanism of their pain Contraindications to manipulating the cervical spine and when WOULD she recommend and use cervical spine manipulation? How are the neck, ears, jaw, and eyes connected to dizziness and balance How might movement of the neck while lifting cause dizziness or fainting Is there truly bad posture and how does that influence neck pain? Types of headaches stemming from our traps and how they are different from migraines Cervicogenic headaches Tension headaches Where does botox fit into the treatment of cervicogenic and tension headaches? Some of Taylor's Educational Articles: Hypermobility & Adjustments What is an Adjustment? Connect with Taylor @theyhypermobilechiro on Instagram If you're enjoying our podcast, please leave us a review on Apple or Spotify. Need help with an injury or programming? Book a free consultation call with one of the PRS Clinical Coaches here! Interested in attending some of the free PRS community events and getting early access to PRS Podcast episodes? Sign up for our weekly newsletter here! Join our Facebook Community for free form checks, live Q&As & more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PRS.Barbell.Mastery Got questions or guests you'd like to hear on the show? Submit them here: https://forms.gle/7Vu2HmgHoeQY9xM59 Get in touch with the show! Web: https://www.progressiverehabandstrength.com Email: podcast@progressiverehabandstrength.com Rori IG: @rorimegan_prs Alyssa IG: @alyssahope_prs

Neck tweaks and dizziness can sometimes occur with barbell training and powerlifting. So if you've ever wondered why you get dizzy when you lift heavy, why you tweaked your neck from the overhead press, where you should look when you squat, etc., you should understand that your eye gaze and neck position is very important when you lift heavy. The neck is a region of the body that does not actively contribute to the bar moving up in the squat, bench press, overhead press or deadlift. Therefore, we consider the neck joints accessory joints rather than mover joints. While it's impossible for the neck to stay completely still when you lift it should be your goal to keep it as still as possible and reduce the amount of position change that occurs as the rest of your body moves in space. Our eyes also play a significant role in our overall lifting experience and execution so we should be very specific with what we are doing with our eyes as well. The role of eye gaze in barbell training is to: Provide visual feedback about the environment/where our body is in space Maintain as much neutrality in our neck as possible to support the function or structures in our neck and inner ear that promote balance and equilibrium At Progressive Rehab & Strength, we have a few general rules for eye gaze and neck position that applies to all exercises, including non-barbell/non-powerlifts: The cervical spine or neck and head are extensions of the spine and should remain in line with the rest of the spine throughout the lift If the cervical spine cannot remain in neutral throughout the lift, it should be positioned at the start and end of the lift such that it is positioned in neutral during the most stressful parts of the lift The eyes should be positioned perpendicular to the line of the spine when it is at its most neutral position during the lift In this episode of the PRS Podcast we dive deeply into our eye gaze and neck position recommendations for each barbell lift. For some lifts this is obvious,for others it is not. Check out the full episode to learn how to improve the execution of your lifts while reducing injury to your neck. If you're enjoying our podcast, please leave us a review on Apple or Spotify. Need help with an injury or programming? Book a free consultation call with one of the PRS Clinical Coaches here! Interested in attending some of the free PRS community events and getting early access to PRS Podcast episodes? Sign up for our weekly newsletter here! Join our Facebook Community for free form checks, live Q&As & more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PRS.Barbell.Mastery Got questions or guests you'd like to hear on the show? Submit them here: https://forms.gle/7Vu2HmgHoeQY9xM59 Get in touch with the show! Web: https://www.progressiverehabandstrength.com Email: podcast@progressiverehabandstrength.com Rori IG: @rorimegan_prs Alyssa IG: @alyssahope_prs

Cervical radiculopathy is a common condition of the neck that can result in a multitude of symptoms radiating in the arm, including muscle weakness. Acute weakness with the bench press can be a sign that something is impinging a nerve in your neck but when addressed appropriately, you can regain your strength effectively. Chris Rzany experienced the acute onset of pec and triceps weakness in his bench press from one day to the next. He knew something was wrong and needed medical attention when he could barely bench press the empty bar where previously he was bench pressing 260lbs. In an effort to preserve his physical health he sought immediate medical attention from an orthopedist, underwent imaging, and other testing, with no conclusive diagnosis to the root cause of his cervical radiculopathy. Through his recovery journey there were ups and downs, relapses of his symptoms, but eventually, with the brief help from PRS Clinical Coach, Dr. Rori Alter, Chris was able to understand the root of his injury, his training program. In this episode of the PRS Podcast, Chris and Dr. Rori Alter sit down and discuss his journey from severe cervical radiculopathy back to the powerlifting platform and hitting a raw powerlifting bench press PR. In this episode you'll learn how volume, intensity, frequency, recovery, and novel stimuli played into his injury. And he'll also discuss how he stopped the relapse/remission cycle through monitoring training intensity. Connect with Chris: IG - @crzany75 Email - chris_rzany@yahoo.com If you're enjoying our podcast, please leave us a review on Apple or Spotify. Join our Facebook Community for free form checks, live Q&As & more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PRS.Barbell.Mastery Got questions or guests you'd like to hear on the show? Submit them here: https://forms.gle/7Vu2HmgHoeQY9xM59 Check out the Clinical Barbell Coaching Institute to learn more about the PRS education opportunities! https://bit.ly/43VjRFz Get in touch with the show! Web: https://www.progressiverehabandstrength.com Email: podcast@progressiverehabandstrength.com Rori IG: @rorimegan_prs Alyssa IG: @alyssahope_prs Bre IG: @breannejulia_prs

How you position your gaze and maintain your neck position when you lift is important. Your body's balance responds to your neck and eye position so when you are barbell training, it's important to keep your neck still and your eyes fixed to one point. The position of the cervical spine when you lift is extremely important because many of the muscles that support the bar and shoulders attach to the cervical spine. Additionally, the neurovascular structures responsible for innervating the limbs, brain, and organs all pass through the neck. When we do not pay close attention to the position of our neck and eye gaze while weight training, you may experience some problems like: Tension headaches Dizziness Radicular pain in the arms Upper extremity weakness Stiff neck Why do you get dizzy, headaches, a stiff neck, etc. when you barbell train? Stiffness in shoulders, hips, or thoracic spine causes you to get range from another area in the body. The position of the bar relative to your neck causes tension on the neurovascular structures in the neck. Too much movement in the cervical spine when you lift. This area should remain stable to protect the joints and neurovascular structures which aren't meant to be loaded as much as the other areas of the body In this episode of the PRS Podcast, co-hosts Dr. Rori Alter and Dr. Alyssa Haveson discuss position of the cervical spine and neck injuries in barbell training and powerlifting. If you're enjoying our podcast, please leave us a review on Apple or Spotify. Join our Facebook Community for free form checks, live Q&As & more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PRS.Barbell.Mastery Got questions or guests you'd like to hear on the show? Submit them here: https://forms.gle/7Vu2HmgHoeQY9xM59 Check out the Clinical Barbell Coaching Institute to learn more about the PRS education opportunities! https://bit.ly/43VjRFz Get in touch with the show! Web: https://www.progressiverehabandstrength.com Email: podcast@progressiverehabandstrength.com Rori IG: @rorimegan_prs Alyssa IG: @alyssahope_prs Bre IG: @breannejulia_prs

If you're a weightlifter or powerlifter you may be wondering if your ankle mobility is affecting your squat depth and that it's something to address before getting under the barbell. For good reason, the internet has been raging about ankle mobility being a major cause of squat depth issues for the last few years. But we'll argue that your ankle mobility isn't affecting your squat. Most people have depth issues related to: Poor coaching Poor body awareness The load simply being too heavy The leg being in a poor position to allow proper depth If you can do the following, you have the ankle range of motion to squat to depth: Walk normally, comfortably, without an atypical gait pattern Go up and down normal height stairs Put your feet flat when sitting on a normal-to-low toilet In the absence of a massive injury, prolonged immobilization of the ankle, or neurological condition affecting tone, the majority of people have enough range of motion to squat to depth without ankle mobility (or hamstring length, since I know you're thinking that too) causing the issue. In this episode of the PRS Podcast, Clinical Coach Dr. Rori Alter, PT, PRSCC, SSC shares her own story of an ankle mobility deficit that didn't affect her squat. In fact, most people have asymmetries in size and range of motion from side to side and it's considered normal and generally does not affect barbell training and therefore doesn't need to be addressed. However, Dr. Rori shares her ankle mobility deficit story to help you see when and why you might address it and what the best exercises are to address ankle mobility. The ironic thing is that she decided to address her ankle mobility issue because of pain from running and used the squat to address it. Funny how that is the opposite of what most people think. If you're enjoying our podcast, please leave us a review on Apple or Spotify. Join our Facebook Community for free form checks, live Q&As & more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PRS.Barbell.Mastery Got questions or guests you'd like to hear on the show? Submit them here: https://forms.gle/7Vu2HmgHoeQY9xM59 Check out the Clinical Barbell Coaching Institute to learn more about the PRS education opportunities! https://bit.ly/43VjRFz Get in touch with the show! Web: https://www.progressiverehabandstrength.com Email: podcast@progressiverehabandstrength.com Rori IG: @rorimegan_prs Alyssa IG: @alyssahope_prs Bre IG: @breannejulia_prs