Barbell Medicine is a specialty service within the practice of physical therapy at the Mary Rutan Health Center. The purpose of this specialty service is evaluating and treating pain/dysfunction related to Olympic weight lifting and CrossFit® types of exercises.
Our physical therapists are trained in the utilization of the Dartfish Motion Analysis Software™. This software enables the physical therapists to analyze various Olympic lifts and identify potential technique faults in an attempt to decrease pain and improve performance. In conjunction with a strength and mobility evaluation, the video analysis is used to develop an individualized treatment approach including: strengthening, mobility, and technique drills.
The goal of the Barbell Medicine program is to facilitate an athlete’s return to barbell lifting by reducing pain, improving performance and decreasing the risk of injury.
Olympic lifts and gymnastics movements included in the Barbell Medicine program could include, but are not limited to:
- Squat: back squat, front squat
- Deadlift: conventional, sumo
- Clean: power clean, hang clean, clean and jerk
- Snatch: power snatch, muscle snatch, hang snatch
- Bench press: barbell, dumbbell, push-ups
- Shoulder press: strict, push press
- Handstand: walking, push-ups, wall walks
- Pull up: muscle up, kipping, butterfly