Client Background-
The subject of this Chain Effect Client Success Story is Tyler, age 49. Tyler likes to work hard and play hard. He also enjoys spending time with his two young children. But something has been missing from his life lately.
In his 20s and 30s Tyler led a very active lifestyle filled with exercise and sports; particularly a long time love of recreational basketball. But, chronic hip pain has been keeping Tyler on the sidelines, until he began his Chain Effect!
Read how this Sports Loving Father Increases Mobility and Decreases Chronic Pain!
Why Chain Effect?
Over the last 5 years severe, debilitating hip pain has caused Tyler’s participation to decline. Someone who would regularly engage in long hikes, intense recreational sports and all that comes with chasing after little ones has now found himself sedentary due to chronic pain.
After consulting a surgeon Tyler decided to get a hip replacement. While 49 is considered a young age for a hip replacement, sometimes it is the only long term solution for a degenerated hip.
Like many of our clients, Tyler didn’t find us right away. After his surgery, he started his physical therapy at a traditional in-network practice. There, he was dissatisfied with the lack of 1-on-1 care and being passed off to assistants and technicians (and sometimes left completely alone) for the exercise component of his treatment.
Seeking a solution where he would have the full attention of a Doctor of Physical Therapy for the full 60 minutes of his appointment he came to Chain Effect.
The Chain Effect-
Keeping Tyler’s hip-related needs top of mind and with a primary focus on improving foundational strength and losing weight (specifically to “get rid of the dad bod.”) With further need to redevelop his ability to fully experience everyday life (allowing him to generally function, go on vacation and play with his kids without weakness, pain or physical limitations.) Chain Effect’s Dr. Jason McLaughlin, DPT, created a plan within the company’s tenets of providing quality, one-on-one assessment and treatment that identifies the root of dysfunction to make lasting changes and prevent future injuries; while building strength and skill in the performance of functional movement patterns, not just isolated muscle groups.
Due to his hip pain Tyler had not incorporated cardio, such as running (an act he had previously enjoyed), into his routine for half a decade. With these constraints in mind, a progressive, functional strength training program (to be performed 2 times a week for 8 weeks) was developed.
Part of this program involved 1 day per week of heavy weight training (which can include deadlifts, squats, step ups, hip thrusts and lunges) progressing Tyler’s weight every week for continued strength development, muscle growth and neuromuscular adaptation. (ie. The nervous system’s efficiency in coordinating groups of muscles in a movement pattern combined with the intensity of those contractions.)
Another part of his weekly routine was focused on single leg stability. Training movements unilaterally (single leg in this case) reduces compensation or “helping” by the non-affected side. In addition, due to the crisscrossing of neurons in the brain and spinal cord, training the non-affected side in isolation has been shown to have positive adaptations for the injured side.
To increase heart rate for cardiovascular benefit without the pounding of traditional long duration cardio work, we initiated HIIT (high intensity interval training) which included ball slams, assault bike intervals and sled push-pull exercises. Using HIIT to build a base of tissue tolerance we eventually were able to add a walk-to-run program to his routine. For those who enjoy running, being able to return to this activity, even in a more limited capacity, brings immense joy.
Through maintenance sessions with Dr. Mclaughlin, he and Tyler continue to work on mobility during 20 minutes or so of 1 on 1 physical therapy before hitting the gym to progress his overall fitness program. This is the Chain Effect difference; when additional hands on work is needed due to muscle soreness or other factors, the program can be scaled to address specific daily needs.
Success-
Through steady commitment to strength training while addressing, mobility, joint integrity and balance Tyler was able to return to activities he hadn’t been able to do for the last half decade, exceeding his personal expectations in just the first 8 weeks.
Tyler has consistently increased his activity and participation, maintained his gains in range of motion, while lifting more weight in the gym. Overall his improved tolerance to exercise has been one of the biggest wins allowing him to complete more volume with increasing complexity in his routines. Beyond his 2 times weekly weight training Tyler has been able to add walking 5+ miles, 3 times weekly to his regime. He has even returned to running short distances without pain in his left hip for the first time in 5 years!
After achieving his bodily goals in Physical Therapy with Jason, Tyler is now beginning the next phase of his journey with our Dietitians to maximize his Nutrition.