Recently, Staff PT’s Jennifer Cairney and Ryan Sheedy attended the PBATS (Professional Baseball Athletic Trainer’s Society) 2018 annual seminar, held in Glendale, Arizona. Renowned doctors, therapists, trainers, and strength coaches from across the baseball landscape gathered to discuss and share all the latest research in sports medicine regarding baseball and the throwing athlete. A variety of topics were discussed, including Tommy John reconstruction versus conservative rehab for partial tears, the implementation of Blood Flow Restriction Training (BFR – offered onsite by certified therapists here at FBPT) in overhead athletes, dry needling, and fresh research regarding the efficacy of weighted-ball training programs. Our therapists greatly enjoyed the laid-back atmosphere of the course and the fantastic weather in the Phoenix area (they even snuck in 18 holes of golf) and loved the opportunity to practice and learn some techniques on-site at the Los Angeles Dodgers training facility.
With Baseball season just around the corner, all of this new information will be put to immediate use in the clinic. If you’re an overhead athlete gearing up to throw at any level, now is the time to get any injuries or issues addressed; don’t let them linger into the season!