This week I have a guest post for you from CSP’s on-site Physical Therapist and owner of Move Strong Physical Therapy, Andrew Millett. Time after time I have found myself asking Andrew why he chooses to run his operation in the midst of a chaotic CSP training environment, and he decided to put his reasoning into a blog format. Enjoy!
I began training at Cressey Sports Performances as a client in 2008. I was 5 months post-op from my 2nd ACL reconstruction and had recently moved home after graduating PT school. I was desperately in need of a place to train, and thankfully my college roommate said: “You’re like 15 minutes from Cressey’s, go there.”
The rest is history.
Not so fast...
I’d been reading the content of Eric Cressey and Tony Gentilcore during grad school, but had minimal knowledge of their facility. I kicked off the relationship with an informational visit that took place on October 4th, 2008.
After just minutes in the gym, I knew I needed to sign up. There was something about being inside of CP (Cressey Performance at the time, now Cressey Sports Performance) that drove me literally and figuratively to train there.
My mother periodically asked me why I would drive 30+ minutes (some athletes drive 3+ hours to train), and the best I could do was to say that the people and environment simply aren’t replicated elsewhere.
Christian Wonders always improves Andrew’s work environment when in the building.
I’ve been a regular at CSP since 2008. During that time, I got married, had two kids, bought a home, and now own my own performance physical therapy business, Move Strong Physical Therapy, inside of the current CSP Massachusetts location. The PT business I speak of is unique in that I deliberately choose not to treat in your prototypical PT setting. Instead of quiet office space, I choose the controlled chaos of a busy gym as my “treatment room,” of sorts.
Here are three reasons why I choose to take this approach:
1. Logistics
From a logistical standpoint, you can’t beat our set up. Being 10 feet from a trap bar deadlift platform and a squat rack isn’t seen too often in a physical therapy clinic. Whether our clients want to get back to pitching 95+mph, to being able to lift more weight, or to perform their respective sport at the highest level, it wouldn’t make sense to be located far from all of the equipment we needed.
When I first started our business, we (Eric, Pete and I) bounced around a few ideas of where we wanted to be situated. We discussed a potential build-out that would involve renovating part of the existing CSP space, but at the end of the day, “in the middle of the action” was where I knew we needed to be.
I’m pleased to say that we have access to 12,000+ square feet of gym space, equipped with everything we need to take care of our athletes and clients. Additionally, our location is within a few feet from the door where all CSP clients transition from office entryway to the training floor. This allows us to see 100% of the faces coming through the door to train. Whether it be an athlete who we currently work with, or a healthy CSP athletes who could one day be a client, this setting allows us to be an easily accessible resource for both the training staff, and the training clients who may have a question for us.
Being constrained to a room with walls, a ceiling, and a door wouldn’t allow for this level of immediate exposure.
2. The Psychological Impact of Being Injured and Around Other Athletes
While I don’t know of a specific research study or funded endeavor that looks at the psychological impact of rehabbing inside of a facility while surrounded by high-level athletes, I can say with certainty that positive vibes come from it.
Most PT clinics offer a quiet environment that looks and feels like an office. While there is nothing wrong with this, I have different goals for my own treatment environment. Suffering a major injury that requires surgical intervention or having a “wear and tear” type of setback can be demoralizing to anyone, especially an athlete. I myself endured two ACL reconstructions/medial meniscus repairs and one “full” meniscectomy, so I understand the grind.
The impact of being around other athletes working hard, lifting weights, and performing high-level athletic movements is awesome. When you are injured and struggling to perform even basic day-to-day tasks, looking out onto the training floor to see your future self doing those same movements one day can be both motivating and inspiring.
As physical therapists, we are seen as treating physical, orthopedic sports injuries, but I’d be remiss not to address the impact an injury has on an athlete’s psyche. We make sure to address this 1:1 with an athlete, but being on a training floor with other athletes can only help the overall recovery process.
Andrew and John O’Neil nailing the background coaching position…
3. The Chaos
Why do I choose to to treat out in the chaos?
There is just something about it…something that you can’t describe until you experience it. It would be similar to attending your favorite band’s concert and experiencing it firsthand versus someone else going and telling you about it.
There are countless inspiring moments when I can remember the music being loud, the weights clanging, and the athletes working hard. I feed off the energy in the air and the infectious environment.
A Rising Tide Lifts All Ships
The environment that Move Strong PT operates in is like nothing I have ever seen, and has proven to be a great differentiator in our model.
It isn’t uncommon for a client or parent to mention the invigorating yet somewhat overwhelming atmosphere they unexpectedly walk into. I’m always the first to say that it may look disorganized, but it is a “controlled chaos”. Every coach is working hard to make sure each athlete gets the attention they need, every physical therapist is working with their client to coach them up and guide them back to their respective field or court to get back to playing.
I may have to raise my voice a little louder than usual, but I wouldn’t want it any other way. I feel spoiled having countless pieces of equipment, getting to listen to great music throughout the day, and getting to work with motivated athletes who want to get back to playing and competing as soon as possible. I am grateful everyday to be able to “work” in such a great environment.
About the Author: Andrew Millett is a practicing physical therapist in the field of orthopedic and sports medicine physical therapy. He helps to bridge the gap between physical therapy and strength and conditioning. By evaluating and treating his clients using multiple lenses, such as the Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA), etc., the main goal for all of his clients are for them to move and feel better and to keep their body functioning at highest levels. You can find additional details on his Move Strong PT operation here.