CrossFit & Physical Therapy Practice

If you’re reading this blog post, you’re likely a CrossFit athlete or interested in the sport. For those who stumbled upon this article and are curious to learn more about it, let’s start with some background info.

What is CrossFit? According to CrossFit.com, it is a form of exercise that involves “constantly varied functional movements executed at high intensity across broad time and modal domains.” CrossFit combines weight training with gymnastics and cyclical cardiovascular modalities such as running and rowing to allow people to move and live well. CrossFit incorporates a community based, family-like atmosphere and is appropriate for all fitness levels under the guidance of a certified Coach. If you have any concerns for your health, check with your doctor before beginning any exercise regimen.

As a Doctor of Physical Therapy, I find it fun and challenging to incorporate the things I’ve learned in CrossFit into my physical therapy practice. CrossFit incorporates functional movements that help us move better and more efficiently in our daily lives. I would like to offer you some ways that I can teach you to move better in your daily life through functional movements commonly practiced in CrossFit.

Burpees for Fall Recovery: Concerned for yourself or a loved one that he or she might fall and not be able to get back up? Look no further! A burpee involves finding a proper movement strategy for lowering yourself down to the ground, and then getting back up. If you or your loved one can do a burpee, you never have to worry about this again.

Air Squats for Independence: Have you realized that you need to use your arms to stand up from a chair or felt sympathy for an elderly person that needed help standing up? It’s safe to say that most people never want to lose their independence to stand on their own accord. Through the help of a skilled PT, we can work together to ensure than you keep your independence and more.

S2-OH I Can Do that! CrossFit often uses acronyms like ARMRAP and metcon. S2OH stands for “shoulder to overhead.” Do you struggle with reaching for things in tall cabinets or with having the strength to do so? Maybe you need to be able to hoist your kayak atop your vehicle for your weekend adventures. Learning to perform any variation of S2OH movements such as the push press or push jerk can help you achieve those functional activities without the help of someone else.

Deadlifts & Back Pain: How many times a day do you bend over to pick something off the floor? That’s exactly what a deadlift is. Many people fear deadlifting and believe the myth that it’s bad for your back. Do you have a manual labor job that causes you to lift heavy objects repeatedly? Are you an athlete looking to build your posterior chain, but want to make sure your back stays healthy for years of sport? Learning proper deadlifting technique can allow you to work and train safely and eliminate the risk of back pain now and for the rest of your life.

Personally, I’ve snatched a table over my head to carry it onto my porch, and performed a muscle up to hop onto a brick wall to pose for a picture at Marshall University after graduating with my DPT. I would love to use my expertise as a Physical Therapist to teach you how to incorporate some basic movements commonly practiced in CrossFit to help you move better, relieve your pain, and stay healthy.

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Ashley Kimberling PT

​To Schedule An Appointment
Call 304.525.4445

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