Better models of physiotherapy : Kelly Starrett (DPT) on sports physios being physio-coaches

Kelly Starrett is a coach-physical therapist whose 2013 book, Becoming a Supple Leopard, is a New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller. He received his Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree in 2007 from Samuel Merritt College in California. He runs his own physical therapy practice that emphasises returning athletes to elite level sport and performance. In the podcast, Kelly enthusiastically draws on his background as an elite athlete and national level coach to suggest that sport physiotherapists should consider being very well trained in the practical aspects of strength and conditioning coaching. He argues that including the ‘coach’ element in the physiotherapist’s scope of practice will provide better results for patients. He calls for physios to be able to understand, and communicate, in ‘actionable language’ for customers – potentially elite athletes. He refers to the physio-coach as someone who is ideally poised to treat musculoskeletal conditions. Plenty of practical tips on how to get there. Primary link to Kelly’s resources: MobilityWOD.com Jump on to the Google+ Sports Clinicians Community page to add your comment: https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/101520200531074507996 Become a Supple Leopard on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Supple-Leopard-Preventing-Performance/dp/1936608588

Competing interest: Neither BJSM nor Karim Khan has any financial interest in the MobilityWOD company. Kelly Starrett’s role in MobilityWOD and ‘Becoming a supple leopard’ is self-evident.