Injury prevention with Meghan Taff

SFMA and FMS – Prevent Injuries BEFORE they end your season.

This week we introduce you to Meghan Taff’s second certification, and one that Revolutions and Fitness are incredibly passionate about – SFMA and FMS testing.

What is FMS?

The Functional Movement Screening (FMS) captures fundamental movements, motor control within movement patterns, and competence of basic movements uncomplicated by specific skills. It will determine the greatest areas of movement deficiency, demonstrate limitations or asymmetries, and eventually correlate these with an outcome.

FMS is comprised of seven movement tests that require a balance of mobility and stability. The patterns used provide observable performance of basic, manipulative and stabilizing movements by placing clients in positions where weaknesses, imbalances, asymmetries and limitations become noticeable by the team at Revolutions in Fitness.

Meghan and Jamie Wong of Revolutions in Fitness recently hosted a sports Movement Analysis for the girls basketball team at Palo Alto High School. This screening consisted of two main disciplines in helping to identify flexibility, strength, and coordination issues for the purpose of injury prevention and improving athleticism and performance.

The Functional Movement Screening (FMS), which utilizes the Y Balance test, quarters up the body into the left, right, upper, and lower quadrants to test how your core and each limb functions under the weight of the body. The Y Balance Test is used to test motor control and demonstrate functional symmetry. This test then builds a map that identifies areas that may act as road blocks to a persons performance both in athletics and rehabilitation.  Read about it in our blog HERE

What is SFMA?

The selective functional movement assessment (SFMA) is a simple test developed by Grey Cook, PT, that offers a unique perspective for corrective exercise in a clinical setting. SFMA involves a clinical assessment of your movement patterns to help diagnosis any painful movement problems you may be experiencing.  There are seven full body movements in total and they are used to assess everyday movements such as sitting, bending and squatting. When your movement patterns are assessed in this way, it becomes possible to diagnose and treat the musculoskeletal pain.  

The clinical examination of the movements can be used to identify any physical impairment that although unrelated to their pain, may have a contribution to any discomfort.

For more research on FMS check out the International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy Research Article HERE

Book now to get a head-start with your goals!!

If interested in knowing if you or your young athletes are at risk or would like to improve their performance, contact Revolutions in Fitness at: office@revolutionsinfitness.com or call (650) 260 4743

Season's Greetings From

Revolutions in Fitness

Give the Gift of Health OR Recovery

Winter is upon us and the best gift you can give to yourself, friends, or family is the gift of mobility and maintaining an active lifestyle. Revolutions in Fitness is here to help! Check out the great holiday deals coming your way! 

_____________________________________________________________________ Cyber Monday Specials PT Packages: - 10 for 10 PT Package: Receive 10 Physical Therapy Sessions Discounted at 10% Each - ($173 Savings!) - 20 for 20 PT Package: Receive 20 Physical Therapy Sessions Discounted at 20% Each - ($692 Savings!)         Must be purchased by: 12/03/17     Above: Meghan Taff DPT, CSCS _____________________________________________________________________ RIF Recovery Room We understand that recovery is key to reaching your health and performance goals. That's why starting Jan. 1 we will be introducing the RIF Recovery Room! Featured Package:      Gold Package: - 10 Recovery Room Sessions - All Services & Tools Listed Below Packages Will Include: - Complementary One-time, 15 min visit with a PT & Personal Trainer (visit with PT & Trainer separate) -  Instruction on how to use Normatec Boots & Orientation to Mobilization Tools Recovery Tools Include: - Normatec Boots - ComDex Electrical Stimulation for Muscle Recovery     - HyperIce Vibrating Foam Roller                                                    - Cupping Tools: Myofascial Decompression - And Many Others ***Early Bird Holiday Special***:  Receive 50% Discount for Gold Package if purchased by 12/03/17 Normally a $270 Value...Now $135! _______________________________________________________________________ Additional Stocking Stuffers Run Analysis Program: - A 2-hour Run Analysis - Receive 20% Discount if scheduled by 12/31/17 - Normally a $346 Value...Now $276.80! For more additional information on the Run Analysis Program click Here... For more information contact Revolutions in Fitness                Phone: (650) 260 4743        Email: office@revolutionsinfitness.com

2741 Middlefield Road Palo Alto, CA 94303 (650) 260-4743 office@revolutionsinfitness.com

TIBCO Women's Pro Cycling Team

Revolutions in Fitness is proud to be able to support the TIBCO Women's Pro Cycling Team helping to elevate their performance and reach their goals. Check out the TIBCO end of the year newsletter below, which outlines all of their accomplishments this season.

Lauren Stephens on her way to Silver at Nationals, followed by our Volvo team car. Image: Jonathan Devich 2017 RECAP: A Big Year for Team TIBCO-Silicon Valley Bank  4 National Championship Titles • 36 Season Wins • 72 Podium Finishes Team TIBCO-Silicon Valley Bank wrapped up the 2017 season with some big achievements - both on and off the bike. This year, we competed on five continents, winning a total 36 races and placing on the podium 72 times in seven different countries.  In addition to racing, Team TIBCO-Silicon Valley Bank is committed to giving back to the community and participated in a number of events like the Best Buddies Challenge, the American Heart Association’s CycleNation and Bike to Work with TIBCO Software.   Season Highlights: Our training camp in Arizona brought some early success, with Ingrid Drexel scoring the team’s first victory of the year at the Valley of the Sun Stage Race. Kendall Ryan followed up with a win on the final stage of the event. This set the tone for more team wins to come including:  Redlands Classic — Lauren Stephens won stage 3, the iconic Highlands Circuit race. Tour of the Gila — Lex Albrecht sprinted away from the break to win stage 2. Winston Salem Cycling Classic – Aggressive racing by the whole team set up Lauren for a victory in the final lap. GP Gatineau — Lauren won the individual time trial, out-pacing a competitive field. Lotto Thüringen Ladies Tour - Lex Albrecht sprinted to her first European victory in stage 2; Lauren Stephens claimed another time trial victory in stage 4. BC Superweek — Kendall Ryan sprinted to 3 major victories during this epic week of racing in British Columbia, including the crowd-favorite Gastown Grand Prix, the UCI Tour de Delta White Spot road race and the PoCo Grand Prix. [Read More]   National Championships:  Two of our riders scored double national championships this year. Ingrid Drexel is now the National Champion of Mexico in both the road race and individual time trial, and Nicolle Bruderer the National Champion of Guatemala. At just 18 years old, our New Zealand rider Madeleine Park secured double bronze medals in the Oceania Championships.  International Results:   Three Team TIBCO-Silicon Valley Bank riders were selected to represent their countries in the road race at the UCI World Championships in Bergen, Norway: Lex Albrecht (CAN), Ingrid Drexel (MEX) and Lauren Stephens (USA). Lauren was additionally chosen to compete in the individual time trial at Worlds, where she placed an impressive 8th place. At the prestigious La Course by Le Tour de France earlier in the year, Lauren claimed another top 10 finish, finishing 7th in both the one-day event for the women and the unique pursuit-style time trial held in Marseilles for the top 20 riders. Working Together to Achieve Goals Solid teamwork helped achieve these accomplishments, whether in strategically setting up the winning move or doing a lead-out for the sprint. After a season of working together, riders begin anticipating each others actions, effectively communicating with just a single word or motion. Even team dinners became an efficient act of camaraderie - pizza tastes best when hand tossed. Community Engagement: Success on and off the bike. In addition to racing, Team TIBCO - Silicon Valley Bank participated in over 25 charity rides and community events around the country and the world, including hosting a number of discussions on diversity, inclusiveness and women in sports with Silicon Valley Bank and TIBCO Software. When in China to race the Tour of Chongming Island, the team led a ride for Shanghai-based Silicon Valley Bank employees and colleagues and hosted a pre-ride discussion on teamwork and cycling for fitness.  Later in the year, the team visited Silicon Valley Bank's London office and led a ride and Q&A for local employees and partners.  In Connecticut, Linda Jackson (Team Founder), Ed Beamon (Sports Director), Ingrid Drexel and Lauren Stephens joined Navigators Insurance and 2,500 other riders at the 40th annual Bloomin' Metric Charity ride. Linda, Kendall Ryan, Jennifer Tetrick and Lindsay Myers supported Silicon Valley Bank at the Best Buddies Challenge in September, where event participants helped raise an impressive $4.5 million to support Best Buddies programs. Jennifer and Lindsay additionally participated in the American Heart Association's inaugural CycleNation ride, which raises funds and awareness for preventing heart disease and stroke through healthy activity. With an emphasis on empowering community involvement and increasing opportunities for women, the team hosted the Silicon Valley Cycling Foundation’s 7th annual Cycling Gala in May, featuring cycling legends Phil Liggett, Paul Sherwen and Bob Roll, in addition to our own incredible athletes. The event was a tremendous success and sets the framework for an exciting international racing calendar in 2018. Stay tuned for information regarding our 8th annual cycling Gala coming up in 2018 during the Tour of California! Finally, the team supported long time team member Patricia Schwager in her efforts to become a qualified UCI Sports Director. Under Patricia’s guidance the team raced to a top 10 overall result at the Tour of Chongming Island - a UCI Women’s World Tour event.   Thank you to our Partners & Supporters Cycling is a team sport. Just as we can't win alone on the race course, we can't have a winning season without incredible partners, including TIBCO Software, Silicon Valley Bank and Navigators Insurance, who share our passion for excellence, increasing opportunities for women in sport and promoting healthy communities through cycling. Thank you to TIBCO, Silicon Valley Bank, Navigators, along with Fuji Bikes, Edco Wheels, Rudy Project, Voler Apparel, Lagunitas and an incredible list of industry supporters and fans for a great 2017! Learn more about our incredible partners here.

Palo Alto High School Sports Movement Analysis

Palo Alto High School Sports Movement Analysis

                                      

                    Revolutions in Fitness staff members Jamie Wong DPT, and Meghan Taff MPT, CSCS teamed up with NoXcuses owner Angie DeGeronimo to host a Sports Movement Analysis for the girls basketball team at Palo Alto High School (PAHS) on Saturday October 14th. This screening consisted of two main disciplines in helping to identify flexibility, strength, and coordination issues for the purpose of injury prevention and improving athleticism and performance.

                 

                  The two disciplines utilized in this screening included Functional Movement Screening (FMS) and Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA). The Functional Movement Screening (FMS), which utilizes the Y Balance test, quarters up the body into the left, right, upper, and lower quadrants to test how your core and each limb functions under the weight of the body. The Y Balance Test is used to test motor control and demonstrate functional symmetry. This test then builds a map that identifies areas that may act as road blocks to a persons performance both in athletics and rehabilitation. The Selective Functional Movement Assessment or SFMA is a simple test developed by Grey Cook, PT, which involves simple functional movements. Research shows that these tests predict risk of injury.
   
                IF interested in knowing if your young athletes are at risk or would like to improve their performance contact Revolutions in Fitness at office@revolutionsinfitness.com or call (650) 260 4743

ASTYM - Better than Foam Rolling?

What Is ASTYM Treatment?

Meghan Taff is not your everyday Physical Therapist. Not only is she an incredibly talented endurance athlete, but she is also certified in FMS/SFMA, MPT, CSCS, MFD, Kinesiology Taping and ASTYM. Today we discuss ASTYM, a treatment that Revolutions in Fitness uses in their clinic using Graston and non Graston tools to help break up scars and help get glued tissues unstuck from one another. 

ASTYM treatment is highly effective and even works when other approaches routinely fail. One of the main reasons ASTYM treatment is so much more effective than other treatments is that it was scientifically developed to resolve the underlying cause of soft tissue problems, rather than just trying to temporarily relieve symptoms. It is one of the most researched and effective therapy treatments available. ASTYM treatment is unmatched in its ability to resolve tendinopathies, scar tissue problems, and other soft tissue dysfunctions. Doctors regularly prescribe ASTYM treatment specifically for their patients, and elite athletes and knowledgeable patients seek out ASTYM  treatment for superior results. When your health and ability to stay active is at stake, only the best will do.

Generally, chronic soft tissue problems are due to scarring or degeneration. Soft tissues include muscles, tendons and ligaments. Both scarring and degeneration are common and can result in pain and limitations in movement.

The body's soft tissues degenerate when inadequate healing occurs, and over time the tissues degrade. Degenerated tissues are weak and prone to injury. Degeneration can be caused by many factors, including age, intense use, improper movement, weakened muscles putting extra stress on other tissues, disease, etc. Most chronic tendinopathies are primarily degenerative in nature.

Scarring can happen on top of the skin, but often the biggest problems come from scar tissue that forms inside the body around joints, muscles, tendons and/or ligaments. The body naturally lays down some scar tissue in response to irritation or injury. The fibrous, strong scar tissue is meant to reinforce an area, but often it ends up restricting movement and causing pain. The causes of problem scar tissue can be injury (such as a sprained ankle, car accident, etc.), a surgery (good surgery can be done, but the body's response with scar tissue can prevent a full recovery), intense or over use of soft tissues (such as sports, repetitive work, activity beyond your fitness level, etc.), sprains or other strains on soft tissues.

Give up your foam roller for ASTYM

The below research points to the benefits of ASTYM over foam rolling and the acute effects of both practices: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1360859215001138

Good news: ASTYM treatment works both to regenerate tissues and eliminate or reduce internal scar tissue. By eliminating the cause of your problems, your symptoms will resolve.

In order to determine whether ASTYM treatment is right for you, schedule your appointment with Meghan today: Phone: (650) 260 4743  Email: office@revolutionsinfitness.com

To learn more:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0161475410003349
https://astym.com/Main/About