Rebalanced

In the episode of the podcast I was delighted to welcome on Dr Perry Nickelston (@stopchasingpain) to discuss all things holistic health. We explore how emotions affect our physical body, as well as why it is so important to address beliefs & attitudes when looking at the health of someone. The physical & psychological health & wellbeing of someone can not be separated and assessed individually as...

In this episode of the podcast I discuss why a positive mindset is such an important part of the rehab process. Many people don't understand the effect of what a positive mindset can do for the body. As no system works in isolation it is important to really take a holistic approach to rehab, especially when dealing with a long term, recurring injury. I go into detail on how a negative mindset can...

In this episode of the podcast we take a look at injury flare-ups. A back or shoulder flare-up generally feels as though it is a random occurrence. However, there are usually multiple changes in lifestyle factors and routine that contribute to the initial increase in pain & tightness. We explore what actually is a injury flare-up, why are some areas affected more than others, as well as what cause...

In this episode of the podcast I discuss progressive overload & how it fits into a mobility training context. Physical & mental training is based on the principal of stimulus/stress & adaption. If a novel stimulus is placed on a part of the body, it will adapt to be better able to cope with that load in future, if given time to recover. Once a new stress appears the cycle repeats - this in its ess...

In this episode of the podcast we look at why we are prone to recurring injuries and what happens to the body after an injury that leaves it susceptible to another similar injury. We all know a person who year after year suffers an ankle sprain, or repeatedly gets a hamstring strain in season. Here we discuss how the nervous system reacts to injury as well as how the body may change loading patter...

In this episode of the podcast we look at why we are prone to recurring injuries and what happens to the body after an injury that leaves it susceptible to another similar injury. We all know a person who year after year suffers an ankle sprain, or repeatedly gets a hamstring strain in season. Here we discuss how the nervous system reacts to injury as well as how the body may change loading patter...

This week's podcast was focused around using massage guns for recovery purposes. I discuss the research around massage guns for performance and recovery as well as what the proposed benefits are. I explore the effectiveness of massage guns in different situations as well as are you increasing your risk of injury by using them at the wrong time. This episode is for anyone who uses a massage gun or...

In this episode of the podcast I discuss what should be included in a prehab / injury prevention program. Prehab in its essence is taking time to build on areas that have been previously injury or areas that are at risk of injury due to the sport / activity you participate in. Spending weeks on the sideline looking in at a game is not a position anyone wants to be in, especially with the shortened...

In this episode of the podcast I chat with Performance Nutritionist Damian O'Sullivan (@damonutrition). We explore different nutritional strategies for people returning to sport after lockdown, fuelling for performance and optimising recovery. We also discuss some of the myths & misconceptions around nutrition for sports and what supplements, if any, can you take to improve performance.

In this episode of the podcast I discuss returning to training after lockdown. Many people fall into the same habits year in year out leading them to the same injuries leaving them sidelined for most of the season. I explore the idea of load management in more detail as well as how to avoid burning the candle from both ends and significantly increasing risk of injury. I discuss mistakes commonly m...

In this episode of the podcast I discuss hamstring injuries as well as  what should be included in a prehab or prevention program. Recurring hamstring injuries are one of the most common complaints of field sport athletes. Once injured, if not taken care of, you can find yourself spending the majority of the season out rehabbing the same injury. Although it is difficult to completely prevent any i...

In this free flow episode of the podcast I sat down with Eoin Dobbin (@eoindobbincoaching) to discuss all things life, health, training, setting up an online business & much more. We decided to chat with no specific plan and it turned out to be an extremely valuable episode in terms of setting up your life to suit your goals & values. We also discuss how the biological, psychological & social aspe...

In this episode of the podcast we focus on DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness). Everyone has suffered with DOMS at some stage, whether it be after your first time back in the gym or after a long run or hike. It can leave you feeling stiff & sore and in some cases delay peoples return to exercise. We explore what DOMS are, what causes it as well as why do we get them, is it okay to continue to tra...

In this episode of the podcast I discuss the effect of breathing patterns on our stress response. I explore how certain patterns will increase our susceptibility to having high stress levels and reduce our ability to recover while others can actually downregulate the stress response and improve recovery. Topics covered include what stress is to our body, how breathing affects stress and simple tec...

In this episode of the podcast I discuss balance & proprioceptive training. Balance is fundamental to performance and life. However, even though we know it is something that is essential for body control it is something we rarely train.  Poor postural control & coordination can increase risk of injury in sporting individual and risk of falls in older populations. In this episode we explore why bal...

In this episode of the podcast I discuss injuries & injury prevention. Muscle & ligament injuries can set us back weeks & months during a season not to mention the cost of consultant & physio fees. We explore the idea of injury prevention & prehab, answering questions such as is it possible to prevent certain injuries or are some of us just high risk? Furthermore, what increases ones risk of injur...

In this episode of the podcast I speak to a good friend Lorcan Daly (@Gaelic_games_research) about GAA recovery protocols. Lorcan is currently a PhD candidate in Athlone Institute of Technology with a focus on strength & conditioning and recovery protocols in GAA players. In this episode we discuss what players need to work on in the preseason training as well as structuring sessions in-season to...

In this episode I discuss what contributes to a loss of shoulder strength & mobility as well as what you can do to improve the mobility in your shoulders. The shoulder is a complex joint with many structures acting on it during movement. Focusing on improving these movements is going to be the only way to develop strength & stability and reduce your risk of injury as well as take back that range o...

In this episode of the podcast I discuss optimising physiological & psychological recovery.  Recovery is such an important part of life & performance as it restores energy, reduces fatigue & lets the body heal. Many common lifestyle habits and states of mind affect our ability to get into a recovery state.  Nervous system tone is going to have a significant influence on whether the body will alloc...

In this episode of the podcast I discuss return to activity & running after the winter. This podcast is applicable to anyone hoping to return to sport this year or that just want to get back into running after a while out. I speak on ow goals affect training, couch to 5kms, reducing risk of injury through load management & recovery and some of the main problems I see with clients when they are inc...

In this episode of the podcast I discuss some of the common myths & misconceptions around back pain. I also speak on how fears & beliefs can increase the severity of the back pain we feel. From working in the fitness injury I've found some information out there in relation to back pain is contributing to the level of pain people feel & how this can affect their ability to train. I wanted to shed l...

In this episode of the podcast I discuss integrating mobility training into strength work and why the two are not very dissimilar. I discuss why flexibility training may not be the answer to mobility improvements as well as some of the beliefs & fears that can affect your progression. I also speak on the length-tension relationship and how it affects strength & mobility gains plus how you can take...

In this episode of the podcast I discuss ankle injuries. Why are they so common and why once you've had one are you likely to have another. I also discuss the risk factors for ankle injuries as well as what you can do to reduce your risk significantly. Ankle injuries are one of the most common in sport, although they are not the worst they can set you back 2-3 weeks at a time, depending on the sev...

In this episode of the podcast I discuss preventing some of the side effects associated with working from home. As our environment is consistent throughout the day, moving from desk to couch, it can be difficult for people to build routines. Over time this can have quite the effect on our mental & physical health. Pain & tightness creep in and we begin to feel stressed, fatigued & unmotivated. I d...

In this episode of the podcast I discuss why taking a holistic approach to health is essential for longevity. I talk on the difference between looking at an issue (e.g. movement) locally or taking a global, holistic approach. A holistic approach is a comprehensive, whole look at a persons life taking into account how different factors may be contributing to an injury/illness. I take a look at it f...