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Pilates for Men at SportsFit

Pilates exercises are utilized at SportsFit for core strengthening, trunk stability, scapulothoracic stability, postural improvements, and overall strengthening. Although Pilates has been more popular among females, Pilates exercises offer several positive benefits for men as well. Here are some of the benefits specific to our male clients:

The initial sessions with our new male clients usually start by the introduction of subtle, lower resistance movements indicated for neuromuscular stability and balance versus high resistance movements men are used to with powerlifting or weight training exercises. Rather than focusing on the larger more developed muscles, Pilates exercises focus on the often neglected, local stabilizers.
Pilates exercises also help improve flexibility simultaneously while building strength. Most men are less flexible than most women. This is mostly due to the type of activities and exercises that are performed by each gender. Due to the challenge men often feel with their flexibility, when first starting a Pilates routine, most men tend to shy away from Pilates. However, at SportsFit we have found that men who stick with Pilates and continue their Pilates training beyond the initial few visits, benefit from greater rewards such as improved flexibility and posture while gaining stability and strength. This in turn helps prevent injuries such as muscle strains and reduces overall stiffness.
Because of the focus on breathing and using breath with movement a feeling of being refreshed and relaxed is accomplished after every Pilates session, leading to reduction of daily stress.
Another area of benefit for guys is that because almost all Pilates exercises use the core by activating the abdominals (transverse abdominal muscle), it helps build the foundation for stronger abdominal muscles and the achievement of six pack abs.
Finally, Since Pilates exercises strengthen the core and the pelvic floor, men who practice Pilates regularly tend to have greater control of their pelvis floor, leading to better stamina in their daily and sexual activities.

Voyage LA Article – Meet Rick Rafael of SportsFit Physical Therapy in Santa Monica

Today we'd like to introduce you to Rick Rafael.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Rick. So, let's start at the beginning and we can move on from there.

I studied biomedical engineering at the University of Southern California. Upon graduating I started to work at Accenture doing technology and process consultation to fortune 500 companies. However, a few years into my career as a consultant, I realized that my passion was in health and wellness. I therefore, decided to leave the technology field, in order to be able to apply myself in the field of health and wellness. I worked as a trainer and martial arts instructor while completing my doctorate program. After graduating as a physical therapist, I then completed a residency program at Kaiser Permanente and obtained board certification in orthopedics. After a few years of working at various clinics, I established SportsFit in 2010 with the intention of providing the highest quality of service to every patient. It is more than rewarding to hear from patients, colleagues and referring physicians that they consider SportsFit the gold standard for a physical therapy clinic and to have been recognized as a leader in our field.

Has it been a smooth road?

Many of the obstacles that I had considered prior to the inception of SportsFit proved to be less of a challenge than initially imagined. However, we ran into several other challenges and growing pains in the last 6 years. Our business plan had identified and planned for competition, marketing, resources, and equipment needed. However, managing several employees all with different backgrounds and expectations was definitely a learning process for me.

So, as you know, we're impressed with SportsFit Physical Therapy - tell our readers more, for example, what you're most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.

My vision for SportsFit has always been to lead a healthy and happy environment optimized for the offering of excellence in the service we offer to our patients and the positions we create for our employees. We are proud to have been able to offer more than 60,000 treatment sessions as a team. At SportsFit, most of our patients are referred by a friend or family. In many cases we have treated entire family members, whom have referred each other to SportsFit for different reasons. I consider this a huge compliment and one of the most important reasons to our success as a clinic. In an economy where insurance providers continue to raise member premiums and reduce provider reimbursements, what keeps us going is the positive feedback we receive from patients on a daily basis. To have been able to assist the recovery and healing of so many patients and leading them back to a healthy and active life is a priceless reward for all of us at SportsFit.

What sets SportsFit apart as a clinic, is the ability to offer a multidisciplinary approach to therapy by providing physical therapy interventions, including orthopedic and sports rehabilitation, Pilates, Acupuncture, therapeutic yoga, therapeutic massage, and sports performance sessions to our patients. At SportsFit, our patients are always treated by a doctor of physical therapy and receive one-on-one treatments for their entire hour long session, receiving true quality care. Our patients benefit from utilizing a 5,000sq-ft therapy and fitness facility at a state of the art clinic with the highest quality of sports & therapy equipment.

Let's touch on your thoughts about our city - what do you like the most and least?

I honestly believe that Santa Monica is one of the best cities in the world. Almost perfect weather, proximity to the beach, access to a variety of different resources, places, and events make our city a fun and exciting place to live. The main issue with a large city like Los Angeles is traffic. I believe the secret to living in LA is to live close to your work in order to limit your commute. Saving time on the daily commute makes everything else much more effortless.

Benefits and Application of Foam Rolling in Physical Therapy

Some of the goals of using a foam roller during a patient’s rehabilitation include improving performance and flexibility, reducing post exercise soreness, reduce recovery time and help alleviate muscle pain/tightness.

The term used for Foam rolling in physical therapy is “self-myofascial release”. “Fascia” refers to the connective tissue that binds muscles together. By applying pressure in the form of myofascial release using a foam roller, you help improve and guide blood circulation to the region to assist the healing process and reducing muscle tightness.

A recent study in the Journal of Sports Rehabilitation found that foam rolling coupled with static stretching could increase range of motion more than stretching alone (study was focused on the hip range of motion). Other studies have found benefits such as “less muscle soreness, better vertical leap and greater flexibility”. It has also been found that foam rolling may activate the central nervous system which registers and reacts to pain. The nervous system also regulates functions such as blood flow and heart rate. Therefore foam rolling is thought to improve arterial flexibility and vascular function.

Other benefits of foam rolling as a form of myofascial release are similar to the benefits of massage therapy such as relaxation of the nervous system through the reduction of stress hormones (i.e. cortisol).

It is suggested to use foam rolling before exercise to work on improving mobility and range of motion and to use the foam roller after exercise in order to help prevent muscle soreness.

Patient Spot Light – Get Fit for Soccer

"I came to Sportsfit immediately following my first major sports injury in the beginning of 2016. Very quickly, Dr. Rebecca Pitts, her assistant Olivia, and the rest of the team came up with fun yet challenging ways to bolster my strength and my confidence. I left every session feeling energized, more knowledgeable of my prognosis and treatment plan, well-looked out for, and of course noticing a little of that good “burn” from a workout. Soon, exercises evolved from just tensing my quads to jump squats and barbell deadlifts. I was so happy with my experience that I continued training with personal trainer Olivia outside of SportsFit after my insurance ran out. Nine months out of surgery, I am able to go on hikes and kick the ball around with friends, and see my goal of being back on the soccer field not far ahead."

~Evan Choate

How Light Therapy Works

At SportsFit, our goal is to utilize the time we have with our patients most effectively. In order to offer most optimal treatment sessions, it is vital that we utilize the time we have to apply our most effective modalities. This is why we have invested in state of the art laser and light therapy including Blue light, Infrared laser and red laser. With laser therapy, the treatment times are fast and patients see results with just 2 to 3 applications per week, with treatment times of less than 5 minutes.

The result is tissue repair, pain reduction, and accelerated resolution of inflammation. Laser Therapy has been used for more than 20 years extensively throughout the world to treat a number of soft tissue injuries, pain, and inflammatory conditions. Recently, this technology has been cleared by the FDA for the treatment of pain and stiffness associated with arthritis. Laser therapy is a safe and convenient modality especially considering issues regarding the safety of traditional arthritis and pain.

Physical Therapy for Low Back Pain Lowers Cost

The cost of treatment for patients with low back pain (LBP) has a major economic impact worldwide. According to a 2006 review¹, total costs associated with LBP in the United States exceed $100 billion per year, two-thirds of which are a result of lost wages and reduced productivity. Recent studies over health care cost indicate that the management of LBP with physical therapy can result in lower costs and use of health care resources.2 More specifically, studies show that initial referrals to physical therapy resulted in less than half the cost of imaging (MRI, usually about $1000) and generated lower costs associated with use of health care resources over time.

The authors noted that advanced imaging often 'labels' a patient's LBP that might otherwise be viewed as uncomplicated, causing heightened concern in some patients and providers, motivating them to seek additional care (opiod medications, spinal injections, surgery etc). Authors said that physical therapy may provide patients with an active approach to LBP, enhancing patients’ perceived ability to self-manage their condition. If you have low back pain, you should consider physical therapy as a starting point for care. There is growing evidence that early physical therapy results in lower health care costs for treatment and able to initiate an active home program to assist patients return back to recreational or usual activity. Most insurance companies honor “direct access” where you can seek physical therapy care without the need for a prescription from your physician.

Katz JN. Lumbar disc disorders and low-back pain: socioeconomic factors and consequences [review]. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2006;88(suppl 2): 21-24.2. Fritz JM Brennan GP, Hunter SJ. Physical Therapy or Advanced Imaging as First Management Strategy Following a New Consultation for Low Back Pain in Primary Care: Associations with Future Health Care Utilization and Charges. Health Serv Res. 2015 Dec;50(6):1927-40.