New Program To Help Reduce Sports Injury In Youth And Adults

Nashville, TN, October 4, 2012 –  When Mark Chesshir started NBTA in 2004 he was unaware of the overwhelming amount of injuries that occur during youth sports.  In baseball alone there has been a fivefold increase in the number of serious shoulder and elbow injuries among youth that play.  Chesshir knew he needed to find the most effective ways to help prevent injuries in his players.   His research lead him to create the NBTA Sports Performance program.

“I was shocked when in any given season several young players were going to a sports clinic for surgery and rehab for their sports related injury.  That’s crazy!  And it shouldn’t be happening”, says Mr. Chesshir.

According to the CDC over half of all sports injuries in children are preventable.  Many preventable injuries are due to overuse.  In fact, overuse injuries are responsible for nearly half the injuries in children from Middle School to High school.  Muscles that have proper conditioning, flexibility and balance have significantly lower incidences of straining or tear.

His research led him to discover Active Isolated Stretching (AIS) practitioner, Amy Grimes, LMT.  Active Isolated Stretching (AIS) is a stretching program that utilizes gentle 2 second stretches to increase range of motion without irritation and increase blood oxygen, nutrients and lymph to the muscle.

Sports Physical Therapist, Dr. Chris McKenzie, found NBTA, liked the program and the emphasis on injury prevention and approached Chesshir about adding his skills to the mix.  Dr. McKenzie was tired of seeing young athletes become injured from incorrect strength training, and sloppy rehabilitation.

McKenzie began an evaluation program at a baseball academy in PA where he assessed weaknesses in youth to pro players, checking for flexibility, strength and more and felt this would be the perfect addition to the NBTA program.

While the focus is on younger players, anyone is welcome to sign up for an initial evaluation by Dr. McKenzie.   Once he completes his evaluation the client is given a list, pinpointing weaknesses that create muscle imbalances which can set them up for injury.

At this point they begin a six week process which consists of stretching, strengthening and speed and agility training.  Using McKenzie’s evaluation as a baseline, their progress is tracked for measurable results.

Each step of the process is done at NBTA offices.

Together they combined skills to create a complete program for athletes of any age.  NBTA Sports Performance program helps decrease common overuse injuries and create maximum performance.

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NBTA is dedicated to help young athlete’s ages 6-18 reach their collegiate goals through sports and athletes of all ages perform at their maximum level.  Their facility provides flexibility, speed and agility training, baseball and fast pitch softball training, athlete performance assessment and massage therapy services.  www.nbta1.com

Amy Grimes, LMT is a licensed massage therapist who has studied Active Isolated Stretching with its founder, Aaron Mattes and Master Teacher Roger McNear for the past four years.  In addition, she teaches AIS and Lymphatic Drainage to massage students at Mind Body Institute.  She also owns Live Well Massage & Bodyworks. www.LiveWellNashville.com

Chris McKenzie, PT, DPT, OCS, SCS, PES received Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Drexel University.  Dr. McKenzie has spent countless hours refining strength skills of athletes, enhancing their individualized sport performance, and also rehabilitating the injured athlete; from high school skill level to professional. His clients have ranged from local Philadelphia area high schools to the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres.  Dr. McKenzie also created a strength training velocity program for baseball pitchers at www. MaximumSportPerformance.com