Dr. Will Murtagh is a performance physical therapist and writer who helps Fitness Athletes elevate their fitness and train pain-free.
CrossFit has emerged as one the best forms of exercise that you can do. The combination of strength, conditioning, and gymnastics makes it the complete package for those who want to craft a world-class physique and fitness.
It is the ideal training methodology for you if you see yourself as a lifelong athlete due to the fitness methodology’s daily challenge through high-intensity workouts and training of functional movements. However, with high-intensity exercise programs, CrossFit is accompanied by its potential for future injuries.
This is where utilizing the expertise of physical therapists who specialize in CrossFit rehabilitation and are also Fitness Coaches and CrossFit athletes can be massively beneficial. So that you can achieve a full range of motion, enhance your strength training, and continue to elevate your fitness.
This comprehensive guide will explore the best online physical therapy program and treatment plan designed specifically for CrossFit athletes seeking to help them achieve their performance goals as quickly as possible.
The Best Online CrossFit Physical Therapist
If you are looking for a program that contains all of the factors mentioned above and stands out as the best online fitness and rehab program for CrossFitters, then look no further than the 1:1 Pain-Free Performance Program.
1:1 Pain-Free Performance Program: Your Path to Pain-Free Performance
The 1:1 Pain-Free Performance Program is an online Physical Therapy and fitness program designed exclusively for CrossFitters and the high intensity workouts they experience. The program is ideal if your nagging pain is getting in your training or you want to minimize the likelihood of injury. At the same time, you train to elevate your fitness. This program is committed to helping functional fitness athletes achieve pain-free performance and stay injury-free through individualized program design.
Here’s why it stands out:
An Accredited Coach Who Has Been Where You Are Now
Hey there, my name is Coach Will, and I am the head coach and founder of WillPower Strength & Nutrition and the 1:1 Pain-Free Performance Program. In addition to spending the last 10+ years building extensive experience working with CrossFitters in person and online, as well as professional athletes and Division 1 collegiate athletes across the United States, I also hold a Doctoral Degree in Physical Therapy. I am a licensed Physical Therapist in New York and Connecticut. I am also a Certified Strength & Conditioning coach and Sports Nutritionist.
Through my time working with CrossFitters, I have gained a profound understanding of the sport’s unique demands. I feel I am uniquely qualified to help CrossFit athletes train pain-free, whether that is for rehab, life, or working their way to the CrossFit Games.
But, more importantly, I have been where you are right now. Several years ago, I was the fittest I had ever been as I prepared for the CrossFit Open. I had just hit a personal record for both Snatch and Deadlift on the same day! Only to quickly realize that something was not right.
Later that day, I began to feel my back tighten up, and pain started shooting down my legs. This continued for several hours until I could not tolerate standing up straight. I was forced to crawl into my house on gravel pavement and painfully climbed into my bed, where I remained for the next several days due to pain.
My rehab journey back to training CrossFit began when the pain finally subsided. I ferociously evaluated and improved my faulty movement patterns using the knowledge I gained from my studies as a physical therapist and other continuing education that now form the approach I use with my clients today. I spent my training days attacking my weaknesses as all CrossFitters do and building resiliency in my back so this never happened again.
After six short months, I was revitalized and back to my old self. I also took steps to become even fitter than I originally was. I set new personal records and did so without joint pain and zero low back pain.
My 1:1 Pain-Free Performance Program works and will work for you, too. Please keep reading to learn more about how I do so for my clients!
The 1:1 Pain-Free Performance Approach
WillPower Strength & Nutrition is dedicated to coaching its clients through evidence-based practice and what happens in the gym on a day-to-day basis. Not all training takes place in a lab under perfect conditions; sometimes, life can get in the way.
The program will incorporate the latest in evidence-based practice, your specific needs, values, and priorities as the client, and the abundance of learnings I have gathered through my time working with CrossFitters in the online setting. Whether you’re dealing with shoulder, knee, or low back pain, I have a solution for you.
Complete Program Design
The 1:1 Pain-Free Performance Program looks at the three factors when designing your training and rehab program. First is your exercise program, which begins with a comprehensive movement assessment to serve as an injury screen that reviews all six foundational movement patterns and reveals the root cause of your pain. It is done in the comfort of your home or local gym. Then, continue with daily training and injury prevention strategies based on your specific requirements relative to your assessment.
Next is your nutrition program, as your training is only as good as the food that fuels it. In addition to your movement assessment, you’ll also begin your program with a 3-day food log, which will inform me about how you are eating and hydrating throughout the day.
This is massively important with sports rehabilitation because if protein is lacking, tissues cannot heal optimally, and if food is mostly inflammatory, it can prolong the healing process or lead to achy joints.
Lastly is your lifestyle. CrossFitters have unique needs, and the hours spent outside of the gym are just as, if not more important, than the time spent in it. The 1:1 Pain-Free Performance Program reviews basic lifestyle guidelines that are easy to follow and ensures that factors like sleep, stress, daily activity, and more are not preventing you from reaching your goals.
Asynchronous Coaching
Unlike other rehab programs, 1:1 Pain-Free Performance Program’s remote and asynchronous nature, you can train and rehab whenever it is best for you. This is unlike rehab in traditional physical therapy clinics, where you are left working by yourself while your clinician spends time catching up on their documentation. At the beginning of each week, your training, rehab, nutrition, and lifestyle prescriptions will be uploaded to your profile in our state-of-the-art app CoachRx.
Inside CoachRx, you can also view demo videos, track progress, communicate with me, and view detailed coach notes for every session. You can access me and your program whether you’re on the East Coast, West Coast, or anywhere in between.
Truly Personalized Training Programs
Every CrossFit athlete is different, so your program will address your specific injury and fitness goals. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned CrossFitter, your personalized treatment plan will meet you where you are physically and progress with you as you become more resilient and fitter than you ever have been.
Ongoing Support & Communication
As I mentioned above, when you begin your 1:1 Pain-free Performance Program, you are never on your own. You will have 24/7 communication access through CoachRx’s messaging feature for real-time questions as you train and build your nutrition and lifestyle prescriptions into your everyday life.
We also take a systematic approach to check-ins, both weekly and monthly. Each week, you’ll be assigned a check-in day, the same day you receive your training program. On this day, you will receive a formal message from me to review the week and discuss what went well and what you can work on in the upcoming week.
Additionally, each month, we will check in over video calls to discuss your progress over the last month and ensure that your questions are answered and that you are taking steps toward your goal(s).
Strong Reputation
WillPower Strength & Nutrition has built a strong reputation in the CrossFit community over the years, working with clients like you. My client’s trust in my services stems from my three-headed approach to their programs: commitment to relevant research and consideration of what matters most to them.
How You Can Get Started
If you’re ready to experience the benefits of the 1:1 Pain-Free Performance Program, getting started is easy:
- Book your free consultation through this link: BOOK YOUR FREE CONSULTATION.
- Meet with me over the phone to discuss your goals and how I can help you.
- Prepare for a great experience that will help you overcome injuries, improve performance, and enjoy your CrossFit workouts without pain.
Client Testimonials
The Role of a CrossFit Physical Therapist
Before I can discuss the specifics of an online program dedicated to providing corrective exercise and personal training for CrossFitters, it is critical to understand the role of movement specialists such as Physical Therapists in the CrossFit community.
A Physical Therapist qualified to provide you with the best patient care possible in a remote setting possesses the knowledge and skills to assess, diagnose, and treat injuries related to CrossFit workouts. They can also use evidence-based practice to create personalized treatment plans that address individual needs and incorporate them into your training program so that you stay in your CrossFit gym building your fitness rather than taking time off to rehab an injury.
These treatment plans may include an individualized fitness program design with self-manual therapy, corrective exercise, banded joint mobilization, and soft tissue mobilization techniques spread throughout each session or week.
Why Should You Choose an Online Program?
Given the advances in technology today, CrossFitters worldwide have begun to opt for remote coaching with Physical Therapists for their patient care. These online settings offer several advantages and can be an excellent choice for CrossFitters seeking professional care and guidance in the comfort of their own gyms or homes.
Below is a quick outline of why you should work with an online Physical Therapist.
- Convenience: You no longer have to be tied to the schedule or availability of your Physical Therapist. You can begin a program that provides asynchronous guidance through your treatment plan so that you can easily make your training fit into your lifestyle and increase consistency.
- Access to Expertise: You can have access to an experienced physical therapist who specializes in CrossFit rehabilitation, regardless of where you are located. With the remote model to your care, you’ll never have to worry about missing your physical therapy appointment. Your rehab will blend seamlessly with your training program.
- Individualized Treatment Plans: Online physical therapists are not beholden to insurance companies, as many are a “fee for service model,” meaning you pay cash for your care and then can be reimbursed by your insurance company or use vehicles like HSAs or FSAs. Thus, you receive truly personalized treatment plans that cater to your unique needs and fitness goals and are not dictated by what insurance companies will pay for.
- Consistent Support: Unlike in-person services, where you only speak to your Physical Therapist 2-3 times per week during your sessions, the online model enables you to receive 24/7 ongoing support and guidance, ensuring that you stay on track with your recovery and training.
- Nutrition & Lifestyle: Most Physical Therapy programs begin and end with exercise because of the lack of time. With the online model, this is different. In the remote setting, you’ll receive individualized nutrition and lifestyle prescriptions to optimize your fitness and recovery.
Choosing the Right Online Physical Therapy Program
Choosing the best online Physical Therapist for your CrossFit training is critical. Use these elements to guide your decision:
Accreditation and Credentials
Look for physical therapists who hold a doctoral degree in physical therapy (DPT) and are not simply claiming to be movement experts after a weekend course. Becoming a Physical Therapist is a rigorous seven-year journey that enables them to see movement differently than others and precisely prescribe corrective exercises.
Many Physical Therapists who practice online do not hold a state license because their reach is worldwide. But, finding a licensed professional in your state is an added bonus as it can be a clear indicator of competence. Accreditation by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and certification by relevant professional organizations, such as the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy.
Experience and Specialization
Choosing a Physical Therapist with extensive training and years of experience working with injuries related to CrossFit and utilizing the methodology for themselves will only help optimize your treatment plans. A therapist like this, who has worked with professional athletes and specializes in sports medicine, can provide valuable insights related to CrossFit that others might not be able to.
Evidence-Based Practice
Evidence-based practice is absolutely critical to your program design if you want to decrease the time it takes to reach your goals. Practicing evidence-based practice means that their treatment plans are backed by the latest research and clinical experience, ensuring you receive the most effective care possible.
Comprehensive Services
Your program should include more than just an exercise prescription. Although that is the “meat and potatoes” of your care, a holistic approach to recovery and training that not only lowers the risk of injury but encompasses strategies but also nutrition, lifestyle, mental health support, and patient education can address the unique needs that CrossFitters like you may have and that will help craft you into a lifelong athlete who can train hard and maintain an active lifestyle for years to come.
Communication
Effective communication is especially important for Physical Therapy programs conducted in a remote setting. Since you are not in person, a program that allows for 24/7 access to your coach, with weekly and monthly check-ins and consultations, will ensure a close monitoring of your progress. Before beginning your program, ensure that the therapist provides their contact information and maintains regular contact with you throughout your coaching experience.
Ready To Do This?
- Book your free consultation through this link: BOOK YOUR FREE CONSULTATION.
- Meet with me over the phone to discuss your goals and how I can help you.
- Prepare for a great experience that will help you overcome injuries, improve performance, and enjoy your CrossFit workouts without pain.
CrossFit is a challenging and rewarding training program. But, if you wish to continually level up in your fitness journey and excel in the sport of fitness, it is essential to remain pain and injury-free. With the right online Physical Therapy treatment program, like the 1:1 Pain-Free Performance Program, you can prevent injuries, recover effectively, and continue to crush your gym’s workouts of the day.
Related Reading:
Preventing Lower Back Injuries When Exercising: Key Techniques for Stability and Pain Relief
5 Tips To Prevent Lower Back Pain After Deadlifts
3 Steps To Addressing Your Patellar Tendon Pain
