Phil Plisky

05/09/2025

Determining when someone should return to sport can be a daunting process. If you use return to sport and discharge checklists, you can greatly increase compliance and return people to sport safely with decreased risk of reinjury.

Determining when someone should return to sport can be a daunting process. But if you use return to sport and discharge checklists, you can greatly increase compliance and return people to sport safely with decreased risk of reinjury.

04/09/2025

Proper cueing of upper body rolling is essential. It is one of the few times in my practice where the test becomes the exercise.

Upper-body flexion rolling is an elegant test of motor control—and a powerful teaching tool.

When done right, it exposes coordination gaps you can’t see with most strength tests.

Here’s how ➡️ https://bit.ly/3I2VIqB

04/09/2025

I had an incredible week! What made it so memorable? Find out at the link: https://bit.ly/4gmVMO2

03/09/2025

NSCA has 2 new CEU opportunities available until 10/31/25:

1. The History and Evolution of the Back Squat in the United States

2. Systematizing Glute Training

All you have to do is read the articles and take the quiz.

You can find the current quizzes in this article ➡️ https://bit.ly/462nn37

03/09/2025

Do you have to use isokinetic testing post-ACL?

No – but you absolutely need open chain testing.

In this episode of the Medbridge podcast with Dr. Lynn Snyder-Mackler, we lay out the options: fixed dynamometry, 1RM leg extension, and more.

Bottom line: leg press alone won’t cut it.

Listen here: https://bit.ly/4fY9Pu5

02/09/2025

I received this question: "Hi Phil! I have had a couple patients now that have opted for the non-op route for ACL or PCL injuries. For context, they’re not current athletes are 30s to 50s, but do want to get back to their recreational activity. I’ve had a hard time finding comprehensive protocols for this. I know the importance of getting full knee ext (even hyper extension) and addressing quad strength and motor control, but what are some things you feel must be addressed in a non-op situation in terms of intervention? Any patient education you would make sure you include? Thanks and always appreciate your content!"

How do you work non-operative ACL patients? In this video, I explain my process for non-operative ACLR.

02/09/2025

Upper-body flexion rolling reveals more than we realize. When the lower body stays relaxed and the trunk rotates with breath, you see how the system truly integrates.

If there’s stiffness or “stuckness,” it’s a diagnostic clue.

Read more here ➡️ https://bit.ly/4lKUf64

01/09/2025

29/08/2025

Why were the Return To Sport and Discharge Checklists developed? Check out my answer
https://bit.ly/46yrfc3

28/08/2025

Ever catch yourself daydreaming about where your career might be in a year? Or maybe you've been pondering what kind of clinician you want to become? I had a thought-provoking moment while watching the movie The Forge. The main character posed these three powerful questions to a potential employee:

In what ways do you want to grow in the next year?
What kind of person (professional) do you want to be?
What do you want people to think when they see you?

These questions really got me thinking about my own journey and how they apply to our profession. These are 3 questions that we should always be able to answer about our career and our life. How would you answer these questions?

27/08/2025

There are two ways to test core function – and most clinicians only use one.

Volitional vs. reflexive: both tell you something vital about your patient’s stability.

Here’s why we need both.

27/08/2025

"If you're not measuring it, you're saying you don't care about it."

That’s what Dr. Lynn Snyder-Mackler told me on the Medbridge podcast – and she’s right. If we’re not objectively measuring quad strength post-ACL reconstruction, we’re guessing.

And no, the leg press doesn’t count.

Full episode: https://bit.ly/45rTSso