#27 - Inspirational Interview | How to Avoid Hip Surgery With the Barbell & Mindset Shifts

#27 - Inspirational Interview | How to Avoid Hip Surgery With the Barbell & Mindset Shifts

Author: Dr. Rori Alter, PT, SSC, PRSCC January 7, 2023 Duration: 59:21

Experiencing hip pain with squats, getting diagnosed with a labral tear, and facing the possibility of hip surgery after failed attempts at traditional physical therapy can be demoralizing. It's possible to overcome a labrum tear and continue barbell training without surgery. If you're only trying to treat the pain through low level exercises and not addressing technique, programming, and developing an understanding of the pain experience, you may not get the outcomes you were hoping for. 

 

Our goal with bringing on some of our clients is to share their unique stories, experiences with barbell training, and how their training has impacted their lives positively despite the negative medical narratives and belief systems surrounding barbell strength training in hopes that it inspires even just one person out there. 

 

In this series of interviews, each episode consists of a PRS client sharing their journey of overcoming injuries and illnesses, recovering from surgeries, and navigating changes in their lives and the role that barbell training has played throughout this process for each of them. These are just a handful of our clients that are truly inspiring and motivating and we hope that sharing their stories will inspire you, your patients or clients, or your family to incorporate barbell training into your life or continue barbell training during challenging times.

 

In this interview, we'll sit down and speak with PRS client, Parnell, a 36 year old male who had been dealing with hip pain for about 4 years that limited his participation in barbell training. After taking a step back from Crossfit and spending a couple years attempting to rehab his injury, he returned to weightlifting and even did a competition. But he was still having hip pain and eventually went to his orthopedic for an evaluation and imaging, which showed a labrum tear in his left hip. After continued attempts to rehab his hip, he was faced with the decision of whether or not to have surgery. 

 

When Parnell changed his approach to rehab and reframed his mindset about pain, that's when things started to shift in a positive direction, all while continuing to train with barbells. It's now almost 2 ½ years later and Parnell has made a significant amount of progress. He's much stronger, has improved technique, put on a lot of muscle, and his symptoms are no longer interfering with his training. This is a great example of how we don't need to change what we see on an image to resolve symptoms. Parnell has also learned how to understand and manage any symptoms if they do arise and he has a unique perspective on changing his relationship with pain. If you've been struggling to address an injury and feel like you're spinning your wheels, listen to his story. Consider getting a second or third opinion and assess your options for rehab. Even if you feel like you've exhausted all options and you have to choose between surgery or parting ways with your barbell training, there may still be another answer to addressing your pain.

 

If you're enjoying our podcast, please leave us a review on Apple or Spotify.

 

Join our Facebook Community for free form checks, live Q&As & more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PRS.Barbell.Mastery 

 

Got questions or guests you'd like to hear on the show? Submit them here: https://forms.gle/7Vu2HmgHoeQY9xM59 

 

Get in touch with the show!

Web: https://www.progressiverehabandstrength.com

Email: podcast@progressiverehabandstrength.com

Rori IG: @rorimegan_prs

Alyssa IG: @alyssahope_prs


Hosted by Dr. Rori Alter and Dr. Alyssa Haveson, Progressive Rehab & Strength is a conversation for those who take lifting seriously, whether for sport or for life. Both hosts are practicing physical therapists and certified strength coaches with deep roots in powerlifting, giving them a unique, dual-perspective on the body under load. This podcast digs into the nuanced intersection of rehabilitation and performance, moving beyond generic advice. You’ll hear practical discussions on programming for longevity, managing training around injuries, and navigating the technical demands of the barbell lifts. The aim is to strip away confusion and provide actionable insights that help athletes and coaches build resilient, sustainable careers-both in the gym and in their professional practices. It’s a resource for critical thinkers who want their approach to strength to be informed by both clinical expertise and hard-earned experience on the platform. Tune in for a blend of science, real-world application, and straight talk from two professionals who live in this space every day.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Progressive Rehab & Strength
Podcast Episodes