Overhead Athlete Clinic

Overhead athletes are constantly placing their bodies under an immense amount of force and directional changes. Whether you are throwing, casting, or serving a ball, the amount of stress you place on your body is enormous. What will dictate how you play and how you feel revolves around one thing….how you have trained your body to move. Overhead athletes endure some of the fastest motions in sports, and their bodies come in all shapes and sizes. Many different styles of delivery and motion can be observed in overhead sports, each presenting a potential competitive advantage, as well as the potential for movement impairments leading to injury or decreased performance.

The Clinic

The WashU Medicine Physical Therapy Overhead Athlete Clinic will evaluate and diagnose these impairments to effectively treat injuries, and promote optimal movement patterns for return to and achievement in sports.  Insurance typically covers session focused on treating your pain. Please consult with your insurance provider prior to a session.

Key Components of the Overhead Athlete Clinic:

• One-on-One patient care during each session
• A comprehensive screen assessing the entire body
• Video Analysis of Sport-Specific Movement
• Post Assessment Report of physical and technical findings correlating to injury or decreased performance
• An individualized treatment program to address dysfunctions
• Communication between your physical therapist to coaches, parents, and athletic trainers

At the WashU Medicine Physical Therapy Clinic, we have a team of skilled providers specializing in helping injured athletes return to sport. There are many options for physical therapy treatment in the St. Louis metro area; however, what sets our clinic apart is our evidence-based practice and patient-centered care. Each athlete receives a 60-90 minute initial evaluation which consists of a thorough musculoskeletal exam, the use of slow motion video capture technology to analyze sport-specific movements, and an individualized treatment plan. All of our treatment session are conducted in a 1:1 environment. Our treatment plans consists of a collaborative effort with the athletes, parents, and coaches to achieve maximal performance goals, and/or safe return to competition.

Common conditions to be treated in the Overhead Athlete Clinic:

• Shoulder impingement
• Rotator Cuff Tendinitis
• Shoulder Labrum (SLAP) Tear/Lesion
• Little Leaguer’s Shoulder/Elbow
• Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
• Shoulder Instability
• Biceps Tendonitis
• GIRD (Glenohumeral Internal Rotation Deficit)
• SICK Scapula/Scapular Dyskinesia
• Ulnar Collateral Ligament Tear/Sprain
• Tennis and Golfer’s Elbow
• Low/Mid Back Pain

Our Approach

WashU Medicine Physical Therapy Overhead Athlete Clinic therapists will help establish the right plan for your individual needs and sport-specific motions. Whether you are in pain or are looking to improve your game, we can help with these three easy steps:

Assess: Our clinicians will complete a thorough movement assessment evaluation that is related to your sport specifically. We will also conduct a slow-motion video analysis to see any breakdown in form or delivery based upon your sport. OnBaseU Hitting and Pitching assessments can also be completed if you are a softball or baseball player to maximize your performance.

Educate: The clinician will review with you your video analysis and findings from your assessment so you can better understand your faults as they pertain to your sport.

Correct: We will provide activities specific to your limitations to improve your game and overall movement quality.

Cash Based Services for Overhead Athlete Clinic

Performance Enhancement Session (60 minutes)	$120
Follow-up Session (30 minutes)	$60

Service Locations

Central West End

O’Fallon, MO