Author: Zachary Cohen

Dr. Zac began his career working in professional sports. He noticed a large discrepancy between the quality of care that elite athletes receive when compared to the normal active public. This inspired him to create Cohen Health and Performance, a place that treats everyone as if they are a professional athlete! He graduated summa cum laude from Northeastern University in 2011 with his Doctorate in Physical Therapy, and also became a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). While at Northeastern he worked as a Physical Therapy Graduate Assistant for the New England Patriots, and served as a strength and conditioning coach for Northeastern University athletics. Prior to moving to Maryland, Zac was a Performance Physical Therapist with EXOS (formerly known as Athletes' Performance) in Dallas, TX where he treated and trained the world's most gifted athletes from throughout the NFL, MLB, NBA, MLS, and various Olympic teams.

The rise of the “Dad bod”

In recent years, professional sports have witnessed an intriguing shift. Athletes like Patrick Mahomes and Luka Dončić are redefining what it means to succeed at the highest levels, demonstrating that elite performance is no longer solely tied to having a shredded, lean physique. Instead, a new focus has emerged on functional athletic physical therapy and performance-based training, which emphasizes improving sports-specific skills and recovery over aesthetic goals.

The rise of “dadbods” among some of the world’s greatest athletes marks a departure from the long-standing belief that athletes must conform to a particular body type to succeed. While these athletes may not fit the traditional image of being hyper-muscular or ultra-lean, their success lies in their ability to excel through explosive movements, agility, and endurance—qualities enhanced through a combination of performance training and specialized athletic physical therapy.

The Role of Athletic Physical Therapy in Modern Training

Athletic physical therapy has become increasingly important in optimizing the performance of elite athletes. This shift represents a growing recognition of the value of recovery, injury prevention, and the enhancement of functional movement patterns. Through tailored physical therapy sessions, athletes can address muscle imbalances, improve joint mobility, and rehabilitate from injuries in a way that supports their overall athletic performance.

For example, athletes who focus on building vertical jumps, sprinting speed, and endurance use power-based training methods that allow them to excel in their respective sports. These techniques are often complemented by physical therapy, which helps to minimize fatigue, prevent overuse injuries, and ensure that the body can handle the demands of high-intensity competition.

By integrating athletic physical therapy into their routine, athletes can maintain peak condition throughout a long season without the risk of burnout. This is in stark contrast to bodybuilding, where the focus is on muscle isolation and aesthetics, often at the expense of functional performance and injury prevention.

Functional Movements and Sport-Specific Training

Athletes design their training around the specific demands of their sport, focusing on compound, functional movements that replicate on-field actions. From ball throws to sled pushes, these exercises build dynamic strength, coordination, and stamina—key components of athletic success. In conjunction with athletic physical therapy, this approach ensures that athletes not only build the strength needed to dominate in their sport but also stay resilient against injuries.

Athletic physical therapy is particularly useful when addressing issues related to biomechanics. Functional movement screens are commonly used to identify any movement patterns that may predispose an athlete to injury. By correcting these through targeted physical therapy exercises, athletes can enhance their range of motion, improve posture, and ensure that they can perform at their best without sacrificing their long-term health.

While hypertrophy (muscle building) still plays a role in an athlete’s training, the primary focus is on developing muscle mass that supports agility, explosiveness, and the specific demands of their sport. Athletic physical therapy supports this process by ensuring that the muscles, tendons, and ligaments are properly conditioned to handle the stresses of athletic performance.

Evolving Nutrition and Conditioning Strategies

Nutrition strategies in professional sports have also evolved alongside the rise of performance-based training. While bodybuilders typically go through extreme bulking and cutting phases to achieve a particular physique, athletes prioritize maintaining a consistent body fat percentage that allows them to perform at their best. In this context, athletic physical therapy also plays a crucial role by ensuring that the body is adequately nourished and recovered, ready for the rigors of competition.

Athletes focus not on achieving a specific look but on sustained performance, allowing them to remain at their peak over extended periods. Similarly, their conditioning programs are designed to maximize cardiovascular efficiency and sport-specific endurance rather than simply burning fat. Whether it’s high-intensity interval training (HIIT) or tailored conditioning, their approach is centered on enhancing stamina and durability for the long season ahead.

A New Mindset in Athletic Training

The rise of athletes prioritizing performance over aesthetics sends a powerful message, particularly to youth athletes: skill development, functional strength, and injury prevention should always come first. Athletic physical therapy helps ensure that athletes can maintain their physical health while improving their performance, proving that chasing an idealized body image is less relevant to success in sports. Instead, mental resilience, recovery, and athletic ability are the true markers of success.

As more athletes embrace this mindset, the field of athletic physical therapy is expected to grow in importance, continuing to evolve alongside the training methodologies that emphasize performance and health over aesthetics. If you’re interested in finding the best athletic physical therapy and performance training solutions, contact us to learn more about our upcoming performance training groups, launching soon!

Say goodbye to back pain

How to Conquer Back Pain Through Physical Therapy

Did you know that, according to the World Health Organization, low back pain is the single leading cause of disability worldwide? That’s right—millions of people struggle with back pain, making it a global health concern.

For those who regularly engage in physical activity, the likelihood of experiencing back pain is even higher. Experts estimate that over 50% of people who maintain a consistent workout routine will experience back pain at some point. That’s most of us who are committed to staying fit and active! But here’s the good news—you don’t have to be part of that statistic.

Back Pain Physical Therapy: The Key to Long-Term Relief

Whether you’re dealing with chronic discomfort or the occasional back twinge, physical therapy can be an essential tool in your recovery process. It’s not just about managing pain; it’s about addressing the underlying issues and building strength to prevent future injuries.

What Can You Expect from Physical Therapy for Back Pain?

When working with the Doctors of Physical Therapy at Cohen Health and Performance, you will experience a personalized approach to pain relief. Unlike generic online advice, our physical therapy treatment plans are tailored to your specific needs. Here’s what you’ll learn in a structured, professional physical therapy program:

1. The Common Mistakes Most Active People Make
Many individuals who exercise regularly don’t realize that ineffective exercise programming and a limitation in the physical qualities necessary for certain exercises, are primary culprits behind back pain. Physical therapy helps identify and correct these issues, ensuring that your workouts are both safe and effective.

2. Exercises to Relieve Back Pain Immediately
Our sports physical therapists are experts at creating exercise programs designed to target the main factor that is resulting in your pain. Whether it’s strengthening your core, increasing mobility or increasing your movement repertoire, you’ll be given specific movements that can immediately alleviate pressure and discomfort in your lower back. These exercises are safe, effective, and can be done anywhere—no need for fancy equipment.

3. Long-Term Strategies to Prevent Future Back Pain Flare-Ups
One of the greatest benefits of physical therapy is learning how to avoid back pain altogether. By adopting a more well-rounded training routine, you can prevent future injuries. Your therapist will also help you incorporate adjustments into your everyday activities, such as how you sit at your desk, to safeguard your back during intense training sessions and day-to-day life.

Sign Up for Our Free Workshop on Back Pain and Physical Therapy!

Join me and my team of experts for an exciting and FREE interactive workshop on how to conquer back pain through physical therapy. In this workshop, we’ll show you how to modify your workouts and daily habits to drastically reduce or even eliminate back pain. You won’t find these specialized insights on WebMD or Google; this is expert advice rooted in years of experience and in-depth training.

In this workshop, you’ll learn:
– The key mistakes active people make that lead to back pain
– Simple, easy-to-follow exercises to relieve pressure on your back right now
– How to prevent future flare-ups, even during intense training sessions

Don’t Miss Out—Register Now!

But hurry—spots are limited, and they’re filling up fast. This is your chance to take control of your back health and live pain-free with the help of physical therapy.

By joining this workshop, you’ll get personalized tips and strategies to ensure that you can continue pursuing your fitness goals without the burden of back pain.

Learn to keep back pain at bay!

Does back pain keep creeping up during your workouts?

You’re not alone—back pain is one of the most common issues people face, especially when they lead an active lifestyle. Whether you’re an athlete, weekend warrior, or just someone trying to stay fit, back pain can significantly hinder your performance and even discourage you from exercising altogether. In fact, back pain is one of the leading reasons people seek physical therapy.

Think of your body like a high-performance car engine. If you let that engine sit idle for too long without maintenance, it starts to misfire. And when you push yourself during workouts without addressing these underlying issues, that’s when the back pain flares up. Many people continue this cycle of inactivity and painful workouts, but there is a better way to break free from this loop.

Physical therapy for back pain at Cohen Health and Performance is specifically designed to identify the root causes of your discomfort. Often, back pain arises from muscle imbalances, lack of core strength, limitations in movement variability, or faulty loading patterns. The goal of physical therapy for people with back pain back pain is to address these issues through a combination of exercises, manual therapy, and education. Our Doctors of physical therapy are experts in movement and biomechanics, meaning they can pinpoint the exact source of your pain and help you make targeted improvements.

Here’s the good news: you don’t need to completely overhaul your lifestyle! A few small but significant adjustments, like discovering new movement strategies, strengthening your core, and improving your mobility, can help relieve pain and prevent it from returning. Physical therapy can teach you how to safely modify your workouts, reduce strain on your back, and build resilience so you can train harder and longer—without the risk of injury.

At Cohen Health and Performance, we specialize in helping active people with physical therapy plans that are personalized to fit their specific needs. Whether you’re dealing with chronic back pain or recent discomfort, our evidence-based approach focuses on long-term relief and injury prevention. We emphasize hands-on techniques, combined with functional exercises that improve strength, mobility, and posture, so you can move freely without pain.

We invite you to join us for a FREE, hands-on workshop where we’ll teach you 3 game-changing strategies to reduce back pain and keep your workouts pain-free. Our expert team will walk you through simple but effective techniques commonly used in back pain physical therapy to help you manage discomfort and optimize your performance.

“Keep Training from Being a Pain in the Back”
Saturday, October 5th at 9 am

Cohen Health and Performance – McLean
1401 Chain Bridge Rd., Suite 203
McLean, VA 22101

There are only 10 more spots available, so don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn practical techniques from trained physical therapists. This workshop will empower you to take control of your pain and equip you with the tools to train safely and effectively. By incorporating these back pain physical therapy strategies, you’ll not only reduce pain but also improve your overall health and fitness performance.

Reserve your spot now and put an end to back pain while taking your training to the next level!

Looking forward to seeing you there!

How physical therapy helped my back

In life, sometimes our greatest challenges end up leading us to our most valuable lessons. That was certainly the case for me when an unexpected back injury abruptly ended my college football career. At the time, it felt like everything I had worked for was slipping through my fingers. Little did I know, this injury would be a turning point that not only introduced me to the world of physical therapy but also set me on a lifelong journey of health, healing, and helping others.

Physical therapy became my path to recovery and taught me that our bodies are incredibly resilient when given the right care and attention. Years later, I’m still working to maintain my back health, even after being told I might need spine surgery. And the best part? Today, I feel stronger than ever.

The Power of Physical Therapy in Back Recovery

One of the core concepts I learned in physical therapy is the importance of maintaining the “stack” of the body. This term refers to properly aligning your head, rib cage, and pelvis. Imagine a snowman where each ball is stacked neatly on top of the other. If one of the balls starts rolling out of place, the entire snowman is at risk of falling. Similarly, when any part of our alignment gets disrupted—whether it’s the head, rib cage, or pelvis—it can lead to back pain.

An inability to maintain the stack is a common problem for people recovering from back injuries. Through physical therapy, I learned exercises to restore and maintain this balance, ensuring that my body remains in safe positions even during challenging movements.

3 Exercises to Maintain Back Health

I’ve incorporated many exercises into my routine over the years, but these three drills have been particularly helpful as of late:

1. Kettlebell Pullover

2. Physioball Rollout

3. Wall-Supported Bear March

These three exercises have become staples in my warm-up routine. They not only help me maintain my back health but also prepare my body for more intense workouts by ensuring that my core is activated and my stack is on point!

Join Me for a Free Back Pain Workshop!

If you’ve ever struggled with back pain or found it difficult to train without back discomfort, I want to help. Join me for a FREE workshop where I’ll share my “go-to” drills that can help you reduce back pain and strengthen your body.

– When: Saturday, October 5th at 9 AM
– Where: Cohen Health and Performance-McLean

During this session, we’ll dive deep into these exercises, as well as other essential physical therapy techniques, to help you get your body back on track. Whether you’ve had a back injury in the past or are simply looking to optimize your health, this workshop will give you the tools you need to succeed.

Spots are limited—there are only 15 available, so don’t wait to sign up! If you’re ready to eliminate back pain for good and take control of your health, this is the perfect opportunity.

Click HERE for more information and to reserve your spot.

Is there a perfect sitting posture?

The Truth About Sitting Posture: Physical Therapy Tips for Preventing Neck and Back Pain

When it comes to preventing neck and back pain, most people have heard the usual advice: sit up straight, keep your feet flat on the floor, and support your lower back. While these tips can be helpful, they don’t tell the full story of how to sit comfortably for long periods.

The truth is, there’s no such thing as a “perfect” sitting posture, and that’s a key principle in physical therapy. In fact, the best sitting posture is one that constantly changes. Our bodies are designed to move, not remain still for long periods, whether we’re sitting, standing, or lying down. Just as you naturally shift your weight when standing, sitting should involve frequent adjustments to prevent discomfort and long-term issues.

Why Static Sitting Causes Problems

When we sit for long periods—especially while working or focusing on a task—we tend to lock into one position. This prolonged stillness can lead to tension, stiffness, and ultimately pain, particularly in the neck and lower back. This is where physical therapy plays a vital role: teaching us how to adjust our habits and posture to reduce the strain on our bodies.

Sitting in one static posture for too long, even if it’s “perfect,” is not ideal. The key is to introduce small, consistent movements that engage the muscles and reduce pressure on certain parts of your body. It’s not about sitting in one way forever; it’s about finding ways to keep your body active, even while seated.

Physical Therapy-Backed Tips for Comfortable Sitting

Here are two simple yet highly effective tips that can help you sit more comfortably during long periods of work or study:

1. Keep Moving: Small Adjustments Make a Big Difference
While it might seem counterintuitive, fidgeting while sitting can be beneficial. Making small adjustments—such as shifting your weight from side to side, crossing and uncrossing your legs, or adjusting the height of your chair—helps prevent muscle tension from building up.

Physical therapists often recommend this kind of regular movement because it engages different muscle groups, reducing strain on your lower back and neck. The more often you change your posture, the less likely you are to experience discomfort later in the day.

In fact, if you’re experiencing ongoing pain from sitting too long, a consultation with a physical therapist could help you learn more personalized movement strategies to relieve discomfort and prevent future issues.

2. Give Your Eyes a Break: The 20/20/20 Rule
There’s a strong connection between extended screen time and discomfort in the upper body, particularly around the neck, shoulders, and eyes. This is known as visual strain, and it’s a common issue in today’s digital world. When your eyes are fixed on a screen for long periods, it leads to tension that can affect your entire posture.

To alleviate this, optometrists recommend the 20/20/20 rule: every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at something 20 feet away. This helps relax the muscles in your eyes and reduces tension in your upper body.

Incorporating this simple practice into your routine can significantly reduce the risk of neck and shoulder pain, especially if you spend a lot of time in front of a computer.

If you’re experiencing discomfort from long hours of sitting at work or school, I have great news. We’re offering a Low Back Pain Workshop on Saturday, October 5th at 9 AM. This workshop is perfect for anyone struggling with back pain and looking for immediate solutions that can be implemented at home or work.

During the workshop, we’ll cover practical strategies from physical therapy that you can use right away to relieve low back pain, improve your posture, and keep your body active—even when sitting for long periods.

Interested? Click here to sign up and get more information!

The most common sports injury in physical therapy right now

Physical Therapy for Fall Sports: Preventing Soft Tissue Injuries in High School Athletes

As fall sports kick into high gear, it’s no surprise that we’re seeing an increase in soft tissue injuries at our Bethesda and McLean physical therapy clinics. This trend is particularly noticeable among athletes involved in sports like football and soccer, where dynamic, multi-directional movements are essential. These activities often lead to soft tissue injuries, especially in the hip region, making physical therapy a crucial component of an athlete’s recovery and injury prevention strategy.

The Importance of Hip Muscle Balance in Physical Therapy

Field sport athletes rely heavily on their hip muscles to perform the various movements required in their sports. Unlike athletes who primarily run in straight lines, such as sprinters, these athletes need strong and balanced hip muscles to manage the demands of quick lateral movements, sudden stops, and directional changes. This is where physical therapy plays a vital role in maintaining muscle balance and preventing injuries.

The hip is controlled by four primary muscle groups:

– Glutes and Hip Flexors: Manage forward and backward movement.
– Abductors: Located on the outside of the hip, these muscles control side-to-side or lateral movements.
– Adductors: Found in the groin or inner thigh, these muscles also control lateral movement.

Sports that involve significant lateral movements, such as hockey and field sports, place additional stress on the abductors and adductors. If these muscles are not properly conditioned and balanced, overuse or strain injuries can occur, making physical therapy essential for maintaining strength and preventing injuries.

The Critical Strength Ratio in Sports Physical Therapy

One key aspect of physical therapy for athletes is ensuring a balanced strength ratio between the adductors and abductors to reduce the risk of groin injuries. Ideally, athletes should aim for a 1:1 strength ratio between these muscle groups. Research in physical therapy has shown that when the adductor-to-abductor strength ratio drops below 0.8, the risk of sustaining a groin strain increases by 17 times.

Maintaining this balance is crucial because an imbalance can lead to one group of muscles being overworked and more susceptible to injury. For instance, if the adductors are significantly weaker than the abductors, a common issue identified during physical therapy assessments, they may not provide adequate support to the hip during lateral movements, leading to a higher risk of groin injury.

Strengthening Exercises in Physical Therapy to Prevent Groin Injuries

To reduce the risk of groin injuries, athletes should focus on strengthening both the adductors and abductors through targeted exercises in their physical therapy routine.

1. Copenhagen Plank for Adductor Strength

– Objective: Strengthen the inner thigh muscles (adductors).
– How to Perform: Aim for 3 sets of 30-45 second holds.
– Why It Works: This exercise is highly effective at building up the adductor muscles, which are crucial for stability and control during lateral movements, a key focus in physical therapy.

2. DNS Side Plank for Hip Abductor Strength

– Objective: Strengthen the outer hip muscles (abductors).
– How to Perform: Try 3 sets of 12 reps.
– Why It Works: This exercise helps develop the abductor muscles, which are essential for maintaining balance and power during side-to-side movements, a critical part of physical therapy for athletes.

Ongoing Physical Therapy Assessment and Training

It’s important for athletes to regularly assess their hip strength throughout the season as part of their physical therapy routine. Hip strength can fluctuate due to the demands of the sport, making it essential to continually work on these muscles beyond regular practice sessions. Scheduling an assessment with a sports physical therapy specialist can provide valuable insights into an athlete’s hip strength and highlight areas that may need additional focus.

For athletes beginning fall sports, reducing the risk of groin injuries should be a top priority. By maintaining a balanced strength ratio between the adductors and abductors, and by incorporating targeted physical therapy exercises into their training routine, athletes can significantly decrease their risk of injury. This proactive approach not only helps prevent injuries but also enhances overall performance on the field or rink.

Remember, in sports, as in life, balance is key. By focusing on the strength and balance of your hip muscles through physical therapy, you’re setting yourself up for a successful and injury-free season.

If you or your athlete has suffered an injury at the start of this fall season, now is the time to take action. Contact us for a physical therapy assessment to understand the issue, address it effectively, and prevent it from escalating into a bigger problem that may keep you off the field longer.