June 30, 2025
Performance physical therapy is different than traditional rehab. Performance programs have a strong foundation in strength and conditioning principles while respecting the irritability of the injured tissue. Traditional programs are typically designed on a visit-by-visit basis with a lack of long-term outlook on the athlete's phases of healing, hypertrophy, and strength. Performance physical therapy breaks down each athlete's condition into a structured, progressive timeline that keeps the individual accountable and helps them reach their goals. To get the most out of your body and to live the most active lifestyle, the choice is simple. Choose Performance PT!
Performance physical therapists are highly trained to find the ROOT cause of an athlete's pain. This might not always be the specific location of where the pain is felt. The human body is a dynamic system of movements and patterns. By performing a thorough evaluation, Performance PT's can effectively plan an athlete's program with an accurate timeline.
In the pain phase, it is vital to respect tissue tolerance and irritability. However, this does not mean prescribing low level, easy exercise. The active patient needs to be challenged. Their injured muscles, tendons, and ligaments need to be adequately stressed to promote adaptations and spur healing. Too much volume and the tissue can't recovery, and too little stress and the tissue keeps breaking down. An expert Performance Physio programs the perfect exercises in the initial phase to get the pain to calm down and the athlete moving well.
In this phase it is time to increase resistance, load and volume in the athlete's program. It is now time to take the athlete's strength and tissue capacity to the next level. A Performance Physio that has been trained in strength and conditioning can effectively program an athlete's Prime Phase with sport specific and activity specific exercise. This phase is when athletes and active patients "get their sweat on!" Performance Physical Therapists empower people to get the most out of their rehab to return to the sports and movements they love.
Run, jump, hop, and play! This phase brings it all together. To be able to get back on the field without pain without reinjury it is important to introduce dynamic, high velocity movements. At this time the athlete has a phenomenal level of stability and strength but now all of that must be put to the test. Performance Physical Therapists assess individuals with evidence-based return to sport testing to ensure successful completion of rehab and optimal performance on the playing field.
It is not enough for athlete's to "get back to where I was" after a program of performance physical therapy. Committed athlete's and active individuals want to move strong and move well for life. Performance Physical Therapists continue to work with their athletes on a long-term basis. These sessions are when athlete's can fine tune their skills, technique, and movement patterns so they can truly excel at their sport and life.
At Vital Force Physio our Performance Physical Therapists have extensive training in strength trending, aerobic capacity training, manual therapy, orthopedics, and work with a multitude of sports including baseball, basketball, volleyball, soccer, running, hockey, football, gymnastics, CrossFit, Olympic weight lifting, tennis, golf, jiu jitsu, wrestling, grappling, rock climbing, and swimming. They utilize individualized 4 Phase Programs to rebuild youth athletes, college athletes, weekend warriors and competitive adult athletes. It is our passion to empower, coach, and train.
Dr. Bryan Vranic, PT, DPT, CSCS, CF-L1
Performance Physical Therapist, Owner
Vital Force Physio
