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Creating Breakthroughs with Athletic Performance and Sports Injury Recovery

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What Do PTSD, War Veterans, And Injured Athletes Have In Common?

May 13, 2016 by Robert Andrews 7 Comments

By Robert B. Andrews MA, LMFT

PTSD from war trauma is a terrible aftershock for soldiers who experience the horrors of war. I recently read an article about PTSD in veterans who suffer from the effects of PTSD.  I  was struck by how exact the imprinting process for war trauma is when compared to  athletes who suffer serious sports related injuries.

Overcoming Sports InjuriesI don’t mean to compare the intensity of war trauma to athletic performance, or minimize our soldiers experiences. My intent is to point out the similarities in brain functioning and imprinting between war time experiences and serious sports related injuries.

The quote below comes from an article by Nolan Peterson about PTSD in the military. Although he is talking about intense combat experiences he perfectly describes the mental imprinting process that athletes experience when suffering a serious sports related injury like an ACL, broken leg, or concussion.

“But that’s the point. The hormones released by high-stress situations instruct the brain to imprint memories more deeply.  Evolution taught us that trick: The caveman who could best remember how he escaped a saber-toothed tiger attack had a statistically better shot at surviving the next one.  That’s why time appears to slow down in a car crash or while you’re getting mugged. The adrenaline coursing through your veins triggers your brain into hyperactive memory storage. Your mind and senses go into overdrive, absorbing every sensory detail with superhuman lucidity and completeness.

Because of this, an event that might only last a split second occupies as much mental storage space as a week or a month. Years later you can recall details, feelings, colors, smells, and sounds more vividly than you can remember this morning’s breakfast.” ~ Nolan Peterson

To the Brain, Trauma is Trauma

Baseball Player DownSo sports injuries can be traumatic to the athlete.

I have spoken with athletes who tore their ACL and can remember what the grass smelled like when they laid on the field after being injured. Others recall how quiet the crowd became and how bright the lights were.  Many hold an image of their teammates all looking at them as the trainers and team physicians looked after them.

These images are loaded with unprocessed information related to the injury.

I treat injuries from a trauma based approach. We teach the brain how to process this overwhelming cauldron of high stress information. This is the critical step in a full comeback after suffering injury.

If this story resonates with you, if you have intrusive mental images that relate to your injury, if you are afraid of getting hurt again, you are not alone.

We can get you back in the game quickly with diminished fear of re-injury and restored confidence.

Contact: robertandrews@tinssp.com

Filed Under: ACL Injury Recovery, Mental Aspects of Sports Injuries, Sports Injuries and Trauma, Sports Injury Recovery, Sports Shut Down and the Mental and Emotional Impact on Athletes Tagged With: Mental impact of injuries, Nolan Peterson, Overcoming sports injuries, PTSD, Sports Injury Trauma

Pre-Surgery Treatment of Mental and Emotional Aspects of Sports Related Injuries

April 24, 2016 by Robert Andrews Leave a Comment

Working with an injured athlete prior to surgery has proven to be a game changer when it comes to the athlete’s approach to surgery, pain management, and the rehab process.

Helping athletes work through rational and irrational fears about surgery, processing concerns about the impact the injury will have on their performance, calming their anxiety about the rehab process, and gaining clarity about their identity as an athlete all help the athlete approach surgery with less fear and anxiety.

imagesA calm brain produces fewer stress related hormones so the mind and body have a remarkably different experience of surgery than the athlete who goes into surgery tense, scared, and filled with anxiety.

Recently I had the pleasure of working with an athlete as she was preparing to return to play after ACL surgery. This is an athlete that I saw a few days before surgery and a few more times as she worked her way through the rehab process.

The surgery/recovery process has gone so well for this athlete I decided to request an interview to capture and share the power and significance that pre-surgery treatment can have on an injured athlete facing surgery.

I have kept the athlete’s name private to maintain confidentiality. I will say that this athlete is a female high school soccer player who tore her ACL.

Question: How long ago was your surgery and how did the injury happen?

Athlete: About 8 months ago. I was going after a 50/50 ball on the soccer field. We collided and I tore the ACL in my left knee.

Question: How did you feel immediately after the injury?

Athlete: I felt “crappy”, devastated, scared, mad, upset, and sad. I wished it had not happened. I immediately started having all of these questions run through my mind. Questions about my future…Will I be able to come back? How long will it take to come back? Why did this happen?

Question: How did you find your way to The Institute of Sports Performance?

Athlete: My mother wanted me to have every kind of support I could have. She new I was suffering and upset so she started asking around. A therapist here in Houston told my mother about Robert Andrews, so we set up an appointment before my surgery.

Question: What was your reaction to your mother’s suggestion that you see someone to address the mental and emotional impact of your injury?

Athlete: At first I thought it was weird. I wasn’t excited. But she explained how it would help, and it made sense. Then Mr. Andrews explained everything in a way that just made more sense. After he explained how the brain works and how it handles high stress events, I was excited that I had this help going into surgery.

Question: How did you feel when you thought about having surgery?

Athlete: I was scared and anxious about the pain. I was really afraid of how painful it was going to be.

Question: Did you have any specific images in your mind about surgery, and how did you feel when you saw these images in your mind?

Athlete: Yes I did. I kept seeing images of the doctor opening my knee up and another image of me being surrounded by doctors in surgery. The images were there whenever I thought about going into surgery, and they made me feel scared and anxious.

Question: What work did you do with Mr. Andrews prior to surgery?

Athlete: We did some work with light, eye movement, and sound (EMDR) that focused on the scary images I had in my mind about surgery. By the time we finished with the first session those scary images were gone. I felt so much calmer. The fear and anxiety were gone. I was confident and ready for surgery.   I even had a new image in my mind of everything going well in surgery. The day of surgery I felt pretty calm.

Question: How did you feel after immediately after surgery?

Athlete: I felt great! I didn’t have a lot of pain. I was more concerned about the rehab process, but I saw Mr. Andrews again about that. We did some work that calmed my anxiety about rehab.  After that I was very confident and attacked my rehab process.

Author’s note– this process is not a guarantee that injured athletes will suffer less pain in surgery. There are many different types of ACL reconstruction surgeries, some more painful than others. Overall, I frequently hear reports from athlete’s saying they approach surgery calmer and with less anxiety. Many also report experiencing less pain.

Question: How do you feel now eight and a half months after the injury?

Athlete: I feel great! I continue to do my rehab with the goal of continuing to get stronger. I am back at practice, and I feel more confident. I have no pain and feel “normal”. I am definitely more confident than I thought I would have been at this stage of my recovery. Working with Mr. Andrews helped me be more patient about my rehab process. I have done great.

Question: When you think back to the point in time when you were injured, what do your think about and remember?

Athlete: I don’t really remember the injury. I see the rewritten version in my mind where I don’t get hurt. The old scary image of me getting hurt isn’t stuck in my brain anymore like it was when the injury first happened.

Question: Would you recommend this treatment process to other injured athletes?

Athlete: Yes I would, and I have. My mother tells everyone and I tell everyone. Seeing Mr. Andrews before surgery really made the difference for me. I thought I would be afraid when I came back, but I am not. I tell everyone how great I am doing. I am doing so much better than everyone thought.

Changing a Paradigm

I am grateful to this young athlete for sharing their process and experiences with me. It is important to get this information out. I believe we can dramatically alter the amount of fear, anxiety, anger, depression, and suffering injured athletes experience when injured.

After ten years of working with athletes I have seen thousands who have suffered serious injuries. These injuries include ACL injuries, Tommy John, broken ankles, legs, arms, and collarbones, shoulder injuries, and concussions. I have also seen baseball and softball players who have been hit by pitches, taken bad hops, and line drives back to the pitcher. Gymnasts and cheerleaders who have suffered bad falls and injuries, and pole vaulters who have broken ankles or suffered knee injuries also come to see me.

Savannah Jones (10) tries to shield the ball from a Lake Travis midfielder.Each of these injured athletes goes through an extremely high level of stress and possible trauma when injured. The part of the brain that is designed to protect them and keep them safe (the limbic system) is engaged. Calming this limbic system down before surgery is the key.

As a result, they approach surgery with less anxiety, less fear, and they attack the rehab process with more determination and confidence. These athletes return to play absent of the debilitating fear of re-injury.

Many athletes learn a lot about themselves during the injury/recovery process. They develop key parts of their personality. They learn to be tougher, more focused, resilient, and grateful. They reconnect with the love and passion they experienced before the injury.

Filed Under: ACL Injury Recovery, Mental Aspects of Sports Injuries, Sports Injury Recovery, Sports Shut Down and the Mental and Emotional Impact on Athletes Tagged With: ACL Injuries, EMDR, Injured Athlete, Soccer, Sports Recovery

Parenting Athletes and Enjoying the Journey

March 1, 2016 by Robert Andrews 4 Comments

Parenting your athlete can be one of the most enjoyable experiences you as a parent can have. It can also be incredibly stressful and trying, causing many sleepless nights as your athlete navigates their way through the highs and lows that come with participation in a team or individual sport.

Here are a few key pointers for parents that can help their athlete perform at a higher level, find more enjoyment participating in sports, and help parents enjoy the remarkable journey of parenting their athlete. DSCN1828

Parents must…

  • Understand how their child/athlete responds to stress and pressure
  • Understand how stress and pressure changes the way they parent their child/athlete
  • Understand how they can become an important and positive contributor to the athlete/coach/parent system
  • Understand how perfectionism impacts performance, quality of life, health, and self- esteem, and how to counter the perfectionistic personality
  • Understand how your child/athlete’s unique personality is so critical to performance
  • Understand ”Tank Filling’ versus “Tank Draining” parenting styles

IMG_1629

  • Understand the “Business and Personal“ sides of your relationship with your child/athlete
  • Understand how to manage their stress response by following this simple formula Event + Response  = Outcome
  • Understand Introverted and Extroverted personality styles and effective ways to parent both styles
  • Understanding of how thoughts and emotions impact performance
  • Understand the importance of time management, sleep, diet… and how they impact performance.

To have Robert Andrews talk to your parent group, Booster Club, or organization about parenting athletes contact Robert at 713 522 2200 or email at robertandrews@tinssp.com

Filed Under: Sports Shut Down and the Mental and Emotional Impact on Athletes Tagged With: Athletes and pressure, Parenting athletes, Stress and athletic performance

Overcoming Tumbling Blocks in Cheer and Gymnastics

January 19, 2016 by Robert Andrews 2 Comments

By Robert B. Andrews MA, LMFT

Well, its that time of year again.  Gymnastics and cheer seasons are cranking.   My phone, text, and email are buzzing with calls from athletes and parents with girls who can’t backward tumble.  Beam, floor, or cheer routines are wreaking havoc in the minds and hearts of these athletes. And parents and coaches too.  In gymnastics it can work its way into other events as well.

From young ones to college age there seems to be an epidemic of these athletes suffering from serious mental blocks related to tumbling or “backward” skills.

That said I thought it timely to republish an article I wrote back in 2012: “Help I Can’t Tumble”.  It provides great inside into the causes of these blocks and provides tips to help overcome these devastating  issues when they arise.

IMG_0990From my experience with these athletes the ones who are committed to the process are able to work through the block and enjoy tumbling again.  They understand that it takes time, effort, and focus.  Just like learning a new skill they have to commit the time and energy to overcome the block.  They work on mindset, mindfulness, breathing, imagery, and are open to calming any high stress events like falls or injuries that might be creating the mental overload.

If you read the article when I first published it I think you will find the reread insightful.  If this is your first time to read it I hope you find it helpful.

Filed Under: Mental Tumbling Blocks, Sports Shut Down and the Mental and Emotional Impact on Athletes Tagged With: "Backwards" Skills, Cheer, Gymnastics, Mental Block, Tumbling Block

ISP Sponsors Texas Invitational Volleyball Tournament

August 16, 2015 by Robert Andrews Leave a Comment

We are proud to announce that The Institute of Sports Performance was a sponsor of The 2015 Texas Invitational Volleyball Tournament.

DSCN1850This is one of the largest volleyball tournaments in the country.  This  year there were 88 teams from all over Texas.

Being a part of this tournament puts our brand in front of over 1, 300 volleyball players, their coaches, and parents.  This broadens our ability to help athletes needing support with their mental and emotional recovery as they return from serious sports related injuries.  We are also able to reach more parents, coaches, and organizations with cutting edge mental training, team building, and development of  sports culture.

What a Final!

IMG_1062The Coppell Cowgirls won the final in a remarkable three set match over local power Clear Creek.  The level of play was spectacular. All areas of play excelled with great passing and defense, setting, and powerful hitting.

Congratulations to Pearland Coach John Turner, Dawson Coach Jason Karim, their players and parents for putting on a well run tournament.  We  look forward to being a part of The Texas Invitational next year.

Filed Under: Sports Shut Down and the Mental and Emotional Impact on Athletes Tagged With: Coppell Cowgirls, Jason Karim, John Turner, mental training, Sports culture, Texas Invitational, Texas Sports, Volleyball

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Suite 180
Houston, TX 77008
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713.522.2200

robertandrews@tinssp.com
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From Our Blog

Overcoming Mental Blocks in Sports

What Happens When A Season Disappears? Drug and Alcohol Issues And The Sports Shut Down

A Parents Guide to the Sports Shut Down

Cancelled Seasons and the Mental and Emotional Wellbeing of Athletes

Learning Styles and Effective Coaching: Empowering Your Athlete To Their Full Potential

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Contact Us

The Institute of Sports Performance™
2500 East T.C. Jester
Suite 180
Houston, TX 77008
Find us

713.522.2200

robertandrews@tinssp.com
kierstincollins@tinssp.com
michaelheck@tinssp.com
andreaestrada@tinssp.com
galenandrews@tinssp.com

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