M.E.T.H.

By Greg Finch

injury

Shoulder Injury

The METH Method – Movement, Elevation, Traction, and Heat

METH is an acronym for Movement, Elevation, Traction, and Heat. This method doesn’t cut off blood flow to injured areas, which puts you at risk for additional injury due to decreased sensation in the area.

Mobilization is to get some range of motion back in the injured area. For shoulders  belly button to butt is great. Gradual amounts of movement can guide muscles and joints back to function. Staying active is a great way to mobilize your body, but staying within pain-free ranges of motion and pain-free intensity levels make this step highly effective.

Elevate the injury when you are resting. Feel free to put your sprained ankle on a chair instead of letting it rest on the ground while you sit at your desk. Left on its own, your injury will swell more than you want it to.

Traction is a method used to encourage healing. Muscles and joints like to elongate and have space between attachments. Assisted movements, say from a strap or partner can induce temporary but therapeutic space between compressed joints. Of course, too aggressive or too much time under traction can overstretch connective tissues!

Heat encourages blood flow to an area rather than stifling it. Blood flow to an area in the right amount invites more oxygen and nutrients to healing tissues. Too much heat or too long of an exposure to hot packs can also induce inflammation! 20 continuous minutes of heat is adequate most of the time

My stamina and paddling are really improved and that allows me to surf longer and stronger

profile-pic

I've noticed a big difference in really two main things. One is my pre-surf warm up gets my body loose and ready to surf. I feel like I'm not step-tripping over to myself as much. Doing those dumb falls that just waste a bunch of waves.

Second my stamina and paddling are really improved and that allows me to surf longer and stronger.

Josh Beckett - Winemaker

My Surfing Has Improved On So Many Levels

profile-pic

My surfing has improved on so many different levels working with Greg. I have developed much more confidence in the water. I feel more comfortable & strong out there. I can paddle longer, pop-up faster, and turn with more power.

Heather Miller - Acupuncturist for WSL

Those aches & pains after a sesh aren't there anymore

profile-pic

It really gave me direction of what to do to get my body feeling better. Some of those aches and pains I would get after a sesh aren't there anymore. I could see my body becoming much more reliable for me because of the exercises and techniques that were taught.

The personal service was awesome! Greg was very knowledgeable and easy to reach whenever. If I ever had a question he was there to help quickly.

Scott Williams

Get Our Free Surf Performance Checklist