(Ep089) Caleb Burgess: Growing Up Playing the Game, Becoming a Doctor of Physical Therapy, Pain Science, and the Soft Skills that Make a Great Clinician
Caleb Burgess’s basketball journey as a player includes a nail biting finish to the NAIA national championship game, a horrendous elbow injury that saw a bone shoved into his triceps, and lots more ups and downs. Deciding to stay on at Azusa Pacific after completing his own playing career to pursue a master’s and PhD in physical therapy, Caleb then completed a Residency in Orthopedic Physical Therapy and then a Fellowship in Sports and Orthopedic Physical Therapy through Kaiser Permanente Southern California.
These experiences helped him become an expert in musculoskeletal issues, which he combined with his expertise in sports medicine to treat people as a physical therapist and train them as a strength coach. The combination of the two disciplines has made Caleb a sought-after specialist who is as adept at working with the general population as he is in training and rehabilitating athletes. He has also built up a loyal online following by making complex movement theories simple and accessible.
In this episode, Caleb shares:
How his own injuries inform how he treats his patients
What role connection and communication play in effectively therapy and coaching
Why playing the long game is more effective than chasing shortcuts
How function takes precedence over pain during injury rehab
What he remembers about playing for a national championship
Learn more about Caleb’s work on his website and through his Instagram feed.
