We’re excited to introduce our new Player Health & Wellness Program. The purpose of this new program is to educate all participants (players, parents, and coaches) on how to holistically integrate physical health, mental health, and overall life skills to maximize player performance, reduce player injuries, and ensure player success on and off the field.
Core Components and Benefits
Physical Health: This will focus on developing core athletic capabilities like strength, speed, endurance, agility, and flexibility. We will also discuss proper nutrition, hydration, adequate sleep, and injury prevention to build a resilient body capable of handling the demands of competition.
Mental Health: This will emphasize strategies to manage pressure, reduce stress and anxiety, and prevent burnout. Techniques like mindfulness, visualization, positive self-talk, and goal setting help athletes develop the focus and mental toughness needed to perform under pressure and bounce back from setbacks.
Life Skills: Soccer builds essential life skills like teamwork, communication, discipline, leadership, and resilience, that players can apply on and off the field to succeed in school, careers, and personal lives, transforming the person and player into well-rounded individuals.
By integrating these components, the benefits of this program are to maximize player performance, reduce player injuries and ensure player success on and off the field
This new program will fall under the leadership of Dr. Shane Sullivan and will feature monthly video interviews and educational material covering all three components of the program.
For more information on the Player Health & Wellness Program, please visit our website’s Player Health & Wellness page.
About Dr. Shane Sullivan, PT, DPT, CERT. MDT, OCS, ATC, CSCS, CEAS
Shane Sullivan has been a licensed physical therapist (PT) for 25 years, specializing in the treatment of spine disorders, orthopedic conditions, osteoporosis, balance, and posture rehabilitation. He earned his Bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University in 1997, where he received the Outstanding Senior Award in the Department of Exercise Science. After graduation, Shane began his career as a Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), focusing on orthopedic injury rehabilitation and implementing safe, effective strength and conditioning programs. This clinical experience laid the foundation for his continued education at the Arizona School of Health Sciences Physical Therapy program. In 2002, Shane earned his Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from A.T. Still University.
Throughout his career, Shane has pursued extensive post-graduate education, developing a specialized interest in spine and orthopedic physical therapy. He completed advanced training in Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT) of Spine Disorders through the McKenzie Institute USA, earning his Certification (CERT. MDT) in 2008. During this time, Shane had the unique opportunity to learn directly from Robin McKenzie, the founder of the McKenzie Method, while observing spine patient evaluations at the 10th International Spine Conference on Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy in Queenstown, New Zealand.
To further enhance his orthopedic expertise, Shane became a Board-Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) by passing the rigorous Orthopedic Certification Specialist Examination. Recognizing the growing prevalence of osteoporosis among his patients, Shane also pursued certification in osteoporosis management through the Meeks Method. Additionally, he earned his certification as an Ergonomics Assessment Specialist (CEAS) through the Back School of Atlanta.
Shane’s advanced clinical credentials (PT, DPT, CERT. MDT, OCS, ATC, CSCS, CEAS) reflect his unwavering commitment to professional excellence and providing exceptional care to his patients.
Shane lives in Scottsdale with his wife and four children. Outside of the clinic, he enjoys spending time with his family, running, hiking, listening to music, and traveling.
