Q&A: USA Sports Therapy Practice Does Much More Than You Think
Dr. Matthew I. Cooper
Miami, FL – February 12, 2019 – Whether you’re an athlete, avid exerciser or simply someone looking to live a healthy lifestyle, USA Sports Therapy offers a range of services that are fit for anyone USA Sports Therapy now offers their world-class services at 11 locations throughout South Florida. Their firm is a lot more than meets the eye and despite their name, you do not have to be an athlete to be a patient. Dr. Matthew I. Cooper, founder of USA Sports Therapy, opened his first location in 2005 with the goal of being able to get people back to doing what they love. Now nearly two decades later, USA Sports Therapy has expanded its footprint and client roster in South Florida. They specialize in non-surgical options for individuals suffering from pain. Treatments include Physical Therapy, Chiropractic, Contemporary Acupuncture, Regenerative Medicine such as Stem Cells or PRP injections, Enzyme therapy, and even Anti-Aging and Weight Loss Programs.
USA Sports Therapy has offices in Aventura, Miami Beach, South Beach at The Faena Hotel, Anatomy, Coral Gables, Fisher Island, North Miami, Williams Island, South Miami, Midtown Miami, and Davie. World Red Eye met up with Cooper, Dr. Eric Centofanti, and Dr. Kevin Mills at USA Sports Therapy’s newest location at Anatomy Midtown to dicuss the latest practices in sports therapy.
Dr. Eric Centofanti & Dr. Matthew I. Cooper
WRE: How did you come to offer so many unique services at your centers?
MC: My number one goal is to help as many people as possible. My team is always up to date with the latest evidenced based chiropractic and physical therapy techniques. 15 years ago I realized, our firm had to offer more services in order to help patients with unique conditions. I was fortunate to have access to some of the top doctors from around the world… I quickly learned about services like gut health programs, stem cells, PRP, orthokine, enzyme therapy, blood flow restriction, active release, muscle activation, Alter-G, neurofunctional acupuncture, nutrient drips, fecal transplants, etc. Our patients, especially our patients that are professional athletes, constantly ask us to research new techniques. They are always looking for the latest and greatest in healthcare. We often spoke directly to the people or doctors that developed these techniques and that helps to stay ahead of the trends and be the first in the area to bring a new treatment to market. Our vast network of doctors and patients is what got us to where we are today and the demand for alternative methods keeps our practice innovative.
WRE: Can you share the names of any well-known people that you treat? What are the chances I sit next to a professional athlete in your waiting room?
MC: Well… Rob Gronkowski better known as Gronk, Antonio Brown, Jon Beason, and Jason Pierre-Paul (JPP) are all on our social media and Instagram accounts, so I guess the secret is out. Olympic gold medal winning track and field athletes such as Brianna Rollins and Gino Hall are good friends of USA Sports Therapy too. You never know who you will be rehabbing with at one of our centers.
Dr. Eric Centofanti & Derek Pope
WRE: You specialize in enzyme therapy, what are enzymes and how do you use them medicinally?
MC: Enzymes are catalysts, they’re used to speed up a chemical reaction. Food enzymes are used to help you breakdown and digest your food quicker and more efficiently. There are many symptoms that can be caused by not absorbing nutrients found in your food from faulty digestion. Some basic ones are low energy, sleep deprivation, anxiety, weight gain, dry skin and hair, muscle weakness, ache and pains, etc. We use enzymes to aid in the digestion of food, and in the absorption of nutrients from the food. This may be alternative medicine but its pro-science. You learn in biology in the 7th grade that enzymes break down your food, but doctors are not taught how to use them to help patients feel better. Imagine I have been prescribing probiotics, prebiotics, and enzymes to my patients for over 15 years! Everyone thought I was crazy when I started working with enzymes and gut health. Now doctors call me when they want to know about gut health, mostly for themselves or their loved ones.
WRE: Why did you decide to become an expert enzyme therapy?
MC: I suffered with IBS most of my life. I saw some of the worlds “best” doctors in New York to try and get help since I was under the age of 10. They told me I had growing pains, a faulty esophageal valve, too much acid, reflux, GERD, etc. ALL the tests I did however were always negative. I was taking medication for my symptoms in high school. Fast forward to over 15 years ago, I was sick and tired of being sick and tired, and consulted with a doctor that specializes in gut health and enzyme therapy. I started the program and in 2 days it changed my life! I was practicing on Park Avenue at the time and wasn’t interested in helping patients with gut disorders. I started learning more about how it works and was taught it can always be used to help people who had pain from non orthopedic issues. These patients didn’t require surgery but often failed traditional physical therapy, chiropractic, yoga, Pilates, injections, etc. I was taught how to help these people by changing their chemistry by delivering nutrients past an incomplete digestive system. Now it is a big part of my treatment for difficult cases.
Derek Pope & Dr. Matthew I. Cooper
My number one goal is to help as many people as possible. My team is always up to date with the latest evidenced based chiropractic and physical therapy techniques.
Dr. Matthew I. Cooper
Derek Pope & Dr. Kevin Mills
WRE: What is a new therapy tool you are using that you are getting benefits from that most people may not know about?
MC: Our therapists are certified in Blood Flow Restriction (BFR). It is an FDA approved occlusion cuff to decrease blood flow to a limb for recovery and for positive exercise results. In a muscle that cannot be loaded with heavy weight due to injury or surgery BFR therapy is the most effective alternative to improve strength and decrease muscle wasting. The body will release growth factors as well as begin a repair cascade that mirrors that of lifting heavy weights. This technique has been shown to decrease return to activity time in many post-surgical conditions in which the joint cannot be loaded with this heavy weight. BFR therapy is also a very effective recovery tool used with athletic people trying to get stronger and grow more muscle. Most of our high level athletes, and some of our weekend warrior athletes, train with BFR therapy on recovery days to further stimulate repair of the muscles without any further muscle tissue damage. This improves recovery time and allows a faster return to intense training/activity.
Dr. Kevin Mills, Dr. Matthew I. Cooper, & Dr. Eric Centofanti
Why doesn’t everyone rehab like a pro?
Dr. Matthew I. Cooper
Dr. Kevin Mills & Derek Pope
WRE: People are starting to talk about Regenerative Medicine such as Stem cell injections and PRP therapy. How long have you been using these modalities and how can they help people who are injured? What are some of the misconceptions about Regenerative Medicine?
MC: PRP is when they take out blood from your body, spin it in a centrifuge, which removes protein from the blood that is responsible for healing. That protein is then injected under ultrasound into the injured area. Research shows this helps with muscular and acute injury to soft tissue. Stem cells are used for their high content of Cytokines, Hyaluronic acid, and Growth Factors. These chemicals are known to repair or reconstruct damaged and dysfunctional tissue. Again because our athletes are all searching for ways to get back on the field, we have been suggesting stem cells for our patients for over 8 years. As for the misconceptions, it’s that people think it will cost a lot of money. There are some doctors who are taking advantage of people and charging $7,000 and more for one injection! That is not necessary, make sure you are always getting a second opinion and a fair cost. Another misconception is that there is not enough research supporting it, that’s just not the case. Heading into 2019, there are plenty of intensive research to support Regenerative Medicine.
WRE: Any final thoughts?
MC: I am fortunate to know what professional athletes do to get better quicker. I always wondered, why wouldn’t the average person want to get better as quickly as possible too? Yes athletes need to perform to earn a living, so they have to do it. They also have the time and money to do whatever is needed. But why would anyone want to suffer with pain for a minute longer if they didn’t have to? Why doesn’t everyone rehab like a pro?
