About

Sports Physical Therapist

My Story

Having been involved in several areas of athletic development, I have had some unique experiences as provider of sport-specific physical therapy. I was honored as one of the first recipients of the NSCA’s Sports Medicine Professional of the Year award (2005) and one of Nebraska’s first Board Certified Sports Physical Therapists and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialists. I began my career as a Strength and Conditioning Coach at Creighton University for several years, which afforded me the opportunity to work with not only high level intercollegiate athletes for all sports, but also professional and Olympic athletes. I was able to continue my work with professional athletes at Omaha Sports Physical Therapy, Quest Personal Training and Coaching, and Injury Prevention Project; more recently, I have been able to lead rehab programs at Children’s Hospital and Medical Center, Dartmouth Health, and Beth Israel Lahey Health. In addition, I have used my experience with both playing soccer and running to treat and perform biomechanical analyses for several high caliber (Olympic and professional) athletes both here and internationally.

A Nebraska native, I am honored to receive internationall notice in the fields of plyometrics, sports rehabilitation, and leadership. In addition, I have spoken internationally and regionally on running, soccer and strength training and conditioning. I have authored several articles on sports rehabilitation as well as textbook chapters on injury prevention, rehabilitation, speed training and plyometric training chapters for both the Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning and NSCA’s Essentials of Personal Training textbooks. In 2022, my first book–written with Erik Meira–Sport Injury Prevention Anatomy, was published.

Highlights

In my career, I have been fortunate to do some pretty cool things. I have worked with nearly every type of athlete, I have taught courses, published books, chapters, and articles, and I have helped students and professionals achieve their goals.

Publications

Athletes treated

Lectures

Students

Featured In

Athletes

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David’s knowledge, rehab practices and motivation helped me get back on the ice and playing. I highly recommend him to help you recover from your injuries. Thanks for everything David!

– Ian

Physical Therapy

Beth Israel Lahey Health

Director of Rehab & Sports Medicine

September 2022-present

Massachusetts

Injury Prevention Project

Founder & CEO

May 2019-present

Omaha

Cheshire Medical Center

Consultant

September 2022-Present

New Hampshire

Cheshire Medical Center

Director of Rehab

January 2021-September 2022

New Hampshire

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center

Supervisor, Sports Physical Therapy

January 2016-December 2020

Omaha

Specialized Physical Therapy

Sports Physical Therapist

February 2014-February 2016

Omaha

Elite Girls Academy

Medical Director

May 2012-February 2016

Omaha

Omaha Sports Physical Therapy

Owner & Sports Physical Therapist

February 2003-October 2013

Omaha

Alegent Health

Physical Therapist

August 1998-December 2002

Omaha

Strength & Conditioning

Creighton University

Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach

August 1991-August 1995

Omaha

Publications

Potach, DH, & Meira, E. Injury Prevention Anatomy.

Human Kinetics

2022

Potach, DH, Meyer, GD, & Grindstaff, TL. Special Consideration: Female Athlete and ACL Injury Prevention. In Parikh, S. N. (Ed.), The pediatric ACL: Clinical evaluation and management strategies.

Springer International

2018

Potach, DH, & Chu, DA  Plyometric training. In T.R. Baechle & Earle, R.W. (Eds.), Essentials of strength training and conditioning (2nd, 3rd & 4th Eds.)

Human Kinetics

2015, 2008 & 2000

Potach, DH & Grindstaff, TL. Rehabilitation and reconditioning. In T.R. Baechle & Earle, R.W. (Eds.), Essentials of strength training and conditioning (3rd & 4th Eds.)

Human Kinetics

2015 & 2008

Potach, DH, Katsavelis, D, Karst, GM, Latin, RM, & Stergiou, N. The effects of a plyometric training program on the latency time of the quadriceps femoris and gastrocnemius short-latency responses.

Journal of Sports Med Phys Fitness, Mar, 49(1): 35-43

2009

Grindstaff, TL, & Potach, DH. Prevention of common wrestling injuries

Strength and Conditioning Journal, 28, 20–28

2006

Potach, DH. Plyometric and speed training. In R.W. Earle & Baechle, T.R. (Eds.), Essentials of personal training

Human Kinetics

2004

Potach, DH, & Ellenbecker, T. Orthopedic concerns. In R.W. Earle & Baechle, T.R. (Eds.), Essentials of personal training

Human Kinetics

2004

Potach, DH & Borden, R. Rehabilitation and reconditioning. In T.R. Baechle & Earle, R.W. (Eds.), Essentials of strength training and conditioning (2nd Ed.)

Human Kinetics

2000

Professional Associations

New Hampshire APTA

Board of Directors

December 2021-Present

American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)

Sports Specialization Academy of Content Experts (SACE)

January 2009-2013

National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA)

CSCS Exam Development Committee Member

March 1995-2011

National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA)

NSCA-CPT Exam Development Committee Member

March 1998-2011

National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA)

Founding Member & Vice Chair, Sports Medicine Special Interest Group (SIG)

2007

National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA)

Challenge Scholarship Committee Member

April 1999

Contact David

david@preventinjuries.org

Get In Touch

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