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
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