The injury-hobbled captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins hockey team received a ringing endorsement for a physical therapist from a key figure: the star quarterback of one team competing in this weekend's Super Bowl.
The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports Utah-based physical therapist Alex Guerrero helped New England Patriot Tom Brady recover from a blown-out knee three years ago and Brady said he passed on the recommendation of Guerrero via a mutual friend to Sidney Crosby. Suffering from post-concussion syndrome and a neck injury, the Penguins' captain has not played in a hockey game since early December. But he did partake in skating drills this past Monday.
"I trust him," Brady told the publication of Guerrero and his services at Super Bowl Media Day. "I know I wouldn't be here today without him."
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports Crosby said he had a soft-tissue injury in his upper neck, which might have played a role in the challenges he found with balance and motion. Crosby met with Guerrero in Utah last month.
A study led by a researcher with Northwestern Health Sciences University found that physical therapy spinal manipulation is better than pain medication to confront neck pain, according to a press release.