WHY WE ARE UNIQUE
...and in order to participate fully means playing, having fun and enjoying the game of life.
In life, there are 7 basic human movements that we emphasize as important to play to the best of your ability - all daily activities are based on these movements:
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Squat
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Lunge
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Twist
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Bend
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Push
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Pull
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Gait (walking, running, etc.)
These 7 movements have a natural progression into the attributes of athleticism:
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Strength
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Power
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Speed
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Agility
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Flexibility
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Endurance
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Coordination & Balance
We approach Physical Therapy much differently in that we believe that life's a sport - the world is your playing field...
Our patients are challenged with activities that are based on these movements and attributes.
Our TEAM delivers therapy in a professional, evidence-based manner in an atmosphere of fun (playful and accompanied by great music) with the goal of treating patients like `ohana.
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In sports medicine, the treatment team consists of the athlete (patient), the physician and the sports rehab staff. At Elam Sports O‘ahu the sports rehab staff consists of your physical therapist and the Elam Sports O‘ahu clinical team. Together they comprise a multidisciplinary team (MDT) of professionals dedicated to guiding you to your rehabilitation goals so you can get back to the playing field called "life!"
The sports medicine model utilizing the MDT approach to physical therapy is unique to our practice. You will find yourself working with an array of clinicians, some with varied training and backgrounds and ALL on the same page of providing you with extraordinary care and service.
Though you may work with a TEAM of treatment professionals, you will always rely on your team leader (Physical Therapist) to get answers to your questions and actions for your needs to get you back on the road to recovery and meet your rehabilitation goals.
Former football coach, `Iolani High School
Notable Accomplishments
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Research scientist at NASA in Space Biomedical Institute
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First Strength & Conditioning Coach at Oregon State University (OSU)
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Recipient of Post-doctoral Research Grant from National Institute of Health in Geriatric Rehabilitation
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Consultant to the NFL's Detroit Lions
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Conducted Hawai‘i's first professional football combines for the IPFL, SFL and Arena 2 football leagues
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Organized Hawai‘i's first collegiate club football programs through the founding of the non-profit HC8FA
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Co-founded Elam Sports O‘ahu
Reid P. Elam, PT, PhD, DPT, ND, ATC, CSCS
CEO & Co-Founder/Director​
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After graduating from ‘Iolani schools, Reid received an academic-athletic scholarship for both baseball and football at Redlands College, resulting in a BA in Physical Education. He was in the last draft for Vietnam in the US Army. As a trained Army Medic, he was part of running the 25th Division sports programs and was the Army-Hawaii weightlifting outstanding lifter and division record holder in the discus.
He went on to teach and coach at ‘Iolani as an Assistant Football and Head Track & Field coach and subsequently an Assistant Football Coach at Pearl City High School.
Reid went to University of Oregon (go Ducks!) as a Graduate Assistant in Football, Strength & Conditioning, and HPER earning an MS in Biomechanics. He then accepted a position as an Assistant Football coach at OIT - recruiting the first players from Hawai‘i. He then attended Oregon State University (go Beavers!) as the school's first Strength & Conditioning coach...assisting in football, while earning a PhD in Exercise Science.
Faculty positions include University of Texas-El Paso (UTEP) professor of Kinesiology, graduate faculty at New Mexico State University (NMSU) sports medicine advisor and consultant to football and strength & conditioning, Central Washington University professor of Sports Science, Washington State University (WSU) professor of Athletic Medicine and University of Toledo School of Medicine professor of Physical Therapy.
Academic Career
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Northern University, DPT
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Texas Woman's University, MS (1998)
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Clayton College, ND (1989)
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Oregon State University, PhD (1985)
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University of Oregon, MS (1979)
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University of Redlands, BA (1974)
Sports Played
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Football
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Basketball
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Baseball
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Track & Field
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Olympic Weightlifting
Reid lifting at OSU, first Strength Coach
