In this interview, Mike Giardina speaks to Dr. Jeff Moore, DPT, the founder and CEO of The Institute of Clinical Excellence (ICE). Throughout the interview, Dr. Moore provides the history of the relationship between ICE and the CrossFit community, ICE’s teaching and treatment philosophy and methodology, the types of courses provided within the ICE curriculum, and how ICE professionals, CrossFit affiliates, and other healthcare professionals (HCPs) can work together to solve the sickness problem.
ICE is a fitness-forward program dedicated to educating rehabilitation professionals. According to Dr. Moore, the phrase “fitness-forward” describes a treatment philosophy that holds the preservation and acceleration of fitness with utmost priority. If an athlete has an acute injury, it is important to keep them in the affiliate, Dr Moore explains, and help them maintain or even improve their fitness. ICE offers hundreds of courses per year, both in person and online. Their courses are directed toward any fitness-forward HCP — including medical doctors (MD), chiropractors, physical therapists (PT), and occupational therapists (OT) — and they have courses that are specifically designed for coaches.
Dr. Moore argues that considering the definition of health, there has never been health insurance in the U.S.. What we have is sick insurance, he says. According to Dr. Moore, true health insurance is quality daily programming, a primary-care doctor who is prevention-focused, and a PT to take care of any acute injuries. This is how we ensure health.
In order to bridge the gap between fitness and healthcare, Dr. Moore says, we must provide high-quality, convenient, and prompt communication using like-minded healthcare providers — CrossFit coaches, MDs, PTs, etc. It is a lifestyle-first approach, and it starts with the community.
A Fitness-first Approach to Healthcare