Injury Prevention

The Baseball Parent's Guide to Arm Health: What Every Parent Needs to Know

As a former collegiate baseball player turned physical therapist, I’ve seen the game from both sides. I’ve felt the thrill of striking out the side, and I’ve experienced the despair of arm pain that threatens to end it all. Now, as a Doctor of Physical Therapy, I spend my days helping young athletes avoid the mistakes that derailed so many careers—including almost my own.

If you’re a baseball parent, this guide is for you. Let’s talk about what’s really happening with your young athlete’s arm and how to keep them healthy for the long haul.

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The Hidden Cost of 'Pushing Through' Pain: Why Early Intervention Saves Your Season

Every athlete knows the feeling. That nagging shoulder discomfort during your serve. The knee that’s “just a little stiff” after practice. The back that “loosens up” once you get moving. We’ve been conditioned to believe that playing through pain is part of being tough, but here’s what two decades in sports medicine has taught me: the athletes who have the longest, most successful careers aren’t the ones who ignore pain—they’re the ones who address it early.

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The Weekend Warrior's Survival Guide: Staying Active Without the Monday Misery

You know the cycle. Five days of desk work, followed by two days of trying to reclaim your athletic glory. Saturday’s basketball game feels great… until Sunday morning when you can barely get out of bed. By Monday, you’re hobbling into the office, promising yourself you’ll “ease back into it” next weekend. Sound familiar?

As a physical therapist who works with weekend warriors daily, I’m here to tell you that you don’t have to choose between staying active and feeling good on Monday. You just need a smarter approach.

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The Executive Athlete: Why CEOs Need PT More Than Their Teenage Athletes

You wake up at 5:30 AM for your workout before the board meeting. Your teenage son sleeps until noon after last night’s game. You both consider yourselves athletes, but here’s the reality check: you need physical therapy more than he does.

I know what you’re thinking. “I’m not really an athlete—I just try to stay in shape.” But if you’re training 4-6 days a week, competing (even if it’s against yourself), and pushing your physical limits, you’re an athlete. The difference? Your body doesn’t recover like his does.

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The Truth About 'Bad Knees': Why Your Family History Isn't Your Destiny

“Bad knees run in my family.”

I hear this at least three times a week. People come to me convinced they’re destined for knee pain because their parent had a knee replacement or their grandmother had arthritis. They’ve accepted their “genetic fate” and are just trying to delay the inevitable.

Here’s what I tell them: Your family history isn’t your destiny. Your movement patterns are.

Let’s start with some truth: Yes, there are genetic factors that influence joint health. Some people have variations in collagen production, cartilage composition, or inflammatory responses. But here’s what the research actually shows: Genetics account for only 30-40% of osteoarthritis risk, while movement patterns and lifestyle factors determine the remaining 60-70% of your joint health destiny. Most importantly, what we call “hereditary” knee problems are actually inherited movement patterns rather than inevitable genetic doom.

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The CrossFit Athlete's Injury Prevention Playbook: Train Hard, Recover Harder

“I don’t have time for mobility work.”

Famous last words of every CrossFitter before their first major injury. Trust me, you’ll find time for rehab when you’re sidelined for 12 weeks. The question is: would you rather spend 15 minutes a day on prevention or 3 months in physical therapy?

As a PT who’s worked with hundreds of CrossFit athletes—from beginners to Games competitors—I’ve seen every injury pattern, every compensation, and every “I should have listened” moment. The good news? Most CrossFit injuries are entirely preventable. The better news? Preventing them will actually make you stronger.

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