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If you’ve ever felt that nagging, dull ache along the front of your shin during or after a run, you’re not alone. Many athletes quickly label it as “shin splints”—but what does that actually mean? More importantly, why do they seem to keep coming back? Let’s break it down. What Are Shin Splints? Shin splints—clinically known as Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome—refer to pain along the tibia (shin bone) that develops with repetitive loading. They can generally be broken down into

In the world of healthcare, there’s more than one way to help people get out of pain, move better, and reclaim their lives. One of the biggest shifts happening right now is a move toward cash-based physical therapy, and if you’ve ever wondered what that means — and why it matters — you’re not alone. “Why aren’t you in network with insurance?” The short answer is this: it’s about quality, clarity, and time with you — not insurance paperwork. Here’s a deeper look at what that m

Getting stronger doesn’t automatically mean better performance. While strength is essential, athletes also need power  and rate of force development (RFD)  to move fast, react quickly, and stay healthy. What’s the Difference? Strength  is the maximum force  you can produce.  Example: a heavy squat or deadlift. Power  is how quickly  that force is applied (force × velocity).  Example: jumping, sprinting, Olympic lifts. Rate of Force Development (RFD)  is how fast force is prod

ACL injuries are one of the most talked-about injuries in sports medicine—and for good reason. They affect hundreds of thousands of athletes every year, and female athletes experience ACL tears at 2–8 times the rate of their male counterparts in comparable sports.  But why does this happen?  It’s a question many parents, coaches, and athletes ask, and the answer is more nuanced than you might think. It’s not one factor—it’s a combination of anatomy, biomechanics, and hormones

We spend a lot of time talking about the core: how to strengthen it, activate it, stabilize it. But what if one of the biggest influences on your core strength isn’t your abs at all? What if it’s your feet? Why the Feet Matter Your feet are your foundation. They’re the first part of your body to connect with the ground and constantly send information up through your legs, hips, and spine about how to move and stabilize. Each foot has 26 bones, 33 joints, and over 100 muscles,

Hi everyone! My name is Kelsey, and I couldn’t be more excited to be part of Optimal Performance. I thought I’d share a little bit about...

Picture this: a high school athlete pushing hard in practice, skipping meals, and battling fatigue. She’s missing periods, nursing a...

As an orthopedic and pelvic floor physical therapist, I get a lot of questions about the pelvic floor and core muscles. People know...

Have you ever wondered why your muscles feel sore after a workout, or why certain movements feel hard and painful? Understanding how...

Welcome to the Optimal Performance Physical Therapy blog! I’m thrilled to share expert advice and insights on injury recovery, pain...