Smith Performance Center Blog​

Your Trusted Physical Therapy and Strength Training Blog for Injury Rehab and Pain Management

Welcome to the physical therapy blog from Smith Performance Center—your source for expert guidance on injury recovery, pain management, strength training, and sustainable health habits. Whether you’re managing chronic pain, recovering from surgery, or building long-term fitness, our team shares actionable strategies backed by clinical experience and real-world success. Stay up to date with new posts on rehab phases, movement progression, exercise programming, and the science behind making healthcare work for you.

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The 5 Big Problems Facing Clients with Pain and Injury Who Want to Get Back to an Active Lifestyle
By defining the problem, you know where to start during rehab and developing an active lifestyle. Once you know your problem, you can focus on what needs to solve it.
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The 8 Reasons All HHP Clients Go Through a Movement Assessment
There is an entire area of research devoted to what behaviors keep people moving and what makes them stop. Keeping people active is not simple and there are numerous reasons why a person will stop. The purpose of the movement assessment is to figure out issues that will stop you from moving.
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7 Signs Your Heel Pain Is Not Coming From Your Plantar Fascia
As a general rule, you will be diagnosed with plantar fasciitis if you have heel pain. I have not seen a patient reporting heel pain that was diagnosed with anything other than plantar fasciitis for the last 5 years. This is not the only structure on the bottom of the foot that can cause pain.
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Understanding Vestibular Issues
When it comes to dizziness and balance issues, few areas of physical therapy are as fascinating and misunderstood as vestibular rehabilitation. Dr. Alex Griffis, PT, DPT, sheds light on common conditions like Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) and the surprising role of vision and proprioception in maintaining balance. With techniques like habituation training, he helps patients regain control over their symptoms. If you’ve been struggling with unexplained falls or dizziness, discover how a multi-layered approach at Smith Performance Center can help you regain confidence and improve your quality of life.
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How Nutrition Coaching Helps Marathon Runners Perform Their Best

Meet Mark. He’s an experienced runner preparing for the Tucson Marathon. He’s completed marathons before, but this time, he has a specific goal: achieve a personal record. Mark is consistent with his training and knows the basics of running nutrition. He’s read articles about carbohydrate intake, how much protein he should eat, understands that fueling before a run is important, and has experimented with different strategies. Despite these efforts, he continues to experience the same frustrating problem: around miles 10–12 of his longer runs, his energy starts to decline. Some days, he feels great. Other days, he struggles to maintain his pace despite feeling physically prepared for the workout. He’s putting in the training, but he doesn’t feel like he’s reaching his full potential. That’s

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how much protein should I eat nutrition hierarchy showing meal consistency energy intake macronutrients micronutrients and supplements

How Much Protein Should I Eat? Why the Answer Depends on More Than a Number

Protein is important for resistance training, recovery, and muscle growth, but eating more protein does not solve every nutrition problem. This article explains why consistency, energy intake, meal structure, and overall fueling have to come before obsessing over protein numbers or supplements. If you are training hard but still feeling tired, sore, under-recovered, or stuck, the issue may not be protein itself but a mismatch between your nutrition, recovery, and training demands.

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dietitian vs nutritionist training trap showing underfuel overtrain underperform cycle

Dietitian vs Nutritionist vs Sports Dietitian: What’s the Difference (and Who Do You Actually Need?)

Most people looking for nutrition help face the same issue: too much information and no clear way to choose the right professional. The terms nutritionist, dietitian, and sports dietitian are often used interchangeably, but they represent very different levels of training and expertise. Choosing the wrong one can slow progress, especially with fatigue, injury, or performance issues. This article breaks down the differences and shows how nutrition fits into a larger system of recovery and performance.

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Explanation of muscle tightness and why stretching may not solve stiffness

The Myth of “Muscle Tightness” And What Actually Is

Past Your Prime Podcast – Episode 53 Listen on:Spotify | Apple | Youtube “Tightness” is one of the most common complaints people describe after pain or injury. But tightness is a description, not a diagnosis. When someone is thinking about tightness vs stretching, there is an assumption that symptoms of tightness mean you need to stretch. In this episode of Past Your Prime, Craig and Alex discuss why the term “tightness” often causes confusion and why stretching is not always the solution people think it is. Using examples like hamstring tightness, the conversation breaks down what may actually be happening in the body. Instead of assuming muscles are simply short or inflexible, this episode explores the different systems that influence mobility and movement. Topics include: If you have ever

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