Smith Performance Center - Physical Therapy & Strength Training

10/29/2026

Get expert physical therapy tips and workout motivation for strength training, running, and sports without joint pain. Learn what the best workout routines require to stay healthy and active.

In this episode of the Past Your Prime Podcast, physical therapist Craig Smith and pro athlete Alex Keicher dive into exercise science and standard medical guidelines, like the CDC and ACSM 150-minute recommendation.

Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/pa0-sp5G5mw

We break down why generic guidelines often fail busy adults and how to determine the minimum effective dose of activity to stay athletic, prevent injury, and feel your best.

10/27/2026

Which Type of Shoulder Impingement Do You Have?

Not all shoulder pinches are the same! Before you start random stretches or rotator cuff exercises, you must know what structure is actually being pinched.

Physical therapist Craig Smith explains how clinicians differentiate between internal and external shoulder impingement using resistive testing, specific impingement checks, and range of motion assessments.

For active adults and lifters dealing with a catching sensation or sharp pain during presses and overhead reach, identifying the exact issue is the first step toward overcoming injuries and returning to pain-free performance.

10/25/2026

Why the Shoulder is the Most Complex Joint

Why do you feel pain during shoulder workouts? Why is it so complicated to fix?

The shoulder is the most mobile, complex joint system in the human body: involving multiple joints, the clavicle, and the scapula working in sync. For active adults and professional athletes, that extreme mobility means even minor muscle imbalances or scapular dysfunctions can trigger painful pinching and impingement.

10/23/2026

Pro volleyball player, long time SPC patient and co-host of the Past Your Prime Podcast Alex Keicher just got his DEXA scan on SPC!

10/22/2026

Struggling with pain during a shoulder workout, or press movements, or even when putting on a seatbelt?

In this episode of Past Your Prime, pro volleyball player Alex Keicher and physical therapist Craig Smith break down the truth behind shoulder impingement. Most active adults treat shoulder pain like an isolated joint issue: resting, avoiding pressing, or stretching without addressing the true root causes.

Dr. Craig Smith reveals why blaming your rotator cuff alone often misses the real culprits: thoracic spine stiffness, neck dysfunction, and poor scapular control.

Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/_GGdLwAskAs

Learn the clinical breakdown of subacromial vs. coracoid impingement, how your shoulder mechanics work, and the step-by-step loading progression needed to create space in the joint, achieve pain-free living, and build resilient upper-body power.

10/20/2026

10/20/2026

Most Walk-Run Programs Fail After an Injury

Think you just need more cardio endurance to return to running after an injury?

Dr. Craig explains why standard walk-run programs fail for active adults: they treat rehab as a cardiovascular issue instead of building tissue capacity.

When returning to running or overcoming injuries, progressing too fast without monitoring tissue tolerance causes the wheels to come off.

10/18/2026

The Best Way To Warm Up For Running | 2-3 Minutes Guide

Are you warming up for your runs just by jogging or walking? Dr. Craig Smith breaks down why walking warm up can actually lead to muscle inhibition and injuries.

For active adults and professional runners overcoming injuries, activating force absorption muscles is everything.

Instead of standard stretching, learn a quick 2-to-3 minutes activation routine: targeting glute activation with isometric clamshells, quad engagement with straight leg raises, and calf raise variations. This will help your joints, improves "muscle tightness" feeling, and builds tissue capacity for pain free living.

10/15/2026

Getting back to running after an injury is frustrating. You take time off, feel better, lace up your shoes, and suddenly the exact same pain flares back up. The problem isn't running itself: it's jumping back in without understanding tissue capacity, tolerance and force absorption.

In this episode of the Past Your Prime Podcast, Alex and Craig walk you through a step-by-step framework for returning to running after an injury.

Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/Id1MB2aVz4Y

You’ll learn how to identify the specific structure getting overloaded during gait, how to vet your "key sign," and how to use a structured discovery run to find your exact edge of tolerance. We also detail an essential pre-run muscle activation routine (targeting the glutes, quads, calves, and feet) and explain how breaking your runs into workable sets allows active adults to rebuild endurance while keeping pain away for good.

10/13/2026

How To Pick the Right Shoe For Your Feet

Are your shoe wear patterns signaling a problem? Learn how your footwear choices impact your foot health and calluses.

We often focus on the miles we log, but the specific wear on your soles tells a story about how your feet function. When comparing a wide toe box design to more traditional, snug trail running shoes, the distribution of pressure changes significantly. This shift in how your foot interacts with the ground can be the difference between natural movement and developing specific grip calluses on your toes.

Understanding this relationship helps you make better decisions about your gear. If you are noticing persistent foot calluses or uneven wear, it might be time to evaluate whether your current footwear aligns with your foot mechanics. Small adjustments in your shoe selection can lead to better comfort and long-term foot health.