Back pain in a young athlete is easy to brush off as tightness, soreness, or a normal part of training. Sometimes it is. But when pain keeps showing up during running, jumping, arching, twisting, or landing, the lower back deserves a closer look. One common cause is a pars fracture, also called a pars stress fracture or spondylolysis. In some cases, it can be related to spondylolisthesis, where one vertebra slips slightly forward over the one below it. These injuries are trea

Elbow pain in a young thrower is never something to brush off. For baseball, softball, javelin, football, tennis, and volleyball athletes, the inside of the elbow takes repeated stress every time the arm accelerates and slows down. When that stress exceeds what the ligament can handle, a UCL strain can occur. UCL injuries are often associated with professional pitchers, but young athletes are not immune. Growth, workload, poor throwing mechanics, limited rest, and weak links

A sore shoulder after one hard game can seem normal. A sore shoulder that keeps showing up when a young athlete throws is different. For baseball and softball players, who repeat the same high-speed overhead motion thousands of times over a season, pain can be an early sign that the shoulder is taking on more stress than a growing body can handle. At Performance Health in West Chester, OH, we sort out the common question: Is this typical soreness, or is it something that need

A young athlete who suddenly starts pointing to the front of the knee may not be “just sore.” If the pain sits below the kneecap, gets worse with running or jumping, and feels tender over a small bump at the top of the shin, Osgood-Schlatter disease may be the reason. Osgood-Schlatter disease is a common cause of knee pain in growing athletes. It is not an infection or a dangerous disease. It is an irritation where the patellar tendon attaches to the tibial tubercle, the bony

A rounded area at the base of the neck can feel confusing. It may seem like a posture issue at first, especially if the shoulders look more rounded or the head sits farther forward than it used to. But a “Dowager’s hump” is not always caused by slouching alone. That visible curve can come from several overlapping factors, including muscle imbalance, stiffness in the thoracic spine, age-related joint and disc changes, osteoporosis-related vertebral compression, or increased up

If your neck feels tight after scrolling, studying, gaming, driving, or working on a laptop, you are not imagining it. Screen time can change the way the head, neck, shoulders, and upper back work together. Over time, that can lead to a common posture-related problem often called text neck. Text neck can affect adults who spend long hours on computers and teenagers who move between phones, school laptops, homework, gaming systems, and tablets. The issue is not the screen itse

A curve in the spine can seem small at first. One shoulder sits a little higher, a shirt twists to one side, or back tightness keeps returning after stretching. Sometimes scoliosis is discovered during a school screening, sports physical, or routine chiropractic exam. Scoliosis is more than “bad posture.” It is a three-dimensional change in the alignment of the spine that can influence how the ribs, pelvis, hips, shoulders, and even breathing mechanics work together. The goo

Neck tightness, rounded shoulders, headaches, and that constant “knot” between the shoulder blades often have the same root problem: the upper body is stuck in a poor movement pattern. One common name for this pattern is Upper Cross Syndrome. Upper Cross Syndrome is not just “bad posture.” It is a predictable muscle imbalance involving the neck, shoulders, chest, and upper back. Some muscles become tight and overactive, while others weaken or become underused. Over time, that

If your low back feels tight, your hips feel stuck, and your posture looks like your belly and ribs drift forward even when you try to stand tall, lower cross syndrome may be part of the pattern contributing to the changes in posture and movement. Lower cross syndrome is not a disease. It is a common pattern of muscle imbalance around the pelvis, hips, and low back. Over time, some muscles become overactive and tight, while others become underactive and weak. That imbalance c

Carpal tunnel syndrome affects millions of people worldwide, causing discomfort and limiting daily activities. If you have ever experienced hand numbness, tingling hands, or wrist pain, you might be dealing with this common condition. Understanding why your hand goes numb and what you can do about it is essential to managing symptoms and improving your quality of life. Illustration of wrist anatomy showing median nerve compression What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? Occasional nu

Golfer's elbow is pain around the inner elbow that can disrupt daily activities and sports performance. If you experience discomfort on the inside of your elbow, especially after gripping or lifting, you might be dealing with this common condition. Understanding what leads to golfer's elbow, recognizing its symptoms, and knowing how to treat it can help you recover faster and reduce the chance of it returning. What Causes Golfer's Elbow? Golfer's elbow, medically known as med

Tennis elbow is a common condition that causes pain on the outer part of the elbow. Despite its name, it affects many people beyond tennis players. This pain often results from repetitive gripping or motions that strain the forearm muscles and tendons. Understanding what causes tennis elbow, recognizing its symptoms, and exploring treatment options can help you manage this condition effectively and get back to your daily activities with less discomfort. What Causes Tennis Elb

Your wrists play a vital role in countless activities. Typing at a computer, texting, cooking, gardening, lifting weights, working with tools, carrying groceries, and even opening jars all require your hands and wrists to work together. Because the wrist is used so frequently, it can be easy to overlook how much stress it experiences throughout the day. This can lead to wrist pain that disrupts daily life in ways many people don't expect. Why Wrist Pain Develops Your wrist is

If you run regularly in Southwest Ohio, you might have experienced a nagging pain along your lower leg. Many runners call this pain "shin splints," but the term often causes confusion. Shin splints are not just about running too much or simple muscle soreness. They involve complex issues with how your lower leg handles the forces of running. Shin splints are not just an overuse problem--they are a load distribution and tissue overload problem involving multiple structures in

Flat feet are a common condition that many people discover during a routine checkup or after experiencing discomfort in their feet, knees, or back. Often, the immediate advice is to use orthotics for life. But is that the only answer? This post explores what flat feet really mean, when they cause problems, and how treatments beyond orthotics can help relieve arch pain and improve foot stability. What is a Structural Arch vs. Functional Arch? One of the biggest misconceptions

Ankle sprains are often seen as minor injuries that heal quickly with rest. You roll your ankle, it swells up, you rest for a while, and eventually it "heals." But if you've ever had one ankle sprain turn into two...or three... or a constant feeling that your ankle is unstable, you already know it's not that simple. Here at Performance Health, we regularly see patients in Southwest Ohio who say the same thing: "My ankle healed, but it never really feels the same." That linge

Heel pain can disrupt daily life, making simple activities like walking or standing uncomfortable. If you live in Southwest Ohio and have been struggling with persistent heel pain, you might be dealing with plantar fasciitis. This condition affects thousands of people and often resists quick fixes. Understanding why plantar fasciitis happens and how specialized treatments can help is key to lasting relief. What Causes Plantar Fasciitis? The plantar fascia is a thick band of c

Many new mothers in Cincinnati find themselves surprised by how much harder everyday activities feel after childbirth. Tasks like getting out of bed, lifting a car seat, carrying a baby, or even standing for a long time can suddenly seem exhausting. One common reason for this is postpartum core weakness, often linked to a condition called Diastasis Recti. Understanding what happens to your body during and after pregnancy can help you regain strength and confidence. What Happe

Low back and pelvic pain during pregnancy affects many women, but it does not have to be a normal part of your experience. Understanding why pelvic girdle pain happens and how to manage it safely can help you stay active and comfortable throughout pregnancy. At Performance Health in Cincinnati, we offer gentle, effective treatments designed specifically for pregnant patients. Our goal is to reduce pain and improve movement so you can enjoy this special time with less discomfo

Low back pain during pregnancy affects many women, but it does not have to be a constant burden. Changes in your body can create discomfort, yet there are safe and effective ways to ease this pain and maintain your mobility. In Cincinnati, specialized care options are available to support you through every stage of pregnancy. Why Low Back Pain Happens During Pregnancy Pregnancy brings rapid changes to your body that can increase stress on your lower back. Key factors include: