In this Athletic Potential Podcast episode, a physical therapist answers a listener’s question about the most common baseball and softball injuries outside the shoulder and elbow, explaining that low back pain is a major issue (with hamstrings also common in baseball) and highlighting adolescent pars stress fractures caused by repetitive high-speed lumbar extension and rotation. The episode reviews basic lumbar motion limits to show why the low back is poorly suited for rotation, describes typical symptom progression, notes that imaging can help determine status, and outlines common management including activity restriction for roughly 2–5 months, with many returning to play (about 80%) though overall return may take 6–8 months. Prevention focuses on adequate seasonal downtime, a gradual ramp-up of volume and intensity, improved mechanics, and core control using planks, side planks, and bird dogs/dead bugs rather than crunches or sit-ups.

00:00 Welcome and Setup

01:17 Listener Question

01:53 Common Non Arm Injuries

02:38 Why Throwers Get Back Pain

03:33 Pars Defects Explained

07:49 Diagnosis Imaging and Timeline

11:18 Prevention Through Ramp Up

14:56 Skip Crunches Build Core

16:21 Plank Bird Dog Routine

21:17 Wrap Up and Next Steps

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This Athletic Potential Podcast episode answers two questions about recovery and injury. For a softball pitcher who isn’t recovering well, the host recommends prioritizing hydration and real food within 30–45 minutes post-outing, then maximizing sleep, using light movement like walking to promote blood flow, limiting passive sitting, avoiding post-game ice because it decreases blood flow, and being cautious with hot tubs due to dehydration risk (10 minutes max if used, then rehydrate). He suggests non-fatiguing electrical muscle stimulation for 45 minutes to two hours (e.g., Marc Pro or Compex recovery settings) to aid recovery, especially when time is short. For handling a shoulder injury, he emphasizes understanding how it happened and what structures are involved, maximizing blood flow (movement, heat if aching, e-stim), avoiding anti-inflammatories and RICE, keeping pain at 3/10 or less, then gradually reloading and field-testing until fully returned.

Marc Pro Promo Code: POTENTIAL

00:00 Healing And Recovery Intro

01:00 Listener Question Setup

02:43 Pitching Recovery Context

03:57 Hydration And Food First

05:52 Sleep And Phone Habits

06:54 Blood Flow Recovery Basics

08:42 Walks Hot Tubs And Rest

11:06 Why Ice Slows Healing

12:29 RICE Protocol Critique

14:47 Recovery Tech And E Stim

17:18 Compex Vs Mark Pro

18:26 Mark Pro vs Budget Units

18:58 Affiliate Code and Savings

19:52 Tournament Recovery Checklist

22:21 Switching to Injury Q&A

22:50 Injury Basics Blood Flow

23:59 Pain Rules and Movement

26:03 Inflammation Not Ibuprofen

27:38 Loading and Wolff Law

29:44 Progression and Field Tests

34:16 No RICE for Shoulders

35:46 Wrap Up and Submit Questions

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In this episode, we’re talking about one of the most common complaints we see in athletes of all ages — knee pain.

Whether it’s a baseball player dealing with pain during squats, a soccer player struggling after a hard season, or a young athlete trying to push through discomfort during growth spurts, knee pain can quickly limit performance and confidence.

At Athletic Potential, we don’t just treat the knee. We look at the entire system. Using a joint-by-joint approach, strength testing, movement analysis, and sport-specific loading, we work to understand why the knee is hurting in the first place. Often the issue isn’t the knee itself, but problems with the hip, ankle, strength, or how an athlete is managing workload.

In this episode, we’ll talk about the most common causes of knee pain in athletes, how we evaluate it, and the strategies we use to help athletes get back to training and competition stronger than before.

Let’s get into Episode 61 of the Athletic Potential Podcast.

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In this episode of the Athletic Potential Podcast, Dr. Mike Mathews breaks down what the research actually says about youth strength training, sport specialization, injury risk, and long-term athletic development.

If you’re a parent, coach, or athlete who wants to build performance without increasing injury risk, this episode gives you clear, evidence-based guidelines you can apply immediately.

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Is earlier always better? In this episode, we break down the truth about youth sports specialization — when it helps, when it hurts, and how to make the right call for your child. Learn what the research says about injury risk, long-term performance, and why multi-sport athletes often have the upper hand. A must-listen for parents navigating the balance between passion and pressure in youth sports.

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Back pain is one of the most common — and most stubborn — problems for both athletes and everyday movers. In this episode of The Athletic Potential Podcast, we break down why back pain can be so resilient, what’s actually happening in the body, and why chasing symptoms rarely works.

We’ll cover:
 • Why back pain often becomes chronic or keeps coming back
 • The difference between tissue injury vs. movement dysfunction
 • How the spine, hips, and core interact to create (or relieve) pain
 • Common mistakes people make when trying to “fix” their back
 • Evidence-based strategies for lasting relief and performance

Whether you’re a high-level athlete, weekend warrior, or someone who’s tried everything, this episode will help you understand what’s really driving your pain and what you can do about it.

👉 Subscribe for more episodes on rehab, performance, and unlocking your true athletic potential.

🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube
📍 Follow @athlpotential for more content

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In this episode, I dive into a powerful yet often overlooked method for improving throwing performance: strengthening the brain-muscle connection. By improving how your nervous system communicates with your muscles, you can throw with more velocity and less pain. I break down how this connection works, why it matters for throwers, and specific strategies to help you train it effectively.

🧠💪 What you’ll learn:

• What the brain-muscle connection is and how it affects throwing

• How to activate the right muscles at the right time

• Drills and cues to improve efficiency, control, and power

• Why better neuromuscular control leads to less stress on the arm

If you’re a pitcher or position player looking to throw harder and stay healthy doing it, this episode is a game-changer.

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In this Q&A-style episode, I’m answering three of the most common and important questions I get from athletes, coaches, and clients:

1️⃣ What are the best recovery strategies?

I break down the most effective ways to speed up recovery, reduce soreness, and get the most out of your training — including tools, timing, and what to avoid.

2️⃣ How do you treat tennis elbow?

Whether you’re dealing with nagging elbow pain or just starting to feel it creep in, I explain the causes of tennis elbow and walk through simple, proven ways to manage and treat it.

3️⃣ What’s new at Athletic Potential?

We’ve got some exciting things in the works — from new programs to updated equipment and expanded services. I share what’s coming next and how we’re continuing to raise the bar for athlete care and performance.

If you’re serious about staying healthy, performing better, and keeping up with what we’re building at Athletic Potential, this episode is for you.

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In this episode, I’m breaking down the best shoulder exercises for athletes dealing with pain — and pairing that with the most effective forearm strengthening exercises for throwers looking to boost performance and stay injury-free. Whether you’re in recovery mode or prepping for the season, this one’s packed with practical tips and strategies to keep your arm feeling great and throwing strong.

🩹 For the Shoulder:

• Low-impact exercises to reduce pain and improve mobility

• What to avoid when your shoulder’s flared up

• How to safely rebuild strength without setting yourself back

💪 For the Forearm:

• Targeted exercises to build durability and throw harder

• The connection between forearm strength and elbow protection

• How to integrate these into your throwing program

If you’re rehabbing, ramping up, or just want to take better care of your arm, this is a must-listen.

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In this episode, we’re breaking down the must-do exercises for softball pitchers who want to throw harder, stay healthy, and dominate on the mound. Whether you’re a player, coach, or parent, you’ll walk away with a clearer understanding of how to build a training program that actually translates to better pitching. From strength and mobility to arm care and power development — I’m covering it.

💪 What you’ll learn:

• Top strength exercises for increased velocity

• Mobility work that keeps your shoulder and hips in top shape

• The role of core stability and lower body strength in pitching

• How to structure your workouts in-season vs. off-season

• My go-to arm care and recovery tools

If you want to level up your game and take care of your body while doing it, this one’s for you.

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Have a question for the podcast? Go HERE to get it answered!!!