Joel Kramer

Joel Kramer Clinic Director & Managing Partner | DPT | Board-Certified Orthopaedic Specialist | Transforming Care

Happy Halloween from your colorful crew! 🖍️🎃Hope your night is full of treats and your costume is bright! Have a wicked ...
10/31/2025

Happy Halloween from your colorful crew! 🖍️🎃
Hope your night is full of treats and your costume is bright! Have a wicked good time and draw up some fun! 👻

🧗‍♀️ You MUST Prepare to Crush the Rig (Stop Rolling Your Ankles!)OCR requires total-body resilience, but the biggest cu...
10/30/2025

🧗‍♀️ You MUST Prepare to Crush the Rig (Stop Rolling Your Ankles!)
OCR requires total-body resilience, but the biggest culprits for race-ending pain are often ankle sprains (from unstable trail running and landings) and shoulder strains/impingement (from rope climbs and monkey bars).
OCR-Specific PT Training:
1. Grip & Shoulder Endurance: Rope climbs are shoulder killers. We use dead hangs, farmer’s carries, and resistance band rotator cuff drills to build both static grip strength and endurance in the rotator cuff. This prevents fatigue that leads to sloppy form and injury.
2. Dynamic Ankle Stability: The trail doesn’t care about your footing. We use single-leg balance drills on unstable surfaces (like foam pads) and plyometric hops to train quick, reactive stabilization, making your ankle sprains less likely.
3. Low-Back/Core Protection: Carrying sandbags or heavy objects requires a braced core, not just a strong one. We focus on anti-rotation and heavy core carries to protect your lower back from awkward lifting on race day.
Don’t just run and lift—train the stability and endurance required for your obstacles. A PT can create a personalized program to shore up your weaknesses before the mud.

🔥 Don’t Let THIS Overuse Injury End Your Throwing Career! (Pitchers & Catchers Listen Up)The repetitive, high-velocity m...
10/29/2025

🔥 Don’t Let THIS Overuse Injury End Your Throwing Career! (Pitchers & Catchers Listen Up)
The repetitive, high-velocity motion of throwing makes the Ulnar Collateral Ligament (UCL) in the elbow vulnerable to micro-trauma, leading to pain or even a full tear (requiring Tommy John Surgery). For younger players, this often presents as Little League Elbow (growth plate irritation).
How a PT Saves Your Arm:
1. Throwing Analysis: We use video and in-depth knowledge of pitching/throwing mechanics to pinpoint where the force is breaking down. Often, the elbow pays the price for a lack of strength in the shoulder or core.
2. Kinetic Chain Focus: Your throwing arm is just the end of the chain! We strengthen the hips and core to generate power, and the scapular stabilizers (shoulder blades) to provide a stable base, taking stress off the elbow.
3. Interval Throwing Programs: After rest, we manage your return with a carefully timed, progressive throwing program to gradually re-introduce load, ensuring the tissues adapt safely.
Follow proper pitch counts and stop throwing immediately if you feel sharp, localized pain. Early PT intervention can prevent months of sideline recovery.

🚨 ACL TEAR Warning: Are You Ready for The Season’s Most Devastating Hit?In football, a non-contact knee injury—like an A...
10/28/2025

🚨 ACL TEAR Warning: Are You Ready for The Season’s Most Devastating Hit?
In football, a non-contact knee injury—like an ACL Tear—often happens during a sharp cut or awkward landing. While the tackle is obvious, the sudden stop and pivot without contact is the move that demands preventative training.
Your Game-Changing PT Plan (Prevention & Rehab):
1. Biomechanical Screening: A PT identifies risky movement patterns, like knees caving in (valgus collapse) during landing or cutting.
2. Neuromuscular Control: We train your muscles to fire faster. Key exercises involve plyometrics (jumping) with a focus on soft, controlled landings and rapid directional change drills to bulletproof the knee.
3. Hip & Glute Power: The powerhouse for stabilizing the knee is the hip. We focus on advanced glute and hamstring strengthening to reduce shear forces on the joint during high-speed movements.
If an ACL injury happens, post-surgical PT is non-negotiable. We take you through a structured 9+ month program to rebuild strength, control, and confidence for a safe return to the field.

Is that nagging shoulder pain making everyday tasks a struggle? 😩Reaching overhead, lifting groceries, or even just slee...
10/23/2025

Is that nagging shoulder pain making everyday tasks a struggle? 😩
Reaching overhead, lifting groceries, or even just sleeping can become a nightmare when your shoulder is hurting. If you’re feeling pain deep in your shoulder, especially with certain movements, your rotator cuff might be a bit upset.
Why your shoulder might be complaining:
• You might have done a bit too much lifting or reaching.
• Repetitive movements (like throwing or swimming) can sometimes overstress it.
• An unexpected jolt or awkward movement could have caused a strain.
How we can help your shoulder get back in action:
• Pain-Free Movement: We start by finding movements that don’t hurt, and gradually work towards restoring your full range.
• Strengthening: Specific exercises to rebuild strength in the important muscles around your shoulder, not just the rotator cuff itself!
• Smart Habits: We’ll help you understand how to move your arm and shoulder safely to prevent future irritation.
• Getting You Back: Our goal is to get you back to reaching for things, playing sports, and sleeping comfortably again!
Don’t let shoulder pain limit your life. Let’s give your rotator cuff the care it needs!

Know someone struggling with shoulder pain? Share this post! Or, if it’s you, tap the link in bio for a shoulder check-up! 👇

🚨 Ouch! Did your back just “lock up” on you? 🚨That sudden, intense back pain that makes you feel stiff and unable to mov...
10/22/2025

🚨 Ouch! Did your back just “lock up” on you? 🚨
That sudden, intense back pain that makes you feel stiff and unable to move normally can be really scary. You might feel stuck trying to bend over, twist, or even just get out of a chair. It’s a common and frustrating experience!
What your back is probably telling you:
• “Hey, I need some gentle attention, not aggressive stretching!”
• “I’m feeling a bit sensitive right now, but I want to move.”
• “I need some support to feel safe moving again.”
What a PT can help you with:
• Gentle Movement: We’ll show you safe, easy ways to start moving again without making things worse. Think small, feel-good movements!
• Understanding Your Pain: We’ll help you understand why your back might be hurting, so you feel more in control and less anxious.
• Finding Relief: Tips for comfortable positions and small adjustments to make daily tasks easier.
• Building Confidence: Slowly guiding you to strengthen your core and get back to your normal activities without fear.
You don’t have to just “tough it out.” Let’s unlock that back and get you back to living!

Feeling stuck? Comment “BACK HELP” below or DM me, and let’s explore how we can help you move freely again! 📩

🛑 Is that sharp heel pain stopping you in your tracks? 🛑If you’re feeling a persistent ache or stiffness behind your hee...
10/21/2025

🛑 Is that sharp heel pain stopping you in your tracks? 🛑
If you’re feeling a persistent ache or stiffness behind your heel, especially after being active, it might be your Achilles tendon. It’s a super important tendon for walking, running, and jumping, and it can get pretty grumpy when it’s overworked!
What’s often going on:
• You’ve ramped up your activity a bit too fast.
• Your shoes aren’t giving you the support you need.
• Your calf muscles are feeling a bit tight and pulling on the tendon.
Here’s how we can help you get moving again:
• Smart Rest: We’ll figure out what activities to ease up on just enough for healing.
• Gentle Movement: Specific exercises to help your tendon get stronger, not just stretch.
• Personalized Plan: We’ll work together to build you back up safely, step by step, so you can prevent this from happening again.
Don’t let heel pain sideline you from life’s adventures. Let’s get that spring back in your step!

Ready to ditch the pain? Send me a DM or click the link in my bio to chat about your Achilles! 👇

Happy Boss’s Day to all the leaders out there!While the calendar may point to us today, I have to be completely honest: ...
10/16/2025

Happy Boss’s Day to all the leaders out there!
While the calendar may point to us today, I have to be completely honest: the real “bosses” of our success are the incredible individuals on my team.
This role is only possible because of their dedication, creativity, and relentless hard work. Every achievement we celebrate, every tough challenge we overcome, is a direct result of the effort each of them pours in every single day. I’m just here to help clear the path, but they are the ones who pave it.
Thank you for making this the best team in the business. I am truly humbled and grateful to work alongside you.

The biggest secret to actually being consistent with exercise? You have to stop doing stuff you hate! 🙅‍♀️ Seriously, if...
10/16/2025

The biggest secret to actually being consistent with exercise? You have to stop doing stuff you hate! 🙅‍♀️ Seriously, if the gym feels like a daily chore you dread (we’ve all been there, staring at the dreadmill!), you’re setting yourself up to quit.
Health and movement shouldn’t be punishment. The most successful habit is the one you actually look forward to.
Ditch the Boring. Try This Instead:
• Walk or Hike: It’s therapy AND exercise. You get fresh air and a change of scenery. Win-win.
• Put on a Playlist and Dance: No skills required! 15 minutes of kitchen-disco counts as cardio.
• Try a Sport: Pick up tennis, join a casual cycling group, or play flag football. Having a non-gym activity makes it feel like recess.
• Find Your Flow: A gentle yoga class or some stretching in your living room still counts as strengthening and mobility work.
The goal is to keep moving! Find the thing that makes you smile, and your body will take care of the rest. What’s the one non-gym activity that always gets you moving?

Okay, be honest: When was the last time you thought about your pillow? Like, really thought about it? 😅 If you’re waking...
10/15/2025

Okay, be honest: When was the last time you thought about your pillow? Like, really thought about it? 😅 If you’re waking up with a crick in your neck, your fluffy friend might actually be your worst enemy!
The truth is, your sleep position demands a specific pillow to keep your spine happily aligned. It’s not a luxury—it’s injury prevention!
Quick Pillow-Position Guide:
• Side Sleeper? You need a thicker, firmer pillow. That space between your head and shoulder needs filling, full stop.
• Back Sleeper? Go for medium thickness/firmness. Something that supports your neck’s natural curve without shoving your head forward.
• Stomach Sleeper? Listen, you’re already asking for trouble, but to minimize it, use the softest, flattest pillow you can find (or maybe even none at all).
Next time you’re near a bedding aisle, remember: Your sleep quality is way more important than what’s on TV. Upgrade your bedtime support!
Tell us: Are you a side, back, or stomach sleeper? Let’s see who’s winning the alignment game! 👇

Address

1300 South Watson Road, Suite A104
Buckeye, AZ
85326

Opening Hours

Monday 7am - 7pm
Tuesday 7am - 7pm
Wednesday 7am - 7pm
Thursday 7am - 7pm
Friday 7am - 7pm

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