Smith Performance Center - Physical Therapy & Strength Training

10/27/2025

If you’re tired of the same injury returning every time you try to get back in shape, you’re not alone.
Most people assume age, bad joints, or the wrong workout are to blame — but the real issue is a strategy mistake.

In our new article, The 10 Strategy Mistakes of Repetitive Injury When Exercising, we explain how to identify the root cause and build a smarter plan using our SPC Phase System.

Read it here → https://smithperformancecenter.com/the-10-strategy-mistakes-of-repetitive-injury-when-exercising/

10/24/2025

When your big toe hurts, it’s not always arthritis or gout.

Pain at the big toe can come from the joint, the tendons and intrinsic muscles, the nerves, or even systemic or referred issues from your back.

Understanding where and when the pain shows up during walking or activity helps us pinpoint the real cause — and stop the recurring flare-ups for good.

Learn more about the main causes of big toe pain (and why it keeps coming back):

👉 Read the full article: https://smithperformancecenter.com/big-toe-pain/

10/23/2025

Where and when you feel pain tells us what’s wrong.

Heel pain isn’t always plantar fasciitis — it could be the flexor digitorum brevis, a nerve, or even referred pain from your low back.

Getting the diagnosis right starts with a focused exam and understanding when and where it hurts during walking or running.

🦶 Learn more about heel pain in Tucson:
👉 smithperformancecenter.com/what-is-causing-my-heel-pain

10/18/2025

Carlee explains why light weights and static exercises aren’t enough to stimulate bone growth — and how we build safe, progressive programs for people managing osteoporosis.

Watch the full interview at: https://smithperformancecenter.com/osteoporosis-and-lifting/

10/16/2025

“If you can locate the rocker that hurts, it’s the most effective key sign we have. It turns walking pain into a diagnostic tool.”

Most people describe foot pain by where they feel it—but when it hurts during walking often reveals the real cause.

Each step has four phases—called functional rockers—that determine how your body absorbs and transfers force.
Pain in a specific rocker helps us identify whether it’s the heel pad, plantar fascia, metatarsals, or toe joints that are irritated.

Our latest article explains how understanding the timing of pain during walking can help diagnose and manage common causes of foot pain.

Read more:
👉 https://smithperformancecenter.com/when-and-where-you-feel-foot-pain-during-walking-is-key-for-diagnosis/

07/21/2025

There’s a reason rehab and training feel so inconsistent.

At Smith Performance Center, we’ve built a structured, phase-based system to solve that problem—from diagnosis to long-term performance.

This guide explains each phase, how our team works together, and what success looks like at every step.

If you’ve ever wondered what sets SPC apart—or just want to understand your recovery better—start here:

https://smithperformancecenter.com/spc-system/

06/17/2025

Still doing the same physical therapy home exercises… and still not getting better?

You’re not alone. We see clients all the time who’ve been stuck with outdated, unclear, or even harmful home plans.

In this article, we break down the 7 most common mistakes that stall recovery—and how to fix your home plan so it actually works.

👉 Read it here:

If you are wondering why your physical therapy home exercise program is not working, you’re not alone. Here are 7 common mistakes—and how to fix your PT home plan fast.

06/13/2025

Diagnosis is not just a label. It is a strategy.

At Smith Performance Center, we do not treat a diagnosis as the end of the conversation. We treat it as the beginning of a plan that actually works.

Pain is rarely caused by a single structure or one simple answer. It often comes from a combination of factors: how you move, what your body can tolerate, which patterns trigger symptoms, and how you respond to treatment.

That is why we use the 4 Pillars of Diagnosis.
It is not about finding the perfect term. It is about understanding the whole picture.

-What structure might be involved
-What function is breaking down
-What treatments actually change your symptoms
-What real-life patterns make it better or worse

The deeper the diagnosis, the stronger the strategy.
This is how we help people who feel stuck, even after months of trying to figure it out on their own.

Read how it works:

Tired of guessing why you're in pain? Learn how our 4-pillar diagnosis process helps you find the cause of pain, treat it, and stay better long term.

06/10/2025

Most people aren’t failing. They’re just targeting the wrong problem.

We talk to a lot of people stuck in the same loop: pain keeps coming back, workouts fall off, progress stalls. It’s frustrating, but it’s not always about effort or motivation.

The real issue?
You're often aiming at the wrong problem.

-Maybe you're treating pain without understanding the cause.
-Maybe you're chasing fitness goals without fixing the underlying capacity issue.
-Maybe you're trying to get more consistent without solving the trigger that keeps flaring you up.

At Smith Performance Center, we’ve identified five common problems that show up again and again.
Getting this right is the first step in building a system that works.

Read the full breakdown:
The 5 Big Problems Facing Clients With Pain and Injury
https://bit.ly/3FG1c9L

05/06/2025

If you’ve been stuck in a cycle of flare-ups and frustration, it’s time to shift the focus from chasing diagnoses to mastering management.
https://bit.ly/432BNP9

Learn how to identify and manage rehabilitation flare-ups effectively. Discover strategies to distinguish between diagnostic issues and management challenges, empowering patients in their recovery journey.

05/05/2025

We’re hiring!
Smith Performance Center is looking for a full-time physical therapist to join our team in Tucson, AZ.

This isn’t a standard PT job. At SPC, we train and support our clinicians to:

-Develop diagnostic precision
-Master progressive rehab-to-performance care
-Work in a true team model—without burnout

If you’re committed to getting better, we have the system and mentorship to help you do it.

📍Location: Tucson, AZ
📩 Apply or share with someone who fits:
https://smithperformancecenter.bamboohr.com/careers/31

04/19/2025

Pain that doesn’t make sense. Imaging that’s “normal.” Providers who throw out guesses but don't verify.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in the healthcare system, this is for you.

🗓 Saturday, April 26 at 2:00 PM
📍 Smith Performance Center

I’m giving a talk for SPC members only:
Understanding Pain & the Healthcare Maze

This isn’t about stretches or posture. It’s about strategy.

We’ll cover:
– Why pain is often hard to diagnose
– How two people with the same issue might need totally different solutions
– Why knowing your actual problem—which often changes as you progress—is key to navigating rehab
– Why treatment ≠ rehab
– How to use strategy to create clarity, test hypotheses, and build progress

The goal isn’t someone else mastering your pain.
It’s you mastering your body.

👉 SPC members: Check your SPC App and use the Schedule HERE resource to book your spot.

👀 Not a member but interested?
I’m thinking about livestreaming this talk for non-members.
If you want to watch online, drop a comment or message me—if there’s enough interest, I’ll make it happen.

If you’ve been struggling with pain and feel like the system keeps giving you dead ends, this talk will help you make sense of it.

—Craig
Physical Therapist, Clinical Director
Co-Owner, Smith Performance Center