SPOONER BLOG
How We Prepare Athletes for the NFL Combine and Pro Day
Every year, I help athletes prepare for the NFL Combine and Pro Day leading into the NFL draft. It’s one of the most exciting and challenging training phases because everything is measured, and the margin for error is small. The goal is to train specifically for the tests, keep athletes strong and healthy through close[…]
How Spooner Supports Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Students
The path to becoming a physical therapy or occupational therapy professional comes with a lot of hard work and a lot of questions. Questions about school. Questions about working in a clinic. Questions about what the job really looks like day to day.
Like most things in life, the most helpful guidance often comes from people who have lived it. At[…]
Why Your Golf Swing Feels Different from the Range to the Back Nine
By: Austin Kitteringham, CSCS, FAFS, Titleist Performance Institute Power 2 Certified professional
Most golfers have felt that shift. The body starts to feel a little tighter; rotation does not come as easily, and swings that felt smooth early in the round takes more effort as fatigue builds. Or maybe, they are beginners that can’t quite figure out why hitting balls[…]
Arthritis Doesn’t Mean “Game Over”: A Note from Your Hand Therapist
One of the things I hear often is: “I have arthritis, and my doctor says there isn’t much to do since I’m just getting older.” I’m here to tell you that while we might not be able to “fix” the cartilage, we can do a lot to get your life back.
I’m an Occupational Therapist and Hand[…]
What I’d Tell Myself as a New Physical Therapist, 30 Years Later
By: Shaun Koth, PT
If you could talk to yourself during your first year as a physical therapist—knowing what you know now—what would you say?
For Shaun Koth, PT, that question brings clarity around what truly matters in day-to-day clinical practice. After three decades of treating patients, he reflects on lessons shaped by repetition, relationships, and real-world problem solving. These are[…]
What is Turf Toe and How Does It Happen?
By: Kaitlyn Keyser, PT, DPT, SCS, ATC, CSCS
What is turf toe?
The textbook definition of turf toe is an injury to the bottom of the big toe, (called the first MTP joint). It is a hyperextension injury that happens when the athlete loads into the joint and pushes off explosively. This bends the big toe into hyperextension, disrupting the plantar[…]
Think You Know How to Speed Train?
Speed training is something a lot of athletes think about once the season gets close. But the truth is, the off-season is where real speed gains (and injury prevention) actually happen. Whether you’re a parent trying to understand what your athlete needs or an athlete yourself, understanding why speed training matters can make a big difference[…]
Do I Need a Doctor’s Referral to See a Physical or Occupational Therapist?
This is one of the most common questions people ask when pain, stiffness, or movement issues start to interfere with daily life.
The short answer: it depends on where you live.
Understanding the rules in your state can help you get care sooner.
Spooner has clinics in both Arizona and Texas, and each[…]
This Year’s Must Have PT and OT Recommended Recovery Tools
The holidays usually come with one familiar question: “What do you want this year?”
If moving better, feeling less sore, or making everyday tasks easier is on your list, we have a few ideas for you.
At Spooner, our physical and occupational therapists rely on simple, effective tools every day to help people move more comfortably and confidently. Some of these tools[…]
Do You Really Need a Scan Before Physical Therapy?
By: Parker Hirsch, PT, DPT, FAS
One of the most common concerns I hear from patients is, “Don’t I need to get a scan first?”
Honestly, most of the time, you don’t.
Quick Facts to Know Before You Get a Scan
- You can start physical therapy without a referral or scan in most cases.
- Physical Therapists are trained to look at the[…]
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