Category Archives: sports performance

Growth-Plate Injuries of the Shoulder and Elbow in Baseball and Softball Players

Growth-Plate Injuries of the Shoulder and Elbow in Baseball and Softball Players   By Dr. John Mishock, PT, DPT, DC  Are Growth-plate injuries common in youth and adolescent baseball and softball players? Growth-plate shoulder and elbow injuries are common in youth and adolescent baseball and softball players.  The growth plate (epiphyseal plate or physis) is [...]

Baseball Pitching: What Causes a Baseball Pitcher to Throw Hard?

Baseball Pitching: What Causes a Baseball Pitcher to Throw Hard? By Dr. John Mishock, PT, DPT, DC  In baseball, it is often said that the pitcher has a strong arm. However, this phrase is a misnomer. Research clearly shows that the arm musculature (hand, forearm, and arm) contributes only about 20-25% of throwing velocity. (Gretchen […]

Knee ACL Injuries: Can we prevent them in our athletes? Part 1

Knee ACL injuries: Can we prevent them in our athletes? Part 1 By Dr. John Mishock, PT, DPT, DC    Knee injuries account for up to 40% of all sports injuries, commonly occurring in soccer, basketball, lacrosse, skiing, football, and gymnastics (Nessier et al. 2017). Knee injuries are the most common cause of surgery in [...]

Baseball and Softball Arm Injuries: How do I return to throwing?

Baseball and Softball Arm Injuries: How do I return to throwing? By Dr. John Mishock, PT, DPT, DC    The success of the baseball pitcher requires not only high-level ability but also durability and prevention of injury. The baseball throwing motion has been described as one of the most violent and stressful motions in all [...]

Throwing Program Guideline: Return from Injury

Throwing Program Guideline: Return from Injury By Dr. John Mishock, PT, DPT, DC            1. Proper warm-up is essential. Perform the dynamic warm-up prior to throwing. 2. Perform 5 throws and holds prior to each set of throws. 3. After each set of throws, rest 3- 5 min. Perform shoulder stretches [...]

Baseball Arm Throwing Injuries: A possible solution?

Baseball Arm Throwing Injuries: A possible solution? By Dr. John Mishock, PT, DPT, DC    Overuse injuries in the shoulder and elbow are the most common problems in baseball players. Injuries of the shoulder account for 14-21%, whereas the elbow account for 16%-22% of all baseball-related injuries. (Agresta et al. Orthop J Sports Med, 2019, [...]

Throwing Program Guideline: Return from injury

Throwing Program Guideline: Return from injury By Dr. John Mishock, PT, DPT, DC            Dynamic warm-up: Perform the dynamic warm-up prior to throwing. Throw and holds: Hold the baseball and go through the throwing motion without releasing the ball (10 times). Rest-recovery: After each set of throws, rest 60-90 sec. (Perform [...]

Sports Performance: Should I wear an ankle brace to prevent ankle injury?

Sports Performance: Should I wear an ankle brace to prevent ankle injury? By Dr. John Mishock, PT, DPT, DC    Ankle sprains are one of the most common reasons to visit an emergency department. Ankle injuries are the most common injury sustained by basketball players accounting for 54% of all injuries. Seventy-six percent of these [...]
New patient scheduling: 610-327-2600