Smith Performance Center - Physical Therapy & Strength Training

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 We see clients all the time who’ve been stuck with outdated, unclear, or even harmful home plans.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

04/09/2025

Why does your body keep breaking down—even though you're doing everything right?

Most people don’t have a motivation problem.
They have a mismatch problem.

🔻 Exercise Capacity = What you can force yourself to do
🔺 Tissue Capacity = What your body can actually handle

When those don’t match, injuries aren’t random—they’re predictable.

This is what we call violating the Rehab Standard.

➡️ Read the full breakdown on why this keeps happening (and how to fix it):
“Tissue Capacity vs. Exercise Capacity: Why Most People Miss the Mark”
https://bit.ly/426b3y1

Recurring injury from exercise happens when your tissue capacity can’t keep up. Learn how to fix the mismatch and finally stay pain-free.

04/03/2025

You don’t need to train harder. You need tissue that can handle what you already do.

This case study is based on a common type of triathlete we’ve seen over the years—highly trained, highly motivated, and constantly sidelined by recurring injuries.

Using the SPC Phase System, we walk through how this kind of athlete can break the cycle by focusing on what really matters: building tissue capacity to match training demands.

If you’ve been stuck in the rehab-performance-reinjury loop, this is for you.

Read the full case study:

https://bit.ly/3Ryc2kk

03/05/2025

Why People Stop Training (And How to Avoid It)

->One of the biggest barriers to long-term fitness is accountability—showing up, sticking to the plan, and making exercise a consistent part of life. Our own analysis shows that if accountability is an issue—whether it’s skipping workouts, exercise relapse, or failing to put yourself on your own calendar—you’re 33 times more likely to stop training altogether.

Why Your Training Setup Matters

->Not all training approaches support consistency in the same way.

🔹 Gym Membership – Offers flexibility but requires strong self-motivation and planning. Great if you already have solid habits.
🔹 Small Group Training – Adds structure and social support, making it easier to stay engaged.
🔹 One-on-One Coaching – The most individualized approach, helping you stay accountable while also addressing obstacles like injury history, program adjustments, and long-term progress.

If you struggle to stick with training, the right structure makes a difference. Before assuming exercise isn’t for you, consider if your current approach supports consistency—or if you need a different setup.

💡 Learn more in 11 Reasons Personal Training With Our Strength Coaches Is the Right Choice for You. https://smithperformancecenter.com/11-reasons-personal-training-with-our-strength-coaches-is-the-right-choice-for-you/

💬 What has helped you stay consistent with training? Let us know in the comments!

Looking for expert strength training? Smith Performance Center’s strength coaches provide one-on-one training to help you build strength, recover from injuries, and reach peak performance. Schedule a Movement Assessment today!

02/25/2025

🚨 We’re Hiring! 🚨

I’m looking for a passionate and driven Physical Therapist to join our team at Smith Performance Center in Tucson, AZ. If you love solving complex patient cases, collaborating with an incredible team, and working in a structured, results-driven rehab system—this is the opportunity for you!

📌 No insurance battles—focus on patient care and clinical mastery.
📌 Work in a team-first, growth-focused environment.
📌 Get access to strength training, CE stipends, and mentorship.

If this sounds like you (or someone you know), check out the details and apply today! 🔗 https://smithperformancecenter.bamboohr.com/careers/31?source=aWQ9MjE%3D

Let’s build something great together! 💪

Now Hiring: Physical Therapist Join a Growth-Focused Team at Smith Performance Center About Smith Performance Center Smith Performance Center (SPC) is a team-driven health and fitness practice in Tucson, Arizona, dedicated to redefining physical therapy, strength training, and long-term health manag...

02/24/2025

🦵 Meniscus Tear? Surgery Isn’t Always the Answer!

For years, meniscus surgery has been the go-to solution for knee pain, but research now tells a different story. Multiple high-quality studies show that structured rehab is just as effective as surgery—without the risks of complications or long-term knee issues.

📊 What the Science Says:
✅ Sihvonen et al. (2013, NEJM) – No difference between partial meniscectomy and sham surgery in pain and function at 12 months.
✅ van de Graaf et al. (2018, JAMA) – Early surgery didn’t improve outcomes more than structured rehab in young, active adults with meniscus tears. Exercise therapy + education led to similar pain relief and function after 12 months—without surgery.
✅ Thorlund et al. (2015, BMJ) – A meta-analysis found no long-term benefit of meniscus surgery over rehab, leading researchers to recommend against routine arthroscopy for degenerative meniscus tears.

🚀 At Smith Performance Center, we take a structured, phase-based approach to meniscus rehab—helping you recover strength, function, and confidence without unnecessary procedures.

🔗 Read our latest blog and learn how to take control of your knee recovery today!
https://bit.ly/4icbEmT

Recovering from a meniscus tear? Surgery isn’t always the answer. Learn how structured rehab, symptom stabilization, and movement-based solutions can help you manage knee pain, improve function, and avoid unnecessary procedures. Take control of your recovery with a smarter rehab approach.