Dr. Ben

Achilles tendon pain can be stubborn. It may start as a mild tightness behind the heel or lower calf, then slowly become something that affects your runs, hikes, workouts, and even your first few steps in the morning. For Phoenix runners and hikers, Achilles pain can show up quickly because of hill work, rocky desert […]

An ankle sprain on a rocky desert trail is one of those injuries that feels “minor” until it keeps happening. Maybe you rolled your ankle once on loose rock, rested a few days, and got back out there. Then it happened again. Or you feel okay walking on flat ground, but technical terrain makes your

Runner’s knee is one of the most common reasons runners cut a run short or stop training altogether. It often starts as a mild ache around the front of the knee, then becomes a pattern: It hurts on downhills, flares after longer runs, and nags you even when you are not running. The frustrating part

Golf elbow can sneak up on you. One week, it feels like a mild ache on the inside of your elbow, and the next, it hurts to grip a steering wheel, pick up a coffee mug, or finish a round without compensating. In Phoenix, it’s common for active adults to stack repetitive activity across golf,

Sports performance training is not just “working out harder.” It’s training with a purpose: Building the specific speed, strength, power, agility, and control your sport demands, while lowering your injury risk along the way. When it’s done well, you feel faster, more stable, and more confident in your body. When it’s done poorly, you may

Pickleball is easy to start and hard to stop playing. The quick reactions, repetitive swings, and fast direction changes can also irritate the shoulder and elbow, especially if you ramp up too quickly or play through early warning signs. If you’re dealing with shoulder soreness after serves, a sharp pinch when you reach overhead, or

Phoenix hiking is incredible, but it is also uniquely demanding. Rocky footing, uneven surfaces, steep climbs, and long descents can overload your ankles, knees, and hips, especially if you hike sporadically or ramp up too fast. The good news is that most “hiking injuries” are preventable with the right prep, pacing, and a few smart

Not healing as expected? Learn the key signs that indicate you may need physical therapy and how early treatment can reduce pain and speed recovery.