From Youth Sports to Active Aging: How PT Keeps Athletes in the Game
Greg Goldberger • October 27, 2025
Athletes Aren’t Just Pros — Anyone Who Moves with Purpose Is an Athlete
At Movement Driven, we believe athletes come in all forms — not just the ones you see on TV. Whether you’re a student learning to move with intention, a parent squeezing in workouts between meetings, or a retiree chasing your next pickleball match, movement is part of who you are.
That’s why we specialize in physical therapy for athletes of all ages — because your goals, your body, and your performance matter no matter what stage of life you’re in.
Youth & Student Athletes: Building Strong Foundations
For young athletes across Jacksonville and St. Johns, proper training and recovery early on can make all the difference. Our team helps youth athletes build confidence and resilience through:
- Injury prevention by teaching smart movement patterns and muscle balance.
- Skill development that supports better speed, power, and coordination.
- Safe growth during those key years when bones, joints, and muscles are rapidly changing.
When young athletes learn how to move well, they not only perform better — they set themselves up for a lifetime of healthy movement.
Adults: Balancing Fitness, Work, and Recovery
We see it all the time — adults who love being active but struggle with nagging pain, tightness, or overuse injuries. Between long work hours, family responsibilities, and the occasional “weekend warrior” push, your body can only take so much before it starts sending warning signs.
Physical therapy helps you:
- Recover from overuse injuries like tendinitis, low back pain, or shoulder strain.
- Find balance between mobility, strength, and endurance.
- Train smarter, so your workouts fuel progress — not pain.
We work with everyone from CrossFit athletes to golfers and runners, helping them move efficiently and recover fully so they can keep showing up for what they love.
Older Adults: Staying Competitive & Pain-Free
Getting older doesn’t mean slowing down — it just means moving with more purpose. We help active adults in our community stay strong, steady, and competitive in the sports they love most — from golf and pickleball to tennis and beyond.
Our approach focuses on:
- Protecting joints and managing arthritis without giving up activity.
- Improving balance and coordination to stay agile and confident.
- Enhancing strength and mobility to keep you performing at your best.
With the right plan, you can keep playing, training, and thriving — no matter your age.
The Driven Difference
Your body changes as life changes — and your plan for movement should, too. Our approach to physical therapy for athletes of all ages evolves with you, helping you prevent injury, recover faster, and move better at every stage.
Don’t Wait Until You’re Sidelined
You don’t have to live with pain or give up the things that keep you active.
Book an assessment today
and discover how personalized physical therapy can keep you moving for life.
About Movement Driven
Movement Driven Performance Physiotherapy provides one-on-one, personalized care for athletes and active individuals in the Jacksonville and St. Johns area. Our mission is to help you move better, recover faster, and perform your best — at every stage of life. We bridge the gap between rehab and performance so you can stay strong, confident, and driven.
The holiday season in St. Johns brings excitement, family traditions, and a long to do list that usually includes lifting decorations, standing for hours in the kitchen, long shopping days, and driving up and down 210. It is a joyful time, but it is also one of the most common seasons for back pain to flare up. Most of these aches come from mechanical stress on joints and tissues, not sudden injury, which is supported by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke’s research on low back pain. The good news is that holiday related irritation is preventable with simple mobility routines and better movement strategies. Here is how to keep your back protected all season long. 1. Lifting Heavy Decor Boxes Without Strain Many St. Johns residents pull heavy bins of holiday decorations from attics, garages, or closets. Poor lifting mechanics significantly increase the risk of low back pain, which is highlighted by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons in their safe lifting guidelines. How to lift smarter: Keep the box close to your center of gravity. Bend at your hips and knees instead of rounding your back. Exhale and brace your core as you lift. Make multiple small trips instead of one heavy one. Mobility tip: Warm up first. Dynamic movements increase tissue elasticity and reduce mechanical irritation. 2. Prolonged Standing in the Kitchen Holiday cooking means long hours of chopping, stirring, and leaning over counters. Staying in one position too long increases stiffness and muscle fatigue. NINDS reports that sustained postures are a major contributor to mechanical low back pain. How to reduce standing fatigue: Alternate your stance by propping one foot on a small stool. Change your position every 10 to 15 minutes. Use cushioned shoes or an anti fatigue mat. Mobility tip: Add tiny movement breaks. Light lumbar rotations or marching in place prevent the stiffness that builds from continuous standing. 3. Shopping Days and Heavy Bags Holiday shopping at the St. Johns Town Center or local boutiques often leads to uneven loading from carrying bags on one side. As Spine Health notes, imbalanced loads contribute to muscle strain and low back irritation. How to shop smarter: Distribute weight evenly between both hands. Avoid carrying heavy bags on a single shoulder. Make trips to the car to unload heavier items. Mobility tip: Stretch your hip flexors afterward. Long periods of standing and walking tighten this area, which directly affects the lumbar spine. 4. Long Drives Up and Down 210 Holiday errands, family gatherings, and parties mean more time in the car. Sitting increases pressure on the lumbar discs and hip flexors. Research from NINDS notes that prolonged sitting is one of the most common triggers for mechanical low back pain. How to reduce back irritation in the car: Adjust your seat so your hips sit slightly higher than your knees. Use a small lumbar roll for support. Take breaks during longer trips to stand and walk. Mobility tip: When parked, pull one knee gently toward your chest to relieve hip and low back tension. 5. Why Simple Daily Mobility Helps Mobility does not need to be time consuming. It simply keeps your joints moving and prevents the stiffness that builds from repeated tasks. Spine Health emphasizes that consistent mobility improves circulation, reduces joint irritation, and enhances load tolerance. Three movements to keep your back happy: Hip hinges Thoracic rotations Bird dogs or dead bugs These movements support the spine during lifting, standing, cooking, carrying, and driving. When to See a Physical Therapist If holiday prep has already triggered pain that is sharp or persistent, a professional evaluation can help you identify the root cause and create a personalized plan. Movement Driven provides one on one care that focuses on restoring mobility, improving strength, and keeping you active all season. Ready to Stay Pain Free This Holiday Season? Schedule a free discovery call to talk through your symptoms and learn which mobility strategies will help you move pain free through the holidays.
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