Youth Sports Injury Prevention in Chardon, OH
Keep your athlete in the game, not on the bench.
Your kid plays year-round, maybe on two teams at once. You've seen teammates go down with torn ACLs, sore arms, and back injuries. You want your athlete to stay healthy and keep getting better, but you're not sure what they actually need.
Your athlete deserves more than hoping they stay healthy. They deserve a plan built on real data.
We know how stressful this is
Watching your child get hurt is hard, and so is knowing an injury could have been prevented. That's why the Doctors of Physical Therapy at Chardon Performance Therapy start by listening to your athlete, to you, and when it helps, to their coaches.
We've helped thousands of active people, including young athletes from across Geauga and Lake County, regain confidence, strength, and control.
How we help young athletes stay healthy
Sports physicals and movement screens
VALD force plate and strength testing to find weak links
ACL injury prevention for soccer, basketball, volleyball, and lacrosse
Arm care programs for baseball and softball players
Guidance on sport specialization, rest, and workload
Strength and speed training built for growing athletes
Return to sport after an injury
How it works
1. Share your story. Your athlete's initial assessment is a 75-minute, one-on-one visit with a Doctor of Physical Therapy. We learn their sport, season, goals, and injury history.
2. Get a comprehensive care plan. We test strength, power, balance, and movement with VALD force plates, dynamometry, and speed gates, then show you the results in clear, simple language, side to side and against goals for their sport.
3. Work with an accountable guide. Sessions are a full hour, one-on-one. We build a strength, mobility, and movement program that fits their season, and retest so you see progress in real numbers.
What the research says
Injury prevention works. Research shows that warm-up and neuromuscular training programs can cut ACL injury risk in young athletes by about half. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that young athletes take at least 1 to 2 days off per week and 2 to 3 months away from their main sport each year, and it cautions against specializing in one sport too early. We help your family put that into practice.
What our clients say
"I had an exceptional experience getting my kids' sports physical evaluations here. The staff was incredibly knowledgeable, welcoming, and took the time to thoroughly assess all areas."
Heather T. ★★★★★
"The first appointment was an incredibly thorough set of testing, examination, and honesty… Honesty and transparency with the evaluation."
Jack R. ★★★★★
"I was not only able to completely get rid of my pain which had effected my performance in sports but I was able to build better technique and habits to not only stop the problem from happening again but build strength in the process."
Alex B. ★★★★★
Rated 5.0 stars from 253 Google reviews.
Don't stay stuck
If you wait until something hurts, you could lose a season, or more. A little prevention now protects the years of sport your athlete has ahead.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a doctor's referral for physical therapy in Ohio?
No. Ohio law lets you see a physical therapist directly, without a referral.
How long are the sessions?
The initial assessment is 75 minutes. Follow-up sessions are 60 minutes, always one-on-one with a Doctor of Physical Therapy.
Do you take insurance?
We're out of network with all insurance companies. We accept HSA and FSA cards, and many clients are reimbursed through their out-of-network benefits. We'll walk you through your options on a quick call.
What age should my athlete start?
Most athletes benefit once they're playing competitive sports, often around middle school. We tailor the program to your athlete's age, growth, and sport.
Is strength training safe for kids?
Yes, when it's supervised and built for their age. Proper strength training is one of the best ways to protect young athletes from injury.
Should my child play only one sport?
The American Academy of Pediatrics cautions against specializing too early. We'll help you balance their sport, rest, and training so they keep improving without burning out or getting hurt.
When should I see a doctor instead?
If your athlete has a joint that looks deformed, can't put weight on a leg, has a suspected concussion, or has pain that wakes them at night, see a physician or go to urgent care right away.
More for parents and athletes: Sports Performance Testing for High School Athletes (video) · Hamstring Rehab for Football Players (video) · Sports Physical Therapy That Goes Beyond Recovery (video)
Serving Chardon and Northeast Ohio
Our clinic is at 520 5th Ave in downtown Chardon. Families come to us from Chesterland, Mentor, Painesville, Perry, Eastlake, Willoughby, Pepper Pike, Cleveland Heights, and across Geauga and Lake County.