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A 10-year-old pitcher experiences two elbow fractures within months despite completing "traditional" physical therapy. What went wrong? In this eye-opening case study, Dr. Clay Hammons reveals the startling findings from a comprehensive evaluation that the standard medical approach completely missed.

When this young athlete walked into the clinic, he demonstrated severe limitations that made him fundamentally "not fit to throw a baseball" – 75% restriction in spine mobility, zero degrees of ankle dorsiflexion (should be 10-15°), scapular dysfunction, and an inability to perform a basic squat. Most shocking? These problems were completely overlooked during his previous rehabilitation.

The conversation unveils a revolutionary approach to treating baseball injuries by addressing the entire kinetic chain rather than focusing on the painful area. Within just two weeks of targeted interventions addressing his spine, ankles, and movement patterns, this young pitcher showed remarkable improvements without a single exercise directed at his elbow.

Dr. McGovern and Dr. Hammons discuss how the "cult of velocity" in modern baseball has abandoned proper mechanics for arm-dominant slinging, leading to the paradox of pitchers throwing fewer innings than ever while suffering more catastrophic injuries. They challenge the common misconception that pitching injuries are inevitable, emphasizing that proper assessment can identify and correct risk factors before they lead to injury.

Perhaps the most powerful insight comes from a simple question posed to the young athlete: "Is your arm the engine or the caboose when throwing a baseball?" His incorrect answer – like most youth pitchers – reveals a fundamental misunderstanding that puts countless young arms at risk.

Whether you're a parent, coach, or healthcare provider working with throwing athletes, this episode will forever change how you think about baseball injuries and prevention. The arm doesn't have to be sacrificed on the altar of performance – with the right approach, safety and effectiveness can coexist.

The Velocity Rx podcast mission is to help save one million arms by giving the very best mechanical, health, and arm care information to it's listeners.

Chris O'Leary, known online as "The Pain Guy," joins Dr. Kevin McGovern to expose what they call "the velocity cult" - a dangerous trend in baseball pitching mechanics that has created an epidemic of arm injuries.

Drawing from twenty years of research, O'Leary meticulously breaks down why techniques like the "inverted W," "Tommy John twist," and what he terms "flat arm syndrome" are destroying pitchers' arms across baseball. Through compelling visual analysis of pitchers from Nolan Ryan to Justin Verlander to Spencer Strider, he demonstrates how modern pitching mechanics have shifted dramatically away from sustainable, powerful movements toward dangerous shortcuts that prioritize immediate velocity gains over career longevity.

The conversation reveals troubling industry dynamics, including how popular training programs market techniques known to cause injuries, how parents unwittingly sign injury waivers without informed consent, and how financial interests throughout baseball incentivize problematic approaches. O'Leary doesn't just identify problems - he offers clear guidance on what healthy mechanics actually look like, emphasizing that proper pitching involves using the entire body rather than generating force primarily through the arm.

For parents, coaches, and anyone concerned about the future of pitching, this episode provides rare insight into why we're seeing unprecedented rates of Tommy John surgery and what can be done to reverse this alarming trend. The solution, ironically, might involve less coaching rather than more - allowing natural, sustainable mechanics to develop rather than forcing dangerous positions that the body instinctively avoids.

Ready to help save arms and extend careers? Share this episode, subscribe to VelocityRx, and join the movement toward safer, more effective pitching mechanics.

The Velocity Rx podcast mission is to help save one million arms by giving the very best mechanical, health, and arm care information to it's listeners.

Youth baseball pitching injuries have reached epidemic levels as parents and coaches are being misled by velocity-focused training programs utilizing weighted balls and dangerous techniques.

• 50% of Tommy John surgeries now occur in youth players
• Weighted ball programs target children as young as 11 years old
• Independent studies show 25% injury rates with these training methods
• Hall of Fame pitchers like Nolan Ryan and Pedro Martinez threw hard without these injuries
• Current MLB pitchers are experiencing unprecedented injury rates
• Proper mechanics and command are more important than raw velocity
• Many position players now needing Tommy John surgery
• Data-driven approach removes human evaluation from baseball
• College recruiters should look beyond velocity to find complete pitchers
• Proper mechanics and command are more important than raw velocity

If you want to protect your child's arm, avoid weighted ball training completely. Focus on proper mechanics, command, and the mental aspects of pitching that actually translate to success on the mound.

The Velocity Rx podcast mission is to help save one million arms by giving the very best mechanical, health, and arm care information to it's listeners.