Author: Dr. Samantha Shively, DPT, CSCS

Hi, my name is Samantha Shively and I am a Sports Performance Physical Therapist at Fick
Physical Therapy and Sports Performance who specializes in treating gymnasts. Before I
became a physical therapist, I was a competitive gymnast for nearly 20 years, so I know how
demanding the sport is and how to optimize your recovery. At Fick PT and Performance, our
mission is to help you get back to training and competing as quickly and safely as possible, and
we have a variety of tools to help you do just that.

My Background in Gymnastics

I grew up competing as a Level 10 and collegiate gymnast, spending countless hours in the gym
chasing perfection, progress, and big skills. Gymnastics taught me discipline, resilience, and
how to push my body to its limits—but it also introduced me to injury far earlier than I would
have liked.

Like many competitive gymnasts, I didn’t grow up injury-free. I trained and competed through a
torn labrum in my shoulder, multiple ankle sprains, and various other aches and pains. At the
time, these injuries felt like obstacles I just had to manage in order to keep training. Looking
back now, they were also the foundation for why I practice physical therapy the way I do today.

Living the Reality of “Training Through Pain”

In competitive gymnastics, aches and pains are often normalized. You learn quickly how to tape
an ankle, modify a landing, or avoid certain skills on a bad day. When I tore my labrum, my
shoulder instability became something I adapted to rather than fully addressed. Ankle sprains
were frequent enough that I knew exactly which brace to grab or which tape job felt the best.
Knee pain came and went depending on training volume and impact.

At the time, the focus was simple: stay on the floor and keep competing.

What I didn’t fully understand back then was how much my body was compensating—and how
those compensations would follow me long after practice ended.

From Injured Gymnast to Physical Therapist

It wasn’t until later, when I began studying physical therapy, that everything clicked.

I finally understood why my ankles kept spraining.
Why my knee pain flared during growth spurts or increased training.
Why my shoulder never truly felt stable despite being “strong.”

More importantly, I realized that much of the care I received growing up wasn’t truly
gymnastics-specific until my junior year of high school. Rehab often focused on isolated
strength or pain reduction, not on the demands of tumbling, landing, swinging, or training
multiple events week after week until I found a sport-specific physical therapist.

That realization changed everything.

How My Background Shapes My Approach to PT

Today, when I work with gymnasts, I don’t just see an injury—I see the entire sport behind it.

I understand:
● The pressure to return quickly
● The fear of losing skills or falling behind teammates
● The difference between “being cleared” and actually feeling confident in your body again

My background as a Level 10 and collegiate gymnast allows me to bridge the gap between
rehab and real gymnastics training. I focus on:
● Strength and stability at end ranges of motion
● Proper landing mechanics and impact management
● Progressive return to skills, not just basic exercises
● Long-term injury prevention and sport longevity

I know firsthand that gymnasts don’t need generic rehab—they need care that respects the
sport and their goals within it.

Why This Matters for Gymnasts and Parents

If you’re a gymnast dealing with recurring injuries, or a parent wondering whether pain is “just
part of the sport,” I want you to know this:

Pain may be common in gymnastics—but it shouldn’t be ignored or accepted as normal.

With the right guidance, gymnasts can become stronger, more resilient, and more confident in
their bodies—without constantly training on borrowed time.

My experiences as an injured gymnast shaped my passion for helping athletes not just return to
the gym, but stay there healthier and longer. I value communication with the gymnast, parents,
and coaches to ensure there is no confusion on the treatment plan and the steps we are going
to take to help get you back on the floor.

Because I’ve been there—and I know how much better it can be. If you’re looking for a physical
therapist that understands the demands on gymnastics, look no further. Come see me here at
Fick PT and Performance!

Returning to the Floor With Confidence

Pain and recurring injuries don’t have to be accepted as “just part of gymnastics.” With the right evaluation, sport-specific rehabilitation, and a thoughtful return-to-training plan, gymnasts can heal fully, rebuild confidence, and continue progressing safely in their sport.

The physical therapy specialists at Fick Physical Therapy and Sports Performance in Highlands Ranch, CO work closely with gymnasts of all levels to address the unique demands of gymnastics. We provide comprehensive injury evaluations, individualized rehabilitation programs, progressive return-to-skill training, and long-term injury prevention strategies designed to support performance and longevity in the sport.

Don’t let ongoing pain, recurring injuries, or uncertainty about return to training hold you back. Call us today at (720) 480-2866 to schedule your evaluation. Our physical therapists will identify the root cause of your injury, address movement and strength deficits specific to gymnastics, and help create a plan that gets you back on the floor stronger, safer, and more confident than before.