Dr. Anthony McNulty, PT, DPT, OCS
At Custom Performance, we’re proudly known for our running performance specialty in New York City. But here’s a message we want to make loud and clear:
You don’t have to be a runner to get world-class care here.
In a city where people walk miles a day, lift at busy gyms, commute long hours, sit at screens, ride Citi Bikes, carry groceries up walk-ups, and fit workouts into packed schedules—your body is under constant demand. Discomfort and injuries are a part of life and we are here to guide you on your recovery journey.
Below is a breakdown of the most common non-running issues we see every week, what typically contributes to them, and how we help New Yorkers move with more confidence.
Neck Pain and Upper Back Tension
From laptops and subways to phones between meetings, the neck and upper back are under steady load throughout the day.
Common contributors we see:
- Extended desk and screen time
- Workstation setups that don’t support long hours
- Weight lifting for and overuse
- High phone use (“text neck”)
- Stress-related muscle tension
- Cycling posture
- Carrying backpacks, totes, or shoulder bags
How we help:
- Hands-on manual therapy
- Mobility work for the neck and upper spine
- Postural and ergonomic coaching
- Building endurance and control in the deep neck and upper-back muscles
- Simple daily strategies to reduce flare-ups
Lower Back Pain
Lower back pain often develops gradually. Long commutes, sitting or standing all day, lifting boxes during a move, or ramping activity back up can all contribute.
Common contributors we see:
- Long periods of sitting or standing
- Core and back muscles that aren’t being challenged consistently
- Lifting strategies that place extra stress on the spine
- Limited hip mobility
- Limitations in general strength and endurance
- Overuse in the gym and other activities
- Stress-related muscle tension
How we help:
- Restoring hip and spinal mobility
- Improving core and glute capacity
- Coaching efficient movement for daily tasks
- Education on posture, lifting, and recovery habits
- A realistic plan that fits a busy NYC schedule
Shoulder Pain
As more New Yorkers lift weights, swim, and play recreational sports, shoulder discomfort has become increasingly common.
Common contributors we see:
- Weightlifting (bench press, overhead lifts, kettlebells)
- Swimming and other overhead endurance activities
- Pickleball, tennis, volleyball, and league sports
- Shoulder strength and endurance
- Differences in upper-body strength and control
How we help:
- Improving shoulder blade coordination and control
- Building rotator cuff strength and endurance
- Restoring comfortable overhead mobility
- Technique and load-management coaching
- Gradual return-to-sport programming
Hip & Knee Pain
Walking miles a day, climbing subway stairs, standing at work, lifting in the gym, and weekend activities all place meaningful demand on the hips and knees.
Common contributors we see:
- Strength and mobility capacity at the hip, knee, or ankle that hasn’t caught up to daily demands
- Movement strategies during stairs, squats, or workouts that increase joint stress
- High training volume from HIIT, yoga, pilates, or group fitness
- Previous injuries resurfacing as activity levels change
How we help:
- Thorough movement and strength assessment
- Targeted lower-body strengthening and control work
- Improving joint tolerance and stability
- Coaching for stairs, squats, and gym movements
- Progressive return to the activities you enjoy
Foot & Ankle Pain
Between walking commutes, standing jobs, gym workouts, and weekend exploring, the feet and ankles take on a significant workload in New York City.
Common contributors we see:
- Long walking or standing days
- Sudden increases in activity
- Recreational sports with repetitive impact
- Previous ankle sprains that didn’t fully regain capacity
- Footwear that doesn’t match daily demands
How we help:
- Hands-on therapy for foot and ankle mobility
- Building foot intrinsic and calf strength
- Balance and stability training
- Gradual, progressive loading
- Footwear and activity guidance
The Bottom Line: We’re not just the running experts, we are the movement experts
We love running and our running community, AND we also love all different types of ways to move and stay active. At Custom our goal is to empower people though movement and to help them achieve their goals, whatever they are.
If your body feels limited by long workdays, commuting, lifting, recreational sports, or simply keeping up with city life, our team provides individualized physical therapy in NYC designed to build capacity, confidence, and resilience.
Ready to Move Better in New York City?
Whether you’re dealing with neck tension from desk work, shoulder discomfort from the gym, lower back pain from long days, or hip and knee symptoms from walking and stairs, we’re here to help.
Book a physical therapy evaluation in NYC and get care designed for the demands of city living—so you can walk, work, train, and enjoy New York and your life on your terms.