Built to Endure with Dr. Danny Shapiro

If you’ve been told you have plantar fasciitis just because the bottom of your foot hurts… there’s a good chance that diagnosis is wrong or only part of the story.In this episode of Built to Endure, Dr. Daniel Shapiro, PT, DPT breaks down why so many people are misdiagnosed with plantar fasciitis — and what might actually be causing your heel and foot pain instead.Most people hear: • “It’s plantar fasciitis. Just stretch your calves.” • “Wear these inserts forever.” • “Your arches are bad; that’s why you’re in pain.”But it’s not that simple.🔍 In this episode, you’ll learn: • Why “plantar fasciitis” is often used as a catch-all label for any foot pain • The difference between true plantar fasciitis, heel fat pad irritation, nerve issues, and Achilles/calf problems • Why your pain might be worse first step in the morning — and what that actually tells us • How your ankles, hips, walking mechanics, and even training load can create “plantar fasciitis” symptoms • Why rest, ice, and random stretches often fail (or only help for a few days) • Practical starting points to calm your symptoms down and rebuild capacity so your foot actually trusts you again👣 This episode is for you if: • You’ve been told you have plantar fasciitis (maybe more than once) • You’ve tried inserts, rolling on a frozen water bottle, and “foot stretches” with minimal results • Your foot pain keeps coming back every time you try to walk more, stand longer, or get back into exercise • You’re tired of chasing labels and want to understand what’s really driving your painImportant Note:This is educational and not medical advice. Speak with your clinician about a safe plan tailored to you.Free Resources & Work With Us🤝 From NY, NJ, FL, or MA and want 1-on-1 help? Book a FREE Discovery Session:⮕ https://projectphysicaltherapy.com/free-discovery-session📸 Instagram (daily tips & behind-the-scenes):⮕ https://www.instagram.com/stories/officialdannyshapiro/

If you’ve been told your back pain is because you “have bad posture” or your spine is “out of alignment”… this episode might piss a few people off.In this episode of Built to Endure, Dr. Daniel Shapiro, PT, DPT breaks down why posture has been wildly overhyped as the cause of pain – and why you are not crooked, broken, or doomed because of the way you sit or stand.Most people hear things like:“Your back is out of place.”“Your posture is causing all your pain.”“Your spine is misaligned; we need to straighten you out.”Here’s the truth:Your body is way more adaptable and resilient than that.🔍 In this episode, you’ll learn:Why there is no single ‘perfect’ posture your body is supposed to live inWhy your back is not slipping out of alignment every time you bend, twist, or sit slouchedHow pain can show up in any posture if you stay there too long or don’t have enough strength/capacityThe real role of movement, stress, sleep, and strength in back painSimple ways to change how you move so your back feels safer and less reactiveYou’ll also hear how scary language like “degeneration,” “misalignment,” “one leg shorter,” and “your discs are worn out” can make pain worse – and what to focus on instead if you actually want to feel better.👣 This episode is for you if:You’ve been told your posture is “horrible”You crack and twist your back all day trying to “put it back in”You feel scared to bend, sit, or slouch “the wrong way”You’re tired of feeling fragile and want a clear, rational explanation👍 If this episode helps you:Hit Like and Subscribe to Built to EndureComment with the one belief about posture or alignment you’re ready to let go ofShare this with someone who’s terrified their back is “out”🎧 Subscribe for more no-BS episodes on chronic pain, strength, and building a body that can actually live your lifeImportant Note:This video is educational and not medical advice. Speak with your clinician about a safe plan tailored to you.Free Resources & Work With Us🤝 From NY, NJ, FL, or MA and want 1-on-1 help? Book a FREE Discovery Session:⮕ https://projectphysicaltherapy.com/free-discovery-session📸 Instagram (daily tips & behind-the-scenes):⮕ https://www.instagram.com/stories/officialdannyshapiro/

If you’ve been icing, stretching, resting, foam rolling, and praying your knee pain away… but it keeps coming back, this episode is for you.In this episode of Built to Endure, Dr. Daniel Shapiro, PT, DPT breaks down the real reason your knee hurts – and why it’s not going away, no matter how many “knee exercises” you’ve tried on YouTube.Most people are told their problem is:“Wear and tear.”“Arthritis.”“Old age.”“Bone on bone.”But that’s not the whole story.🔍 In this episode, you’ll learn:Why your knee pain isn’t just a “knee problem”The hidden issues in your hips, feet, and walking mechanics that keep your knee irritatedThe difference between good pain vs. bad pain when you move or exerciseWhy rest, injections, and braces often give only temporary reliefHow to actually build a knee that trusts you again (and lets you walk, climb stairs, and squat without fear)👣 Whether your knees hurt when you:Go up or down stairsSit for too longSquat, lunge, or runOr just walk around the block…you’ll walk away with a clearer understanding of what’s really going on and where to focus your efforts next.Important Note:This video is educational and not medical advice. Speak with your clinician about a safe plan tailored to you.Free Resources & Work With Us🤝 From NY, NJ, FL, or MA and want 1-on-1 help? Book a FREE Discovery Session:⮕ https://projectphysicaltherapy.com/free-discovery-session📸 Instagram (daily tips & behind-the-scenes):⮕ https://www.instagram.com/stories/officialdannyshapiro/

In this episode of Built To Endure with Dr. Daniel Shapiro, we are joined by the amazing Dr. Roni Glassman, a fellow physical therapist based in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Dr. Glassman shares her journey from working in a conventional outpatient setting to establishing her own practice, Rehab with Roni. We delve into her specialization in treating active adults, the evolution of her clinic, and the values she holds for patient care. Dr. Glassman also discusses the challenges and successes of hiring a new PT and the importance of communication in delivering high-quality physical therapy. Tune in for an insightful conversation on the future of physical therapy, patient care, and the joys of running a successful practice.Important Note:This video is educational and not medical advice. Speak with your clinician about a safe plan tailored to you.Free Resources & Work With Us🤝 From NY, NJ, FL, or MA and want 1-on-1 help? Book a FREE Discovery Session:⮕ https://projectphysicaltherapy.com/free-discovery-session📸 Instagram (daily tips & behind-the-scenes):⮕ https://www.instagram.com/stories/officialdannyshapiro/🎥 TikTok:⮕ https://www.tiktok.com/@officialmusclewhisperer

If your appointments feel rushed, your MRI sounds terrifying, and your “plan” is pills + rest + generic stretches… you’re not the problem. The system is. In this episode, Dr. Daniel Shapiro breaks down the blind spots in standard care that quietly keep people hurting—and shows you how to take back control.Inside the episode:The 10-Minute Visit Trap: why volume quotas + insurance checkboxes → cookie-cutter care.The MRI Myth: scary labels (“degeneration,” “herniation,” “arthritis”) that often don’t predict pain—and how to interpret imaging without panic.Lack of focus on your mental statePassive instead of Active (and that’s the problem): heat, stim, and stretching without progressive loading won’t rebuild capacity.Fear Factories: nocebo language (“your back is fragile”) creates avoidance and more pain; learn scripts that lower the alarm.The Fix: a clear framework—Calm → Load → Live—to turn pain down, restore strength, and return to real life.You’ll walk away with:A better understanding of what to expect from your rehab journey less fear around your painHigher expectations for your medical teamIf standard care left you stuck, this episode gives you the roadmap to get unstuck—with science, structure, and confidence.Important Note:This is educational and not medical advice. Speak with your clinician about a safe plan tailored to you.Free Resources & Work With Us🤝 From NY, NJ, FL, or MA and want 1-on-1 help? Book a FREE Discovery Session:⮕ https://projectphysicaltherapy.com/free-discovery-session📸 Instagram (daily tips & behind-the-scenes):⮕ https://www.instagram.com/stories/officialdannyshapiro/

If you’ve been told it’s “your disc,” “your arthritis,” or “your posture,” you’re only seeing one slice of a bigger picture. In this episode, Dr. Daniel Shapiro explains what’s really driving most back pain: an overprotective alarm system (your nervous system) reacting to a mismatch between load and capacity—then being amplified by stress, poor sleep, fear of movement, and deconditioning.Inside the episode: • The Back Pain Alarm: why pain ≠ damage, and how a sensitized nervous system keeps the alarm blaring. • The MRI Trap: labels like “degeneration” rarely predict pain—how to interpret imaging without panic. • Load vs. Capacity: the real equation behind flare-ups (too much, too soon vs. too little, for too long). • Amplifiers: stress, sleep debt, language (“my back is broken”), and how nocebo ramps pain up.If back pain has owned your calendar, this episode gives you a clear, practical path to turn the alarm down and build a stronger, more confident back.Important Note:This video is educational and not medical advice. Speak with your clinician about a safe plan tailored to you.Free Resources & Work With Us🤝 From NY, NJ, FL, or MA and want 1-on-1 help? Book a FREE Discovery Session:⮕ https://projectphysicaltherapy.com/free-discovery-session📸 Instagram (daily tips & behind-the-scenes):⮕ https://www.instagram.com/stories/officialdannyshapiro/

In this episode, Dr. Daniel Shapiro explains why classic hamstring stretches can backfire—and what to do instead to calm the system and build durable strength.You’ll learn: • Muscle vs. nerve vs. tendon: how to tell what’s really driving that tight, grabby feeling. • Red flags that stretching is wrong for you right now: burning/zinging below the knee, symptoms that flare for 24+ hours, deep ache with long sitting. • Quick self-screens you can try at home to clue in the true cause. • When to push and when to pause: how to use next-day symptom check-ins so you keep improving without flaring.If you’ve been yanking on a “tight” hamstring for months, this episode gives you a smarter path: less stretch, better load, more relief.Important Note:This is educational content and not medical advice. Speak with your clinician about a safe plan tailored to you.Free Resources & Work With Us🤝 From NY, NJ, FL, or MA and want 1-on-1 help? Book a FREE Discovery Session:⮕ https://projectphysicaltherapy.com/free-discovery-session📸 Instagram (daily tips & behind-the-scenes):⮕ https://www.instagram.com/stories/officialdannyshapiro/🎥 TikTok:⮕ https://www.tiktok.com/@officialmusclewhisperer

Is your physical therapy making you worse instead of better? You’re not alone, and you’re NOT broken. In this episode, Dr. Daniel Shapiro exposes why traditional PT doesn't work and how to get the results your body truly needs. If you're looking for better alternative to typical PT, this is for you.We’ll cover:• Assembly-line care & insurance quotas – how volume targets create 7-minute “drive-by” sessions and cookie-cutter plans.• Passive over active – why heat, stim, and stretching without progressive loading rarely change the root problem.• Chasing symptoms, not causes – the missed diagnoses behind “tight hip flexors,” “weak glutes,” and forever “core work.”• No dosage, no progression – why exercise without intensity, reps, and measurable milestones = no durable results.• Education gap – how fear of movement is reinforced—and how pain science + graded exposure rebuilds trust in your body.💪 Want real progress? Learn what good physical therapy truly involves and how to advocate for your recovery.🔔 Subscribe for more no-BS rehab insightsFree Resources & Work With Us🤝 From NY, NJ, FL, or MA and want 1-on-1 help? Book a FREE Discovery Session:⮕ https://projectphysicaltherapy.com/free-discovery-session/📸 Instagram (daily tips & behind-the-scenes):⮕   / officialdannyshapiro  🎥 Youtube:⮕   https://www.youtube.com/@TheMuscleWhisperer  

Are your pain pills quietly making your pain worse? In today’s episode, I reveal the little-known cycle that keeps millions stuck in chronic pain...even when they’re doing everything “right.” If you’ve relied on opioids or even “safe” over-the-counter meds (NSAIDs, acetaminophen) for months, this could be the missing piece.In this episode you’ll learn:- The “rebound” trap: how long-term painkiller use can sensitize your nervous system- Acute vs chronic use: when meds help…and when they quietly backfire- Red flags your body is stuck in the loop (needing more for the same effect, widespread sensitivity, headaches, poor sleep)- Safer paths forward: evidence-informed strategies to reduce pain without dependence (movement dosing, sleep resets, pacing, stress downshifts, nutrition, targeted PT)- How to talk to your provider about next steps Important Note:This video is educational and not medical advice. Do not start, stop, or change medications without your prescriber. If you suspect medication-overuse or opioid-induced hyperalgesia, speak with your clinician about a safe plan tailored to you.

Imagine going to your doctor for pain relief… and all you hear is “Lose weight.” Frustrating, right?In this episode, Dr. Daniel Shapiro explains what to do when weight is the only “solution” you’re given. You’ll learn how to advocate for yourself, what questions to ask, and which strategies can actually help you manage pain—without being reduced to just a number on the scale.✅ What to do if your doctor only blames weight✅ How to advocate for better care and real answers✅ Practical strategies for pain relief beyond the scale👉 If you’ve ever left an appointment feeling dismissed or shamed, this episode is for you.

You were told “nothing is wrong”. Or you were told you had plantar fasciitis, you start treatment, but nothing is working. Your back hurts but treatment doesn’t seem to make your life easier… You’re not alone. Chronic pain is often misunderstood, dismissed, or blamed on stress, weight- leaving people searching for real answers.In this episode, Dr. Daniel Shapiro explains why misdiagnosis is so common in chronic pain, how to advocate for yourself when doctors don’t listen, and what steps you can take to finally uncover the root cause of your pain.You’ll learn:✅ Why chronic pain is often misdiagnosed✅ How to handle it when doctors say “it’s all in your head”✅ Practical ways to push for the right tests and treatments👉 If you’re still in pain with no diagnosis, this episode is for you.

Are you suffering from frozen shoulder? Tried everything but can't get rid of it? Today we'll talk about why that might be the case and what to do about it. Tune in to learn more about what you can do to take charge of your own health!

Are you still having back pain despite going to the doctor, chiropractor, or PT? Today we'll talk about why that might be the case and what to do about it. Tune in to learn more about what you can do to take charge of your own health!

Are you still in pain despite going to the doctor? Chronic pain is a disorder caused by negligence. Tune in to learn more about what you can do to take charge of your own health!

Are you still in pain despite going to physical therapy? Physical therapists can be bad at finding the problem... Find out why and how to make sure you don't waste time at physical therapy. Plus Q&A! Tune in to learn more about what you can do to take charge of your own health!

Do you really need surgery? Back surgery, knee surgery, shoulder surgery...many times it's not necessary! We'll discuss how people are convinced it's their only option and what to do about it. Tune in to learn more about what you can do to take charge of your own health!

Today, we're talking about Chiropractors! We'll discuss how they can help or how they can take things from bad to worse. Tune in to learn more about what you can do to take charge of your own health!

Today, we discuss what health insurance companies are doing to keep you in pain and why their goal isn't to get you better. Tune in to learn more about what you can do to take charge of your own health! Plus Q&A with the audience!

MRIs are thought to be the "Be all, Tell all" scan for musculoskeletal injuries, but while it does provide an image of what's inside, it doesn't really portray the whole picture. Our body is very complex, and making sure we make decisions on how it feels rather than just by what is shown is crucial to making sure we can avoid procedures we don't need. This is exactly what I discuss in this episode!

Uriah Celauro, my colleague, joins the episode! Where you go matters. Who you go to matters. Clinics that're only after your insurance money with no true desire to guide you and help you are a plague to society and don't provide any true, long-lasting change. While not all insurance-run clinics are bad, we go into detail on why choosing the right place for YOU matters so much.