Here at Central Ohio Spine and Joint we are focused on providing the most up-to-date and effective treatment for patients of all ages and all conditions. One long standing passion of Dr. Leonard’s is working with overhead-athletes, specifically baseball players.  Over the past year Dr. Leonard has developed relationships with multiple professional organizations and other elite baseball organizations.

This past week, Dr. Leonard addressed the Florida-based IMG Academy’s baseball instructors with colleagues Dr. Brett Winchester from St. Louis, MO and Dr. Mike Rintala from San Diego, CA. The IMG Academy boasts a 500-acre campus where the most promising athletes from across the world come to study and reach their athletic potential. Since its inception, the IMG Academy as trained athletes who have won 131 All Stars, 63 MVP Awards, 22 World Championships, 5 National Titles, 2 Heisman Trophies, 889 Tournaments, 107 Major Championships and 11 Olympic Medals.

During their time at IMG, Drs. Leonard, Winchester  and Rintala focused on current techniques in the management of the overhead athlete and introducing the concepts of Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS).  Dr. Leonard continues  to help assist in creating a cutting edge arm care, performance and throwing programs in coordination with IMG. These systems will help numerous high school baseball players achieve their dreams of playing college baseball and/or entering the major league baseball draft.

Drs. Leonard, Winchester  and Rintala have been asked to host a three day workshop on the topic of baseball performance and DNS at IMG in the Fall of 2015.  This workshop will draw therapists, coaches and physicians from all over the Country.

“It is an honor to have the opportunity to work with such an elite organization like IMG.  I am excited to bring these concepts back to Central Ohio and help athletes of all levels improve their performance, and recover from their injuries faster and more effective.” Says Dr. Leonard.

“We feel we are going to revolutionize the way we train and manage the over head athlete.  Baseball is a game of tradition, and with that comes techniques and concepts that are some what outdated.  Over the past few years research has really cracked the code on what it takes to develop an outstanding athlete and baseball player. The trouble is applying research to the on field setting. This is where we come in and will excel.”

“We are going to be able to take these concepts, ones that we will be training professional teams on, and bring them back to Columbus.  I am very excited for the future in baseball development in Columbus, Ohio.”