Physical Therapy Center of Excellence

This is the best physical therapy team I’ve worked with in the area. I’ve done several rounds of therapy with them in the past and this recent shoulder rehab was great like the others. I worked mostly with Martin but I also worked with the others on the team. They tailor programs to fit your progression curve and are extremely enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and personable. This is a top notch team including the front desk and assistants. I’ll be calling them back when I need more PT.

At 83, after a knee replacement I went to PTCOE with the objective of being able to kneel and return to playing golf and tennis- They were excellent- concerned with the whole system, not just the knee- Mission accomplished- thanks to Rick, his team and their excellent facilities.

I would highly recommend PT Center of Excellence for any physical therapy needs. The facility is well run, clean, well maintained but most important is the highly qualified staff who sincerely take an interest in their patients' well-being and recovery. I have had two bouts of lengthy PT here, a broken ankle and a fractured calcaneus (heel), and truly believe i would not have had the recovery I had with both injuries without this team. Both the therapists and admin staff are top-notch. PT has been as pleasant as possible with this group.

Rick and Martin are superb therapists. They take their time to listen and come up with a reasonable and expert treatment plan. They also spend time with their clients instead of having them do independent exercises. They watch your form and abilities and also make sure you have something to strive for in your physical recovery. I was always greeted warmly and dealt with respectfully. I would highly recommend Physical Therapy Center of Excellence. This PT center is a cut above the rest in my opinion!

November 26 2022, back at Hunter Mountain, New York. I was there, skiing with my daughter, excited for the season's first runs. We decided to make some fun videos on the slopes, but little did we know that a moment in time was going to occur that would change everything (check video). A ski accident where my tips jammed into the front of the mogul, a yard sale of my gear, my shoulder hit hard into a hidden block of ice, and I barrel rolled 75+ feet down the mountain on top of my keys that were in my coat pocket (only take your key fob!). My shoulder was broken in four places, fragments everywhere. The severity of the injury was undeniable, especially in the stark, clinical lights of the mountains ER.

The break was displaced so the surgery required seven screws and a plate. The longer term prognosis from the orthopedist was disheartening - an entire season off the slopes…but this just was not something I could accept. Skiing isn't just a hobby for me; it's the time I cherish most with my three children. The thought of missing it was unbearable.

In search of hope, I turned to rehabilitation. A family member, with her doctorate in physical therapy, directed me to one place: The Physical Therapy Center of Excellence (PTCOE), and specifically, to Rick. Rick wasn't just a therapist; he was a mentor who had been through a similar ordeal. He pushed me, knowing the extent of rehabilitation I needed, not just for my shoulder but for my spirit too.

The journey was tough, filled with moments of doubt, especially facing the unique challenge of my body forming excessive scar tissue. This challenge limits the range of motion and is frequently only solved by an orthopedic surgeon performing a second surgery to clean out the scar tissue and perform Manipulation Under Anesthesia. Rick's determination and expertise helped me avoid that.

Amidst this, I also battled with an older injury, two herniated discs. The pain was relentless, but then I met Martin. His insights into back issues were remarkable. He realized that there was most likely a connection between my shoulder injury and the way I was bending my back. Under his care and alongside Rick’s, my path from debilitating pain to walking normally was nothing short of miraculous.

Now time for the results…

Not only did I regain my full range of motion, but I returned to the slopes in just 8 WEEKS. That season, I skied more than ever, even making it to Colorado for an unforgettable four-day trip.
In this journey of healing and overcoming, PTCOE has been more than a rehabilitation center to me – they have been my beacon of hope in the darkest times. They didn't just mend my injuries; they restored my spirit, rekindled my passion for skiing, and brought priceless moments back into my life. Those laughter-filled days on the slopes with my children, the exhilarating freedom of carving through fresh snow – all of it was returned to me, against all odds.

If I'm lucky, perhaps I can even be like the 84 year old guy who I met on the gondola at Vail (check out picture of me with 84 year old guy). His words of wisdom in a nutshell? "Some of my family thinks I am too old to be out here. But if I'm going to go out of this world, at least I'm going out doing something that I love, with people that I love surrounded with all of God's beauty and glory." He doesn't know it, but he made it to the top of my idol list that day.

To anyone who finds themselves facing what seems like insurmountable physical challenges, know this: there is a place where healing is nurtured, where limits are defied, and where each step towards recovery is celebrated. At the PTCOE, you will find not just expert therapists, but genuine healers of the body and soul. They transform despair into hope, pain into strength, and challenges into triumphs. I stand here today, a testament to their extraordinary work. If you seek to turn the tide in your own journey of healing, there is no better place to start than the PTCOE.

By the way it is true. Bones Heal, But Glory Is Forever! See you on the slopes : )