Weekend warriors —those men and women who still love to compete but were better conditioned athletes when they were younger, find their way to the softball and soccer fields or the paddle tennis court every weekend. There typically isn’t enough time for them to condition their bodies to bear the brunt of the stresses imposed from their beloved sport, hence the increased risk of injury.

When injury occurs, the rehab portion of their recovery is often the toughest. Although weekend warriors are anxious to get back into action they often lack the time necessary for physical therapy.

“One of the challenges for the busy weekend warrior I finding the time to stay in on track and complete the rehab process,” says Gary Flink, co –owner of Excel Orthopedic Rehabilitation. Most patients we see need to come two to three times a week; it’s imperative they maintain the commitment.

Injuries like torn rotator cuffs that are surgically repaired have very specific guidelines and timeframes for physical therapy. Flink and his partner, Matthew Gibble are in constant communication with physicians and are dependent on their protocols. The first six weeks following a repair are the most critical – the repair itself has to heal. The patient has to follow strict guidelines with no active movement out of the sling for the first six weeks. Doctors will prescribe certain activities to be performed by the physical therapist as well as identify what the patient must not do to respect the healing process.

“We guide the healing process and speed it along by always paying attention adhering to specific protocols given by the physician to avoid setbacks.”

Flink stresses that therapy is an ongoing process and that education is critical for patients to understand what they can do for themselves to improve their rehab. In addition to the rehab done at the facility, the athletes need to perform specific home exercises provided by their physical therapist in order to continuously improve strength, range of motion and flexibility.

With some injuries, like a hamstring tear which can occur when a softball player runs down to first base to beat out the throw, can become chronic if not properly addressed. The athlete may rest the injury, but then as soon as he or she runs again it may re-tear. It can become a chronic problem lasting two to three years, or longer. The non-traumatic injuries like tendonitis, result from inflammation caused by over use, poor flexibility and/or limited strength.

“Much of what we do is setting up the patient on a program to help prevent the same injury from reoccurring in the future. “ Flink says. “Traumatic injuries can’t be prevented this way, but inflammatory overuse injuries can.”

Flink and Gibble have worked extensively with many players from the NJ Nets including former Nets player Jason Kidd. After suffering what was thought to be a career-ending injury, Kidd underwent surgery to repair a micro fracture in his left knee. Understanding how specialized his surgery was, Kidd spent three months of intense rehab at Excel. He’s one of the first professional athletes ever to recover from this type of surgery successfully and return to play.

Another Excel success story involves Martin Brodeur, goalie fro the New Jersey Devils. Flink worked with Brodeur for about three months after he recovered from surgery to repair the biceps tendon in his elbow which was torn during a game. Part of Brodeur’s therapy included simulating his on ice activities. “Brodeur would come to rehab with a goalie stick and glove so that we could reintroduce the motions he would need to do once back on the ice," Flink says.

After nine games back on the ice, Brodeur set the record for the most wins ever by a NHL goalie in February 2009 – proof that physical therapy really works.