Get Back in the Game—Pain-Free and Stronger Than Ever

Thomas was an avid high school soccer player with dreams of making it to the college level. He trained hard and played even harder, but one misstep during a match changed everything. As he lunged for the ball, he felt a sharp pain in his ankle and crumpled to the ground. The diagnosis was quick but disheartening: an ankle sprain.

Fortunately, at Rebound Fitness & Rehabilitation, our therapists are skilled at identifying and treating all types of sports injuries. Our therapists will conduct a whole-body assessment to ensure we identify all the factors that may impact recovery and design our programs tailored to the individual.

Video Tips of the Month

Patient Success Story

“The physical therapy that I have received at Rebound Fitness from Jay Hong has been extraordinary. His depth of knowledge, skill and encouragement has made all the difference in my recovery from several major surgeries. I have gone to physical therapy at other places through the years and the minute I walked into Rebound, I knew it was different. Greg Cardichon (the owner) and the entire staff have created a wonderful environment- kind, caring and genuinely interested in you as a person. Thanks to Rebound, I have made major progress and I am confident that my progress will continue!”

– Melissa

Identifying an Ankle Sprain

At first, Thomas didn’t know the severity of his injury. Like many, he thought he could just ‘walk it off.’ However, the key signs were there: 

  • Pain 
  • Swelling
  • Difficulty putting weight on the foot

Ankle sprains occur when the ligaments that support the ankle stretch beyond their limits and tear. When Thomas landed awkwardly, he twisted his ankle in the process. Although ankle sprains are common in sports and often ignored, getting proper care is critical to quick recovery and reducing the risk of future injuries. 

Unfortunately, too often, athletes don’t want to miss out on competing and “play through” injuries. Ankle sprains, in particular, are susceptible to recurrent sprains, especially when not properly rehabilitated.

The Road to Recovery

Thomas’s journey to recovery began with a visit to Rebound Fitness & Rehabilitation. He was evaluated by one of our skilled physical therapists and given guidance on how to recover quickly and get back into the game! 

  • Initial Steps: Initially, Thomas’s therapy focused on reducing his pain, eliminating his swelling, and restoring his mobility. This involved:
    • M.I.C.E (Move, Ice, Compression, Elevation): This simple method is crucial in the early stages of an ankle sprain. Thomas learned to keep moving his ankle, apply ice to reduce pain, and use compression with elevation to reduce the swelling.
  • Building Strength and Stability: Once the swelling reduced, Thomas’s therapy shifted gears towards rebuilding strength and stability. This phase included:
    • Strengthening Exercises: Thomas worked on exercises to strengthen the muscles around his ankle. These included toe raises and resistance band exercises.
    • Balance Training: To regain stability, Thomas practiced balancing exercises. This was crucial to prevent future sprains.
  • Regaining Functionality: The final phase of Thomas’s therapy centered on getting him back to his pre-injury level and back on the field. This involved:
    • Functional Training: Thomas gradually returned to activities that mimicked soccer movements.
    • Sport-Specific Drills: As he regained strength, sport-specific exercises were introduced to prepare him for returning to soccer.
Greg Cadichon
Read More

Greg Cadichon

ATC, LAT, Founder and Director, Rebound Fitness & Rehabilitation, Inc.

John Brna
Read More

John Brna

MD, Medical advisor and consultant

Try an October “Reset” Before the Winter Holidays

With the weather finally starting to cool off, October is a great time to get back into the habit of physical activity before the holidays kick into gear. Here are some of our favorite ways to get moving in the fall:

  • Go for a walk. Now’s the perfect time to take advantage of cooler temperatures. A brisk walk around your neighborhood is also a great way to admire your neighbors’ Halloween decorations.
  • Enjoy a game of tag football. Why should the pros have all the fun? Invite your friends over for a friendly skirmish–no tackling required.
  • Try a local hiking trail: You aren’t the only one enjoying the cooler weather. Spend a few hours exploring a nearby hiking trail and check out what nature’s doing to prepare for winter.

At Rebound Fitness & Rehabilitation, we know things start to get busy at Halloween–but October is the perfect time to squeeze in some fun outdoor activities before things get going!

Recipe of the Month: Breakfast Tacos

Ingredients:

  • 4 large eggs
  • Sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon avocado oil
  • 1 cup Pico de Gallo
  • ¼ cup grated cheddar cheese or Mexican cheese blend
  • ½ avocado, sliced
  • 4 corn or flour tortillas, warmed or charred over a gas flame
  • Fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish
  • Hot sauce, for serving

Instructions:

  1. In a medium bowl, beat the eggs with a pinch of salt.
  2. In a medium nonstick skillet, heat the avocado oil over medium heat. Add half the pico de gallo and cook, stirring, for 3 to 5 minutes, or until lightly softened. Add the eggs and scramble until just set. Stir in the cheese and remove from the heat.
  3. To assemble breakfast tacos, divide the eggs and avocado slices among the tortillas. Top with the remaining pico de gallo and cilantro. Serve with hot sauce.