"It's not whether you get knocked down; it's whether you get back up."

                 -- Vince Lombardi, Hall of Fame football coach

 

All athletes get knocked down by injury, often more than once, during their careers.  Their first thought is not the pain, but rather how quickly they can get up and return to action.

 

Helping athletes "return to action" is a primary focus of Sport & Family Physical Therapy, whose owners have a long track record of rehabilitating sports injuries, including many suffered by high school athletes who have visited their practices in Ellicott City and Towson.

 

Sport & Family Physical Therapy is owned by Jeff Torockio and Ron Herbst, proven professionals with decades of experience.  Jeff and Ron are both licensed physical therapists and Nancy has worked in physical therapy practices for more than two decades.  And, Jeff's wife Nancy serves as the practices business manager.

 

Jeff certainly understands the passion of young athletes.  Prior to earning his degree from New York University, he competed in high school football, baseball and track.  Like most kids, he also participated in little league and it was there the seeds of his future career were planted by a coach who also happened to be a physical therapist.

“I was always interested in sports injury and sports recovery, and knew I wanted to do something dynamic, working with people," said Torockio.  "It’s been really rewarding helping people get back to life and the activities that they love.”

 

Ron got back into full time treatment after many years of administration because of his love for the field.

 

"There is no greater feeling than working with a person to figure out what is wrong with them and then fix the problem," said Herbst.   "Of course the greatest feeling is to watch them go back to the activity or sports that they love."

 

Ron has over 12 years of experience treating all types of athletes including the Baltimore Orioles, Champion tour and LPGA tour members, multiple local high school and college baseball, lacrosse and soccer athletes.  He has also lectured extensively on golf fitness and has been a guest host on ESPN radio here in Baltimore to talk about fitness.

 

Helping those recovering from the pain of injuries, including those suffered by non-athletes, is a rewarding experience to this ownership team, which has created a family oriented environment at each of their offices, where you will find many photos of their family, friends and clients.  You may also enjoy their complimentary, serve yourself snack and coffee kitchnette, but you will love their dedication to guiding you through your treament program, to relieve your pain, rebuild your strength and return you to a normal life.

 

The roster of athletes who have availed themselves to the services of Sport & Family Physical Therapy include football, baseball and soccer players, among many others, as well as figure skaters and members of color guards.

 

Here are a few of their stories and how they "got back up" with the help of Sport & Family Physical Therapy.

 

Andrew Parker

Parker, a senior catcher on Cardinal Gibbons' varsity baseball team, suffered a baseball-related knee injury last season.  He visited Jeff Torockio at Sport & Family where he underwent treatment for just one week and his knee was healed.

 

Torockio discovered that it was a hip tendon injury and not a knee injury that was ailing Andrew.  A plan was devised to strengthen Andrew's hip through exercise and he was back in action quickly.

 

“Jeff is really knowledgeable about what he does and I really appreciate his help in getting me back into game-shape, and it only took a week,” said Parker.

 

Brittany Frankel

Frankel is a freshman this year at Century High in Carroll County and she is a member of the school's color guard squad.    She is also the Grand National Twirling Champion and won the 2007 Pre-Teen Miss Majorette of America award.  Not long ago, however, she found her a twirling halted by an injury.

 

“In March of 2007, I injured my hamstring very bad and thought my twirling season was over," said Frankel.  "However, with Jeff’s help, I made a quick recovery and could twirl again, in almost no time at all.

 

"Nancy was a whiz with scheduling and could work around my hectic school and practice schedule.  Jeff is so nice and has a very nice office.  Without them I wouldn’t have been able to win 2007 pre-teen Miss Majorette of America or Grand National Twirling Champion.  I couldn’t thank them enough.”

 

Andrew Berdy

Berdy, a resident of Ellicott City is a 45 year old golfer, who was also quickly restored to his favorite pass time by the experts at Sport & Family Physical Therapy.

 

"The quality and attention to detail which Jeff and his staff provide is great," said Berdy.  "I have worked with several therapists and find Sport & Family PT to be the best in the area.  I definitely recommend them.”

 

Vincent Garofalo

Garofalo is a graduate of Mount St. Joseph High School where he played soccer before graduating last spring.  He is now a freshman defender for the College of the Holy Cross College (Ma.), but as recently as last March knee tendonitis limited his ability to play and train.

 

However, a summer of treatment at Sport & Family, which last from June through mid-August, got Garofalo back to the top of his game, allowing to report to Holy Cross for the start of summer practice with his new team.

 

“I can play again at a level I wasn’t at before," said Garofalo.  "Treatment at Sport & Family was a great experience.”

 

The next time you, or an athlete in your family, suffers an injury that requires rehabilitation, consider the services of Sport & Family Physical Therapy for caring treatment aimed at a complete recovery and a quick return to action.

 

Kayla Wiseman

Wiseman was a cheerleader at Eastern Technical High School and graduated in May 2008.  She is currently attending Essex Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC Essex) and is being treated for a surgical repair of the glenoid labrum, an injury she sustained after a dislocation while cheerleading.

 

"I had surgery in June 2008 to repair a torn labrum after I dislocated my shoulder while cheerleading.  I have been coming to Sport and Family Physical Therapy for my rehabilitation, which has focused primarily on regaining range of motion and strength of my shoulder," said Wiseman.  "My shoulder has improved tremendously thanks to the dedication of the physical therapists.  They have given me a lot of exercises to help achieve my goals.  I would definitely return to this clinic if I were to injure myself in the future."