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No matter how you define "the next level," chances are you'll need to face and overcome various obstacles and challenges to get there. We see that happen every day while working with our clients--in big and small ways. We think many of them can be sources of inspiration and motivation for those who are still in the midst of their own journeys, whether in rehabilitation, sports, or day-to-day lives.
So take a few moments and read through some of these amazing stories by previous and current clients. They may be just the motivation you need to move ever closer toward the next level you seek.
In April 2007, I tore my meniscus and ACL while skiing at Breckenridge.
Often, skiers never fully recover from such injuries due to the difficulty in fully strengthening the knee to the point where you can ski as hard as possible without worrying if your knee can handle it. As someone who bases my life around skiing, it was extremely important for me to make a full recovery both mentally and physically.
I began rehab at Next Level about 10 weeks after surgery. Prior to Next Level, I had been doing rehab at a non-athlete specific clinic due to traveling constraints. Even though I was not behind schedule in my recovery, I improved dramatically after I started going to Next Level. The staff at Next Level pushed me as hard as I was willing to go; they were able to understand the drive I had to recover much better than my previous physical therapists.
Next Level worked with me through the entire fall- until I felt that I was 100 percent recovered. Generally, for an ACL, less rehabilitation is recommended than is necessary to return to a competitive sport (especially one that is as demanding on the knees as skiing). The staff at Next Level pushed me passed the walking/jogging stage all the way back to the point where I felt I could do anything to my knee that I could have done before the injury
I was able to return to the snow much before I was expected to, and was fully recovered by the slopestyle competition season of the following winter (which was less than 8 months after my injury). Next Level's insistence on bringing my entire body back to competition shape allowed me to return a much stronger athlete than I had been before the injury. Since recovering, I've used the knowledge, expertise, and drive I learned from the staff at Next Level to stay injury free while pushing myself as hard as I can.
The staff at Next Level helped (more than) overcome an injury that threatened my skiing aspirations. I highly recommend any athlete returning from an injury to consider Next Level for their rehabilitation.
Brian Locke
Elite Slopestyle Skier
I have been going to Next Level since shortly after it opened. At the time I was coming of ankle surgery and been doing physical therapy with another operation, but I was looking for somewhere where I could incorporate training into my rehab so I could back in shape and return to a competitive level. Next Level was perfect for this; I not only received the physical therapy I needed, but also sport specific training and was able to return to my sport in better shape than I was before my surgery. Since that time I have continued training at Next Level and have received invaluable advice and information on training issues and other injuries I have suffered.
Next Level is unlike any other physical therapy/sports training facility I have been to. When you walk in the door at Next Level, you are not just another patient. They treat you as an individual, and take the time to get to know you and your needs. By doing this, they can cater their treatments to your specific needs in ways other facilities can not.
The hands on techniques taken at Next Level provide thorough and effective treatment. This, coupled with the fact that Next Level utilizes the newest technologies available in the therapy and training fields, allows the staff at Next Level to provide the best treatment available. Because of this, you will see positive results faster than you would at other facilities. After my most recent surgery, I did the initial therapy at another facility and did not see much change or improvement; but, after just a couple visits to Next Level, I saw dramatic results in my recovery.
I recommend visiting Next Level for anyone looking for physical therapy or sports training. I have had great experiences there, and have seen not only myself, but also other patients recover and be able to return to their lifestyle. I always enjoyed my visits to Next Level, as the staff is personable and strives to do all they can for you. Next Level is in a league of their own when it comes to physical therapy and training and I owe them many thanks for enabling me to keep doing the things that I love.
Neal Kopec
University of Notre Dame
I have been having knee difficulties for a number of years; it really got tough to do daily activity in the past 6 months. The folks at Next Level Sports worked with me with very personal/hands on level to see if we could get some relief as well as more flexibility and strength.
After a few sessions, the Next Level folks strongly recommended that I go see an orthopedic surgeon as they believed the only long term solution might be a total knee replacement. Their reference was right on and I had knee replacement 2 months ago.
Since then I’ve been to Next Level for 2 sessions per week and my recovery has been beyond expectations for me and the surgeons. 1) Aggressive, hands on, enthusiastic therapy. 2) Wide range of types of therapy: Stretching, Strengthening, Heat, Cold, Massage/soft tissue, Bicycles, Machines etc. 3) Very solid knowledge of what was going on currently with my knee/recovery and what I could expect in the short and long range future
The recommendations, schedules and forecast Next Level gave me were right on line with what the surgeons told me. I appreciated the flexibility in scheduling my sessions as my work schedule changes very frequently. While I have been to Next Level specifically for rehab, I have also been impressed with the clients that are working toward better performance in athletics and daily life. I’ve seen a number of those people "grow before my eyes".
Overall a very professional group that knows what they are doing and activates it with great passion and enthusiasm.
Steve Saunders
Coors Brewing
February 8, 2007
"To all of you at “Next Level”, that I will always call my friends.
First of all, I’m sorry it took so long to write these words of thanks. It doesn’t really seem like enough to just say thanks; because of your help I was able to resume doing the things I like even sooner than the Doctors thought after having over 20 surgeries & needing therapy to get back to work. When I say your facility & especially all of you that work there are so very special I truly mean it. You make a person feel at home as soon as they walk (or hobble) in.
The knowledge that you all have, & use so very skillfully, is not all that common in other rehabilitation centers I’ve been to. I knew after just a few visits, I surely had come to the best place possible for my recovery.
I would have no reservations at all about telling anyone else about your facility, & that if they did go there; they could expect the same wonderful help and direction that you all showed to me.
Both knees that you helped me with after the replacement surgeries are doing well. I know I should be working them a little harder, but with all this #@%&* snow, I ‘m being a little lazy.
I will be having my left shoulder scoped, so I will be seeing you again soon."
Thank you all again, Your Friend,
Duane Heinz
"I am a 20 year old division I athlete and a year and a half ago I tore my ACL and meniscus playing soccer. I was referred to Next Level by my school for physical therapy after my surgery. They were amazing and understood my needs as a person and a returning athlete. They gave me the attention that I needed and yet knew how far they could challenge me so I could get back before the next season.
The biggest benefit to Next Level was my transition stage to special performance. I had already been working with them through my rehab so they knew me and my injury better than anyone! I used the best machines and had the best support team behind me and I know that without them I wouldn’t have come back as strong or as fast.
I went into pre-season in better shape than 95% of my team, of whom none were injured. Although that was important to me, the biggest importance was not re-injuring my knee that upcoming season. I have seen many of my teammates re-injure their knees multiple times with multiple surgeries and I knew that I didn’t want that to happen to me. I got back to playing at the same level I was at before the surgery and my knee feels better than ever. With the training that I received I was educated on what I needed to do for my body and became a stronger and healthier person in the process.
Without Next Level I know I would have never gotten back to be the same player that I once was. As well as having a very informative and supportive team throughout the long recovery, they were also very personable from the day that I met them. They got to know me and my family and that is the reason why I am still training here today. The people and their training tactics are so different from any other it’s the reason I keep coming back!"
Katie Groy
University of Wyoming
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