For many athletes, the hardest part of an injury isn’t the initial rehabilitation—it’s the psychological and physical hurdle of returning to peak competition. To address this critical phase of recovery, Valley Health System recently announced the launch of its Return to Sport Program.
The initiative, based at The Valley Center for Health and Wellness in Mahwah, is designed to provide a specialized “bridge” for athletes who have finished traditional physical therapy but aren’t yet ready for the high impact demands of competitive play.
The program moves past basic recovery, focusing instead on sport-specific movement, agility, and performance. Led by a team of sports medicine specialists and physical therapists with experience in collegiate and professional athletics, the program begins with a rigorous readiness assessment.
“Recovering from an injury is only one part of the journey for athletes,” Dr. Samuel Jacob, a specialist in sports medicine and physical medicine and rehabilitation, said. “Our program bridges the gap between rehabilitation and competition, helping athletes rebuild confidence, improve performance, and reduce the risk of reinjury.”
The Return to Sport Program is open to athletes ages 14 and older. This includes a wide spectrum of the sporting community, from high school and club team players to professional athletes and “weekend warriors” engaged in recreational sports.
The program treats a comprehensive list of conditions, including:
- Acute Injuries: Sprains, dislocations, muscle tears, and contusions.
- Chronic Issues: Overuse injuries and tendinitis.
- Post-Surgical Care: Helping athletes who face a delayed return to play following surgery.
- Concussion Management: Safe reintegration into physical activity following head injuries.
Each participant receives a customized treatment plan that focuses on four pillars: strength, agility, endurance, and movement quality. By tailoring the regimen to an athlete’s specific sport and position, the team ensures the transition to the field or court is as seamless as possible.
“Our team-based approach ensures that patients receive expert guidance tailored to their sport, position, and individual goals,” Dr. Zhi Cheng Chen, sports medicine specialist at Valley, said.
The program is centrally located at 1400 MacArthur Boulevard in Mahwah. As sports participation continues to grow across Bergen County, Valley Health’s latest offering provides a much-needed resource for local families looking to protect their young athletes and help them perform at their best.
Athletes and parents interested in learning more about the Return to Sport Program can visit ValleyHealth.com/ReturnToSport or schedule a consultation by calling 201-447-8134.
