Share a bit about your athletic + injury history with us!

I've been a competitive triathlete for the past 5 years and had remained relatively injury-free until I was diagnosed with a femoral neck stress fracture in February of 2020. I had hoped to make a quick return to running once I was healed, but turns out a couple of months on crutches definitely takes a bit more effort to come back from. I started working with Nina after a few months of struggling by myself through a return to run program that ultimately left me injured and with some big compensation issues present.

Nina was an invaluable resource in helping me build functional strength, starting with the basics, and progressing as my body adapted. She looked at the whole athlete, and not just the injured area to help me become a strong and durable athlete again. As we encountered a few setbacks together in my road back to running, Nina was inquisitive, extremely detailed oriented, and really dove into the mechanics of how my body moved to help address the root causes rather than masking the symptoms.

Nina and I worked together for about 6 months and she helped me build from a 30 minute walk, into now running comfortably over an hour with speed workouts. I feel stronger, more durable, and confident in the way my body moves than I ever have before!

What was your motivation for pursuing athletic training?

I wanted help building my body back from my stress fracture and be able to run consistently while staying injury free. I knew I needed the help of a trained professional to asses my weaknesses and help me strengthen my functional abilities to become a durable runner once again.

What's the main reason you'd recommend Nina Szemis, ATC?

I have been to quite a few physical therapists or athletic trainers before working with Nina. She was by far the most detailed, engaged, and helpful professional I have ever worked with. Nina constantly evaluated how I moved and performed the exercises and gave helpful cues to ensure I was practicing proper form. When my symptoms continued or came back, she reassessed my entire movement pattern and continually looked for weaknesses that would account for the pain. Nina was truly as invested in my success as I was and it felt like a partnership on the road back to running.

Were there any obstacles that almost prevented you from reaching out to our team?

Nope! I was referred to this team by a few fellow runners and setting up a consultation and first appointment was a no brainer!

What's been one unexpected aspect of your recovery with Physical TheraPT?

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I was surprised at how responsive and helpful Nina was outside our in person appointments. She was available via email or phone to answer any questions I had or talk me down when I felt anxious over my injuries. I had never worked with a PT/AT that did that.

What would you tell someone who's considering physical therapy or athletic training with us?

I would tell them that the cost is 100% worth it. Working with Nina was honestly one of the best decisions I've made in regards to my health and athletic pursuits. After working with her, I know that a traditional AT/PT model would not have been as successful. If someone is truly looking to identify their weaknesses, get stronger, and become a less injury-prone athlete, I wouldn't work with anyone else!