At first glance, the rehab regimen at AZ Sports Center seems to replicate those of other therapeutic facilities around the Valley. A closer look tells a different story.
The Kyrene Corridor-based facility gives athletes of all ages the hands-on, one-on-one treatment that many of its patients say they don’t receive at other physical therapy and conditioning centers.
“I hear it all the time from my patients: That we seem to care more than (some of) the other places they have been,” said center director Lois Wolff.
“It’s too bad that people have a bad initial experience with physical therapy. Doctors offer their patients physical therapy options, but then (the patients) don’t get the help and treatment they need, so they get the feeling that physical therapy doesn’t work.
“People then assume that it’s the same at all physical therapy and conditioning centers.”
Wolff has worked with athletes of all ages in Arizona for over nine years, four years ago opening her facility that specializes in orthopedics and sports injuries.
Wolff and her staff have helped several Corona del Sol High School athletes with post-operative, prevention and chronic issues. The center’s focus is on helping athletes learn correct techniques to maximize their output so they can get back out on the field or court as soon as possible.
In recent weeks, Corona softball player Abby Spiel has been helped to recover from an ankle injury.
“Abby tore three ligaments in her ankle with a bone contusion at a softball tournament (while) sliding into second base,” said Wolff. “She is making a good recovery, ahead of schedule, and will hopefully be back on the field soon.”
Wolff worked with Corona quarterback Evan Kinney during the recent season to help him with problems he had with his throwing elbow.
“Initially, Evan was thought to have a sprain in his throwing elbow, but it actually ended up being a fracture,” said Wolff. “He rested after being casted and then went on to have great numbers during the season.”
Wolff has also worked with 2007 Corona graduate Ryan Howard, a quarterback who signed with the University of Nevada.
The center offers core workout sessions every Tuesday and Thursday and a competitive cyclist program to help athletes prepare for the upcoming cyclist racing season.
AZ Sports Center is at 4340 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler. Information: 480-361-1127.
