NovaCare Rehabilitation

03/23/2025

After a fall at home resulted in a pelvic fracture, Suzanne White faced a long road to recovery. Having previously undergone a total hip replacement and bilateral knee replacements, she knew the importance of rehabilitation. After spending time in inpatient rehabilitation, she transitioned to outpatient therapy at our NovaCare Rehabilitation center in Delmar, where she began working with physical therapist Mary Harshman.
Struggling with endurance, walking and weightbearing on her left side, Suzanne’s treatment plan focused on:

✅ Gentle, weightbearing exercises to safely rebuild strength
✅ Gait training to improve walking mechanics and confidence
✅ Balance and stability work to reduce fall risk
✅ Endurance exercises to increase stamina for daily activities

With dedication and expert care, Suzanne is making incredible progress. She’s now working toward her ultimate goal — walking without an assistive device.

Suzanne, we’re so proud of your hard work and can’t wait to see you enjoying time with your family again. Thanks for choosing NovaCare!

03/22/2025

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the world, and according to the American Association for Cancer Research, it's increasingly being diagnosed in people under the age of 50. Check out our latest blog to learn about the one treatment option that may bring together the many complex aspects of this health care journey.

With March being Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, let’s look at the benefits of cancer rehabilitation in a broad sense and call out how it helps those specifically impacted by colorectal cancer.

03/20/2025

It's the first day of spring! But before you start preparing those gardens for eventual May flowers, learn about the best (and funniest) gardening hacks from WorkStrategies Athletic Trainer Erin O'Brien.

03/19/2025

Ray Craighead was five miles from home, returning from a two-day, 170-mile bike tour on Sept. 20, 2022, when a van driving 55 mph hit him. Rushed to a local trauma center and close to death, a long road of recovery lay ahead.

Ray had brain surgery that December to reduce some of the symptoms from his accident.

It wasn't until Ray had recurrent falls in January 2024 that his care team suggested physical therapy. That suggestion led Ray's daughter to research neurological physical therapy, and ultimately, find us.

At the time Ray began physical therapy, he could not get around his home without assistance. He also was struggling with neurodegenerative dementia, a new diagnosis.

Ray has always enjoyed drawing. With a bachelor's degree in fine arts, he spent much of his career as an illustrator and later worked in IT. However, after the accident, Ray was forced to retire.

He knew his skill levels would never be the same. But he wanted to regain some sense of normalcy.

Working with Physical Therapist Paige Strivers, Ray has found a sense of self. While he may not be back to doing portraits, he is drawing again.

Paige and Ray continue to use various activities to restore parts of Ray's life. They've been using BlazePods to help improve his balance, as well as picking up items off the ground or doing obstacle courses.

While Ray still has a way to go with his physical therapy journey, we are happy that he's on a new path of healing with Paige.

03/19/2025

🏀Tournament time is here. With all the high-flying action on the court, did you know that one of the most common injuries in basketball is jumper’s knee? Also known as patellar tendinopathy, this condition causes pain at the front of the knee. It often affects not just basketball players, but also runners, volleyball players and other athletes who rely on explosive jumping and quick movements.

If you’re feeling pain at the front of your knee, Physical Therapist Scott Foster from our Sixth Man center recommends it might be time to strengthen and support your patellar tendon with these three exercises:

1- Isometric Wall Sit – Lean against a wall and hold in a squat position for 30 to 45 seconds. This builds quadriceps strength while reducing strain on the knee.
2- Eccentric Single-Leg Squat – Stand on one leg and slowly lower yourself down into a squat, taking about 3 to 5 seconds to descend. This helps the tendon adapt to load and improves knee stability.
3- Bulgarian Split Squat – Place one foot on a bench behind you and lower into a lunge. This strengthens the quadriceps, glutes and stabilizers to better support knee function.

Don’t let knee pain take you out of the game!

⚠️ If you experience pain, stop these exercises and consult one of our expert physical therapists for personalized care.

03/15/2025

Physical therapy is more than just exercises — it’s science-driven recovery.

At NovaCare Rehabilitation, we utilize cutting-edge tools and technology to enhance healing, improve movement and optimize your recovery. From BlazePods to blood flow restriction therapy to real-time movement analysis, innovation is at the core of what we do.

Swipe through to see how advanced technology is transforming rehabilitation and helping patients get back to what they love, faster and stronger.

03/13/2025

Injury prevention is the best game plan, and athletic trainers can help you get there. Check out these three tips from Athletic Trainer, Physical Therapist Assistant and Area Director of Sports Medicine, Karen Alexander.

03/10/2025

It's a tragic and all-too-common tale: an athlete down, the crowd suddenly silenced and emergency crews rushing to the scene. The first person leading that team of responders is often an athletic trainer. Athletic trainers are well-versed in athletic emergencies, with training in first aid, CPR, how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED) and heat safety. That's just one reason their role is so important.

Read our latest blog to learn about the vital work of the athletic trainer on and off the field.

Sports medicine’s health care specialists on and off the field.

03/08/2025

Do you know all the ways athletic trainers help keep athletes safe? Our athletic trainers are key to any team, from schools and colleges to pro athletic programs to community partners and workplaces.

03/07/2025

William Bitler moved from knee pain to a new lease on life when he came to NovaCare Rehabilitation in Birdsboro, Pa., for his care.

William was struggling with progressively worsening knee pain that had affected his mobility for 15 years. An avid walker, he found it difficult to keep up with his wife and hoped physical therapy would help him avoid surgery.

During his evaluation, Physical Therapist David Kutteroff noticed something wasn’t right with his heart and urged William to see his doctor immediately before continuing therapy. That decision proved life-saving — William was diagnosed with a blood clot in his left ventricle, a condition that could have led to heart failure.

Thanks to prompt medical intervention, William's heart issue was addressed, and seven months later, he chose to undergo knee replacement surgery.

After surgery, William started in-home therapy and progressed from using a walker to a cane. He soon progressed to outpatient therapy at our Birdsboro Center and just 10 weeks later, he was walking up to three miles—pain-free and without a limp. Now, he's back to yardwork and enjoying walks with his family.

“In my opinion, David was instrumental in saving my life because he recognized something was amiss with my heart,” William said. “Had he not done that, I probably wouldn’t have gone to the doctor, and it’s possible I could have died.”

Congratulations, William, on your incredible recovery! We’re grateful to have played a role in your journey to better health.

03/06/2025

Anne’s comeback: From shoulder surgery to spiking again.

For Anne Daly, volleyball isn’t just a game, it’s a passion. As an avid player on a senior women’s club team, she wasn’t ready to give up the sport when shoulder pain began limiting her play in 2023.

After trying cortisone shots to manage the pain, she competed in regional and national tournaments, but quickly realized she needed a long-term solution.

In January 2024, Anne underwent rotator cuff surgery and began physical therapy two weeks later. While she made progress, lingering stiffness and limited mobility led to a second procedure in June to break up scar tissue. Unfortunately, an MRI revealed additional tears, and her doctor recommended a shoulder replacement. In September, Anne underwent a reverse shoulder replacement and returned to NovaCare Rehabilitation to continue her recovery.

With the dedicated guidance of Physical Therapists Magan Forman and Dawn Dombchik, Anne worked through months of therapy, focusing on strengthening, mobility and volleyball-specific exercises. After 4 ½ months of hard work, she achieved her ultimate goal: Getting back on the court.

“My therapy at NovaCare would not have been successful without the expertise, encouragement and support from my therapists Magan and Dawn,” Anne shared. “They were very hands-on, making sure I was doing the exercises properly and at the appropriate level for my progress. I so appreciate them. I don’t think I could ever express my gratitude for their time and support over this past year.”

Anne, your determination is inspiring, and we are so happy to see you playing again!

03/04/2025

Get your arm game ready!

Baseball season is right around the corner. Are you doing everything you can to prepare your arm for the demands of throwing? Physical Therapists Kevin Aylward and Scott Lavallee demonstrate key exercises to help you build strength, improve mobility and reduce injury risk.

If you have questions or are dealing with an injury, our expert physical therapists are here to help. Let’s get you ready for a strong, healthy season.

03/01/2025

March is National Athletic Training Month. The impact of athletic trainers goes way beyond the bench. They help athletes of all levels stay strong, healthy and performing at their best. Join us this month as we celebrate these champions in health care.

02/28/2025

High impact or low impact to help with arthritis? Strength training or cardio for high blood pressure? We all know exercise is good for our health, but which exercises are best when it comes to chronic conditions? Our latest blog dives into the benefits when one plan does not fit all.

You don’t have to be a passive rider on the rollercoaster of disease. You can use the power of physical therapy to control disease progression and enjoy your life.

02/27/2025

Are you or someone you know a female athlete looking to elevate your performance and remain injury-free?

In honor of National Girls and Women in Sports Day we recently held a webinar designed specifically for female athletes of all ages and their family members.

Topics included:
• The role of physical therapy in women’s sports
• Unique health considerations for female athletes
• Strategies for preventing and recovering from common injuries
• Building strength and resilience across all ages

If you missed it, don't worry, we have you covered. Check out the recording to gain valuable insights and take your game to the next level.

Click the link below to watch.
https://bit.ly/3Xh8Z3u

02/27/2025

You can just go on and do the running man right into one of our centers.

02/25/2025

Remember the days of AOL, flip phones and boom boxes? We grew up, and so did our aches and pains. But getting older doesn’t mean slowing down.

Physical therapy can help you move better, feel stronger and get back to doing what you love.

Don’t let pain hit pause on your life—let’s hit refresh together.