Los Gatos Weekly-Times

Photograph by George Sakkestad

Physical therapist Hank Winkenwerder does manual manipulation for Alice Pearl's hip fracture.

Rehab, physical performance are coming together at a new facility

By Suzy Ramirez

Specializing in rehabilitation and promoting active lifestyles through technological advances, the Physical Performance Institute recently celebrated its grand opening and commitment to the community in Los Gatos.

The institute is located in the medical office building on the Community Hospital of Los Gatos campus. In conjunction with San Jose State University's Human Performance Department, the facilities are designed to meet and anticipate the community's physical rehabilitation and human performance needs.

As the first center of this magnitude in California, the 11,000-square- foot institute integrates conventional therapies from the hospital with state-of-the-art sport, fitness and health promotion programs provided by SJSU.

"The institute is unique in terms of the partnership between a university and a private hospital," Community Hospital CEO Truman Gates said. "We hope to excel not only in rehabilitative therapy, but also in assessments helping individuals and corporations in the future."

The Health Promotion Center is primarily for corporations and offers the most comprehensive and professional system of cost containment, injury prevention and health promotion. SJSU has also started a stress management program.

The Sports Center provides fitness testing and elite/amateur performance analysis. According to marketing director Brian McEnaney, senior fitness activities, adapted physical education and nutrition services will eventually be created for this center.

Currently the institute is the health-care provider for the San Jose Clash professional soccer team and the San Jose Spitfires professional women's baseball team. The facilities also sponsor the Los Gatos Bicycle Club and are responsible for the sport-performance analysis of the San Jose Sharks.

Computer technology used to measure the physiological functions of athletes and their endurance in terms of anaerobic capacity cannot be found anywhere else in the area. The ability to learn the weaknesses and strengths of an athlete based on specific sport skills can ultimately enhance sport performance and skill.

The Physical Health Center composes most of the institute, providing physical and sports medicine therapy as well as calcium measuring for osteoperosis, an arthritis program, total joint replacement and a spine center. The institute has a pool for aquatic therapy that can produce a current of 6.5 miles per hour, as well as color-coded angles that help patients enter rehabilitation early.

Baltimore Therapeutic Equipment simulates actual work situations and tests deficiencies in athletes; Repetitive Strain Injury uses ergonomics, adapting work to conditions to suit the worker.

"Every hospital and private facility provides physical therapy," said Terry Rutledge, director of the Physical Performance Institute. "But we are equipped above what everyone else has with physical technology ahead of the rest."

Even technology needs some direction, and medical directors Dr. Douglas Blatz and Dr. Marty Trieb--who, according to Rutledge, "are well-known for their leadership"--provide this necessary human touch and skilled authority.

The institute is currently working to build a staff able to provide stronger services with the technology. Staff training when the institute first opened enabled all employees to experience and become familiar with the newest equipment. Certified trainers have the opportunity to use their expertise while learning and applying new technology.

"The technology is really state-of-the-art," said Gary Wick, physical therapist and certified athletic trainer. "The capabilities we have are some of the best in nation. I don't know who could rival the potential we have."

Beginning Nov. 6, the institute will present a free sports medicine clinic for all high school athletes. For more about the institute, call the Physical Performance Institute at 866-4059.

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