At C.O.R.E., our greatest success is the progress our patients make every day. We’re proud to share real stories from individuals who have overcome injuries, regained strength, and returned to doing what they love. When you choose C.O.R.E., you become part of our extended family. Explore some of the inspiring journeys from our patients.
Dalys, Rotator Cuff Tear, Sports Performance
Injury:Rotator cuff repair, Sports Performance training
Services Utilized:Therapy ex, balance training, sports specific training, Russian stimulation feedback training, ballistic power and overspeed training, programming,
Results
Dalys began training at C.O.R.E. Physical Therapy and Sports Performance in Omaha when he was just 15 years old, following in the footsteps of his older brother, who successfully recovered from an ACL injury and returned to football through rehabilitation and sports performance training at CORE.
From the beginning, our team focused on individualized sports performance training designed specifically for Dalys’ position, strengths, weaknesses, movement patterns, and athletic potential. At CORE, we believe elite athletic development requires more than generalized workouts. Our programs are tailored to each athlete’s sport, position-specific demands, recovery needs, and long-term performance goals. Along with advanced performance training, we also incorporated guidance in sports nutrition, recovery strategies, mobility work, and injury prevention.
During his senior football season at Millard West High School, Dalys suffered a right shoulder injury. Through a combination of personalized physical therapy, rehabilitation, and continued sports performance training, he was able to fully recover and continue progressing athletically. His hard work and dedication eventually earned him the opportunity to play Division I football at South Dakota State University, where he became part of a national championship program.
Dalys’ journey is a great example of what can happen when natural athletic ability is combined with exceptional work ethic and evidence-based sports performance training. Throughout his development, the CORE team implemented advanced speed, agility, strength, and power training designed specifically for his role as a defensive back. This included overspeed sprint training, acceleration mechanics, vertical jump development, agility drills, footwork progression, and position-specific movement training to improve his speed, balance, reaction time, and overall athleticism.
As an NFL athlete, quick footwork, backpedal mechanics, acceleration, and rapid directional changes were critical to his success on the field. Our staff created highly specialized drills and programming focused on improving turnover speed, movement efficiency, and sport-specific performance demands unique to his position.
We are incredibly proud to have been part of Dalys’ athletic journey and continue working with him during breaks and off-seasons to support his recovery and ongoing performance goals. His story reflects the CORE philosophy: when individualized training, expert coaching, scientific programming, and relentless work ethic come together, exceptional results follow.
C.O.R.E. Physical Therapy and Sports Performance in Omaha — come experience the CORE difference.
17660 Wright St, Suites 9/10/11
Omaha, NE 68130
402-930-4027
CORE Physical Therapy is a small family owned business.
CORE Physical Therapy has no investors.
CORE Physical Therapy runs completely independent.
CORE Physical Therapy competes against huge companies and Hospitals.
CORE Physical Therapy has won Best of Omaha, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
CORE Physical Therapy has to be better than its competition to compete.
CORE Physical Therapy is different, Come see the CORE difference.
At CORE Physical Therapy in Omaha, We specialize in the treatment of athletes. We have worked with athletes for a combined 30 years. CORE was established in 2015 by Dr. Mark and Dr. Claire Rathjen. CORE is family owned and operated.
Proud winners of the Omaha Choice awards for 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
Expertise award winners 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
Faces of Omaha Winners 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
We are proud to serve the greater Omaha metro area; Gretna, Elkhorn, Papillion, Bellevue.
For More information, Please feel free to contact us http://coreomaha.com/contact/
Please feel free to follow us at https://www.facebook.com/COREomaha/
To get started http://coreomaha.com/getting-started/
For more Blog information http://coreomaha.com/blog/
Youtube Account linked below.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVg8OSN5h-i1n_ykw1Gvahg?view_as=subscriber
Brandon, Achilles Tendon Rupture, Physical Therapy
Injury:achilles tendon Rupture, Repaired Surgical in Omaha
Services Utilized:Therapy exercises, proprioceptive training, balance training, reactive drill training, heavy scar tissue mobilization with Graston, Russian muscle stimulation, Return to contact sports training.
Results
In 2021, Brandon suffered a complete Achilles tendon rupture while playing basketball after one awkward step changed everything instantly. Following successful surgery, he knew choosing the right physical therapy clinic would be critical to returning to the sport and activity level he loved. As an active athlete and competitive basketball player, Brandon wanted a rehabilitation program that would help him regain full strength, mobility, confidence, and performance. After researching clinics and hearing recommendations within the basketball community, he chose C.O.R.E. Physical Therapy and Sports Performance in Omaha.
During the first phase of recovery following surgery, Brandon remained in a cast and walking boot for approximately six weeks. Throughout this period, our team focused on protecting the surgical repair while minimizing muscle atrophy and maintaining strength through non-weight-bearing exercise, neuromuscular activation, and electrical muscle stimulation for the calf and ankle musculature.
Once cleared to transition out of the boot, rehabilitation progressed into gait training, balance development, mobility work, and lower extremity strengthening. At CORE Physical Therapy in Omaha, we place a strong emphasis on restoring proper movement mechanics before progressing athletes into higher-level activities like running and jumping. Brandon worked extensively on gait symmetry, movement efficiency, and rebuilding confidence in his injured leg through visual feedback, auditory cueing, and repetitive movement retraining.
As his strength improved, rehabilitation advanced into progressive plyometric and basketball-specific training. We introduced controlled jumping drills, single-leg landing mechanics, box jumps, and surface variability training to prepare him for the unpredictable demands of basketball. Over time, Brandon progressed from simple jump mechanics to advanced landing drills, agility movements, and sport-specific conditioning designed to simulate real-game situations.
At approximately nine months post-surgery, Brandon began an aggressive return-to-sport phase focused on basketball performance and injury prevention. This stage included reaction drills, awkward landing simulations, contact preparation, balance challenges, cutting mechanics, sprint progression, and sport-specific movement retraining. The goal was not simply returning to activity—but preparing him for the speed, explosiveness, and physical demands required to safely return to competitive basketball.
Through months of hard work, consistency, and dedication, Brandon successfully returned to full sprinting, jumping, basketball activity, and strength training without significant gait deviations or functional limitations. His recovery required countless repetitions, advanced proprioceptive training, cognitive reaction drills, and progressive sports rehabilitation strategies to fully restore confidence and athletic performance.
We are incredibly proud of Brandon’s commitment to the rehabilitation process and grateful to have been part of his recovery journey. At C.O.R.E. Physical Therapy and Sports Performance in Omaha, our patients become part of our family, and Brandon’s story is a true example of what dedication, expert rehabilitation, and individualized sports physical therapy can accomplish.
Ron, Total Knee Replacement | CORE Physical Therapy Success Story
Injury:
Services Utilized:
Results
Ron came to CORE Physical Therapy & Sports Performance after undergoing a total knee replacement with one goal in mind — getting back to the active lifestyle he enjoys every day.
At 78 years old, Ron stays constantly on the move. From maintaining an active routine to driving a manual transmission car regularly, returning to confident, controlled movement was incredibly important to him.
After a knee replacement, rehabilitation is about much more than simply walking again. For active patients like Ron, restoring proper footwork, gait mechanics, balance, coordination, and lower-body strength is critical to returning to real-life activities safely and confidently.
That became our focus from day one.
Through individualized one-on-one physical therapy sessions, Ron worked through progressive strength training, mobility exercises, balance work, and gait retraining specifically designed around his lifestyle and goals. We emphasized movement quality, lower extremity control, and functional strength to help him regain confidence both in and out of the clinic.
Little by little, the progress added up.
Ron continued improving his mobility, stability, endurance, and overall movement mechanics while building the strength needed to stay active and independent.
At CORE, we believe rehabilitation should always be individualized — regardless of age.
Being older does not mean your recovery should be limited to basic exercises or minimal expectations. Ron’s success is another reminder that with the right plan, the right mindset, and one-on-one care, patients can continue performing at a high level and enjoying the activities they love.
Age is just a number.
We are incredibly proud of the hard work Ron put into his recovery and thankful to be part of his journey back to living actively and confidently.
Reagan, Bicep Repair, Physical Therapy
Injury:Bicep Repair
Services Utilized:Therapeutic exercise, manual therapy, Dry needling, Graston, Post op Surgical Protocol
Results
As a professional Bodybuilder, Reagan needed to get back to competing after a bicep tear. After being surgically re attached here by a local surgeon in the Omaha area.
We started post op 3 weeks, with gentle range of motion and graviton supination in passive ranges only.
At 6 weeks, we start moving with active range of motion in all planes in a controlled manor. We also started manual graston and deep tissues therapy on the bicep insertion to start building collagen and tissue strength. In addition we added in posterior radial heal mobilizations to aid in full supination. He was able to lift heavy with all pressing activities and began squatting with a straight bar.
At 12 weeks full strength training began. Pronation, supination, wrist work, and of course all variations of bicep curls. Pressing continues to progress heavier into the 400lbs ranges, Squats progress to the 500lbs range for sets 10.
At 16 weeks, heavier manual therapy and dry needling to aid in scar tissue formation, breakdown and re absorbing overall. Continues with heavy eccentric training for re arragment of the collagen and muscular fibers. Squat sets up to 600×10 were common. Pressing overhead and pull-ups continues medium weight progression.
At 20 weeks, full discharge back to full bodybuilding regiment.
Not everyone will recover at the rate of a pro bodybuilder, but successful outcomes adorn our “wall of fame” here in the clinic in all ages and levels of competition in the Omaha metro area.
The key to success for a Bodybuilder was to minimize overall down time and muscle loss. Lifting mechanics and exercise selection to minimize risks and muscle maintenance were of paramount importance overall. He also worked hard on nutrition staying lean into the 280lb bodyweight range. We tailored workouts that would minimize stress to the surgical repair while keeping as much muscle mass as possible.
We were happy to assist Reagan during his rehab back to being a professional athletes. We work with patients like him every day. We get our Omaha Patients back to full, and better than before.
At CORE Physical Therapy in Omaha, We specialize in the treatment of athletes. We have worked with athletes for a combined 30 years. CORE was established in 2015 by Dr. Mark and Dr. Claire Rathjen is family owned and operated.
Proud winners of the Omaha Choice awards for 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
We are proud to serve the greater Omaha metro area.
For More information, Please feel free to contact us http://coreomaha.com/contact/
Please feel free to follow us at https://www.facebook.com/COREomaha/
To get started http://coreomaha.com/getting-started/
For more Blog information http://coreomaha.com/blog/
Youtube Account linked below.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVg8OSN5h-i1n_ykw1Gvahg?view_as=subscriber
Ashonte, Labral Shoulder Repair and Debridement, Physical Therapy
Injury:
Services Utilized:
Results
Ashonte’s rehabilitation journey at C.O.R.E. Physical Therapy in Omaha was anything but traditional. Following shoulder surgery in 2020, she faced several additional health challenges along with a very conservative post-surgical rehabilitation protocol that limited her progress early in recovery. Despite completing her initial rehabilitation, she continued to experience significant pain, weakness, and functional limitations in her shoulder.
At CORE Physical Therapy, we recognized that her recovery was not progressing the way it should. After careful evaluation and discussion, we referred Ashonte to a highly respected orthopedic surgeon at UNMC for further assessment and surgical correction.
During her second surgery, the underlying issues contributing to her persistent shoulder pain were addressed, including pathology involving the long head of the biceps tendon, which had been a major source of her anterior shoulder pain. Following surgery, our team worked closely with her surgeon throughout the rehabilitation process to ensure her program advanced safely and appropriately while still maximizing progress.
During the first six weeks of rehabilitation, the focus was on passive range of motion, tissue healing, and protecting the surgical repair. Through consistent one-on-one physical therapy sessions, Ashonte regained more than 85% of her passive shoulder mobility early in the recovery process.
As active range of motion and strengthening began, treatment focused heavily on correcting faulty movement patterns, improving shoulder stability, and retraining proper muscle recruitment. We worked extensively to reduce upper trapezius compensation and improve activation of the rotator cuff, scapular stabilizers, and surrounding musculature to create more efficient and pain-free movement patterns.
By 18 weeks post-operatively, Ashonte had regained full passive range of motion and continued progressing through advanced strengthening and stability exercises. Her rehabilitation included multidirectional strengthening, core stabilization, weight-bearing exercises, and progressive resistance training designed to restore shoulder strength, symmetry, and function after years of pain and compensation.
Because of the complexity of her condition, personalized care was essential. At CORE Physical Therapy in Omaha, Ashonte worked one-on-one with the same Doctor of Physical Therapy throughout her entire recovery process, allowing for consistent communication, individualized progression, and specialized attention every step of the way.
As a family-owned and operated physical therapy clinic in Omaha, we believe every patient deserves individualized care, expert rehabilitation, and the support of a team that truly treats them like family.
CORE Physical Therapy and Sports Performance. PC
Come see the CORE Difference.
Spenser, ACL Reconstruction, Physical Therapy
Injury:ACL isolated tear and reconstruction
Services Utilized:Physical therapy, Sports Performance, Manual Therapy, Proprioceptive integration therapy, Functional Strengthening, Russian stimulation,
Results
Spenser came to CORE Physical Therapy and Sports Performance in Omaha in the Summer of 2020. He was the victim of an ACL tear while wakeboarding. This was his first injury at the age of 30. From the beginning, he displayed a great attitude, which is paramount for a full recovery overall.
We first start with active range, recovery, swelling reduction, Russian stimulation quad protocols, and gait training.
We continue to build up both of his legs, balance and symmetry for the first 10 weeks.
Once we achieved good balance, quad control and the appropriate time frame, pre running and gait mechanics began.
After 2-4 weeks of Running training and symmetry building, single and double leg jumping began. Gradually and easily we continued to build a foundation of core strength and hip strength.
Week 16-20 , Aggressive multidimensional lunges, stable surface and unstable surface training, eyes open and eyes closed training continued to ramp up gradually.
Sports Performance integration continued with his recovery, including sport simulation activities, fatigued training during sports simulation, proprioceptive training with sports simulation continued progression.
Multi mode cognitive training and reactionary progression continued progression, as well and more advanced strengthening continued.
We continued 10 months of aggressive rehab to get him back to wakeboarding better than before. We work on isolated strengthening on BOTH limbs, not just post surgical to minimize any risks of re tearing. Our plan constantly evolved, progressed and varied to simulate all possible scenarios upon return to play.
Spenser’s story is inspiring overall, he progressed consistently and without issue. he continues to train to continue his progression after discharging from CORE Physical Therapy in Omaha. He will be missed, but we are proud of his recovery.