Each month, Iron Physical Therapy highlights a special patient to tell their inspiring story. We want to honor people who go all in - body, mind and spirit. They show us what’s possible - that you can move on from a setback to do amazing things...to challenge your body, to chase your dreams, to address future pain in a healthy way, to #getbetterbebetter. Read Carmen’s story below and then click here to read more inspiring patient stories.

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Carmen is a hard-working football player whose injury required ankle surgery and ended his season…but he has been determined not to let it keep him off the field.

He’s gone from walking into the clinic on crutches to crushing it on the treadmill. Carmen has always come to PT motivated and ready to put in the work, always ready for whatever challenge or circuit we throw at him.

The incredible focus on his goal of returning to football has been unwavering and embodies the spirit of Iron Physical Therapy. I know he will do well and cannot wait to see him back on the field next year! Click here to discover more about how we treat sports injuries at Iron.

-Dr. Michael Dwyer, DPT

In Carmen’s Own Words…

1) List Three Words to Describe You:

Athletic, Hardworking and Amusing

2) What Brought You Into Physical Therapy?

I got injured in my senior season in high school football with torn ligaments in my ankle. The damage was so bad that I had to have surgery and that is what brought me to Iron PT.

3) How would you describe physical therapy to someone who doesn’t know what it is?

Physical Therapy helps you improve the part of your body that has been hurt to restore it where it was before…and perhaps even stronger depending on the work you put in!

4) What exercise or technique (ie., ART, Graston, McKenzie etc.) helped you the most?

I think the exercise that has helped me a lot are the different types of squats. Once my legs started to get stronger, I felt a big turn around in my ankle and was able to do a lot more activities. Now I am trying to work on my core to improve my balancing.

5) What would you say to someone who is living in pain and putting off physical therapy?

I was in the same boat once in a lot of pain and didn't want to do anything. The first time I went to physical therapy, I was nervous, but the more times I went, the more fun it became. Once I saw that physical therapy wasn't that bad, I was actually excited to go and get stronger.

Before my surgery I was working out 3-4 days a week and now I am working out 5-6 times a week. Feeling stronger and seeing results is addicting!

6) What activities are you most excited about getting back to?

I am still looking forward to playing football in college. It has been a lifelong dream, and I'm not going to let this injury get in my way. I have seen players in all types of sports get hurt, but never get back to where they were before the injury. I am working hard to become stronger than I was even before the injury.

7) What did you enjoy most about your PT experience?

I enjoyed the people who work at Iron Physical Therapy. They are kind and determined to help you on your road to recovery. I also get a good work out at PT that makes me feel ten times better about myself.