Marlton Recreation Council Chooses M and M

M&M Physical Therapy announced today that it has been named a preferred provider of concussion baseline testing for 5,000 youth athletes by the Marlton Recreation Council.

The council recently decided to unanimously recommend that all of its athletes ages 10 and older receive baseline testing before the start of its spring season in March. Marlton Rec. Spokesperson Barry Fitzgerald said M&M’s Marlton office, which is located at 773 Route 70 East, was selected because of the company’s “comprehensive nature” in regards to baseline testing. He said M&M separates itself as a leader in the area by providing expert physical therapists who test an athlete’s speed, agility, quickness and aerobic ability in addition to computerized testing.

“We’re ecstatic that Marlton Rec. has taken this important step to ensure their athletes’ safety,” said Brett Michener, PT, CSCS and CEO of M&M Physical Therapy, who is also a coach and father to three youth athletes in Burlington County. “While concussion awareness at the college and professional sports level is improving, by the time kids enter college, even high school, they may have already suffered several concussions.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1.6 to 3.8 million concussions occur each year. The CDC also reports that nearly a quarter of a million children age 19 or younger were treated in U.S. emergency departments in 2009 for sports and recreation-related injuries that included a diagnosis of concussion or another type of traumatic brain injury (TBI).

M&M’s uses the Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Training (ImPACT) test, the most scientifically validated evaluation system for concussions. The computerized test measures cognitive function—before and after an injury—including attention span, working memory, nonverbal problem solving and response variability.

Michener said his team of physical therapists will be available 24/7 for coaches and players should an injury occur.

“Concussions need to be evaluated as soon as possible,” said Rebecca Rizzo, a concussion expert and physical therapist at M&M. “And the likelihood of you getting a pediatrician appointment on a Monday after an injury is slim to none because of how busy doctors are. And that’s before a referral to a neurologist or orthopedic specialist and, ultimately, a physical therapist.”

M&M will offer the pre-concussion testing to athletes in the Marlton Rec. Program for $25. A portion of the fee will be donated back to Marlton Rec. Council to support the youth sports programs. In addition, M&M will provide the first post-concussion test for free.

Several years ago, Marlton Rec. was one of the first locally to mandate that all of its coaches complete the online Concussion Certification course, Fitzgerald said. Now, the council is taking the step towards universal concussion testing.

“We realize that 99.9 percent of the kids in our programs will never become professional athletes, but 100 percent of them will have to use their brains,” Fitzgerald said.

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M&M Physical Therapy:

M&M Physical Therapy provides personalized care and hands-on treatment that promotes health and well-being, geared toward middle-aged adults and youth athletes. The practice specializes in programs focused on sports injuries, pre- and post-op services, balance training, back rehabilitation and occupational therapy. With locations in Mt. Laurel, Marlton, Columbus and Hamilton, N.J., M&M Physical Therapy creates a consumer-centric experience and serves as a healthcare advocate for its patients. For more information, please visit www.mmptnj.com.

For more information about M&M Physical Therapy’s concussion baseline testing, please visit www.mmptnj.com.