In January 2009, Christine Werner had a work accident that involved her neck and lower back. She was plagued with headaches so immobilizing, her physician suggested she visit Edo Zylstra, owner of Sport and Spine Physical Therapy in Brighton.

    Werner met with Zylstra for treatments once a week for a short time, then cut back to every other week and eventually every other month. She now hasn’t needed to have treatment for more than two months.

    “I went from having horrible headaches to going without headaches,” she said. “There’s no comparison how I am now compared to last year.

    “You try to ignore the pain and not be a whiner, but it impacts your daily life,” she continued. “For me, now, to have that not be something that I worry about is a great thing.”

    In addition, Werner had a previous neck surgery that left her without range of motion in her head and neck. Zylstra employed a form of treatment called intramuscular stimulation that Werner believes had a strong impact on her recovery.

    “By treating that (the injury) it ended up dealing with my other neck issues and my range of motion is amazing and my level of pain is gone,” she said.

    As a testimony to her confidence in Zylstra and his clinic, Werner recently moved to the area and began working as the clinic’s marketing director.

    “I think the level of care is outstanding and they are results-oriented,” she said. “When you come through the door, they’re looking for the best result that will get you to either where you were before or even better.”

    Zylstra took over as full owner of the Brighton clinic this year and will celebrate his fifth year at the clinic this September.         “I think it’s so important to educate people on health and wellness,” Zylstra said. “We want to know, what does that mean to people? We change some of the ways you look at food, to help you see the little things you can do to change to have a healthier lifestyle.

“Education is key,” he added. “We want to help you function better in the life you want to lead.”

    Zylstra said he and his staff of nine work together to offer their patients the best treatment and experience possible at the clinic.  

    “When a patient comes in, they don’t just see me but a team of physical therapists,” he said. “There are so many areas of expertise: pelvic floor, chronic cases, certified hand therapists and more.

    “We want to offer more of a solution for people,” he said. “It’s more than just rehab or PT. We address all of the issues. We’re not just here to reduce pain, but we’re here to hopefully prevent further dysfunction and to help you become more active, to function better and to lead a happier and healthier life.”

    Therapists at Sport & Spine have had experience in relieving a wide range of symptoms including muscle tightness, chronic pain, lack of energy, sports injuries and psycho-emotional issues.

    “I honestly really do care about each person who comes in the door and we do what we can to meet their needs,” Zylstra said. “We are not the holy grail, but some of the tools we have are so effective, it allows people to get over things they never thought they could.”

    “We are so unique,” he continued. “We tailor the treatment plan to the person coming in the door. We have individualized, customized care.”

    Zylstra hopes to continue his mission of educating the public on all of the ways in which modern-day physical therapy can help people enjoy a more healthy and active lifestyle. Patients don’t need a referral from a doctor to be seen at the clinic.             “I want to see people’s idea of physical therapy change,” he said. “It includes the physical part of it but also nutrition, metabolic state and people’s lifestyles. They all need to be factors in what we determine as a course of treatment.”

    Werner is looking forward to getting to know members of the local community and tell them about her personal healing experience at Sport and Spine.

    “The caliber of expertise here is amazing, right here in Brighton,” she said. “It truly is amazing, the level of expertise that is coming from this clinic. And I can only see it growing.”

    Call 303-655-8699, or e-mail Zylstra at edo@brightonpt.com.

    Visit the staff in their location at 2418 E. Bridge St. in Brighton, online at www.brightonpt.com or at the Sport & Fitness Fair Feb. 24 at the Brighton Recreation Center.