Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/62321
Getting a Kick out of Rehab Dribbling a soccer ball and sending it rocketing into the back of the opponent's net comes as naturally as breathing to 17-year-old Gabby Galanti, and her exceptional skills once landed her a spot on the U.S. Under- 17 Women's National Team. But her prospects for a future in soccer seemed bleak in February 2011, when the Howell teen seriously injured her left knee for the second time in less than a year. Gabby tore the anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in her knee and underwent surgery at a local orthopedic practice to repair the damage. For rehabilitation, she chose to go to CentraState's Sports Performance and Physical Therapy. She entrusted her rehabilitation to the CentraState physical therapist and board-certified sports specialist she had worked with following her first injury and surgery: Joseph Peragine, PT, DPT. Gabby worked with Peragine on a two- part rehabilitation process. "During the first phase of the rehab process, we treated Gabby using soft tissue mobilization, neuromuscular re-education, corrective exercises, and aggressive strengthening techniques to accelerate healing, and return the function back to her knee." Peragine says. Once she had recovered from surgery, Peragine helped Gabby identify the underlying problems that may have brought on her injury. "A specialized test called the Functional Movement Screen revealed Gabby had stability and mobility deficiencies that likely caused her injury, so we worked with her to correct those problems," Peragine says. The second phase included more sports specific patterns, dynamic strengthening, speed, agility, and power exercises. "We want athletes to leave their therapy regimens not only pain- free but as strong and fast as possible, with the knowledge of how to prevent future injuries," Peragine says. [PHOTO] After successful physical therapy at CentraState, Gabby Galanti, a midfielder from Howell, will take the field for the University of Maryland women's soccer team beginning this fall. SCORING—AND REACHING—GOALS Gabby reaped the rewards of her hard work with Peragine during her senior season at Freehold Township High School last fall, being named Shore Conference Player of the Year. The highlight of a campaign in which the forward tallied 18 goals came in the championship game of the Shore Conference Tournament, when Gabby scored the match winner. In August, she will continue her soccer career as a scholarship player at the University of Maryland. [PHOTO] Joseph Peragine, PT, DPT, board-certified sports specialist "Peragine pushed me as hard as I could go because he recognized my potential, and he made working hard fun," Gabby says. "Now, my knee feels perfectly normal, and I'm ready for the next challenge." Dreaming BIG Future University of Maryland soccer player Gabby Galanti hopes her time with the Terrapins isn't the final chapter of her soccer career, but rather the start of an exciting new tale. "Maryland has a great soccer program—I knew the university was right for me as soon as I visited it," Gabby says. "Hopefully, playing Division I soccer will be a springboard for getting back onto the national team. Playing professionally after college is my ultimate dream, but we'll see how everything goes." With the adversity Gabby has already overcome, it would be unwise to bet against her. For more information about sports rehab at CentraState, call (866) CENTRA7 (866-236-8727).