May 11, 2026
Valley Health System is proud to announce the Return to Sport Program, designed to help athletes transition safely and confidently back to competitive play and higher-level physical activity following injury or rehabilitation.
The program, offered through Valley’s outpatient physical therapy and physical medicine and rehabilitation teams, supports athletes who have completed their initial rehabilitation and are ready for the next phase of recovery: returning to sport-specific movement, training, and performance.
Led by physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists and physical therapists who have experience working with athletic and collegiate populations, the Return to Sport Program begins with a comprehensive assessment to evaluate an athlete’s readiness for return to activity. From there, participants receive a customized treatment plan focused on strength, agility, endurance, movement quality, and injury prevention.
“Recovering from an injury is only one part of the journey for athletes,” said Samuel Jacob, DO, sports medicine and physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist. “Our Return to Sport Program bridges the gap between rehabilitation and competition, helping athletes rebuild confidence, improve performance, and reduce the risk of reinjury.”
The program cares for athletes ages 14 and older with sports injuries. This includes athletes who play for high school and collegiate sports, club teams, professional teams, or those who engage in recreational sports. Treated injuries include overuse injuries, tendinitis, sprains, dislocations, concussions, contusions, muscle tears, and delayed return to sport after surgical intervention.
“Our team-based approach ensures that patients receive expert guidance tailored to their sport, position, and individual goals,” said Zhi Cheng Chen, MD, sports medicine and physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist.
The Return to Sport Program is located at The Valley Center for Health and Wellness, at 1400 MacArthur Boulevard in Mahwah, New Jersey.
To learn more about the Return to Sport Program, please visit ValleyHealth.com/ReturnToSport. To schedule a consultation, please call 201-447-8134.