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Performance Rehab Kept Market Owner on the Job
Georgia, Vt.-- When Ray Bouffard of Georgia felt himself lose his center of gravity, he knew enough to protect his left shoulder. The doctors had said he should protect it, and so as he began his tumble down the snowy slope at Smuggler’s Notch, he launched his body into the air so that his right side would feel the brunt of his fall. When Ray finally slid to a halt, he knew what he had done. He had dislocated his right shoulder—the same injury he worked to prevent on his left.
Ray considered himself a good skier—he had been on the mountain since the age of four. He was aggressive, and took risks. Unfortunately for Ray, that landed him with a pair of bum shoulders—something he couldn’t afford in the long term.
Ray owns and operates Georgia Market on Route 7 in Georgia. His job is physically demanding, requiring full use of his entire body—especially his arms and shoulders. He knew what he had done as soon as it happened—and even though he was able to return his shoulder to the socket on his own and continue skiing that day, Ray found out quickly that his injury could affect his livelihood.
After returning from the mountain to the Market, Ray reached for a hat with his right arm, and it all too easily slipped right back out of the socket. He knew it was worse than he thought, and sought treatment at the Emergency Room at Northwestern Medical Center (NMC).
After follow-up with his personal physician, he was placed in a sling, and referred to physical therapy. “I knew I couldn’t afford to mess up my right side. Being right handed, and being in this business, it’s a critical part of the equipment,” said Ray. “I followed doctor’s orders to a T.”
Fortunately for Ray, NMC opened a Performance Rehab clinic at the Northwestern Walk In Clinic on Route 7 in Georgia. Located nearly across the street from his Market in beautiful new space, with brand new equipment, Ray was thrilled to find convenient access to the services he needed. There, he met Tim Hurteau, his Physical Therapist.
“Tim put together a very comprehensive plan for me,” said Ray. “It was very doable, very well thought out. He knew what I did here, and it was very tuned to what I do.”
Ray and Tim worked together over the course of four weeks to help meet Ray’s ultimate goal: to return his shoulder function to allow him to perform well in the job he loves. “There’s no doubt in my mind that if I hadn’t followed his regimen, I wouldn’t be as far along and able to do all that I am able to do,” said Ray. “There’s no doubt in my mind.”
Tim said that prior to completing his physical therapy treatment, activity overhead for Ray was not possible. In addition, he worried about his shoulder constantly when doing activity. Tim notes that when Ray completed his therapy, he had no limitations with reaching overhead and his apprehension about his shoulder was gone as well.
Tim credits Ray’s own dedication to his treatment as a key factor in his success. “He was motivated, obviously,” said Tim. “His follow through at home was excellent, and that really makes a difference.”
Ray says that when he was in the clinic, he appreciated the attention and care given to his treatment. “It’s all about you when you are there,” said Ray.
 In addition to his formal appointments, Ray also appreciated the relationship he was able to develop with Tim. He says that Tim would come into his Market to pick up lunch, they’d start chatting and Tim would check in on his progress informally, asking how his shoulder was feeling. “It’s a small town approach to a big city need,” said Ray.
Though Ray has opted to hang up his skis, citing his own tendency towards aggressive skiing, Ray says that Tim’s services through Performance Rehab have returned his range of motion to normal and built up his strength without needing surgery. And best of all, Ray has been able to fully return to the job he loves.
For more information on services available at NMC Performance Rehab, please call 524-1064.
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