Aquacare/Fitness Forum Physical Therapy

When Juliet Clobes suffered a spinal fracture during a softball game three years ago, likely from sliding into base, she couldn’t have known that split second would change the trajectory of her athletic career. The Georgetown resident and Sussex Technical High School 10th grader has since endured a difficult journey that recently led to spinal fusion surgery and a renewed passion for the sport she loves.

“There were times when the pain was so intense I couldn’t walk,” Clobes said. “Then there would be periods where it didn’t hurt for a while. It was unpredictable.”

For nearly three years, Clobes experienced these painful flare-ups, seeking various treatments, including a spinal injection that provided relief for about six months. Despite the challenges, she continued to pursue her passion for softball, playing first and third base positions, and even participating in the 2022 softball regionals. Now, her recovery journey has brought her to Aquacare Athletics, where specialized performance-enhancing physical therapy has been instrumental in her comeback.

The Road to Recovery

After enduring years of unpredictable pain following her injury, Clobes underwent spinal fusion surgery — a major procedure that finally addressed the source of her discomfort but presented its own challenges for an athlete hoping to return to competitive sports.

“After the surgery, she was in hip and leg braces and could barely walk,” her mother, Alison Clobes, said. “We called her a penguin because of the way she had to waddle. It was a difficult time. I’m not even sure Juliet recalls how difficult it was. It was a long road, but we can finally see a light at the end of the tunnel.”

As she continued to progress, Clobes sought out physical therapy. She started at Aquacare’s Route 24 location for aquatic therapy and strengthening. Then, as she wanted more of a challenge, she started looking for personal training and performance enhancement.

Enter Aquacare Athletics, where Clobes began working with Connor Drislane, PT, DPT, and Nick Linkos, PT, DPT, at their facility located within Factory Sports in Lewes. She has been seeing Connor since March 10th of this year.

“What makes Juliet’s story so inspiring is her determination,” said Drislane. “Despite the severity of her injury, she never wavered in her goal to return to the field.”

Clobes’ rehabilitation program combines traditional physical therapy with sports performance enhancement techniques specifically designed for athletes. The comprehensive approach has been tailored to address not only her recovery from surgery but also to rebuild her athletic abilities from the ground up.

Beyond Traditional Therapy

Aquacare Athletics distinguishes itself by focusing on the unique needs of athletes across all ages and skill levels. For Clobes, this has meant access to direct, individualized treatment programming that go beyond standard rehabilitation.

Drislane commented on the specific programming for Clobes, stating, “We needed to develop a program that would take that next step towards her return to softball,” and identified a specific emphasis on, “building a foundation from the ground up … We had to make sure that she could do the simple things to perfection, and could then replicate that as we began to slowly, and progressively, add load and challenge her entire system.”

“With an injury as serious as a spinal fracture, we have to be extremely methodical,” explains Linkos. “Our approach involves rebuilding proper movement patterns before gradually reintroducing the explosive movements required in softball.”

Back on the Diamond

The results speak for themselves. Clobes has made remarkable progress and is steadily working her way back to competitive play, hoping to rejoin her travel softball team this month. As a member of a travel team that plays almost year-round, getting back to full strength is particularly important for her continued development as an athlete.

For Clobes, each milestone in her recovery represents another step closer to reclaiming her position as a standout player.

“I’ve learned so much about my body through this process,” Clobes says. “The team at Aquacare Athletics doesn’t just focus on healing my injury — they’re making me a better, more aware athlete overall.”

A Comprehensive Approach

What sets Aquacare Athletics apart is the combination of their holistic methodology and direct, individualized care. Rather than treating symptoms in isolation, both Drislane and Linkos examine how the entire body is functioning as an integrated unit during athletic performance.

For athletes like Clobes, this means receiving care that addresses body mechanics, strength imbalances and deficits, global stability, and movement patterns specific to softball. The facility offers a range of specialized services including dry needling, cupping, and sport-specific training programs.

“We’re not just helping athletes recover from injuries,” Drislane emphasizes. “We’re helping them understand their bodies better so they can perform at their optimal level and prevent future problems.”

Looking Forward

As Clobes continues her journey back to full competitive play, she has become an advocate for specialized athletic therapy among her teammates. Her experience has even inspired a potential career path.

“Going through this has really sparked my interest in sports medicine,” Clobes explains. “I’m now considering a career in athletic healthcare or physical therapy.”

Currently taking Algebra 2 at Sussex Tech, Clobes is already looking ahead to next year when she’ll take Delaware Tech anatomy and physiology courses. Her mother, a nursing educator, works at Delaware Tech, providing additional inspiration for her educational journey.

Aquacare Athletics is located at Factory Sports in Lewes, Delaware. They work with athletes of all ages and skill levels, offering services including blood-flow restriction training, taping, assisted stretching, cupping, dry needling, body mechanics assessment, strength training, specialized golf therapy, and concussion rehabilitation. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 443-359-0562 or schedule online here.