Aquacare/Fitness Forum Physical Therapy

When Easton High School athlete Blake Newton suffered a knee injury during the state championship ice hockey game, the timing couldn’t have been worse—or more significant. Nearing the end of the first period, Blake threw himself into a one-on-one defensive play, blocking a shot but crashing full-speed, knee-first, into the boards. He finished the game—”probably not advised,” he admits—but the pain didn’t go away.

The injury turned out to be a deep bone bruise on his kneecap, revealed only after an MRI showed what initial X-rays did not. Walking was painful. Any sort of bending or pressure was brutal. That’s when Blake and his family turned to Aquacare Physical Therapy in Easton, where he began working with therapist Jeff Bonnette as part of Aquacare Athletics, a sports performance program.

Blake wasn’t new to sports—but he was new to physical therapy. “I was a little wary at first,” he said. “I’d never had an injury like this before, so I didn’t know what to expect.”

Following a thorough evaluation by Ginger Titus, DPT and under Jeff’s guidance, Blake began a structured recovery program that focused on regaining strength, stability, and mobility in his knee.

The initial phase of Blake’s program was designed to decrease pain and improve mobility in an effort to reduce compensatory strategies that develop when a patient is functioning with pain. 

Utilizing both manual techniques along with corrective exercise, Jeff was able to help Blake quickly resolve his pain and restore his overall balance.

Higher-level functional exercises were gradually added in to challenge his coordination and balance with heavy focus on postural control. Many of the exercises were included to simulate sports-related activities in an effort to retrain his body to maintain proper control while performing necessary athletic movements which can enhance overall performance.

“Jeff helped me understand I had to slow down and rebuild the right way,” Blake said. “It wasn’t about jumping back into full speed—it was about making sure I was strong enough to stay healthy.”

His therapy sessions included resistance training, mobility work, balance exercises, and lots of targeted strengthening. Twice a week at 7:30 a.m., Blake made it to therapy before school—often missing only a few minutes of his first period.

“By the time I was nearing the end of therapy, I was already back at lacrosse practice,” he said. He’s since returned to playing in games and recently earned a spot on the 18U A Team—the highest-level travel ice hockey team in his age group.

Outside of sports, Blake is a high achiever. He’s a member of both the National Honor Society and the National Technical Honor Society and is considering a future in nutrition—an interest rooted in how he takes care of his own body as an athlete.

His advice to other student-athletes? “Don’t rush the process. Listen to your physical therapist, and take it seriously. It’s not just about getting back to sports—it’s about protecting your body for the long run.”

At Aquacare – Easton, Blake’s story is one of many that show how dedicated therapy, expert care, and a motivated mindset can help young athletes bounce back stronger than ever.

Schedule your evaluation by calling 410-770-9720 or contact us online here.