Challenger Sports Physical Therapy was founded in September, 2022 to provide outstanding sports and orthopedics physical therapy, and training methods for athletes. Our definition of athlete is broad, so if you want to upgrade your physical lifestyle – you are an athlete!
The word “Challenge” has special meaning in the name Challenger Sports Physical Therapy. Life is a challenge. The key is to “Embrace the Challenge” and “Enjoy the Journey.” Challenger Sports Physical Therapy helps people embrace, solve, and achieve. We exist to solve complicated problems in physical health with simple biomechanical solutions that generate a roadmap to success.
We offer orthopedic physical therapy, sport movement analysis, biomechanical analysis of gait and running, and movement assessment for injury management and sport performance.
We welcome everyone. Our clients range from 14 years old to any age, with the common goal to get moving and enjoy physicality in life. Let’s Go!
Beneath the surface… using anatomical models … to understand and appreciate your muscles in everyday life
Moving for efficiency and power is consistent whether a professional athlete or recovering from a total knee replacement
Function has many dimensions so your roadmap should include the full scope of possibilities
Meet The Owner
Bob Baker (PT, PhD, MBA, OCS)
Fellow of Applied Functional Science
Orthopedic Physical Therapist
Orthopedic and Sports Researcher
My introduction to physical therapy was in fact as an injured athlete. In twelfth grade, as a dedicated wrestler that trained intensely for 7 years, I was kneed in my calf at Christmas time. As a top ranked wrestler among the best in the state of Maryland as a sophomore, junior and senior, this represented the third season in a row where I was severely injured with limited ability to compete. I went to my trusted orthopedic doctor who determined “No broken bones.”
Everyone was so happy, but as I left the doctor office and sat with my mother in our car, I asked her... “Hmmm, I can’t move my foot and it is stuck straight down,” So no answer existed for the next seven weeks as my high school wrestling season drifted away.
Finally, a coach for a nearby school called Mount St. Joe’s, Neil Adelberg, reached out to connect me to a sports physical therapist named Bill Neil. What a GREAT experience. First, I went into a clinic with 5 amputees learning how to move their leg again. It made my problems seem small. Second, the physical therapist knew exactly what to do.In fact it only took two weeks to get rid of the inflammation so I could get onto my feet and wrestle. Bottom line: Physical Therapy is a unique profession of movement specialists that are able to pick up on injury rehabilitation and injury prevention, where other professions leave off. Physical Therapy WORKS!
My background
20 plus years of orthopedic and sports physical therapy experience.
Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) by American Physical Therapy Association.
Ph.D. in sports and orthopedic science.
Author and contributor to running injury literature: four articles, one book chapter and BMJ BestPractice Iliotibial Band Syndrome.
Participation in curriculum development undergraduate kinesiology program.
Seven years coaching experience in wrestling in Tri-Valley Community youth (Tri-Valley Elite Wrestling Club and Livermore Elite Wrestling Club) and high school level (Granada High School).
Completion of three yearlong manual therapy postgraduate training programs.
Gray Institute of Functional Transformation Sports Fellowship yearlong program.
Completion of two six-month programs in biomechanical analysis of gait running and field sports with Movement Performance Institute, Los Angeles/Chris Powers, PT, PhD.
Completion of one six-month program in movement science and Janda Technique with Movement Links, Clare Frank, DPT, FAAOMPT.
Amateur sports photographer.
What We Do
Services include:
Orthopedic and sports physical therapy for the spine and extremities, non-operative and post-operative challenges.
Identify movement factors and postural influences that relate to stress and strain throughout the body, and its relationship to your challenges.
Also, we help you appreciate the correct stage of the condition if you are dealing with an injury:
Acute Phase: protecting the injury, recovering from pain and swelling and early mobility.
Sub-acute phase: mobility, stability, movement, core and global strength.
Return-to-function: full strength, improved movement and full range, Future path: Strategic roadmap.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
is a hands-on exercise-based approach to recovery after injury.
THE FIRST STEP
is a thorough evaluation to start treatment that reduces symptoms, facilitates strength and enhances flexibility.
OUR GOAL
is to teach, motivate and inspire a healthful physical lifestyle.
Price-List
We can bill insurances and calculate your good faith estimate for copay and deductibles or you can option for affordable self pay services: (Financial Stress Discounts 20%)
Physical Therapy Evaluation and Report
$100
Training Evaluation and Strategic Plan
$100
Brief Consult
$50
Student sport injury middle school through undergraduate college
$50
In- Home Consult/Training/Treatment
$100
Physical Therapy Treatment
$100
Training Visit
$100
Group training
$50 per (up to 4)
Sports motion analysis
$100
Home gym consult (in clinic)
$50
Workplace Injury Brief Consult
$50
Challenger Sports Physical Therapy (Embrace the Challenge)
Bob is a phenomenal Physical Therapist. He really knows what he is doing. He has worked with our oldest son for a number of different sports related injuries. Bob has great routines and does excellent muscle work. He has helped our son to fully recover and get back to mats quicker. Recently he worked with our younger son, and once again, he was phenomenal. We highly recommend Bob Baker.
Tina W.
This is a block of text. Double-click this text to edit it.
Challenger Sports Physical Therapy
Challenger Sports Physical Therapy was founded in September, 2022 to provide outstanding sports and orthopedics physical therapy, and instruct training methods for athletes. We also treat post-operative orthopedic surgeries including total joint replacements, ACL, and rotator cuff.
