By KIM ESTES, Four Points News
A.J. Zelinski embraces Austin’s mantra – live, work, play – in his bustling neighborhood of River Place, where in August he got an innovative opportunity.
AJ Zelinski, doctor of chiropractic medicine
Zelinski, a 15-year doctor of chiropractic medicine, is now director of Chiropractic Services for Arise Austin Medical Center. His office is in the new Arise Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Center at 6611 River Place Boulevard.
“AAMC is one of the first hospitals that I know of to employ a chiropractor,” Zelinski says. “Traditionally, chiropractic care has been outside the medical model.”
The career move fits nicely with Zelinski’s grassroots lifestyle.
He recalls, “We built our home here to be where kids are. There’s a lot of community in River Place. It is the right size. My son walks to my office from school sometimes. We have good friends… it is kind of our bubble.”
AJ Zelinski, doctor of chiropractic medicine, shows how he performs soft tissue therapy, or Active Release Technique, on a calf muscle. ART is used to treat shin splints and plantar fasciitis. Zelinski is the director of chiropractic services for Arise Austin Medical Center. His office is in the new Arise Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Center at 6611 River Place Boulevard.
Zelinski, an Austin resident since he was 3-years-old, became interested in chiropractic care as a University of Texas cheerleader. “I was exposed to sports medicine and considered medical school but I was working for a chiropractor, learning things there, including that I liked to work with my hands. Chiropractic care is very fundamental.”
Zelinski attended Texas Chiropractic College in Houston, returning home after graduation. He founded Advanced Rehabilitation in north central Austin, which now has joined forces with Arise.
Currently, the local center sees 20 to 30 patients a day with capacity to see twice as many. “We believe we will get there,” Zelinski says.
Zelinski’s enthusiasm for his work and Arise is clear. He uses the word “community” ubiquitously.
“Arise, itself, is a synergistic community,” he says. “We want to make healthcare easily understood and accessible. We also want to be involved in the community as a community-based healthcare provider.” Answering the call of corporate citizenship, Arise is title sponsor of the Vandegrift High School Vipers and plans to expand its participation throughout Leander school district.
“We want to treat athletes,” Zelinski says, but adds with emphasis, “and their grandmothers.”
AAMC (formerly Austin Surgical Hospital) is a physician owned hospital. It offers additional services including Riverplace Imaging and Women’s Center, Hays Imaging Center, Arise Wound Care and Hyperbaric Center, the Neurology Clinic, and the Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Center with locations in Cedar Park and West Gate as well as River Place.
Arise Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation provides chiropractic care for musculoskeletal pain. Physical therapy services, including post-surgical treatment, are also available under the direction of a licensed physical therapist.
“Our focus in chiropractic care,” Zelinski notes, “is to treat musculoskeletal pain for a safe but quick return to activity.”
Zelinski understands that people have things to do. “My family is busy all the time,” he says.
Zelinski and his wife, Allison, are parents to 8-year-old Adam, 6-year-old Abby and 2-year-old Alex. School, soccer, baseball, theater and gymnastics clutter their schedule.
As a parent of active children, Zelinski is sensitive to their needs and observes the same needs among their friends. He comments, “Kids now train and compete at a higher level at a younger age. They do not, however, practice an equal amount of recovery and safety. I see overuse injuries in 11 and 12-year-olds. I hope parents and coaches will reach out for help at any sign of a problem.”
Zelinski also advises parents to be aware of posture in their children huddled over electronic devices. “It is detrimental particularly if they want to play sports. They sit, hunched over and drawn-up, so much. Have them stand and stretch in the opposite direction,” he suggests.
For more information on Arise Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation services, call (512) 467-1100.