The Edge 3D program is a tailored exercise program for anyone looking to improve their physical wellbeing. The program is run by Tia Jackson, one of Door County Medical Center’s Licensed Athletic Trainers.

Tia Jackson became an Athletic Trainer in 2013, “I knew at a young age that I wanted to be an Athletic Trainer. In high school, I had knee dislocations and tore my ACL/MCL. I had a great Physical Therapist/Athletic Trainer—it was actually Holly Ray from DCMC. After that, I felt I knew the blood, sweat and tears that go into getting back to sport. I went on to play college volleyball. I wanted to help others get back to what they love after injury... So, that’s why I became an Athletic Trainer.”

Edge 3D is open to anyone whether they want to prevent injuries on the job or playing field, start a running program, play more easily with their grandchildren or rehabilitate from an injury as well as reach athletic goals. It is a completely individualized exercise program tailored to a patient’s specific goals, needs, lifestyle, physical abilities and limitations.

According to Tia, “Our bodies are three dimensional. They can move in 3 planes of motion, and often move through all 3 at the same time. So, we’re going to look at all three planes and we’re going to train all three planes.”

With Edge 3D, participants get a unique and fully customized, one-on-one fitness experience. It covers a variety of different options like functional testing, orthopedic musculoskeletal assessment, running analysis and prevention or recovery programs. 

Each carefully crafted session includes guided instruction through exercises designed to meet individual needs as well as follow-up care in order to improve quality of life. 

How does it work? 

The first appointment is spent discussing goals and doing a functional evaluation. 

“We’re trying to dive deeper to find the root cause of something that might be happening. I always look at joints above and below the issue, because oftentimes when we have pain or a body part that breaks down, it’s usually not that specific joint that’s the problem. It’s usually something that’s above it or below it that is not doing its job properly,” Tia says. 

Tia adds, “On your first visit, I usually tell people it is not going to be your ‘fun’ visit. It’s a lot of documentation of: What are your goals? What do you expect of me? What do I expect of you? And then we go through a full evaluation. After the evaluation, we discuss what I saw and show the patient exactly what that means and how we are going to make their body more efficient. ‘Ok, this is what I’m seeing in your squat, or your lunge, or your range of motion. This is what we need it to be doing, and this is how it should look.’”

In a functional evaluation the clinician examines a patient’s movements from head to toe. It might include total body movements with potential off-shoots like putting heels on a box to improve a squat, doing different orthopedic tests to see if different ranges of motion cause joint pain, or testing strength. 

Runners have the option of also doing a running analysis. In a runner’s analysis, runners are filmed on a treadmill from the side and from behind to evaluate cadence, foot strike, asymmetries, and inefficiencies.

Tia then creates a series of customized exercises that challenge participants based on goals and abilities. 

In the second visit, we start your exercise program based on goals and what we found in your evaluation.

At each visit Tia evaluates movements and adjusts the exercise plan. 

The program is as long or as short as needed or wanted. Some see benefits in just a few short visits, others spend longer time in the program due to injury or post surgical protocols and others use the exercises/program throughout their life as maintenance. 

The program is cash-based and sessions are available in 30- or 60-minute increments. 

What results can I expect? 

Participants can expect a set of tools to decrease likelihood of injury, meet personal goals, increase physical fitness, and to help maintain physical fitness for the rest of their life. Whether you are an exercise program beginner, an athlete with specific goals or someone just trying to move more easily, we provide tools to help you reach your physical goals without injury.

Rory Johnson, MD a Family Practice physician at Door County Medical Center has seen success with the EDGE 3D program, not just for his patients, but also his family, himself included. After his daughter participated in the program to manage a swimming injury (she now continues to swim at the collegiate level) he decided to give it a try in 2019, “I finished the half-marathon and had some leg pain. So, knowing the trainers and the Edge 3D program, I figured I would partake and do it myself. And, I can tell you it has definitely helped—I’ve not had any leg pain since that time. I was very, very impressed with the program.”

What are your goals? 

The Edge 3D program makes it possible for the Rehabilitation team at Door County Medical Center to meet the needs of people of all ages, genders and ability levels—to help them to be able to do what they want to do and live the life they want.

• Are you attempting to improve your athletic and/or functional performance?
• Are you working towards injury recovery?
• Are you pre or post surgical?
• Are you transitioning from rehabilitation to an athletic/active lifestyle?

The Edge 3D system encompasses a wide variety of specialty care options suited to meet your individual needs, including:

• Personal Goals Assessment
• Functional Evaluation
• Performance Testing
• Running Assessment
• Functional Exercise
• Aerobic Conditioning
• Strength Training/Education
• Core Strength Training
• Balance & Stability Training
• Speed & Agility Training
• Warm Up & Cool Down Techniques
• Flexibility & Stretching Techniques
• Injury Prevention
• Concussion Management

Edge 3D takes place at the Door County Medical Center Rehabilitation in Sturgeon Bay at Cherry Point Mall. There are plans to include it in the new Sister Bay Clinic location when it opens in 2023.

To request an appointment for Edge 3D, or if you have additional inquiries visit https://www.dcmedical.org/classes-and-events/edge-3d or call (920) 746-0410.