Terence Turnovsky is bright, well-versed, and tremendously engaging. He is a board-game fanatic, owning 2,000 different games.
It is a safe bet you are a stranger only once with the retired United States government engineer, who carved a lengthy and successful career at Cedar Rapids, Iowa-based Collins Aerospace.
Go ahead, Google “good dude,’’ and chances are a photo of Turnovsky will turn up.
For as sunny side up as Turnovsky is – and he is a brighten-your-day type – there have been struggles along his 66-year path.
He has dealt successfully for decades – with diet and exercise – the rigors of diabetes. He has worked through other physical issues including a torn labrum in his shoulder, but until recently Turnovsky could not shake the burden of a decades-long battle with headaches.
“It had been a struggle,” Turnovsky said. “It (a headache) would take away from the things I enjoy in life.’’
After a visit to an ear, nose, and throat specialist at Physicians Clinic of Iowa, Turnovsky was referred to Rock Valley Physical Therapy’s PCI ENT/Vestibular clinic, where he met therapist Maddison Gehrke, PT, DPT.
“Through the years I had been prescribed painkillers and antibiotics for the issue,” Turnovsky said. “My general practitioner, she sent me to the ENT and after five minutes they determined I had been grinding my teeth (bruxism). They recommended a night (bite) guard and then got me to physical therapy. Best thing to happen to me.’’
After an evaluation, the ever-engaging and always-upbeat Gehrke determined Turnovsky was dealing with a TMJ (tem-puh-roe-man-DIB-u-lur) issue, a joint disorder causing pain in his jaw joint and in the muscles that control jaw movement.
She quickly went to work on a solution.
Over a six-week period covering August through parts of October 2024, the dedicated therapist and equally dedicated patient worked a bevy of jaw-related exercises in hopes of relieving the longtime issue that was plaguing Turnovsky.
Along the way, the two incorporated exercises that would also rid Turnovsky of occasional – but bothersome – neck pain.
“The least amount of pain I have felt in decades,” Turnovsky, an Ohio native, said of how he feels after working alongside Rock Valley’s Gehrke. “I’m impressed to say the least with what has transpired. Though I experienced some through the years, I thought I was having recurring sinus infections. After one day of working with Maddison, I felt far less pain than I had in a long time. It was that simple, though I know it was not simple. Even the neck issue – with just a simple exercise – has been fixed.’’
Harboring nothing but high praise for Turnovsky and his want and desire to get better, Gehrke – in addition to the litany of exercises the two worked on to relieve his issues in-clinic – said Turnovsky’s outside-the-office efforts – must be recognized.
“Awesome would be the word to describe Terence,” Gehrke said. “He cares and he understands. He has been phenomenal here (in the clinic) but has taken to heart the need to continue to work on the preventive side outside the clinic.” Gehrke said. “I knew Terence would do whatever was asked of him to have his desired outcome in this situation and would come back and tell me how things were going. He was eager to get better and always curious about what we were doing, where it took him and the results. Once he was given the tools, he took them and ran with them. I admire that.’’
On the subject of tools, Turnovsky has taken what he learned to the next level.
“That’s part of the beauty and the real bonus in all this,” Turnovsky said. “If something happens and there is an issue, I have the tools to help me get through it. Mind you, on Saturdays I usually do not (work on the issue) but I am continuing what Maddison shared with me six days a week, making sure to keep things in check. I have seen so many people who want the “magic” pill, and it is not out there. It takes some work.’’
In conversations, Gehrke learned Turnovsky’s commitment to sharing his affection for board games – with friends of varying ages – is an important part of who he is. It was vital for Gehrke to get Turnovsky back to something that brings him joy.
“That is so important,” Gehrke said of Turnovsky and his cool and unique hobby/passion. “It is important to Terence, and it is important to me to get him in a place where he can enjoy something that is a fun part of his life. It is key and he has the tools to handle a situation if it comes up. Plus, he is great to be around.’’
By: Johnny Marx, Rock Valley Storyteller