Total Balance Physical Therapy and Fitness

04/20/2026

50% of people stop exercising within 6 months after finishing rehab. Not because they don’t care — but because the transition is hard.

Confidence drops.
Progress feels unclear.
Equipment at home isn’t the same.
And too often… there’s no real plan for what comes next.

That’s where we do things differently.

At Total Balance, rehab isn’t the finish line. We help you transition into a routine you can actually stick with — using the same equipment, with continued support and goals that make sense for your life.

Whether that’s working out independently in our fitness center, joining a group fitness class like SilverSneakers, or building a structured plan you feel confident following, we’re focused on helping you keep the progress going.

Because real success isn’t just feeling better when PT ends — it’s staying active long after. 💪

04/18/2026

Pain isn’t a one-to-one system. It’s not “this much damage = this much pain.”

Your brain is processing multiple inputs at once — stress, sleep, past experiences and more — and injury is only one piece of the puzzle.🧩🧠

That’s why real progress comes from addressing more than just where it hurts. If we want to change the output (pain), we have to look at all of the inputs.

04/16/2026

Meet Jake Mertens👋 Physical Therapist | West Fargo

For Jake, physical therapy is about more than just treating an injury — it’s about understanding how it’s impacting someone’s life and helping them move forward.

His approach starts with listening. Jake takes the time to truly understand what’s going on, then works alongside his patients to build a plan that encourages and empowers them through each step of their rehab journey. His goal is to help people feel confident, capable and supported from day one.

Jake is passionate about working with a wide range of individuals, with a special interest in athletes and anyone looking to be more active and confident in their day-to-day life. He believes physical therapists are movement experts and loves helping people become stronger, more active and the best version of themselves.

Outside of work, Jake enjoys spending time with his wife and two boys, being outdoors and playing just about any sport or game — especially pickleball.

☀️Instant mood-boost: Time at the lake with family

Say hi to Jake next time you’re in West Fargo — he’s always ready to help you take the next step.

04/15/2026

Occupational Therapy focuses on helping individuals stay independent with the everyday activities that fill our day — from sun up to sun down. ☀️💙

Our Occupational Therapists work with individuals to support tasks such as:
• Self-care activities like dressing and bathing
• Cooking and eating safely and confidently
• Cleaning, laundry and household chores
• Moving safely throughout the home
• Cognitive tasks like scheduling appointments and managing medications

By working directly in the home, our team can provide practical strategies, recommend helpful modifications and build routines that make these activities safer and easier. 🏡

The goal is to support independence and help patients continue living comfortably and confidently in their own environment.

04/15/2026

One of the perks of early morning workouts: seeing sunrises like this. 🌅

Captured by Willa at our West Fargo location.📍

04/14/2026

Pain is rarely as simple as “something is damaged.”

Two people can have the same diagnosis — arthritis, a labral tear, knee pain — and experience completely different symptoms.

That’s why physical therapists act as problem finders — identifying movement limitations, strength deficits and other factors contributing to pain, then guiding patients through the work needed to improve them.

At Total Balance, our goal isn’t to make you dependent on treatment. It’s to help you understand your pain, address the underlying contributors and build the strength and movement that keep you feeling better long term.

Lasting results come from treating the whole person — not just the joint that hurts.

04/13/2026

Good rehab isn’t one-size-fits-all — and it shouldn’t stop when your pain improves.

At Total Balance, we focus on care that’s tailored to you — your goals, your lifestyle and what you want to get back to doing. Because success isn’t just going from a 3/10 pain to a 0/10… it’s continuing to move, progress and stay active long after physical therapy ends.

That’s what we mean when we say we’re bridging the gap between rehabilitation and wellness. We’re not just helping you feel better — we’re helping you move forward.

If you're ready for care that looks beyond the injury and supports your long-term goals, our team is here to help.💙

04/13/2026

Friendly reminder for our South Fargo members‼️ We will be temporarily closed from 8 p.m. - midnight on Tuesday evening for carpet cleaning.

Heads up, South Fargo members! 🧼

Our South Fargo location will be closed on Tuesday, April 14 from 8:00 p.m. to midnight for carpet cleaning.

Gym members still have 24/7 access to our Moorhead and West Fargo locations, so you can keep your routine going without interruption. 💪

We appreciate your flexibility as we freshen things up!

04/11/2026

It’s National Pet Day, and we’re celebrating some of our favorite team members… the four-legged ones.🐾

They keep us active, make us smile, and always know how to brighten a long day.💙

Swipe through to meet the furry friends who keep our team company outside the clinic.

Drop a photo of your pet in the comments — we’d love to see them! 🐶🐱

04/10/2026

Heads up, South Fargo members! 🧼

Our South Fargo location will be closed on Tuesday, April 14 from 8:00 p.m. to midnight for carpet cleaning.

Gym members still have 24/7 access to our Moorhead and West Fargo locations, so you can keep your routine going without interruption. 💪

We appreciate your flexibility as we freshen things up!

04/09/2026

Meet Aaron Proefrock 👋 Physical Therapist | Cert. MDT | CSCS | West Fargo

Aaron enjoys the opportunity to make an impact in his patients’ lives every day — helping them feel better, move with less pain and build resilience for whatever life throws their way. Seeing people return to activities they enjoy is what motivates him most.

His approach goes beyond the diagnosis. Aaron focuses on identifying the key issues contributing to each patient’s challenges and creating a plan tailored to their goals. He works with a wide range of age groups and conditions, including orthopedic injuries, neck and back pain, dizziness and various neurological conditions.

One thing Aaron wishes more people knew? Movement and exercise are often more powerful — and safer — than medications or injections. With direct access laws, you can also see a physical therapist without a referral in many cases, allowing you to start addressing concerns sooner and get individualized care right away.

Outside of work, Aaron enjoys walks and hikes with his wife, son and their dog, Otto, along with running, cycling, backcountry skiing and finding good food. If he weren’t in physical therapy, he’d probably be counting caribou in Alaska for game and fish.

Instant mood-boost: Powder snow in the mountains⛷️🗻

Say hi to Aaron next time you’re in West Fargo — he’s ready to help you move better and stay resilient.

04/08/2026

Occupational therapists focus on helping adults stay independent with everyday activities — especially after illness, injury or changes in health.

Occupational therapists commonly works with individuals experiencing:
• Stroke
• Parkinson’s disease
• Joint replacements
• Dementia or cognitive decline
• Balance concerns and fall risk
• General weakness or deconditioning
• Post-hospitalization recovery
• and more

Through personalized, in-home care, our Occupational Therapists help patients adapt, build strength, improve coordination and develop strategies that make daily tasks safer and easier. 🏡

The goal is simple: help you maintain independence and continue doing the activities that matter most in your everyday life.