HOW PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN HELP A SPORT INJURY
In sports, accidents and injuries are unavoidable. Any physical activity, whether you’re a professional athlete or a weekend warrior, comes with its own set of risks. The rush that comes from breaking a personal record can be quickly depleted by the agony of a devastating injury.
Sports injuries can range from a minor sprain to a severe concussion. An injury, on the other hand, does not have to mean the end of your active lifestyle. If you are injured as a result of overuse or trauma, several providers, including a physical therapist, can help you through every stage of your treatment and recovery.
What to Expect From Physical Therapy for a Sports Injury
Physical therapists use exercise, massage, and physical conditioning to treat sports injuries and as a supplement to medication or surgery. Here are some of the ways physical therapy can assist you in recovering and safely returning to sports.
PAIN MANAGEMENT
Pain medication may be used to treat your sports injury. Depending on the severity of your injury, your doctor may also recommend physical therapy in addition to medications to relieve pain.
Your rehabilitation program will include a detailed exercise plan to keep the affected body part moving in order to improve blood flow, flexibility, strength, and function. Improved circulation can help with inflammation, stiffness, and soreness. Physical activity also increases the production of pain-relieving chemicals in your body.
TAKE BACK CONTROL
Controlled trauma to your muscles or skin may be used in surgical treatment to allow your doctor access to your injuries. Your function and mobility will be limited as your bones, muscles, and soft tissues heal.
Once you can move the affected body part, your physical therapist can design an exercise program that takes your vulnerabilities and risk factors into account. They will determine which exercises to include, as well as the order, intensity, number of sets, and length of rest periods that will not put undue strain on your injury.
The intensity of your physical therapy program will gradually increase. The specific plan will be determined by your medical condition. In general, it is intended to assist you in regaining neuromuscular control, restoring balance, and strengthening injured tissue.
An athlete recovering from a rotator cuff injury, for example, can expect isometric exercises to stabilize the shoulder. In the meantime, a patient recovering from a bone fracture can try motion and strengthening exercises to restore function to the area where the break occurred.
STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING
As you progress through the early stages of your rehabilitation program and achieve a level of function stabilization with lighter exercises, you can progress to weight training to increase muscle strength. Strength and conditioning exercises designed to improve athletic performance can be performed with the assistance of a physical therapist, athletic trainer, and other sports medicine specialists.
You can also take a performance test to see which areas you need to work on after an injury if you want a better understanding of how to push your limits safely. Your provider can advise you on what lifestyle changes you should make to achieve your fitness goals.
INJURY PREVENTION
Beyond treatment, your physical therapist can make personalized recommendations on how to improve your technique and training to prevent further injury and improve your overall safety. Remember, the best way to keep playing your favorite sport is to avoid injury and understand your limits. To play effectively, you must be astute.
Recovering from a sports injury is a time-consuming and difficult process. Ensure that you are receiving the care you deserve from a competent and compassionate team that will guide you through every stage of your recovery, even after you have been discharged. Performance Physical Therapy understands that each patient has a unique set of needs, so we create a rehabilitation plan that is tailored to your specific needs.
To schedule an appointment with any of our physical therapists, call us today at (302) 234-2288 or fill out our online appointment form. We look forward to helping you get back on your feet.