As physical therapists, we love that so many people in our community love playing sports. They’re a great way to get outside, stay active, and participate in your community whether you’re a hobbyist or hoping to go pro.
However, nearly every sport carries some risk of injury that can sideline you and make your everyday life more difficult. In addition to following the safety and health protocols of your sport, there may be new techniques and methods you can learn to prevent injury, and if (or when) you do get hurt, we’re here to help.
Types of injuries we treat
Sports injuries vary widely depending on the type of activity and the body parts involved. Common injuries include cuts and bruises that heal on their own. Recognizing other types of injuries and their symptoms is essential for early intervention and effective management:
- Muscle strains
- Ligament sprains
- Fractured bones
- Dislocated joints
- Tendinitis
- Concussions
When you are active or play sports regularly, it’s a good idea to take stock of how your body feels on a regular basis. Doing this will help you be aware of what your “normal” is and when you feel off or in abnormal amounts of pain that might require treatment.
Preventing sports injuries
Whether you’re an avid skateboarder or play pickup basketball once a month, wearing the right gear is crucial for keeping your body safe and comfortable while you play. In addition to wearing the right padding, support, or shoes, a few things have been shown in studies to correlate with fewer injuries during exercise:
- Warming up before exerting yourself fully
- Keeping a balance between working out/practicing and resting
- Eating a nutritious diet with enough calories for your activity level
We have quite a few sports lovers throughout our practice who are experts in both enhancing performance and reducing the risk of injury. No matter your preferred sport, we can help you get better with a personalized training plan that we’ll adapt to your needs and goals.
When to schedule an appointment for a sports injury
One of the major goals for us as sports physical therapists is providing treatment for “normal” injuries or concerns that many athletes want to ignore in hopes they will get better on their own. While this might be true in the grand scheme of things, there are a few reasons it’s not the best approach to your overall health or performance:
- Continuing to exercise/play on an injury can make the injury worse
- Exercising while being injured can slow down the healing process
- Playing through pain can ruin your enjoyment of the activity
Some injuries will immediately signal your need of medical attention, but others can be bearable, if not longer-lasting than you expected. Whenever you have questions about what’s normal, what’s not, and what you can do to heal, it’s important to reach out so you can get relief sooner rather than later.
How physical therapy can help
Physical therapy plays an integral role in both rehabilitating and preventing sports injuries. Our skilled physical therapists can tailor a rehabilitation program that focuses on restoring strength, flexibility, and endurance, which are vital for athletes’ long-term wellness.
We use a variety of techniques to provide whole-person rehabilitation with an eye toward regaining performance. We also help train patients on injury prevention techniques and develop exercise programs that address muscle imbalances and enhance athletic performance. By promoting safe and effective recovery, our sport physical therapy plans empower athletes to return to their activities with confidence, minimizing the risk of reinjury.
Whether you just experienced an injury while playing a sport or are looking for ways to stay active safely and sustainably, we can help you make a plan that works for your unique situation. Call a nearby office location or contact us online today to start the conversation.
