Ask almost any athlete and he or she will say that injuries can occur at any time and have a devastating impact on performance. Sometimes they are the result of poor training, inadequate warm-ups, fatigue, or just plain bad luck. The best way to minimize the damage from an injury after it occurs is by going to Sports Physical Therapy. Not only can it help to restore strength and range of motion, but rehabilitative therapy can also help prevent more permanent damage.
Learn Appropriate Exercises
While it is in the healing process an athlete’s body will not be capable of the same feats of strength and flexibility. A physical therapist can teach his or her clients which exercises and stretches are most appropriate for the level of healing their bodies have attained. These specialists can examine their patients to find out if there are particularly weak or inflexible muscles both during and after the healing process and help to build strength and flexibility back up.
Don’t Add Additional Stress
It may be tempting for some athletes to push themselves too hard during the recovery phase. This would be a mistake. It’s important to take the advice of the physical therapist and not move too fast, as this can lead to re-injury. Adequate rest is essential after an acute injury or a corrective surgery. Even normal activities should only be resumed after evaluation by a physical therapist. Many athletes worry about losing their edge, but it’s best to work gradually back toward a normal level of activity than to risk permanent disability.
Avoiding Future Injury
Certain types of athletes are prone to certain types of injuries. This is true to the extent that conditions are often named after athletes. “Tennis elbow” and “golfer’s elbow” are so named for a reason, but the development of injuries due to repetitive motion is certainly not exclusive to tennis and golf. Physical therapists can show their clients the best ways to avoid repetitive motion injuries such as correct weight distribution and more precise biomechanics.
Those who have been injured shouldn’t wait to see a physical therapist. These professionals can help come up with an easy to follow rehabilitation plan to ensure the best possible results. Visit us to learn more about the benefits of Sports Physical Therapy and the trained specialists who provide it.
