Injury.
As an athlete, this is one of the worst words you can hear. Nobody wants to be sidelined while their team goes on to win the big game.
But injuries are inevitable. And the more you play, the more you’ll encounter. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to speed up your recovery and help prevent injuries in the future.
In this article, we’ll tell you why you need a physical therapist for sports injuries.
PT Speeds Up Recovery
Trying to go it alone is one of the biggest mistakes you can make as a student athlete. All the Googling in the world won’t help you recover as fast as you can when you attend regular physical therapy.
A physical therapist is specially trained to support recovery of sports injuries. They know the physical limitations that common sports injuries cause. And they can tailor your therapy routine to work through those limitations more effectively than you can do on your own.
If you need surgery for your injury, it’s vital that you get physical therapy afterward to keep your body in shape while you recover. Your therapist will help you stretch and build your muscles so you won’t lose any ground during recovery.
One issue that athletes encounter when they’re recovering from injury is that they lose range of motion in their joints. When this happens, your body becomes stiff and unresponsive. Regular therapy sessions help keep your joints flexible so you can get back in the game as soon as your injury heals.
PT Helps Prevent Future Injuries
PT sessions don’t just help you heal, they give you the tools you need to ensure the injury doesn’t happen again. Physical therapists work with you to provide exercises that strengthen your core as well as your limbs. A strong core is essential for preventing future injuries.
When you work on strengthening core muscles, you become more stable and balanced when you move. This increased stability helps you avoid falls which are a common cause of sports injuries.
Working your core also improves your performance on the field or court. You’ll be more agile with stronger core muscles. And this agility means you can make quicker cuts and avoid more hits.
Regular stretching is another important part of injury prevention. Muscles are like rubber bands. If they aren’t flexible, they’re more likely to break when you overuse them. The only way to make them more flexible is to stretch them regularly. Your therapist will give you specific stretching exercises to do before and after every workout.
PT Isn’t Only About Exercise
We often think of PT as a place we go to stretch and strengthen. But there are many other aspects of PT.
Physical therapists often use ice and heat treatments to reduce inflammation and improve range of motion. They also utilize massage therapy to help work out and soothe tightened muscles. These treatments also improve blood flow. And increased blood flow means faster healing of damaged tissue.
Your therapist may also recommend an ultrasound treatment or electrical stimulation. These treatments send high-frequency waves into the deep tissue of your muscles. This is another great way to improve blood flow.
Need a Physical Therapist for Sports Injuries?
Did you know that St. William’s Outpatient Therapy Clinic serves clients of all ages? We have a new, state-of-the-art therapy room. Our therapists are experienced with orthopedic rehabilitation services. And we offer flexible hours to fit within your busy schedule as a student.
You don’t even need a doctor’s note! Physical therapy is something you can do on your own. It’s a smart choice for any student athlete to recover faster and prevent future injuries.
So, what are you waiting for? Call our office today to schedule an appointment with one of our physical therapists.
