Sports rehabilitation: How does it work?
Sports physical therapy is a specialized branch of physical therapy that focuses on the assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of athletes and individuals engaged in physical activities. It is designed to help athletes recover from injuries, improve their performance, and prevent future injuries. Here’s what you can expect from your sports physical therapy journey:
Initial Assessment
We will conduct a thorough evaluation, which may include a discussion of your medical and sports history, a physical examination, and movement assessments related to your sport.
Biomechanical Analysis
In your movement assessment, we will identify biomechanical inefficiencies and imbalances that could contribute to injury. We may then recommend changes in technique or provide corrective bracing or orthotics, if necessary.
Treatment
Based on the assessment, we will develop your customized treatment plan. This plan may include various manual interventions and exercises tailored to your specific sport and injury.
Pain Management
We will use various modalities and manual techniques to manage pain, reduce inflammation, and promote healing. These may include ice or heat therapy, electrical stimulation, and manual therapy such as massage, cupping, joint mobilization, and fascial manipulation. These hands-on manual techniques also improve joint function and relieve muscle tension.
Corrective Exercises
A major component of sports physical therapy involves specific exercises and rehabilitation protocols to improve strength, flexibility, balance, and endurance. These exercises are often sport-specific and designed to mimic the demands of the athlete’s activities.
Return-to-Sport Testing
As you progress in your recovery, we will employ sport-specific tests to ensure you have regained the necessary strength, stability, and mobility to participate safely.
Future Injury Prevention
We will work with you to develop injury prevention strategies, including warm-up routines, strength and conditioning exercises, and technique changes to reduce the risk of future injuries.
Education
You and your training team will receive education on your injury, rehabilitation progress, and strategies for maintaining their health and performance. You may also learn about nutrition, hydration, and recovery practices.
Sports physical therapy is highly individualized and tailored to the athlete’s specific needs. Ultimately, the goal is to recover from injuries and learn to move and train in a way that improves your sport performance.
