Athletes at all levels of sport are bound to experience some type of injury during their careers. It ranges from minor strains or sprains to major injuries that can become debilitating if not treated. Injuries can take a huge toll on an athlete’s mind and body. But with the proper guidance and mindset, they can bounce back stronger.
Physical therapy is a form of rehabilitation that uses exercises and other techniques to treat injuries. It can help prevent injuries, the recovery process, and improve performance post-injury. Through this article, we help you understand injuries and how physical therapy can help overcome them.
Understanding Common Sports Injuries
Sports can be many things to many people – some have careers, and others get into it for fitness. Any physical activity comes with the risk of injuries. Understanding the most common sports injuries is essential for athletes, coaches, and parents.
Are you looking for an accurate diagnosis and treatment of a physical injury you sustained during play? Look no further than MOTUS Physical Therapy in Seal Beach, CA. We have decades of experience treating people from professional athletes to weekend warriors.
Let’s take a look at some of the most common injuries that occur during sports.
Sprains and Strains
These are one of the most common injuries that can happen to people. Sprains occur when a ligament is stretched or torn. The most common place where sprains occur is the ankles, knees, and wrists. Strains occur when muscles or tendons that connect muscles to the bones strain or rupture. Strains can happen on any part of the body but are most common in the hamstrings, groin, and back.
Dislocations
These painful injuries happen when a bone is forced out of its normal position in a joint. It happens due to direct impacts from a fall, collision, or excessive twisting and bending. Dislocations can occur on various joints like the shoulder, knee, and hip. These can be really painful and, depending on the extent of injury, cause swelling.
Tendinitis
Tendinitis occurs when the tendon that connects muscle to bone becomes inflamed. This can happen due to overuse and repetitive stress. The most common points where tendonitis occurs are the elbows, wrists, and shoulders.
Fractures
One of the most painful injuries anyone playing sports can attest to is fractures. A fracture is a broken bone and can be mild or severe. Almost all fractures are accompanied by swelling and pain around the area. Treatment requires immobilization through a cast or a brace, followed by physical therapy.
Role of Physical Therapy in Sports Injury
Physical therapy has been crucial for preventing, treating, and rehabilitating people with sports injuries. As we have seen, injuries can be minor sprains, severe dislocations, or fractures. Physical therapy can help athletes recover from these injuries and return to their best as quickly as possible. Physical therapists work with athletes to develop customized therapy sessions. These can help improve recovery speed and quality.
They have many techniques to help reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation while promoting healing. These include stretching, strengthening exercises, and muscle stimulation, among others. Physical therapy can help people regain their strength and flexibility. It can considerably reduce the chances of re-injury and bad form.
Types of Physical Therapy
Manual Therapy
This type of therapy involves hands-on techniques that can help people through injuries. It includes massage, joint mobilization, and stretching out muscles and tendons. It can help reduce pain and improve the range of motion.
Therapeutic Exercises
Physical therapy has a range of therapeutic exercises designed to address athletes’ needs. These can help them overcome specific limitations due to their injuries and speed up recovery. Exercises are also important in reducing the chances of re-injury.
Modalities
Physical therapists today use modalities that weren’t available before. Devices such as ultrasound, electrical stimulation, ice, and heat therapy are some methods that are used today. All of these have pronounced therapeutic capabilities when done right.
Functional Training
Functional training improves biomechanics and helps restore movement patterns for athletes. It facilitates their return to their sport safely and efficiently. Functional training combines different exercise regimes and typical movement patterns in a sport to improve recuperation.
Importance of Physical Therapy Post-injury
Physical therapy is a proven method through which thousands of people prevent and recover from various types of injuries. Undergoing physical therapy after injury ensures the person does not have to suffer from pain and inflammation due to injury. It improves their range of motion and their balance and coordination.
Proper physical therapy helps restore functional movement and improve overall health. Working with a certified physical therapist like MOTUS can help you on the road to recovery. MOTUS Physical Therapy is what you’re looking for, whether you’re a professional athlete or someone who’s just got into sports. We’re located in Seal Beach, CA, and have considerable experience treating sports injuries.
We offer various services to help patients recover from injuries, improve mobility, and enhance athletic performance. We invite you to visit our facilities to understand better how we can help you!
