Athletes are consistently pushing their bodies to the point of exhaustion through practice and competition. Whether they get injured and need rehabilitation, or are looking to improve athletic ability, athletes can benefit greatly from physical therapy. It reduces pain, increases flexibility and strength, and prevents further injury.
Injury Prevention
An important takeaway that athletes can use after physical therapy is how to prevent injuries from occurring during sports. The main way this is done is through education. A physical therapist will teach the patient how injuries happen, how to avoid them, good form while conditioning, and how to warm up, cool down, and stretch. Therapists can also identify an athlete’s strengths/weaknesses and create a treatment plan that works to strengthen specific areas and prevent an injury down the road.
Pain Relief
Physical therapists treat pain with treatment modalities such as massage, electric stimulation, exercise and stretching, and heat and cold therapy. These all work to reduce pain, muscle tension, and inflammation. Immediate pain relief can come in the form of hot and cold packs, taping damaged parts, and dry needling.
Strength and Conditioning
A physical therapist will create a treatment program personalized to the athlete to help regain strength in the affected area. Strength exercises can be tailored to the sport that they compete in. Rebuilding strength in the ligaments, joints, and muscles is especially important if they have been in a cast or a brace.
Relaxation
For athletes, a cool down is just as important as the warmup. A physical therapist can show the patient how to let their body unwind properly to relax their muscles after a workout.
Muscle and Joint Flexibility
Almost all sports require a degree of flexibility and good range of motion. Physical therapy targets muscle groups and uses specific exercises designed to improve them. Improved flexibility can also reduce potential injury in the future.
If you are an athlete and looking for rehabilitation after an injury or to reach your full athletic potential, contact Activity First today!