The field of sports rehab. and physical therapy has progressed dramatically in the past 2 decades. Physical therapists can help you develop the right exercise program if you’re dealing with a pre-existing injury and/or to minimize risk of future injuries.
Exercising at least once a week is essential for maintaining general health, mobility and physical strength. Not engaging your muscles for extended periods of time can cause muscle atrophy, loss in the range of motion and an increase in probability of injury when you do use those muscles in your daily activities such as lifting a heavy bag or running. Whether you’re a professional athlete with a dedicated exercise regimen or you do basic exercises aimed at improving general physical fitness, strength and stamina, there is always a chance of injury. Physical therapy for athletes is essential especially when participating in high intensity training that can be very demanding on the body. However, sports therapy and rehabilitation is not exclusive to athletes, everyone risks injuries especially those who are not constantly active. One of the most common injuries that may occur during a workout are strains and sprains. Strains are one of the most common of all sports-related injuries as we use multiple muscles and tendons when we are exercising or even playing a friendly game of basketball with a few friends. These engaged muscles and tendons are all susceptible to stretching farther than they are used to or moving or twisting in ways they shouldn’t, leaving them torn or damaged and leaving you in pain.
Some of the common muscle strains that physical therapists encounter frequently include pulled hamstrings, pulled groin muscles and strained quads. Strains are likely to heal naturally with rest, however, sports rehabilitation can fast track the healing process and reduce possibility of the same injury in the future.
While muscles can be strained, ligaments are sprained. In other words, sprains are to ligaments what strains are to muscles. What are ligaments? Ligaments are fibrous connective tissues connecting bone to bone. When these ligaments turn the wrong way, they pull or tear. Sports Rehab. and physical therapy experts help patients frequently with ankle sprains, knee sprains, wrist and elbow sprains. Sprains can be quite painful, can take a long time to heal naturally and have a tendency of recurring on the same ligament. In certain cases sprains require immobilization to protect against further injury. Proper warm-up and stretching can help prevent a sprain, consult a sport/physical therapist on the best stretches and exercises to reduce the risk of a sprain in the future or to know the best route for recovery on an existing injury.
The knee joint is one of the most complicated areas in the human body containing 4 key ligaments. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), medial collateral ligament (MCL), lateral collateral ligament (LCL), and the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). Knee injuries are also quite common especially among athletes, they can be extremely painful, can take a long time to heal and may require surgery. The ACL is the most common ligament to tear, running diagonally down the front of the knee, the ACL is essential in maintaining critical stability to the joint.
Athletes participating in contact sports such as football, wrestling or soccer are susceptible to ACL tears as it can be triggered by a wrong landing from a jump or a quick pivot on one foot. Sports rehabilitation and physical therapy can significantly boost recovery, reduce the time you’re immobilized after a knee injury, reduce the chance of reinjuring the knee and might even save you from a tough surgery.
It is smarter to have frequent contact with a physical therapist or a sports rehabilitation expert regarding the right exercises for you, the right warm-ups and stretches and having a deeper understanding of your muscles, tendons and ligaments that help you avoid a devastating injury in the future. Until you book your next appointment with a physical therapist, reduce the risk of strained muscles and tendons by warming up and stretching before engaging in strenuous activity, and don’t put too much sudden pressure on your knees. Whether you’re planning on running in the Olympics or you’re just doing your morning Pilates. You need the right technique and understanding of your muscles and movements to avoid exerting the wrong strain or pressure on your muscles causing an injury. Visit PT of the City to know more about physical therapy and how it can help you if you’re dealing with an injury or to avoid one in the future.
How can sport rehab. and physical therapy save you from a devastating sports injury?
The field of sports rehab. and physical therapy has progressed dramatically in the past 2 decades. Physical therapists can help you develop the right exercise program if you’re dealing with a pre-existing injury and/or to minimize risk of future injuries.
Exercising at least once a week is essential for maintaining general health, mobility and physical strength. Not engaging your muscles for extended periods of time can cause muscle atrophy, loss in the range of motion and an increase in probability of injury when you do use those muscles in your daily activities such as lifting a heavy bag or running. Whether you’re a professional athlete with a dedicated exercise regimen or you do basic exercises aimed at improving general physical fitness, strength and stamina, there is always a chance of injury.
Physical therapy for athletes is essential especially when participating in high intensity training that can be very demanding on the body. However, sports therapy and rehabilitation is not exclusive to athletes, everyone risks injuries especially those who are not constantly active.
One of the most common injuries that may occur during a workout are strains and sprains. Strains are one of the most common of all sports-related injuries as we use multiple muscles and tendons when we are exercising or even playing a friendly game of basketball with a few friends. These engaged muscles and tendons are all susceptible to stretching farther than they are used to or moving or twisting in ways they shouldn’t, leaving them torn or damaged and leaving you in pain.
Some of the common muscle strains that physical therapists encounter frequently include pulled hamstrings, pulled groin muscles and strained quads. Strains are likely to heal naturally with rest, however, sports rehabilitation can fast track the healing process and reduce possibility of the same injury in the future.
While muscles can be strained, ligaments are sprained. In other words, sprains are to ligaments what strains are to muscles. What are ligaments? Ligaments are fibrous connective tissues connecting bone to bone. When these ligaments turn the wrong way, they pull or tear.
Sports Rehab. and physical therapy experts help patients frequently with ankle sprains, knee sprains, wrist and elbow sprains. Sprains can be quite painful, can take a long time to heal naturally and have a tendency of recurring on the same ligament. In certain cases sprains require immobilization to protect against further injury. Proper warm-up and stretching can help prevent a sprain, consult a sport/physical therapist on the best stretches and exercises to reduce the risk of a sprain in the future or to know the best route for recovery on an existing injury.
The knee joint is one of the most complicated areas in the human body containing 4 key ligaments. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), medial collateral ligament (MCL), lateral collateral ligament (LCL), and the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). Knee injuries are also quite common especially among athletes, they can be extremely painful, can take a long time to heal and may require surgery. The ACL is the most common ligament to tear, running diagonally down the front of the knee, the ACL is essential in maintaining critical stability to the joint.
Athletes participating in contact sports such as football, wrestling or soccer are susceptible to ACL tears as it can be triggered by a wrong landing from a jump or a quick pivot on one foot. Sports rehabilitation and physical therapy can significantly boost recovery, reduce the time you’re immobilized after a knee injury, reduce the chance of reinjuring the knee and might even save you from a tough surgery.
It is smarter to have frequent contact with a physical therapist or a sports rehabilitation expert regarding the right exercises for you, the right warm-ups and stretches and having a deeper understanding of your muscles, tendons and ligaments that help you avoid a devastating injury in the future. Until you book your next appointment with a physical therapist, reduce the risk of strained muscles and tendons by warming up and stretching before engaging in strenuous activity, and don’t put too much sudden pressure on your knees.
Whether you’re planning on running in the Olympics or you’re just doing your morning Pilates. You need the right technique and understanding of your muscles and movements to avoid exerting the wrong strain or pressure on your muscles causing an injury. Visit PT of the City to know more about physical therapy and how it can help you if you’re dealing with an injury or to avoid one in the future.
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