The Role of Physical Therapy in Sports Injury Recovery

Injuries occur regardless of whether you're a professional athlete, an amateur, an everyday runner, or someone who plays sports recreationally. Whether it's a sprain, a strain, or an overuse injury, getting back to where you once were isn't necessarily an overnight process. Fortunately, one of the best methods to treat and get back to play is proper physical therapy. 

Physical therapy in Canton can help athletes and anyone suffering from a sports injury in their healing journey. Physical therapists are specialists who are essential in guiding injured individuals to regain strength and range of motion and prevent reinjury.

What are Sports Injuries?

Sports injuries are sustained when the body is overused during physical activity. The following are examples of common sports injuries:

• Sprains
• Strains, e.g., pulled hamstring
• Knee injuries
• Tendinitis
• Running injuries
• Shoulder injuries
• Back pain from exercising

It is also important to note that sports injuries may be acute (happen all at once) or chronic (develop over time through repeated use).

What Is Physical Therapy? 

Physical therapy is a form of rehabilitation through exercise, hands-on treatment, and education. Physical therapists understand the body, how it works, and how it can heal. They create a rehabilitation program that is appropriate and tailored to the individual. The program focuses on the injured body part, increases range of motion, and builds strength to lower the risk of re-injury. 

In addition, many centers offering physical therapy in Canton also offer sports rehab centers with similar intentions, tailored to specific athletes and injuries.

Why Is Physical Therapy Needed for Sports Injuries?

There are many reasons why physical therapy is essential to sports injury recovery: 

1. It Makes Recovery Faster

When someone is injured, the body needs time to heal. However, sometimes, if someone is on bed rest or avoiding movement for too long, healing can take longer than anticipated. That's why physical therapy is helpful. Under professional supervision, low-impact exercise speeds up the healing process. Once the patient is healed, physical therapy teaches precautionary measures to avoid re-injuring oneself.

2. It Helps Restore Strength and Range of Motion

Sometimes, injuries make muscles weak or tight. Therefore, a sports injury treatment program in Canton usually involves strength training, stretching, and mobility exercises to teach the body how to operate at full capacity again. 

3. It Prevents Permanent Injury

Sadly, when injuries go untreated, they turn into chronic pain or permanent disability. Sports injury recovery therapy finds why the injury occurred in the first place and fixes it immediately to prevent any permanent injury. 

4. It Reduces Pain Without Medication

Pain often accompanies sports injuries. However, treatment can occur without pain medication. For example, physical therapists can utilize massage movements, stretches, or specialized equipment that decreases pain in injured areas. This eliminates any need for pain medication that can often have side effects when used over time. 

5. It Increases Strength and Coordination

Sports require ongoing coordination and balance for the proper execution of activities and the prevention of falls and slips during games and fitness routines. Physical therapists can assist patients with a variety of activities to keep someone active and on their game.

What to Expect When You Go to Physical Therapy? 

If you're receiving physical therapy for a sports injury in Canton, you'll experience the following during treatment: 

1. Evaluation 

The therapist will inquire about your injury, asking about when, how it happened, and how it currently feels. Your physical therapist will also evaluate your range of motion, strength, and flexibility. Also important is your medical history. Answer all questions honestly and openly so the therapist can best serve you in this evaluation. 

2. Treatment 

You'll receive a personalized treatment plan involving one or several physical therapy modalities. These may include stretching, strength training, and balance training. Depending on the severity of your injuries, pain management techniques may also include ice, heat, ultrasound, and electrical stimulation.

Your physical therapist will also instruct you on proper posture and mechanics to prevent future injuries.

3. Ongoing Support 

During treatment, your therapist will adjust your treatment plan based on your progress. As you improve or gain increased flexibility and range of motion, or strength, your therapist will adjust the intensity of your exercises so you can maintain progress. You'll also receive a home exercise program to supplement your in-clinic treatment.

Techniques Involved in Sports Injury Physical Therapy

There are multiple techniques and modalities involved during physical therapy for a sports injury, including:

Manual Therapy

Hands-on treatment entails multiple techniques that apply gentle pressure to soft tissues. Your physical therapist manipulates and massages your muscles and joints, helping alleviate stiffness and discomfort.

Therapeutic Exercises

You are taught exercises that are deemed safe and valuable for your injury. These enhance flexibility, strength of muscles, and joint functionality. The exercises are also progressive. For example, you may start with passive exercises in which your physical therapist maneuvers your limbs. As you improve, your exercises may become active with your physical therapist adding resistance.

Electrical Stimulation

Electrical stimulation targets your soft tissues. Your physical therapist uses a small hand-held device to deliver a mild electrical current to the affected area to reduce pain and enhance muscle function.

Ultrasound Therapy

Ultrasound therapy for sports injuries is not the same as an ultrasound scan. Here, a sports injury physical therapist applies sound waves to your deep tissues to encourage healing and reduce discomfort and inflammation.

The Role of Physical Therapy in Preventing Future Injuries

Physical therapy not only fixes but also prevents future injury. Here's how: 

Learning Proper Form: Whether you're running or jumping, or learning how to pick up a box again, a physical therapist can show you safe and effective form so you don't cause injury while recovering. 

Compensatory Muscle Imbalances Fixed: Areas of weakness or tightness cause your body to be out of alignment. A physical therapist pinpoints these and helps you get back on track. 

Sport-Specific Maintenance Programs: Different sports require different strengths. A physical therapist can create an exercise and maintenance routine to keep your body strong and properly aligned for your sport. 

If you're cleared to play and want to ease back into sports, using Canton physical therapists will prevent the mistake of getting cleared too early, preventing a re-injury.

Therapeutic Intervention for Sports-Related Injuries

Physical therapy can address these sports-related injuries:

Ankle Sprains

These are common injuries in basketball, soccer, running, and more. They generally occur from landing inappropriately. Physical therapy helps to strengthen the surrounding muscles of the ankle and increase balance to avoid future injuries.

ACL Tears

These are knee injuries that happen when you stop suddenly or change direction quickly. Therapy restores strength and stability.

Tennis Elbow

This is a standard sports injury related to overuse and repetitive motion over a short period. Your physical therapist will assist you with stretches and strengthening activities.

Rotator Cuff Injuries

Shoulder injuries occur with baseball, swimming, and weight lifting. Physical therapy assists in restoring strength and function.

Shin Splints

These are common injuries for runners and dancers. Physical therapy will relieve pain while restoring leg strength and alignment.

When Should You Start Physical Therapy for Sports Injuries?

The sooner you start physical therapy in Canton, the better. You should never have to wait to receive treatment because waiting only exacerbates a sports injury, with more complications leading to a longer healing time. The moment you feel pain, discomfort, weakness, or an inability to perform regular daily functions, you need to book an appointment with a Canton physical therapy clinic.

How Long Does it Take to Heal?

Healing length varies based on: 

• Type and extent of injury 
• Age and health
• How soon will you start treatment
• Commitment to treatment

Some people heal within a few weeks, while others take a few months. But listening to your therapist will provide the quickest and safest healing process. 

Final Thoughts 

Injuries can be frustrating, whether you're an elite athlete or someone who enjoys getting up and moving. But with the help of the physical therapy Canton experts, recovery doesn't have to be difficult. Sports injury treatment Canton experts have everything you need to recover, rehabilitate your body, strengthen it, and prevent future injuries. 

Don't wait for recovery if you've sustained an injury due to physical movement. Seek a physical therapist in Canton who understands your intentions and will help you get back on track safely and securely.