Not every athlete has to be a “pro.” Whether you’re training to compete or simply trying to progress in your sport, you are an athlete nonetheless. Whatever your case may be, Advance Physical & Aquatic Therapy can help you in the unfortunate event that you sustain a sports injury. Contact our Broomall or Springfield physical therapy office today to find out how we can help you recover from your sports injury as quickly as possible!
How are sports injuries sustained?
When most people think of a sports injury, they tend to think of something sudden, such as a pro football player getting hurt during a tackle. While this certainly falls under the category, the term “sports injury” is also all-encompassing, and it includes any type of injury that occurs while performing an athletic activity. It can happen just the same by lifting heavy weights at the gym or running in ill-fitted shoes as it can by swinging a bat too aggressively or rolling your ankle on the soccer field.
One of the most important aspects to rehabilitating a sports injury is treating it as soon as possible. Your treatment plan and duration of recovery will vary depending on how severe the injury is, your health history, and whether or not the injury requires surgical intervention.
What are the most common types of sports injuries?
There are a number of different injuries that can occur while performing an athletic activity. Some of the most common include:
- Sprain – Your ligaments connect one bone to another. A sprain occurs when a ligament is stretched beyond its limits. Once a sprain occurs and a ligament is stretched, it is more likely that it’ll occur again.
- Strain or pulled muscle – Your tendons connect your muscles to your bones. A strain, or pulled muscle, occurs when a tendon is stretched beyond its limits. Much like a sprain, once the tendon is stretched, it is more likely that it will be strained once again.
- Knee injuries – Your knee is the most complex joint in your body. Because of this, it is also one of the most commonly injured body parts. Knee injuries may include repetitive-use injuries that make it difficult to move the knee, dull aches that run from your hip to your knee, or more severe injuries such as an ACL tear that require intensive rehabilitation and have a higher probability of needing surgical correction.
- Shin splints – Shin splints, medically referred to as medial tibial stress syndrome, is a pain that is felt in the shin bones. This pain is typically caused by stress placed on the shinbone and the connective tissues surrounding it. Shin splints often leave you feeling debilitated and limited due to the harsh impact they have on your shins; however, they can be avoided by strengthening your core and leg muscles, wearing proper footwear, and warming up before exercise.
How are sports injuries treated?
Our Broomall and Springfield physical therapists are highly trained movement specialists. They are able to examine your moving body through a physical evaluation, in order to prescribe the best treatment plan for your specific needs. Before a treatment plan can be created, you may be asked to participate in one or several diagnostic tests, such as X-ray, MRI, or ultrasound. Once your diagnosis has been determined, your physical therapist will create a specialized treatment plan for you, taking into account the nature of your injury, your fitness level, your lifestyle, and any medical risks you may have.
Your treatment plan will typically include manual therapy, stretches, and strengthening exercises. Manual therapy is used to increase your range of motion and reduce scar tissue, stretches are used to improve balance and mobility, and strengthening exercises are used to enhance the injured and surrounding areas. These are all done in order to help you recover after your sports injury and to prevent further injury from occurring in the future.
If you have recently sustained a sports injury, contact Advance Physical & Aquatic Therapy sports injury clinic today to speak with one of our Broomall or Springfield physical therapists and find out more about how we can help you. We can set up an initial appointment for you and get you started on the road to complete pain relief and recovery!
Read our blog post on getting off pain management drugs and turning to physical therapy by clicking here!