Athletes put incredible demands on their bodies. Whether you're training for competition or staying active for fun, physical therapy can help you perform better and recover faster.
Prevent Injuries
There are many ways that an athlete can sustain an injury, but there are also many ways that an athlete can avoid the likelihood of sustaining an injury as well. Physical therapy can help an athlete understand how they could become injured and can also help them learn the steps they should take to prevent injuries. A proper screening and movement assessment can identify weaknesses and imbalances before they become problems.
Rehabilitation
Physical therapy is typically the segway from an injury or surgery to getting the athlete back on the field. A physical therapist will walk you through a movement screening and observe your abilities and limits during different activities. From that screening, your physical therapist will be able to create a treatment plan to address your injury and your specific needs. If you fail to address even the most minor injury, it can turn into chronic pain. Physical therapy is a great way to recover efficiently.
Improve Mobility
When you are no longer in pain, your physical therapist will assess your mobility and determine where improvements can be made. They will assess areas such as your hips, back, shoulders, and neck. If you have any limitations in your joints, that can increase your chances of further injury. Physical therapy will help you work on proper form and help you move more smoothly throughout your sessions.
Refine Flexibility
Your physical therapist will address issues they see in your key muscle groups. Poor training, inadequate warm-ups, and lack of conditioning are common causes of sports injuries. When you know how to move your body and know when you've reached your limit, these are important factors to know when you're recovering from an injury.
Reduce Pain
Your season doesn't care if you're still feeling aches and pains from surgery, an injury, or just the aches and pains that have built up over the years. Knowing how to reduce that pain is essential. Many manual therapy techniques can reduce muscle tension, irritated joints, or nerves that could be causing your pain. Your physical therapist can determine what methods will help you, and will recommend exercises and stretches that can help alleviate the pain you're experiencing. As soon as you start your physical therapy journey, you'll begin seeing improvements.
Increase Strength
Your muscles work together to accomplish all that you require from your body. When one or more of these areas is weak, your body will compensate in another way, typically resulting in injury. If you've been in a brace or a cast, for example, the muscles around your injury will be weak and need to undergo rehabilitative conditioning. Your physical therapist will create a treatment plan based on your goals, and the areas that need assistance to help you regain full functionality and rebuild muscle strength.
Let Active Physical Therapy Help You Get Back in the Game
At Active Physical Therapy in Redding, we understand athletes because we are athletes. Our team brings personal experience in mountain biking, running, golf, weightlifting, and more to every treatment session. Contact us today to start your recovery and get back to peak performance.