Sports physical therapy: What makes it unique & how it can help athletes

Sports physical therapy is a type of physical therapy that centers around athletes. It’s designed to help those frequently involved in physical activity improve both their performance and physical health. This type of PT is unique because it can be used to treat health conditions and injuries and improve functioning in an environment that focuses specifically on sports. If you’ve become injured during a game or are hoping to improve your agility, sports PT is a great option to help you translate your work in the clinic onto the field.

What kinds of people might benefit from sports physical therapy?

• Athletes recovering from injury — Sports physical therapy can benefit athletes who are in need of extra assistance as they recover from an injury. Physical therapists educate them on how to exercise while allowing their injury to heal, how to protect the area of injury, and how to minimize the chances of the injury getting worse.
• Athletes hoping to prevent injury — If you’re an athlete who hasn’t yet experienced an injury, sports physical therapy can still help you. If there’s an area of concern that may be vulnerable to injury, a physical therapist can help you build strength in that area. They can also alert you to any regions of weakness that you may not have been previously aware of.
• Athletes who want to build strength — Some athletes use sports physical therapy to help build strength. While PT can help build strength for protective purposes, it can also help an athlete who wants to build strength to benefit their performance. A physical therapist can help you target the muscle groups that you’re hoping to improve.
• Athletes prepping for or recovering from surgery — If you’re scheduled for a surgical procedure, sports physical therapy can help you build muscle before you go under. It can also help you recover quicker and safer afterward. It’s ideal for athletes who are undergoing surgery to receive PT sessions for prep and sessions for recovery.
• Anyone involved in sports — Sports PT can benefit anyone involved in any sport! You don’t need to have a specific reason to visit. If you’re interested, schedule a visit with a physical therapist and reap the benefits.

What specific benefits can sports physical therapy offer athletes of every level, from pros to weekend warriors?

• Improved coordination.
• Increased stamina.
• Better agility.
• Enhanced balance.
• Improved posture.
• Increased speed.
• Better strength.
• Increased flexibility.

What else can sports physical therapy do for someone?

• Reduce inflammation — Do you have an area that’s become inflamed and you just can’t get the inflammation to go down? Physical therapy may be able to help with that. PTs are experts in reducing inflammation through intentionally chosen movements and exercises.
• Prevent injury — Physical therapy is good for helping athletes prevent injuries. It can help them build muscle strength to protect the joints and other tissue in the body from harm. Physical therapists can also teach athletes how to maintain proper form and posture during their sports to avoid injury.
• Reduce pain — PT can help reduce pain, too. If you’ve been injured or have a problem area that is causing you pain and discomfort, a physical therapist can address the problem at its root cause. From there, they’ll provide treatments designed to target the root of the pain.
• Boost circulation — Sports physical therapy can also be effective at boosting circulation in athletes. Improved circulation can have several benefits, such as promoting healing.
• Decrease muscle tension — An added benefit of PT is that it can help decrease buildup of muscle tension that someone may experience. Participating in sports can cause us to build tension in certain areas of our muscles that need to be released for improved performance and comfort.
• Minimize scar tissue buildup — If you’ve experienced an injury in the past or have just recently become injured, PT can minimize your scar tissue. Scar tissue can sometimes build in excess, impairing movement and range of motion. If you have scar tissue that has collected somewhere in your body, a physical therapist can help break it up.
• Prep and recover from surgery — If you’re scheduled for a surgical procedure or you’ve already had surgery, physical therapy can help you through both. PT can help you build and retain muscle; it can also help you work toward recovery in an efficient yet gentle manner for optimal results.

Advent Physical Therapy wants to help you get back to your sport and be better than ever

Here at Advent Physical Therapy, we know how much sports means to our patients. Whether you’ve experienced an injury or you’re hoping to optimize your performance, we’ve got your back. Our team of experienced physical therapy specialists know how to get the results you’re looking for. We partner with our patients to create a productive, team-oriented atmosphere where everyone pushes everyone to be better. We’ll help you build a long-term health plan to prevent future pain and injury.

We’re proud to offer patient-centered physical therapy services. Every patient has a unique set of needs, and we know that their physical therapy plans should reflect that. A free screening can help us determine the right treatment course for your individual needs.

Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.