What’s the best way to help an athlete who is injured?
Athletic trainers and team physicians are available to help with most sports injuries for some organizations. There are many health professionals that can help players with their swing, pitch, or throwback.
Did you know that physical therapists are key to the treatment of athletic injuries? Therapy is important because of all the throwing, pitching, pitching, and twisting involved in playing sports.
Athletes are often affected by upper extremity injuries, which can lead to them being unable to play. One in four injuries to the wrist or hand is caused by sportsmen.
These types of injuries are the specialty of physical therapists. Their goal is to assist athletes in recovering and returning to sport safely.
How physical therapists can help athletes
Physical therapists (PTs), who work with individuals of all ages, help them overcome any physical setbacks caused by illness or injury. This is crucial for athletes who need to return to sports after an injury.
Injuries are also unique, just as athletes are different in how they play their sport. Athletic injuries can happen at any age, from Little Leaguers to Silver Sneakers. A specific injury such as a broken arm will require different treatment for someone who is 7 years old and someone who is 70.
The role of a PT is to evaluate the effects of injury and the limitations that it causes.
The individual’s abilities to overcome these limitations are then the basis of therapy.
PTs specialize in assessing the effects of the injury on various parts of the body’s structure, such as:
- Bones
- Muscles
- Tendons
- Ligaments
- Nerves
Acute or chronic injuries can be classified as acute or chronic.
An example of an acute injury would be a sudden wrist fracture.
Chronic injuries are those that occur over time. For example, tendonitis of wrist. Tendonitis can develop over time from repetitive movements, such as serving a tennis ball.
PTs can treat any injury.
Your path to recovery after a sports injury is different for the weekend warrior and pro athlete. You will play a significant role in your recovery process, just as you do on the track, the court or the field.
Here are some insider tips on how that will look.
Talk to your doctor and PT about your recovery goals. This is crucial for planning your return to play and any restrictions that you will need to adhere to.
For therapy sessions, your local physical therapy center is your home base. This is to protect your health during treatment.
Your therapist will help you with proper movement and how to use any equipment. This will improve your range and speed up healing.
Strength training may include resistance bands and weights to increase dexterity, build strength, or both.
Your PT may be able to look at what equipment you have and how it is used. They will be able to determine if the equipment is appropriate for you and your goals for healing. They will also help you correct any errors in your use.
Every step of your treatment will help you get over the injury and reach your goals.
Orthotic devices are coming!
Your PT may recommend that you limit the movement or motion of your injury in order to speed healing.
You’re likely to have heard the terms splints, brace, wrap, cast or wrap before. Your therapist might refer to them as an orthotic device, or orthosis, in medical terms.
Whatever the design, the bottom line is that it will keep a broken or joint in place while it heals.
You can have orthotics made and fitted:
- Fingers
- Wrist/hand
- Elbow
- Shoulder
We can offer orthoses to protect you from injury and support you for a lesser level.
These orthoses can fit thumb, fingers, wrist, wrist, forearm, and shoulder.
These can be custom-fitted at our center and made on-site so that you leave your appointment with the right product.
Your therapist will make sure it is comfortable, supportive, and protects you.
The ‘core’ of the injury
Your core is made up of a series of complex muscles that extend far beyond your abs. If you think “six-pack” and “washboard abs”, think larger!
There are 20 or more muscles in the core of the body. It also includes the major and minor abdominal muscles, as well as the hips, low back and hips. They work together, and are the core of almost every movement we make.
Athletic activities are made easier by having a strong core (diaphragm and abs), and good dynamic balance.
The core is essential:
- Stabilize movement
- Transfer force from one end to the other
- Initiate the movement
Your upper extremity’s strength and coordination are not at their full potential if your core strength is low.
When treating patients with upper extremity rehabilitation, physical therapists consider the entire body. Your PT will focus on core strength and leg and hip strength, depending on the sport you are involved in.
Physical therapy is a powerful tool
Anyone who has been injured or is unable to participate in a sport or other activity they love can get back into it.
It doesn’t matter whether you are competing at an elite level, or just wanting to maintain an active lifestyle in order to reap the benefits of physical therapy. Our PTs at Renew Concierge Physical Therapy can help you create a rehabilitation plan that meets your needs.
Our physical therapists are here to help:
- Avoid injury
- Do more
- You can quickly and safely recover from injuries
We are here to help. We offer compassionate care and proven therapies to ensure the best possible outcome for your injury.