When to see a sports physical therapist

Sports physical therapy is a treatment route that can be helpful for many patients. Those with sports-related conditions and circumstances can find specialized treatment options. Sports injuries are one common reason for people to seek out physical therapy. Physical therapy can be involved in post-injury treatment as a resource for speeding up recovery and alleviating pain. Fortunately, you do not have to be injured to enjoy the benefits of visiting a sports physical therapist. Physical therapy techniques can benefit people whether they are injured or not.

Reasons to see a sports physical therapist

• Conditioning — If you are an athlete, you may be considering routes for conditioning. A sports physical therapist can help provide personalized resources. These specialists are often experts on solutions for people with active and athletic lifestyles. For athletes who play sports, pre-season physical conditioning can be essential. This conditioning can help in preventing injuries and improving performance. A physical therapist can work with you to build a conditioning plan to get you prepared for the next season.

• Post-injury rehabilitation — As an athlete, being injured can take away your ability to do what you love. Working towards a thorough and quick recovery may be a top priority. Physical therapy can help with the recovery process of many kinds of injuries. It is not limited to injuries directly related to sports. Another common case is motor vehicle injury. In these cases, a sports physical therapist can build a program designed to promote tissue healing and restore motion.

• Injury prevention — If you have managed to stay uninjured in your sport, physical therapy can help ensure you stay that way. A physical therapist can evaluate your body mechanics and identify potentially vulnerable areas. This can help you learn what to protect and develop.

• Pelvic pain — Pelvic pain can make life difficult, especially when it’s frequent or intense. Anyone can develop pelvic pain, though medical research shows it is especially common in women. Many issues can trigger pelvic pain. Physical therapists can help by diagnosing root issues and determining effective treatment options. Pelvic floor rehab is a specific technique designed to stretch and strengthen your pelvic muscles. Treatments like this can help provide long-term pelvic pain relief.

• Coordination problems — Balance and coordination issues can be triggered by sports injuries. Of course, there can be other underlying causes at play as well. These issues can affect your walking gait. Gait and balance disorders can make functioning in daily activities more difficult. They can also make you more vulnerable to injury. If you have trouble staying on balance and coordinating your body when walking, a physical therapist may be able to help.

• Chronic pain — Chronic pain can occur all over the body. From headaches and neck pain all the way down to pain in the feet and ankles, chronic pain is a common symptom for many underlying health issues. Physical therapy can work to alleviate your pain, which can help you focus on the more pleasant things in life.

• Work-related discomfort — Poor workplace conditions can be a major factor in health conditions. To address this problem at the source, a sports physical therapist can provide an ergonomics evaluation of you and your workplace. Based on the results of this evaluation, you can be educated with strategies to minimize discomfort and injury risk on the job.

• Peripheral vertigo — Vertigo is a sensation of tilting or rotating when your body is still. Peripheral vertigo is caused by issues in the inner ear and can have many external causes including sports injuries. Symptoms like dizziness and headaches are commonly associated with vertigo. Physical therapy can help address peripheral vertigo through vestibular rehab techniques like the canalith repositioning procedure.

Some ways a sports physical therapist can help

• Virtual PT — You can reap the benefits of physical therapy without leaving home. Virtual physical therapy is affordable and convenient. The virtual option can still provide the same dedicated treatment plan and guidance.

• Gym membership — Physical therapy gyms can be open to patients and the public alike. Having a gym membership can help prevent injury while keeping you fit and healthy.

• Workplace programs — In addition to ergonomics, physical therapy can provide more benefits in the workplace. Functional capacity evaluations and on-site physical therapy can keep workers healthy and safe. These programs can also benefit employers. Workplace PT efforts can lead to healthcare savings and greater employee productivity.

Sports physical therapists at SSOR can address your needs

Sports physical therapists do not necessarily limit their practice to people who play sports. At SSOR (Specialists in Sports and Orthopedic Rehabilitation), we are committed to providing an unparalleled experience to goal-oriented patients from all backgrounds.

Contact us today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment with a sports physical therapist