Are you an athlete who’s recently sustained an injury? If so, you’re probably looking for the quickest way to recover and get back in the game. However, medical intervention can involve prescription drugs, invasive procedures, and time-consuming treatments.
Physical therapy is an effective way to help athletes overcome the repercussions of their injuries. Whether you’re a veteran athlete or new to sports, our licensed PTs at Aspen Rehab can treat your condition and help you perform even better and stronger than before.
Call us today to book your first appointment!
What are common sports injuries?
- Achilles tendon injuries. Your Achilles tendon is the thick cord-like tissue that connects your calf muscle to your heel. Achilles tendonitis is a common injury in sports requiring repetitive movement and strain on the lower leg, such as running and gymnastics. Common symptoms include swelling and pain in the area, which can be either acute or chronic.
- Runner’s knee. Hence the name, runner’s knee is typically seen in runners or anyone who does a lot of walking, biking, or squatting. This overuse injury can also be caused by trauma or direct force to the knee. Those with a runner’s knee will typically experience pain around the kneecap, especially when bending the knees.
- Shin splints. Shin splints occur when the muscles and tendons around your shin become inflamed. This acute injury often affects runners, soccer players, and basketball players. Shin splints typically cause pain in the front and inner aspect of the lower leg with weight-bearing activities.
- Broken bones. A bone fracture is caused by sudden force or impact to a bone. This type of injury can occur in almost any sport, such as football, hockey, and gymnastics. Symptoms include sudden and intense pain, swelling, and numbness around the area. Depending on the severity of the injury, your broken bone may be visibly noticeable and cause loss of movement.
Sports injuries can put you out of practice due to pain, weakness, and restricted motion. However, with a proper rehabilitation program, you can quickly recover and safely return to athletics.
How does physical therapy treat sports injuries?
Almost all athletic endeavors, from casual jogging to competitive organized sports, carry some risk of injury. Sports injuries such as muscle strains, ligament tears, and dislocations have forced many athletes to miss games, seasons, or even entire careers.
Our physical therapists will begin rehabilitation with a comprehensive assessment of your condition. Your provider will carefully examine your injury, current symptoms, and other health factors to determine the sources of your pain.
Next, he or she will create a results-driven treatment plan that includes strategies and techniques to help you recover. The goal of recovery at Aspen Rehab is to help our athletes restore their range of motion, alleviate pain, and make a safe return to sports.
These may include:
- Resistance and endurance training: Most sports injuries require a period of non-weight bearing immobilization. During this resting phase, muscular atrophy can occur. To return to full activity as quickly as possible, resistance training is vital in restoring lost muscle mass.
- Manual therapy techniques: Different methods can help relieve tightness and tissue pain. First, your healthcare provider will identify tension or restrictions in your muscles or fascia. They will then apply targeted techniques until tension is released. Manual therapy benefits many conditions, including overuse-type injuries and muscle strains.
- Stability and balance training: Balance training involves exercises that improve and maintain balance to prevent falls. Balance exercises can help you strengthen your legs and core muscles to keep you upright.
Ready to get back in the game?
If you’ve experienced a sports injury, you understand the frustration and challenges they bring. Fortunately, our physical therapists at Aspen Rehab can help you make a strong recovery and teach you to avoid future injuries.
Rather than simply treating symptoms, we focus on restoring functional mobility and range of motion. In addition, you can reach your peak athletic performance following rehabilitation with patient education and injury prevention.
Don’t let an injury slow you down any longer! Let’s work together to get you back to competing at your highest ability!
Call us to book an appointment today!
