If you are an athlete, you know that sports injuries are not uncommon. When you are in the zone and playing your favorite sport, moving your body in the wrong way can cause you pain or an injury. There may even be fear if you are a parent or a coach because you don't want to see your athlete in pain and it's heartbreaking to see them sit out or worse, permanently not be able to play their favorite sport. So how do athletes heal from their injuries so that they can get back in the game? How can you prevent a sports injury? That is where sports physical therapy and sports medicine come in.

What Is Sports Physical Therapy?

Sports physical therapy is a special medical focus for athletes that has its own sector of physical therapists. A general physical therapist can help rehabilitate an injury but a sports-focused physical therapist is trained in dealing with sports injuries, as well as the physiological aspects of sports and exercise. Having a deeper understanding of exercise science and biomechanics, which are two very important subjects, is crucial for the full rehabilitation of sports-related injuries.

Sports therapists focus specifically on athletes, making it possible to create a unique treatment plan for them and prevention plans related to a specific sport to avoid future injury as much as possible. Everyone's body has its own nuances, so a treatment plan for each individual will help solve any personal medical issues. With a full evaluation, a physical therapist can make a treatment plan that will take into account each athlete's sport and movement, physiology, strengths and weaknesses, and risk of injury. After the evaluation, they can alter the plan with sports-specific and position-specific exercises to better help improve the athlete's movement.

What Is the Evaluation and Assessment Process?

First, it is important to know that as soon as an injury takes place, you should see a physical therapist. In fact, you are less likely to need prescription pain medication for a knee, back, or neck injury if you seek help from a physical therapist within two weeks of your injury. Additionally, according to The Good Body, patient treatment costs can be lowered by 72% by taking part in physical therapy. With that being said, before a sports physical therapist can create an action plan, they will do an evaluation first. The evaluation is a pain assessment to find any current pain such as shoulder pain, knee pain, lower back pain, and more.

The pain and injury assessment will help in finding any underlying cause of any pain that is experienced in order to give a proper diagnosis and treatment. After the pain subsides, they might include a function and mobility test to find any weaknesses and see where there can be improvements. Video playback might be used to assess the areas of the body that are prone to stress while making specific movements during the sport. Looking at these weaknesses is important because, without that assessment, these movements can lead to injury. Assessing the health of each athlete is critical for prevention.

How to Prevent Sports Injury

Most athletes see a sports physical therapist after they are already injured or in pain. A major benefit of a physical therapist in sports medicine is sports injury prevention. A physical therapist with a sports focus will have a deeper understanding of exercise science, physiology, and biomechanics — making them highly qualified to point out muscle instability and weaknesses. They can then create a prevention program that includes proper warm-ups, cooldowns, and special exercises. This is a great opportunity for athletes to get educated on proper posture and movement. A physical therapist can also be a part of a sports team where they can take the time to educate the coach and staff on injury prevention.

More Benefits of Sports Physical Therapy

Physical therapy for athletes is extremely beneficial, with prevention being the most noteworthy. However, there are numerous others. For starters, it can help in developing healthy habits. Getting the opportunity to work on wellness goals, like regular exercise, a healthy diet, and a focus on hydration are fundamental in improving an athlete's physical fitness level. It also helps with relaxation, seeing as a proper cool-down after a long day on the court or field is very important. Unwinding allows athletes to regain their energy, relax their muscles, and have a healthier body overall.

Sports physical therapy is becoming a popular field of study because it is so crucial for athletes of all ages. Athletes must be cared for so that they don't have to spend time on the bench due to injuries. Thinking about sports physical therapy for yourself? Give Onofray Physical Therapy a call today!