Sports Therapy in Scottsdale, AZ

At Onofray Physical Therapy we believe that it is our job to apply our knowledge of sport science to your individual needs. We create and implement a treatment plan for athletes to increase strength, range of motion, balance, posture and coordination through sport-specific training and rehabilitation. This enables you to achieve a level of physical ability that will allow both a safe and optimal return to competition.

Athletes know that there is nothing more frustrating than having to sit out a game or even an entire season because of pain or an injury. Physical therapy provides ways to prevent sports injuries. Also, it helps athletes recover from injuries as quickly as possible. Onofray Physical Therapy’s expertise in sports medicine is the answer!

Sports physical therapy has a special focus. Whereas general physical therapists will be equipped to help rehabilitate an injury, a sports-focused physical therapist is trained to deal with the injuries and the physiological aspects of sports and exercise. They have a deeper understanding of exercise science as well as biomechanics, subjects that are important in the prevention and full recovery of sports-related injuries.

We have a passion for working with athletes and can create unique treatment and prevention plans that consider your specific sport. Your body is unique and responds to a treatment plan in a unique way. Based on a full evaluation, Onofray Physical Therapy will create a plan that considers the specific sport, movement, physiology, strengths, weaknesses and injury risk. During a pain and/or injury assessment, we will find the underlying cause of the pain and give you a diagnosis to treat it properly. Then, we will tailor a plan with sports-specific and position-specific exercises to improve your athletic movement.

As pain subsides, we will include functional and mobility testing to determine weaknesses and where there can be improvements. This testing will include assessments of the body area most prone to stress during specific movements of the sport. For example, if your sport requires a lot of over-head, repetitive motions of the shoulder, your Onofray Physical Therapist will look closely at that area and signs of weakness. These weaknesses could lead to injury, which is why assessing the biomechanics of you as an individual athlete is important for prevention.

Unfortunately, most athletes seek physical therapy when they have already been injured or are having pain. However, one of the greatest benefits of sports focused physical therapy is injury prevention. We have a deeper understanding of exercise science, physiology and biomechanics. We are highly qualified to identify muscle instability and weakness that can lead to an injury. We can devise a prevention program that includes proper warm-ups, cool-downs as well a specific exercise. We can educate athletes on proper posture and movements through tests, for example “gait analysis” of runners. We are also able to educate coaches and sports team staff in assistance with athlete care.

Having a dedicated, sports focused physical therapist on your sports team can be beneficial to you as an athlete to catch an injury early. We can spot changes in mechanics and notice when you are favoring a part of your body. Early identification can mean the difference between missing a practice or a game versus the entire season. With Onofray Physical Therapy, you as an athlete, will have the opportunity to maintain strength and stamina. We will be able to improve or correct biomechanical or functional weakness. You can be the warrior athlete you are meant to be!

Having easy and open lines of communication with your sports medical providers is imperative to creating a full prevention and treatment plan that works. That includes building a strong relationship with your physical therapist, so that they know what is working for you and what is not. Furthermore, communication between your coach, your physical therapist, and/or parents when necessary, can greatly benefit athletes. Both coaches and parents can become better resources and watchful eyes for injuries. Being able to report back on pain lets your physical therapist know that the plan is working. Are you succeeding in prevention and /or recovery?

If you would like to know more about how Onofray Physical Therapy can help you excel as an athlete, please fill out our contact us form.