An injured player not only sidelines that player but also affects the morale of the entire team. Having a sports physical therapy team av...
An injured player not only
sidelines that player but also affects the morale of the entire team. Having a sports physical
therapy team available is a proactive way to improve your injured athlete’s
recovery times and allow them to return to the game. These tips will help you
understand some of the techniques a physical therapist uses when working with
your athlete.
Increase Recovery Times
Most injured athletes strive to
return to their normal workout routine as quickly as possible. Physical therapy in Jones
Creek, Louisiana, involves building a recovery schedule that gives the body
the support it needs to repair the injury.
Part of the treatment plan may
include exercises that strengthen and adequately stretch the muscles to restore
mobility. A physical therapist is also trained in techniques to minimize
or eliminate pain. They may prescribe specific exercises or perform manual techniques
to reduce symptoms and can teach the athlete the most effective way to tape
their injury to prevent re-injury.
Improve Performance
The physical therapist will
look for the underlying cause of the injury. In many cases, the incident that
caused the damage is obvious. However, underlying muscle weakness or joint
damage may make an athlete more prone to specific injuries.
A complete physical evaluation
can identify the root cause. By treating those areas as well as the injury
itself, the athlete can return to optimal performance.
A complete recovery plan
includes not only treatment of the injured area but also the management of
underlying factors. Developing this cohesive plan allows the athlete to
condition beyond their pre-injury level and return to the team stronger.
Prevent Further Injury
An essential part of a recovery
plan is consistent tests for functionality and pain. The physical therapist
uses these tests to evaluate the injury and develop a treatment plan.
Throughout recovery, the athlete undergoes these same tests, allowing the
therapist to monitor the status of the injury and the progress of its healing.
The therapist makes adjustments to the treatment plan based on these test
results.
Many athletes find these tests
are effective in monitoring their physical condition post-injury. The physical
therapist also schedules routine evaluations to ensure that the athlete is in
peak condition. If any subtle signs of weakness appear, the therapist can
implement a prevention plan.
Maintain Health
Optimal health is more than
just injury prevention and management. A physical therapist may suggest massage
therapy techniques to incorporate into the training program. There are numerous
benefits to massage therapy, including improving blood circulation, relaxing
muscle tension and relieving stress.
In addition, encouraging your
athletes to develop good habits concerning nutrition, hydration and sleep is
important. Physical therapists can work with your team to establish guidelines
for each of these. They can also help individual athletes develop plans that
are best for their individual needs.
Contact a Brittany, Louisiana physical
therapy treatment center if one of your players gets injured, and develop a
treatment plan to get your player off of the disabled list and back into the
game.
