Every year, millions of athletes suffer sports-related injuries. While some are unavoidable, many are preventable. With the help of physical therapy Bellingham, athletes can reduce their risk of injury and shorten recovery time. Still, physical therapy is more than injury prevention and recovery assistance. Skilled PT therapists can help athletes meet their true potential on the field and off of it.
Injury Recovery and Prevention: The Foundation of Sports Physical Therapy
Physical therapy Puyallup, WA, is often viewed as a reactive solution, meaning people only request it after an injury. However, PT is more about a proactive approach, reducing the likelihood of injuries. That said, if an injury occurs and an athlete is involved in PT before the injury, recovery times can be quicker, depending on the severity of the injury.
If an athlete was not involved in a PT program before the injury, involving a physical therapist post-injury is still beneficial. Not only can the therapist help improve recovery time with guided exercises and therapies, but they can also help build strength around the injury site to reduce the likelihood of a future repeat injury.
What Does Sports Physical Therapy Look Like?
Regular physical therapy Redmond is not the same as sports-focused PT. Sports PT is specific to an individual sport or athletic position. For example, a defensive lineman will probably not have the same program as a quarterback.
Most sports-focused PT programs focus on movement analysis and strength training. Movement analysis typically comprises video recordings and specialized tests to pinpoint weaknesses or imbalances in the athlete.
Once a physical therapist understands the demands of the sport and the athlete’s specific needs, they can get to work designing a personalized exercise program. The program likely includes strength training, flexibility, and functional movement exercises and therapies. The therapist might use manual therapy, like joint mobilization or massage when necessary.
Beyond the Field: Understanding the Wider Benefits of Physical Therapy
While sports-focused physical therapy focuses on the primary benefit of improved athletic performance, that is not its only advantage. Physical therapy, in general, is a beneficial and healthy practice. The strength, power, and flexibility gains directly translate to on-field results, but they also provide off-field results.
People who commit to PT reduce their risks of injuries on and off the field. They also improve mobility and movement efficiency, reducing wasted energy and enhancing endurance. Finally, PT helps people manage mental fatigue and frustration. By learning to work through pain and maintain motivation during recovery, patients are more mentally fit to face their daily lives.
Sports-focused physical therapy is valuable for athletes on and off the field. While it is often sought after an injury, it is wiser to pursue therapy before an injury occurs. For athletes, you want to find a therapist specializing in your chosen sport. Still, the key is to get into a program as a proactive form of injury prevention. Contact a local physical therapist to learn more about sports-focused programs or to ask about injury-specific treatments.
