How to Recover from a Sports Injury Using Physical Therapy

Sports injuries, while common, are treatable.

With more than 600 muscles in the human body, it is no wonder that athletes often find themselves sidelined with a sprain, strain, or worse. No matter the sport, injury is too often the name of the game. These injuries typically occur in muscles and joints vital to movement in everyday life, such as the shoulder, knee and ankle. If addressed incorrectly, these injuries will not heal adequately and can recur indefinitely. Physical therapy is the surest way to a safe, complete recovery, addressing injury through identification, healing, and prevention.

How Is Identifying an Injury Better with a Physical Therapist?

Because physical therapists understand the body and its musculoskeletal system, they can identify the exact elements of the injury and the associated pain.

How Can Physical Therapy Improve Healing?

With their highly specialized training, physical therapists understand the mechanics behind both the body and the injury. Equipped with this expertise, they are qualified to create a rehabilitation plan tailored to an athlete's individual needs, understanding how high-activity joints such as the shoulder, knee and ankle are used both in daily living and athletic endeavors, and customizing a plan that allows continued use of those joints while promoting recovery.

How Can Injury Be Prevented?

Physical therapists are also adept at creating prevention plans aimed at avoiding, rather than healing, injuries. With their advanced knowledge of muscle mechanics, therapists can assess an individual's risk for particular injuries and provide training for preemptive measures. Circumventing injury is always preferable to suffering and recovery.

Physical therapy changes lives. Many people use sports as a way to release energy, socialize, and pursue personal fitness goals, and physical therapy can help everyone, regardless of skill level, continue to enjoy an active life.