As summer draws to an end, the fall sports season is back. Unfortunately, with the beginning of the new season, there is also an increased risk of sports injuries. There are several health benefits associated with playing sports, but sometimes these health benefits can be outweighed by being at a higher risk for injury. At Free Body Physical Therapy, we understand how devastating it can be to get sidelined by a sports injury. Our team offers sports rehabilitation and injury prevention for all the common sports injuries to get you back on the field with your teammates. Continue reading about how you can prevent sports injuries this fall.
Sports Injuries
Whether you are a competitive athlete or playing for fun, any athlete can endure various types of sports injuries. While sports injuries tend to be more common in children, athletes of all ages can suffer a sports injury. Each injury is unique and produces different symptoms and complications. Some of the sports injuries we treat at Free Body Physical Therapy may include:
- Knee Injuries.
- Sprains and Strains.
- Overuse Injuries.
- Tendonitis.
- Back and Neck Injuries.
- Joint Problems.
- Fractures and Dislocations.
If you get injured on the field, you should seek treatment as soon as possible to avoid any long-term issues.
Sports Injury Prevention
After spending countless hours training and preparing for your sport, the last thing you want is a sports injury taking you down. Playing an active role in your injury prevention can help you avoid career-ending injuries and continue working toward your athletic goals. The following are some helpful tips to prevent injuries:
- Develop a fitness routine that includes strength training, cardiovascular exercise, and flexibility training to decrease your chances of injury.
- Exercise different muscle groups.
- Warm up and cool down before and after every practice or game. Exercising with cold muscles can lead to overstretching and tears. Warm up your muscles to ensure they are flexible and able to absorb quick movements. Cooldowns are just as important and usually involve the same stretching exercises as the warm up.
- Drink plenty of water before, during, and after exercising to prevent dehydration and avoid heat exhaustion.
- Use the proper gear or equipment for your sport and wear supportive shoes. Proper fitting shoes can help correct foot problems that lead to injuries.
- Perform stretching exercises. Stretching exercises can improve the muscles’ ability to perform, significantly reducing the risk for injury.
- Avoid overdoing it and rest your body when you are tired. If you feel pain, you should stop the activity to avoid injuring yourself.
- If you suffer a sports injury, make sure you participate in our sports rehabilitation program before resuming strenuous activities.
Benefits of Sports Rehabilitation
If prevention methods aren’t enough to stop a sports injury, the next step you should take is sports rehabilitation. Delaying your rehabilitation could significantly slow down your recovery time. When you schedule a session for physical therapy with our team, your recovery becomes our top priority. Our experts will show you therapeutic exercises and stretches that will get you back in the game quickly and safely. Our sports rehabilitation program aims to help athletes improve their performance and reduce the likelihood of surgery. After engaging in our targeted exercises, patients can experience regained strength, pain elimination, and improved flexibility and range of motion.
Contact Us
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, sports injuries happen. At Free Body Physical Therapy, our team is here to help you get through them. If you get injured during a game or practice, our team can determine the best course of treatment to get you back in the game safely. To learn more about injury prevention and our sports rehabilitation program, be sure to contact us today!