Physical therapy is a tool that helps both professional and amateur athletes recover from injuries. It can also help athletes reduce their risk of injury by preparing muscles for repetitive movements.
At La Clinica, athletes turn to physical therapy for recovery from sports injuries, while seniors choose it as a means to uphold mobility and independence. But what many people don’t realize is that physical therapy has a broader impact on the body and mind.
1. Relieves Pain
Pain is one of the most common reasons people seek physical therapy. Whether you have a sports injury or chronic back or neck pain, manual therapy techniques such as soft tissue mobilization, massage, ultrasound, electrical stimulation and targeted exercises can reduce the symptoms of your pain.
Besides relieving pain, physical therapy helps you build strength in the muscles and joints around your injury or surgical site, which can decrease the chance of further injury. It can also help you correct faulty movement patterns that could lead to injuries in the future.
A therapist may start your session by having an open conversation with you about your pain and how it affects your daily life. Then, they’ll perform a physical assessment using functional tests to determine what’s causing your pain and why it hasn’t healed yet.
2. Improves Flexibility
Many athletes experience stiff muscles and joints as a result of poor flexibility. This can cause them to overwork their muscles and may result in injury.
Physical therapy is a great way to improve flexibility. The physical therapist will use a combination of stretching, manual therapy techniques and exercises to help you become more flexible.
Increasing muscle flexibility can reduce your risk of injuries and boost your athletic performance. It can also make you leaner and more agile. In some sports, such as boxing, a flexible physique can help you withstand the punches that are often delivered during matches. You can get started with your physical therapy regimen by adding stretching to your daily routine. You can try simple stretches like the “standing triceps stretch” or the “swan stretch.” Having more flexibility will make you more lean and agile, decreasing your chance of getting injured while exercising.
3. Strengthens Muscles
Muscles are composed of bundles of muscle fibers that attach to bones via tendons. PT can strengthen muscles that were injured or weakened by an injury, a condition or surgery. It can also prevent future injuries by helping patients build muscle strength and mobility.
During physical therapy, doctors may use manual techniques to improve circulation and break up scar tissue to ease pain. They also encourage patient participation in exercise programs that are designed to increase muscle strength and flexibility.
A physical therapist can help reduce or eliminate muscle weakness caused by stroke, spinal cord injury, ALS or muscular dystrophy. They can design a muscle strengthening plan that begins with low-impact exercises and gradually ramps up the intensity as your treatment continues. This will help you avoid further injury and return to your normal level of activity as quickly as possible.
4. Improves Range of Motion
Whether you have limited range of motion from an injury, a chronic disease or just age, physical therapy exercises can help improve it. [1]
PT can also improve posture and body mechanics, reducing the risk of injury and improving performance. Getting a referral from your doctor is the first step to getting started with physical therapy.
Generally, your physical therapist will begin by performing a thorough examination and taking your medical history to understand your condition. Then they will develop a treatment plan including specific movements and exercises to target your needs. Sticking to your PT’s instructions (including frequency, order and number of repetitions) is essential for successful outcomes. Be sure to ask questions and provide feedback so that your therapist can adjust your treatment if needed.
5. Increases Endurance
Whether you’re running a 5k or playing basketball, having the ability to exert energy for long periods of time is essential. A physical therapist can help you increase your endurance through exercises that safely challenge your muscles without causing pain.
Having a limited range of motion or being stiff doesn’t just limit your sports performance; it can also lead to injury. A physical therapist can help you improve your form, which will ultimately reduce your risk of injuries and keep you competing at your peak.
Many athletes only see a physical therapist after an injury, but it’s important to consider seeing a PT specialist as a preventative measure. They can identify any weakness in your body before it becomes an injury, helping you avoid costly setbacks and allowing you to train and compete more effectively.