Whether you’re a professional athlete or a weekend warrior, you understand how important it is to stay in peak physical shape to pursue the activities you love. But no matter your sport or activity of choice, there’s always the potential for a sports-related injuries. Muscle strains, sprains, knee injuries, groin pulls, and more, can keep you on the sidelines. But with the help of a licensed Denver physical therapist, you can get back to your favorite activities sooner than ever and even improve your overall physical performance. In this blog, we’re taking a closer look at some of the most common sports injuries and how physical therapy can be an effective and safe form of treatment.
At Total Physical Therapy in Denver, Colorado, we know that every journey toward recovery is unique. That’s why we work hard to develop personalized treatment plans designed for your specific needs and goals. Our physical therapy office specializes in attentive, one-on-one care with Denver’s top physical therapists.
Our hands-on therapy techniques can relieve pain, improve mobility, boost your physical performance, and enhance the overall quality of your life. We design our physical therapy programs so that you can get one-one-one access with our team. With open communication, proven therapy techniques, and a staff dedicated to your full recovery, Denver Total Physical Therapy can get you back to the life and activities that you love.
What is Physical Therapy?
Physical therapy is an approach to healthcare that utilizes a series of exercises and stretches under the guidance of a licensed physical therapist. Physical therapy works with the body to unlock your natural healing ability when suffering from an injury or illness affecting the musculoskeletal system. With a program designed specifically for your needs and recovery, physical therapy can provide quick pain relief, improve overall mobility, and even boost your physical performance. This is why almost every professional sports team will have at least one physical therapist on staff.
Physical therapy takes place over a series of sessions. Depending on the severity of your injury or specific needs, a physical therapy program can take place over a few weeks or years. In part, the duration of your physical therapy program (and the success of your recovery) comes down to the dedication and commitment of you—the patient. While patients work closely with their physical therapist, they also usually have to complete some exercises and stretches on their own time. Thus, physical therapy enrolls the patient to truly play an important role in their recovery and overall wellness.
5 of the Most Common Sports Injuries
Receiving treatment at a physical therapy clinic can effectively treat quite the range of injuries and ailments. One of the most common reasons why someone would visit a physical therapist is due to a sports-related injury. From professional athletes to simply those who love staying active, injuries are common that can keep you on the sidelines for an extensive period of time. But with the help of an experienced physical therapist, you can speed up your recovery time.
Physical therapy can be effective for treating many of the most common sports injuries, including:
1. Knee injuries: did you know that knee injuries are the most common sports-related injury? Accounting for just over half of all sports-related injuries, injuries affecting the knee are common for those playing tennis, baseball, basketball, and any even involving jogging or running. Without proper rest and treatment, some knee injuries can get worse and could permanently affect your ability to compete.
2. Tennis or golf elbow: tennis elbow occurs when the tendons in your elbow degenerate due to consistent movement, such as a backhand in tennis or a golf stroke. This repeated movement can lead to pain and inflammation.
3. ACL tear: the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is located at the knee and connects your shinbone to your thigh. As previously noted, the knee is a prime target for sports-related injuries, such as ACL tears that can be very painful and limit your mobility in that leg. If you’re a NFL football fan, you’ve probably heard of this common injury.
4. Groin pull: the muscles in your inner thighs help pull your legs together and may experience pulls and strains when suddenly changing direction. This is a common sports injury for fast-moving sports, like hockey, soccer, and basketball.
5. Shin splints: common for runners, shin splints can be the result of a stress fracture on your shin bones. These can be extremely painful and make it difficult to run, jog, or even just walk.
How Can Physical Therapy Treat Sports Injuries?
While some believe physical therapy is only suited for professional athletes, physical therapy is actually ideal for anyone experiencing a sports-related injury. Millions of people experience sports injuries each year, and compared to other types of treatment (such as a surgical procedure), physical therapy is seen as a safer, less invasive form of care. So why do so many athletes visit physical therapists?
Physical therapy, consisting of a program of stretches and exercises, targets the injured muscles or tendons and gradually encourages the body to heal naturally. Physical therapy can restrengthen injured areas, reduce pain, and restore and improve your range of motion. By repeating your physical therapy program, over time your afflicted muscle, tendon, or ligament can become stronger. Additionally, physical therapy can help you reduce your risk of getting injured in the future.
Conclusion – 5 Common Sports Injuries – And How Physical Therapy Can Help
At Total Physical Therapy, sports injuries are some of the most common health conditions that we treat. From professional athletes to weekend warriors, it’s common for your body to suffer from some wear and tear when engaging with your favorite sport. This is especially true for those playing contact sports, such as football or hockey, or for high intensity workouts and activities. But you shouldn’t let a sports injury keep you out of the game.
Physical therapy has been proven to effectively treat a range of sports injuries so you recover faster and return to the activities you love. Whether you’re experiencing a muscle strain, sprain, ACL tear, knee injury, or any other sports-related injury, our physical therapy office can help you get back out there.
Total PT is your top choice for safe and effective physical therapy. With a commitment to personalized care and more one-on-one access with Denver’s top physical therapists than most other offices, our entire physical therapy office is dedicated to your complete recovery. If you’re suffering from a sports injury, require post-surgical care, or simply need to find relief from pain or limited mobility, we’re here to help. Our physical therapy services are also ideal for individuals recovering from personal injury accidents. Our physical therapy services provide quick pain relief, improved mobility, and can even help you ward off future injuries.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment and we can get you on track for an initial consultation. You can also view our full list of physical therapy services to see if our Denver physical therapy office could be right for your healthcare goals. Together, we can get you back to total health.
