7 min
Injuries occur regardless of whether you’re a professional athlete, an amateur, an everyday runner, or someone who plays sports recreationally. Whether it’s a sprain, a strain, or an overuse injury, getting back to where you once were isn’t necessarily an overnight process. Fortunately, one of the best methods to treat and get back to play is proper physical therapy/chiropractic .Â
Physical therapy in Canton can help athletes and anyone suffering from a sports injury in their healing journey. Physical therapists and chiropractors are specialists who are essential in guiding injured individuals to regain strength and range of motion and prevent re-injury.
Sports injuries are sustained when the body is overused during physical activity. The following are examples of common sports injuries:
It is also important to note that sports injuries may be acute (happen all at once) or chronic (develop over time through repeated use).
Physical therapy and chiropractic care are forms of rehabilitation through exercise, hands-on treatment, and education. Physical therapists and chiropractors understand the body, how it works, and how it can heal. They create a rehabilitation program that is appropriate and tailored to the individual. The program focuses on the injured body part, increases range of motion, and builds strength to lower the risk of re-injury.
In addition, many centers offering physical therapy and chiropractic care in Canton, Avon, Simsbury, West Hartford, and surrounding areas, also offer sports rehab centers with similar intentions, tailored to specific athletes and injuries.
There are many reasons why physical therapy and Chiropractic are essential to sports injury recovery:
When someone is injured, the body needs time to heal. However, sometimes, if someone is on bed rest or avoiding movement for too long, healing can take longer than anticipated. That’s why physical therapy and chiropractic are helpful. Under professional supervision, low-impact exercise speeds up the healing process. Once the patient is healed, physical therapy and chiropractic teaches precautionary measures to avoid re-injuring oneself.
Sometimes, injuries make muscles weak or tight. Therefore, a sports injury treatment program in Canton usually involves strength training, stretching, and mobility exercises to teach the body how to operate at full capacity again.
Sadly, when injuries go untreated, they turn into chronic pain or permanent disability. Sports injury recovery therapy finds why the injury occurred in the first place and fixes it immediately to prevent any permanent injury.
Pain often accompanies sports injuries. However, treatment can occur without pain medication. For example, physical therapists and chiropractors can utilize soft tissue mobilizations, stretches, or specialized equipment that decreases pain in injured areas. This eliminates any need for pain medication that can often have side effects when used over time.
Sports require ongoing coordination and balance for the proper execution of activities and the prevention of falls and slips during games and fitness routines. Physical therapists and chiropractors can assist patients with a variety of activities to keep someone active and on their game.
If you’re receiving physical therapy or chiropractic care for a sports injury in Canton, Avon, Simsbury, West Hartford, and surrounding areas, you’ll experience the following during treatment:
The clinician will inquire about your injury, asking about when, how it happened, and how it currently feels. Your physical therapist will also evaluate your range of motion, strength, and flexibility. Also important is your medical history. Answer all questions honestly and openly so the clinicians can best serve you in this evaluation.
You’ll receive a personalized treatment plan involving one or several physiotherapy modalities. These may include stretching, strength training, and balance training. Depending on the severity of your injuries, pain management techniques may also include ice, heat, ultrasound, and electrical stimulation.
Your physical therapist or chiropractor will also instruct you on proper posture and mechanics to prevent future injuries.
During treatment, your clinician will adjust your treatment plan based on your progress. As you improve or gain increased flexibility and range of motion, or strength, your therapist will adjust the intensity of your exercises so you can maintain progress. You’ll also receive a home exercise program to supplement your in-clinic treatment.
There are multiple techniques and modalities involved during physical therapy and chiropractic care for a sports injury, including:
Hands-on treatment entails multiple techniques that apply gentle pressure to soft tissues. Your physical therapist or chiropractor manipulates and mobilizes your muscles and joints, helping alleviate stiffness and discomfort.
You are taught exercises that are deemed safe and valuable for your injury. These enhance flexibility, strength of muscles, and joint functionality. The exercises are also progressive. For example, you may start with passive exercises in which your physical therapist maneuvers your limbs. As you improve, your exercises may become active with your physical therapist or chiropractor adding resistance.
Electrical stimulation targets your soft tissues. Your clinician uses a small hand-held device to deliver a mild electrical current to the affected area to reduce pain and enhance muscle function.
Ultrasound therapy for sports injuries is not the same as an ultrasound scan. Here, a sports injury physical therapist or chiropractor applies sound waves to your deep tissues to encourage healing and reduce discomfort and inflammation.
Physical therapy and Chiropractic not only fixes but also prevents future injury. Here’s how:
Learning Proper Form: Whether you’re running or jumping, or learning how to pick up a box again, a physical therapist can show you safe and effective form so you don’t cause injury while recovering.
Compensatory Muscle Imbalances Fixed: Areas of weakness or tightness cause your body to be out of alignment. A physical therapist and chiropractor pinpoints these and helps you get back on track.
Sport-Specific Maintenance Programs: Different sports require different strengths. A physical therapist and chiropractor can create an exercise and maintenance routine to keep your body strong and properly aligned for your sport.
If you’re cleared to play and want to ease back into sports, using Canton physical therapists and chiropractors will prevent the mistake of getting cleared too early, preventing a re-injury.
Physical therapy and chiropractic care can address these sports-related injuries:
These are common injuries in basketball, soccer, running, and more. They generally occur from landing inappropriately. Physical therapy and chiropractic care helps to strengthen the surrounding muscles of the ankle and increase balance to avoid future injuries.
These are knee injuries that happen when you stop suddenly or change direction quickly. Therapy restores strength and stability.
This is a standard sports injury related to overuse and repetitive motion over a short period. Your physical therapist or chiropractor will assist you with stretches and strengthening activities.
Shoulder injuries occur with baseball, swimming, and weight lifting. Physical therapy and chiropractic care assists in restoring strength and function.
These are common injuries for runners and dancers. Physical therapy and chiropractic care will relieve pain while restoring leg strength and alignment.
The sooner you start physical therapy in Canton, the better. You should never have to wait to receive treatment because waiting only exacerbates a sports injury, with more complications leading to a longer healing time. The moment you feel pain, discomfort, weakness, or an inability to perform regular daily functions, you need to book an appointment with a Canton physical therapy/chiropractic clinic.
Healing length varies based on:
Some people heal within a few weeks, while others take a few months. But listening to your clinician will provide the quickest and safest healing process.Â
Injuries can be frustrating, whether you’re an elite athlete or someone who enjoys getting up and moving. But with the help of the physical therapy/chiropractic Canton experts, recovery doesn’t have to be difficult. Sports injury treatment experts at BodyFit Physical Therapy have everything you need to recover, rehabilitate your body, strengthen it, and prevent future injuries.Â
Don’t wait for recovery if you’ve sustained an injury due to physical movement. Seek a physical therapist/chiropractor in Canton, Avon, Simsbury, West Hartford, and surrounding areas, who understands your intentions and will help you get back on track safely and securely.
Chat with a coach to discover how our programs can fit into your lifestyle and help you achieve your goals. Let’s get you started on your fitness journey today!
