Sports physiotherapy, or exercise physiotherapy, aims to prevent, manage and rehabilitate injuries caused by a sport or physical exercise. Sports physiotherapists are experts in dealing with sports-related injuries, such as:
- Overtraining
- Improper technique
- Inadequate warm-up
Depending on the type and extent of the injury, physiotherapy may be the first course of therapeutic action or a follow-up to surgery. A physiotherapist can diagnose sports injuries, offer collaborative consultations with doctors and trainers, and prescribe restorative exercises to encourage recovery. A physiotherapist aims to speed up healing time and help their patients achieve optimal coordination, strength, and mobility post-injury. Physio is not just a way for athletes to get back to the same level of fitness as pre-injury. It’s also about optimizing training to avoid re-injury in the future.
Individuals of all ages, all sports and all degrees of ability can benefit from physiotherapy. Whether you’re an amateur or a professional athlete, there is an inherent risk of injury when engaging in most sports. In fact, those who only take part in sports on the weekends, also known as “weekend warriors”, are often most susceptible to sports injuries due to the sudden change from their usual slow routine during the week to a high functioning sport on the weekend.
If you have recently suffered a sports injury, here is a list of key reasons why you should seek help from a sports physiotherapist.
Table of Contents
Management Of Injury
If a sports injury requires surgery, surgeons often refer athletes to a sports physiotherapist to aid them in proper recovery. Prescribed physiotherapy exercises and treatment will also help reduce the weakening of muscles due to lack of physical activity during recovery, allowing athletes to return to their normal fitness level quicker.
Optimal Performance Restoration
Some athletes confess that they’re unable to return to the same level of performance they showcased before sustaining an injury, whether it’s due to chronic pain or fear of re-injury. A strict regimen of physiotherapy exercises and treatments can aid healing, prevent long-term complications and increase the athlete’s confidence.
Injury Prevention
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Many sports physiotherapists live by this mantra and often urge athletes to seek treatment that will help prevent injuries down the road. Doing recommended physiotherapy exercises can improve range of movement, increase flexibility and decrease unnecessary stress on muscles to help athletes avoid any damage and keep their performance up.
Lifestyle Improvement
For many professional athletes, their whole lives revolve around playing their sport. Sports physiotherapists can help guide and improve their patient’s lifestyles, teaching them to balance aspects of their daily lives while keeping their performance on the field in mind.
What’s the difference between sports physiotherapy and regular physiotherapy?
Both sports physiotherapists and regular physiotherapists share similar goals for their patient’s healing and recovery. Both will help restore the skills needed to perform daily activities and regain normal function. However, sports physiotherapy goes an extra mile because athletes require more than just function in everyday scenarios. Rebuilding exceptional coordination, mobility, strength, and advanced athletic skills requires a reconditioning program that reflects sport-specific athletic goals. Sports and physiotherapy go hand in hand, and there’s a good reason why many sports clubs and gyms maintain a relationship with a sports physiotherapist.
What are some common injuries treated by a sports physiotherapist?
The most common injuries across all sports are ankle sprains, ACL tears, patellofemoral syndrome, shin splints and hamstring strains. Other injuries include rotator cuff injuries, shoulder injuries and lower back injuries. Note that certain types of injuries are more common than others in specific sports.
How Long Will Injury Recovery Take?
The recovery period will vary depending on several factors:
- The type and severity of the injury
- Your fitness level
- How strictly you adhere to your rehabilitation plan
Bear in mind that returning to the field or increasing training intensity too early can be detrimental and will most likely increase recovery time. Your sports physiotherapist will work closely with you to set realistic goals and ultimately guide you back to optimal performance.
Author’s Bio
Karthik Talwar is a content writer for BreezeMaxWeb that helps businesses showcase their brand through enticing copy. When he is not working, he enjoys exploring new places and trying new foods.
