Many injured athletes choose to visit physical therapists for treatment. Physical therapists are trained and experienced in treatments that can reduce pain and restore your strength and flexibility. This is important for athletes who want to recover well and quickly so they can get back to training and competing.
The treatments physical therapists use for sports injuries vary depending on the cause and severity of the injury. At Panther Physical Therapy, treatments are customized to your individual needs. Generally, you can expect your treatment for a sports injury to include:
- Hands-on therapy — Also known as manual therapy, hands-on therapy involves a series of techniques in which a physical therapist uses their hands to manipulate the joints and soft tissue. These techniques can reduce pain and improve the range of motion in the spine and injured joints.
- Deep tissue massage — Tense muscles around the injured area increase pressure on the injury, which increases the amount of pain you feel. Physical therapists can massage these muscles to help reduce tension and pain.
- Therapeutic exercise — Therapeutic exercises are at the core of many physical therapy treatments. Physical therapists can safely guide you through exercises to help you build your strength and flexibility. This reduces pressure off of the injured areas and provides better support for your body, which improves the overall recovery process.
- Electrical stimulation — Physical therapists can connect electrodes to the skin around the injured area that deliver small bursts of electricity to the muscles. This helps the muscles expand and contract, which is important for keeping them healthy and fit when you cannot use them due to the injury. It also helps soothe the pain and improve blood flow in the injured area.
Visit Panther Physical Therapy to treat a sports injury
Are you an athlete who’s been injured and is ready to recover and get back in the game? Our team at Panther Physical Therapy can help. Let one of our physical therapists examine your condition and develop a personalized treatment for you. Contact our team today to learn more about treating sports injuries or to schedule an initial appointment.