Did you know that according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, over 2 million high school athletes suffer from sports-related injuries annually? Additionally, 3.5 million kids under 14 receive treatment for sports-related injuries annually, which doesn’t include the number of adult athletes injured by a sport.
Whatever your age or level of physical ability, physical therapy can help you enhance the healing process of a sports injury. With our sports injury rehabilitation programs, you can return to doing the activities you love.
If you want to return to your sport as safely and quickly as possible, contact us today to consult with one of our physical therapists.
How did my sports injury occur?
“Sports injury” is a term used to describe any injury sustained while exercising or performing some sort of athletic activity.
There are two ways in which sports injuries can occur: suddenly, such as one football player colliding with another, or over time, through repetitive motions, such as improperly lifting heavy weights at the gym or running in ill-fitted shoes. Simply put anything that results in pain while performing physical activity can be considered a sports injury.
Whether you rolled your ankle on the soccer field, swung your bat too aggressively on the baseball diamond, or strained your back while hiking your favorite trail, we can help you find relief. Your treatment plan will depend on the nature of your injury, your health history, and whether or not the damage requires surgical intervention.
If you’ve sustained a sports injury, please contact Rose City Physical Therapy immediately. Any damage left untreated can become more severe over time.
It is possible for any number of injuries to occur during athletic activity. However, the four most common sports injuries include:
- Shin splints. Medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS), or shin splints, is a pain in the shin bones at the front of your leg. This pain occurs when excessive stress occurs on the shinbone and the surrounding connective tissues. Shin splints often leave you feeling debilitated and limited; however, MTSS can be prevented by wearing proper footwear, strengthening your core and leg muscles, warming up before exercise, and, if you are a runner, ensuring your stride is optimized.
- Knee injuries. Did you know your knee is the most complex joint in your body? While this means that it can accomplish numerous physical feats, it also means that it is one of the most commonly injured body parts. Knee injuries may include a dull ache that runs from your hip to your knee, repetitive-use injuries that make it difficult to move your knee, or more severe injuries such as an ACL tear that may require intensive rehabilitation or surgical correction.
- Sprains. Ligaments connect your bones. When a ligament is stretched beyond its limits, it is more likely to be sprained again.
- Strains (“Pulled Muscles”). Tendons connect your muscles and bones. When a muscle and tendon are stretched beyond their limits, a strain or “pulled muscle” can occur. Once an injury occurs, it is more likely to strain again.
How will physical therapy help my sports injury?
Our physical therapists at our clinic will create a treatment plan for you based on your needs. Physical therapy is a natural and holistic approach to healing, including services such as:
- Manual therapy. Soft tissue release, ASTYM(™), or joint mobilizations and manipulations.
- Modalities. Specialized treatments your physical therapist has been certified to perform include cold laser therapy (Class III laser) or electrical stimulation.
- Therapeutic and Functional Exercises.
Physical therapy has been proven to be successful in treating both acute and chronic injuries, such as ligament sprains, muscle strains, plantar fasciitis, bursitis, tendinitis, and more.
Your physical therapist will teach you about what your body is experiencing and the recovery process it will go through. You and your physical therapist will work together to help you reach your physical goals, allowing you to be engaged and active in your rehabilitation.
Ready to return to your sport?
Physical therapy offers much more than current symptom relief – it prevents sports injury and enhances natural performance. If you are an athlete suffering from a sports-related injury, don’t waste more time on the sidelines.
Take your recovery to the next level with our physical therapy team. Confirm your appointment with Rose City Physical Therapy in Portland, OR, today and get started on the right track toward returning to the sport you love!