Recovering From Athletic Injuries: What You Need to Know About Sports Rehab

Some 8.6 million sports-related injuries occur each year in the United States. While men make up 61 percent of these injuries, these sprains and tears can happen to anyone.

But do not think these people will never take up their sports again.

Injured athletes have several avenues to turn to when it comes to getting back on the pitch. Many choose to heal on their own, but for those that can’t, they turn to doctors and therapists for evaluation and, in the worst-case scenarios, surgery.

Many also turn to sports rehab before and after medical repair.

This type of rehabilitation turns out to be the right solution for millions of Americans to feel better, increase mobility, and get back to exercising at the highest level.

In the following article, we’ll look at what is meant by sports rehab and if it is right for you.

Sports Rehab Basics

Sports therapists are often current or former high-performing athletes with a degree in physical therapy. These therapists specialize in functional rehabilitation.

These sports rehab therapists need a working knowledge of anatomy, sports science, and exercise. Their work often focuses on ligaments, muscles, and tendons where mobility and athletic ability have been compromised.

And you don’t have to have suffered a painful sports injury to turn to these therapists.

Many people looking for help from functional rehab and sports therapy are struggling with mobility or flexibility. Others still are preparing for an athletic challenge and want to make sure that their bodies are limber and strong enough.

Who Needs It?

As stated above, almost anyone looking to improve their athletic ability and mobility should consider a sports-specific rehab. But many people turn to a therapist to recover from a serious sports injury.

Some of the most common of these are ACL and meniscus tears. Unfortunately, these injuries to the knees are excruciating, often require surgery to fix, and can take weeks or months of physical rehabilitation to remedy.

Other common medical issues you would turn to a sports therapist for include:

• Nerve damage
• Carpal tunnel
• Rotator cuff rehab
• Shoulder, back, and neck pain
• Plantar fasciitis

Of course, you would also turn to a sports rehab specialist for serious strains, sprains, and ligament damage.

Treatments and Training

A sports injury rehab can take many forms, but some of the most common treatments use targeted exercises to improve the client’s movement and get past any mobility restrictions.

The therapist’s ultimate goal through these exercises is to reduce the client’s pain and get them as close to normal as possible.

Some treatments besides exercise can include:

• Ultrasound
• Yoga
• Massage therapy
• Lumbar traction

Exercises can also include work on gait training.

Where to Start

First, speak to your doctor about when you are ready to start your rehab. Most procedures have a set number of days before the patient can even be evaluated for exercise-related activities.

After you’re cleared to start, get a professional consult either through your doctor or a sports rehab center. They will best be able to develop a personalized plan for your rehabilitation.

Get Back in Action

One of the most important things to keep in mind when considering a sports rehab is your individualized goals. Having a clear vision of your future self and what you want to achieve will help your rehab go faster.

Remember, positive visualization is key for athletic success, and it is just as important for your sports rehab.

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