Many young athletes assume that recovering from an injury is as simple as applying ice and waiting it out. But for all sorts of injuries—from strains to soft tissue knee injuries to bone fractures—physical therapy has a tremendous impact on recovery. Not only can customized physical therapy for athletes bring about a quicker recovery, but it can also reduce the likelihood of reinjury and help prevent further sports injuries. Of course, one of the biggest benefits of physical therapy for athletes themselves is regaining or even exceeding their pre-injury performance!
What is a Physical Therapy Consultation?
If you’ve been injured at any point in your athletic career and the injury is still impacting your ability to perform at your best, it’s a good idea to schedule a consultation with a physical therapist as you gear up for a new season. What is a physical therapy consultation? Physical therapy for athletes is a lot like physical therapy for any patient—but an athlete’s program will be more focused on returning to high-level sports performance rather than regaining everyday mobility.
Benefits of Physical Therapy for Athletes
Physical therapy for athletes in recovery typically involves targeted stretches, exercises, and massage. Together, these therapies help athletes regain the foundation of strength, flexibility, and balance needed to excel at their sport and avoid reinjury. In fact, it’s hard to understate the many benefits of physical therapy for athletes, which include:
- Reducing pain during intense activity
- Restoring lost flexibility
- Restoring neuromuscular control
- Improving athletic performance after injury
- Reducing the risk of future injury
- Rebuilding muscle strength
After an injury, an athlete typically experiences pain and a loss of neuromuscular control. Without physical therapy, athletes risk returning to sport without the proper muscle balance or before fully regaining their balance and stability—two factors that often contribute to reinjury.
Schedule a Physical Therapy Consultation in Chicagoland
You can find IMPACT Physical Therapy clinics throughout Chicagoland and in Champaign-Urbana, so don’t wait to let us know if you’re interested in physical therapy for athletes looking to start the school year injury-free. Contact us today with any questions about what to expect from your first visit and how long physical therapy lasts—we’re here to help!
