Sports injury physiotherapy focuses on the rehabilitation of an injury resulting from sports or exercise. It also increases sports performance and assists in injury prevention. Because athletes have a higher risk of injury, progress can be interrupted due to one. Sports physiotherapy can speed healing by addressing both the mental and physical damage during the recovery process. It is through this approach that sports physiotherapy helps athletes return to their sport in top condition, which lowers the possibility of additional injury.
How does sports physiotherapy do this? There are several steps that are followed to achieve the goal of full recovery and reduced injury risk. It all starts with a thorough assessment of the injury. This includes what caused it, how serious the injury is, and how it has affected the athlete physically.
Once pain and swelling have reduced, treatment can begin. As each injury and sport demands on the body differ from one situation to another, the specifics will vary. However, the next step is to begin treatment. This is often in the format of gentle, controlled movements. These exercises work to decrease pain and speed healing. As healing progresses, more challenging exercises are added to the treatment plan. These are intended to build strength, flexibility, and range of motion.
Three Stages of Sports Injury Rehabilitation
Sports injury rehabilitation encompasses three primary stages. Here is a review of each:
Acute Phase
The first step to recovery focuses on pain and swelling reduction. The RICE method (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) is used along with gentle exercises to maintain mobility and reduce the stiffness of joints.
Recovery Phase
With pain and swelling reduced, recovery focuses on the restoration of range of motion, strength building, and increased flexibility. The exercises used during this phase are unique ones created to meet the demands of the athlete’s particular sport or activity.
Reconditioning Phase
This is the last phase of recovery and it revolves around sports-specific exercises intended to get the athlete back to pre-injury condition. It is at this point where the injury is confirmed as healed completely and the athlete has regained confidence in their sporting ability.
The Purpose of Rehabilitation for Sports Injury
What is the purpose of rehabilitation following a sports injury? It is important to understand that sports injury physiotherapy is meant to do more than just help the athlete to recover physically. It also works on the mental and psychological aspects of getting back into sports activity. There are several tools used to prepare an athlete for this including sports massage, injury prevention education, therapeutic exercise, and manual therapy.
The bottom line is that sports physio speeds up recovery and reduces the risk of future injuries. The best part is that you do not need to be an elite athlete to benefit from sports injury physiotherapy. Amateur sporting enthusiasts can also benefit greatly.
Tips for Preventing Sports Injury
If you are currently interested in learning how to prevent sports injuries, you can apply these tips to your sporting activity to keep you injury-free. It starts with proper training where you learn the mechanics of the sport you love and how injuries may occur. Ensuring that you engage in warm-up exercises before you hit the field and cool-down exercises after the game will help prepare your body and mind. Finally, scheduling regular physiotherapy check-ups is a great form of injury prevention. Physiotherapy exercises may help you address issues related to how you hit the ball, run down the court, swing a bat, or whatever you do in your specific sporting activity.
The mental recovery that is part of the process is vital. It essentially helps you to regain your confidence so that you can return to the sport you love at full capacity. Holding back for fear of injury after you’ve had one does not help your athletic progress or performance. However, it can become a hurdle. Sports injury physiotherapy addresses the mental part of injury recovery to get you over that hurdle.
Scarborough Physio and Health for Sports Injury Physio
Are you seeking sports physio to help prevent sports injuries? Contact Scarborough Physio and Health today. Learn about injury prevention through a unique treatment plan. Contact Scarborough Physio and Health today, your local physiotherapist in Redcliffe Qld.
Conclusion
Sports injury physiotherapy is a specific type of physiotherapy that treats injuries related to sports and exercise. Through the use of various methods, the physical and mental aspects of the injury are treated through a three-phase recovery process. The goal is to get the injured individual back to pre-injury condition with strength physically and mentally so that they can continue to enjoy the sport they love without fear of re-injury.
