If you’re suffering from pain or limitations in your physical activities, you could have a musculoskeletal issue, and you’ll want to do everything you can to get better. Your primary care provider may recommend physical therapy to get you back to doing the activities you enjoy.
You may be wondering, “Could I benefit from sports physical therapy?” or “What is the difference between sports physical therapy and general physical therapy?” Troy Meiners, director of sports performance and therapy at HonorHealth, answers some common questions to help you understand the differences and benefits of sports physical therapy.
Q: What is sports physical therapy?
A: Sports physical therapy focuses specifically on understanding the needs of athletes and athletic activity requirements. Our therapists have extensive experience understanding the demands that go into each sport and activity. We will work with anyone who is active competitively or recreationally, to help them reach their recreational and performance goals.
Q: What’s the difference between sports physical therapy and general physical therapy?
A: While both sports physical therapists and general physical therapists are capable of evaluating and treating any musculoskeletal injury, a sports physical therapist has more focused practice working with a sport and recreationally active population.
If you’re an athlete or active individual and want to get back to the sport or activity you love, you can benefit from the experience of sports physical therapists. They uniquely understand the needs of athletes and activity demands and can adjust your treatment plan to fit your sport or activity.
Q: What conditions do sports physical therapists treat?
A: Our therapists treat a full spectrum of musculoskeletal injuries, including acute, chronic and repetitive overuse injuries. Areas affected may include back, neck, shoulder, knee, hip, foot and ankle injuries. Regardless of whether this is a new injury, or if it is an issue that has been lingering on and limiting your optimal performance, such as pain, we can help.
Q: Who can benefit from this type of treatment?
A: We typically provide treatment for anyone 8 years of age or older. Our therapists treat competitive athletes at all levels, including youth, high school, college and professional.
It’s important to remember sports physical therapy is not just for the serious athlete. We treat everyone from the recreational athlete to the avid hiker; from the little league baseball player to those who enjoy an active lifestyle. We can take care of you and your family.
Even if you’re not an elite athlete yourself, you can benefit from working with those who treat athletes at the highest levels – the best of the best. You can rest assured that your therapist will help you get back to performing at your desired and highest level for whatever activity or sport you want to return to.
Q: What can I expect from my therapist during treatment?
A: Your therapist will perform a comprehensive evaluation and assessment of your issue during your first session. You’ll then work together to develop an individualized treatment plan based on your unique needs and goals. All of our therapists promote an accelerated and safe return to your desired level of activity or sport.
Depending on your injury and your unique needs, your therapist may utilize manual therapy, instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization, therapeutic exercise, therapeutic activity, and proprioceptive training. Your therapist may also choose from or add modalities to enhance your recovery, such as cupping, dry needling, bracing, splinting or kinesio taping. You may receive instructions for a transitional and sustained home program and corrective exercises to minimize the chance of re-injury.
HonorHealth Sports Medicine
The team at HonorHealth Sports Medicine is a dedicated group of board-certified experts who understand the unique cause of sports injuries.
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