Physical Therapy for Recovering from Sports Injuries

Physical Therapy for Recovering from Sports Injuries

If you have recently suffered an injury from playing sport, you’re probably stuck on the sidelines getting bored whilst you heal up. It is common knowledge that the two most important factors of recovering from an injury are rest and rehabilitation, so you really need to cut out any extra strains while simultaneously training your body back up to full potential.

In order to get yourself fit and healthy again so you can get back to your sport as soon as possible, you’ll have to get your muscles and bones in good shape again. Of course you’ll see a doctor, but a course of physical therapy tends to be much more effective.

You should choose to see a physiotherapist, as they will be able to put you through your paces and give you individual, tailored advice and exercises to do to aid your recovery. Here’s how you can use a spot of physio to recover from your injuries.

Stop Exercising Immediately

If you’re playing sport and you feel some severe pain, you should stop what you’re doing right away. It could be any number of things – laceration, break, repetitive stress. If you carry on and disregard the pain, you could be setting yourself up for permanent damage.

Seek Medical Attention

If you felt intense pain, it would be wise to get an X-ray; it could be something serious, even if the pain has since died down. It’s important to see a doctor as soon as possible – some injuries (like dislocations) do more damage as time passes.

Get Physiotherapy

Ask your doctor whether he or she recommends you undergo physical therapy. This will be likely if you’ve suffered badly, or if your muscles have atrophied at all through lack of use.

Next you should find recommendations for physiotherapists, especially ones who deal with sports injuries. It’s a fairly common specialisation, so it shouldn’t be hard to find a few in your local area. Call and enquire whether they have experience with your sort of injury.

At your first appointment, you will be given an examination and your physical condition will be evaluated. This prevents further injury. You may also be given implements to help you, like a crutch or other walking aids, such as those detailed on Quest88.

Set Goals

Talk with your physio and establish reasonable goals and a target date to have achieved them by. Your physical therapist should provide you with a number of stretches and exercises; you will do these with the therapist, then repeat them every day as prescribed until your follow-up appointment.

Be Proactive

Make sure to speak up during your appointments – if you think your exercises are too challenging/not challenging enough, you should let it be known. Communication is key here; a physiotherapist is not a psychic.

Keep at It!

You must stick to the programme; you have been prescribed those exercises for a reason, by a trained professional who knows what to do. If you’ve been told to do your stretches every day, do them every day – without fail!