As an athlete, when you sustain a sidelining injury, you just want to get back to the sport you enjoy so much. Sports physical therapy can help you recover completely and as quickly as possible.
There are also other benefits to receiving sports physical therapy from a professional physical therapist. Let’s talk about how this program of medical therapeutic treatments can help you attain and maintain peak performance, and where you can go throughout the Austin area for world-class physical therapy (PT) to help you become an exceptional athlete in your game.
What Is Sports Physical Therapy?
Physical therapy that is specialized in sports medicine helps athletes understand their physical condition and learn how to improve it. Physical therapy is generally understood to help you increase strength and function, such as after surgery or an injury, but sports therapy is specifically designed to help an athlete gain greater strength and capability for their sport – in a proactive, rather than reactive, way.
Sports physical therapy serves athletes of all kinds, whether amateur or professional. The overall aim of sports PT is to improve sports performance, prevent injury, and enhance strength and flexibility.
Customized Goals of Therapy for an Athlete
Sports physical therapists begin their assessment of an athlete by conducting a functional capacity evaluation(FCE). These detailed measurements and tests will elicit information about the athletes:
- Balance
- Coordination
- Flexibility
- Strength
- Cardiovascular endurance
- Proprioception (accuracy in perception of your body relative to the environment)
- Speed
- Agility
- Power when running, jumping, etc.
With results from the FCE, the physical therapist can determine what assistive devices, therapies (such as massage), and exercises will benefit the athlete. This includes recovery and decreased pain and stiffness after an injury, but also fostering optimized sports performance. Your sports physical therapist will keep you and your referring physician (if applicable)updated on your condition.
Ultimate Benefits of Sports Physical Therapy
Various physical therapy techniques are implemented in order to:
- Improve strength, flexibility, coordination, and posture
- Reduce pain, weakness, and soreness after an injury
- Prevent injuries (sprains, strains, fractures, dislocations) and/or their recurrence
- Forestall or prevent the need for orthopedic surgery
- Increase blood circulation, reduce inflammation, and improve healing
- Reduce stress and tension in order to maximize sports performance
Sports physical therapy can address every area of the body, including the spine, upper and lower extremities, hips, and more.
Your physical therapist can coach you in many beneficial lifestyle changes, such as answering the following questions:
- What is my optimal body weight?
- How many carbohydrates and how much protein should I consume when training?
- How can I tell whether I am well-hydrated?
- Will compression wear help me train better?
- How much sleep do I need?
Physical Therapists in Austin, Texas
If you’re an athlete, the PT experts at Endeavor Physical Therapy & Wellness in Austin are here for you. We help active people just like you to keep competing at the very best level possible.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, call us today at (512) 213-1092, or fill out our online request form now. We have many convenient locations, including in Austin, Round Rock, Manor, Pflugerville, Cedar Park, Bee Cave, Hutto, San Marcos, and Kyle, and we look forward to working with you!
