Sports Rehabilitation is the process of deciding when an injured player may safely return to practice or competition. All athletes over time, professional or not, are prone to injuries due to the excessive wear and tear associated with the demands of competitive sport.
Overstretching or tearing the ligaments results in a sprain. Ligaments are pieces of tissue that connect two bones to one another in a joint.
Overstretching or tearing muscles or tendons results in a sprain. Tendons are thick, fibrous cords of tissue that connect bone to muscle.
The Achilles tendon is a thin, powerful tendon at the back of your ankle. During sports, this tendon can break or rupture. When it does, you may experience sudden, severe pain and difficulty walking.
The rotator cuff keeps your shoulder moving in all directions. A tear in any of these muscles can weaken the rotator cuff.
STAGE 1
The first phase of the sports rehabilitation process focuses on pain and edema management (if present). In this phase, the usual norm is to rest, ice, compress, and elevate (RICE). Licensed medical experts (such as athletic trainers or physical therapists) may utilize additional modalities to aid in this process, such as electrical stimulation or ultrasound. If required, doctors may decide to give medication.
STAGE 2
focuses on expanding the range of motion of a joint or the flexibility of a muscle. Athletes are taught particular stretching exercises to complete on their own or are stretched manually by an athletic trainer or physical therapist. During this phase, stretches should be held for at least 30 seconds.
STAGE 3
The third phase of sports rehabilitation focuses on increasing strength. Isometrics (pushing against an immovable object) can be employed first, followed by elastic bands with various resistances, free weights, cuff weights, or weight equipment.
STAGE 4
Phase 4 emphasizes proprioception, balance, and sport-specific training. Proprioception is the body's ability to sense its position in space without seeing. Simply told, it's about balance. When an athlete gets an injury, their ability to balance deteriorates. Improving one's proprioception is an excellent method to keep an injury from recurring.
STAGE 5
This leads to Phase 5 of the recovery process, in which the athlete progressively resumes full activity. Sport-specific training includes exercises, skills, and drills that athletes use during games or practices. At this time, the athletic trainer or physical therapist gradually moves the wounded athlete from simple activities to those that need more expertise as they heal and gain muscle control to tolerate them without causing future damage.
Even after you return to play, it is critical to continue your sports rehabilitation to avoid re-injury. While an injury can be unpleasant, it will pass, especially if treatment is started early and closely monitored. Exactly like practice.
For the discerning athlete, there is no comparison between general therapy after an accident and sports-related rehabilitation. For starters, their goals are not the same. Sport-specific rehab extends beyond recovery. It focuses on the mechanics and forces of your sport in order to equip you to play again with equal or better results than before.
Basic therapy is insufficient when your body has been accustomed to the hardships of physical activities. You'll need a skilled sports physical therapist to bring you back in peak shape so you may resume your favorite sport.
Sports injuries are becoming increasingly common as families pursue better lifestyles and encourage their children to participate in youth sports. According to one study, 8.6 million Americans sustained sports-related injuries in a single year. Many of these injuries can be treated at home, but some require hospitalization. If you are hospitalized for a sports injury, you will most likely need physical therapy.
Physical therapy is required for complete healing from a sports-related injury. Injured body parts frequently require immobilization or rest to heal. During the healing process, certain muscles and joints go out of practice, so to say. As part of the sports rehabilitation process, you must exercise the affected area to improve strength and restore normal function. Physical therapy teaches you how to do this properly, allowing you to restore mobility quickly and without further harm.
Athletes benefit greatly from sports physical treatment. Unlike ordinary physical therapy, which helps patients recover the capacity to do daily living tasks, sports physical therapy improves your body's ability to resist the extreme stress of athletics.
Sports PT focuses on the unique needs of your sport. Every sport necessitates unique movements and mechanics, as well as exerting distinct forces on your body. Weightlifters require greater concentration on strength and fitness, whereas runners gain more from gait analysis. A sports physical therapist can provide you with customized workouts to treat the specific strains of your sport and prepare you to play under those conditions again.
Sports physical therapy also takes into account your specific body composition, which can have an impact on both your sports performance and your recuperation. Your sports physical therapist can assess how your body functions and assist you in correcting pre-existing physiological imbalances or potentially harmful patterns of motion that put you at risk of further injury.
When you have experienced a serious sports injury, sport-specific rehabilitation is the greatest way to regain and improve your original athletic ability. There are numerous other benefits of sports physical therapy that will help you heal, such as:
Finally, sport-specific rehabilitation is intended to help you heal faster and more completely while reducing discomfort and preventing future injury. Don't settle for general sports rehabilitation. Athletes of all skill levels can improve their performance in their sport with effective sports PT.
Whether you’re a competitive athlete, need a rehab for athletes training, a weekend warrior or recuperating from surgery, Sports Physiotherapist at Dr L H Hiranandani Hospital will help you recover!