What is Sports Therapy?
Sports Therapy is a progressive physical therapy which specializes in the care and rehabilitation of orthopedic and sports-related injuries. Each patient is prescribed an individualized and customized treatment program. A Sports Therapist utilizes any and all types of exercise, modalities and manual techniques necessary to achieve the desired goals. Programs are based upon the results of a comprehensive bio-mechanical evaluation which enables the therapist to treat the source of the problem instead of the symptoms. Addressing the problem at its source helps ensure that the risk of recurrence is greatly minimized.
A functional approach is applied to the rehabilitation of all patients to promote a rapid return to full functional activities. A Sports Therapist emphasizes the restoration of normal mechanics and motor control. Their primary goal is to return the patient to full activity as soon as possible. The patient assumes an active role in their rehabilitation thereby easing the transition back to a normal level of activity. Education is also a key component of her practice as she teaches patients how to care for and maintain their health and their injuries. This has dramatically reduced the incidence of re-injury and has accelerated their recovery.
Reasons to Seek Out A Sports Therapist
sports injuries
ligament tears
rotator cuff injuries
tendinitis
knee pain
tendon ruptures
shoulder pain
tennis elbow
neck and low back pain
heel spurs
overuse syndromes
postural misalignment
ankle sprains
bursitis
muscle pulls
post-surgical rehabilitation
Types of Sports Therapy
R.I.C.E. (rest, ice, compression, and elevation)
Ultrasound is utilized to promote healing of soft tissue by adding deep heat to the site
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (T.E.N.S) is indicated for pain management
Interferential Current and Premodulation Current is indicated for pain management and inflammation control
Russian Stimulation/EMS indicates to facilitate growth of atrophied muscle
M.R.T. (myofascial release technique or “pin and stretching”)- a soft tissue system that treats conditions associated with muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, and nerves.
Deep Tissue Massage- a massage technique that focuses on the deeper layers of muscle tissue. It is commonly used to release chronic muscle tension through slow strokes and direct deep pressure applied across the grain of the muscles as opposed to pressure applied with the grain of the muscle.
Taping to help stabilize and support joints as well as provide compression to soft tissue.
Pre Activity Massage- aids in prevention of injury and prepares the body and mind for the stresses and exertions of the forthcoming event. Pre-activity massage will warm muscle tissue, lubricate joints, increase blood flow, and increase oxygen intake.
Post Activity Massage- return the body and mind to an enjoyably relaxed state. Post activity massage will relax muscle tissue, relax muscle fibres, and remove toxins and lactic acid from muscles. It helps prevent overuse injury and following day aches.