Sports Conditioning and Injuries

The term “sports injury” refers to the kinds of injuries that most commonly occur during sports or exercise. Some sports injuries result from accidents, while others occur because of poor training practices, improper equipment, lack of conditioning, or insufficient warmup. Although injuries can occur to any part of the body during sports or exercise, the term typically refers to injuries that involve the musculoskeletal system. The musculoskeletal system includes the muscles, bones, and associated tissues such as cartilage. The knee holds the crown for most reported joint injury. Additionally, other common injuries include injuring the ankle, shoulder, achilles tendon, shin splints, compartment syndrome, and dislocated joints.

Severe injuries should be evaluated by your primary care provider or at the emergency room of your local hospital. Depending on the severity of the injury, your primary care provider may refer you to a Physical Therapist or an Orthopaedic Surgeon. If you get referred to physical therapy, be sure to contact Capstone Physical Therapy to schedule an appointment.

Sports therapy also includes education. Every athlete should be aware of the potential strain that sports put on their bodies. Parents, coaches, and athletes all benefit from learning about preventative measures, acute injury care, and post-rehab conditioning.

At Capstone Physical Therapy, we offer comprehensive rehabilitation focused on returning you to your sport or activity. Sports Therapy, a specialized part of physical therapy, focuses on athletic performance. You do not need to be hurt to seek sports therapy. A sports therapy program can enhance your performance. In fact, many professional athletes regularly visit a sports therapist to assess their risk of injury and prevent future problems. At Capstone, we will perform a detailed evaluation and assessment to determine your individual program. Additionally, the evaluation includes a full biomechanical analysis of your sport performance, linking it to the entire body. Treatment plans will focus on returning you to your activity, and may include manual therapy, stretching, strengthening, and sport specific retraining. The athletes we treat are active partners in their rehabilitation.