People of all ages and skill levels suffer from sports injuries at some point. No matter how well a person warms up, stretches, and employs proper cool-down techniques, injuries can still occur. Sometimes the injury results from an unavoidable accident; other times it occurs as the result of improper training. In either case, effective injury rehab physical training can help the injured person return to their regular level of activity without re-injuring themselves.
The first phase of a recovery program involves controlling pain and inflammation. This includes resting the afflicted area, applying ice, and using other modalities, such as electrical stimulation and ultrasound. This can be a long and tedious process, particularly if the injury is severe. However, ignoring an injury can worsen the situation by causing more swelling, a decrease in joint mobility, and muscle weakness and tenderness.
In the second phase, a patient’s athletic trainer or physical injury rehab physical training therapist will perform soft tissue and joint mobilization exercises, which will increase the range of motion of the affected muscles and joints. They may also perform passive stretching exercises to improve the flexibility of the muscles, and they can use trigger point sports massage therapy to relax the injured area. During this time, the athlete should avoid any activities that aggravate the affected area.
The third phase focuses on increasing strength. This may involve isometrics, the use of elastic bands of varying resistances, free weights, cuff weights, and/or other types of weight equipment. It’s important to note that the patient may have to work through pain during this phase, as well. This is due to the fact that the injury has weakened the area’s balance, proprioception, and coordination.
Once the athlete has improved his or her balance and coordination, they can begin to train the muscles that are needed for their specific sport. This can include skills and drills that are performed during practice and games. However, it is vital to remember that the athlete should continue to train properly and avoid overtraining the injured area.
If a patient fails to attend their treatment sessions or doesn’t follow the home exercise programs that are prescribed, the recovery process will take longer. This can lead to re-injury or even more serious damage. In addition, if an injured athlete neglects the injury, they will be less likely to return to their sport and will lose their ability to compete at their highest level of performance.
The most common injuries in sports are pulled muscles, knee ligament tears, hamstring injuries, elbow injuries, and wrist tendinitis. The best way to prevent these kinds of injuries is to make sure that the athlete is properly trained and conditioned, that they warm up and stretch before workouts, and that they take breaks during their workouts. Injuries can also be prevented by avoiding acrobatic or explosive movements and practicing proper technique. For example, athletes should always tuck their elbows in and keep their shoulders squared up when they are throwing or jumping to reduce the risk of shoulder injuries.