Sports Injuries

What are sports injuries?

Sports injuries happen when you participate in sports or during training and exercise. They cause damage to the bones, muscles, connective tissues, and cartilage that make up your musculoskeletal system.

Many sports injuries are acute, meaning they occur suddenly, like a sprained ankle or dislocated shoulder. However, you can also develop sports injuries from overuse or repetitive strain, where inflammation or tendon tissue change from numerous tiny injuries builds up over time.

What are some common sports injuries?

Sports injuries most likely to affect athletes include:

Torn muscles

Calf, thigh, hamstring, back, and triceps muscles are especially prone to strains and tears.

Strained tendons

Many athletes strain the Achilles tendon that attaches the heel bone to your calf muscle. Rotator cuff tears in the shoulder typically damage both tendons and muscles.

Sprained ligaments

Ligaments attach bones to other bones. Common sports injuries involving ligaments include ACL (anterior cruciate ligament), and MCL (medial collateral ligament) sprains in the knee.

Tendonitis/Tendinopathy

Tendonitis is an inflammation of the tendons that often develops over time. Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) and golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis) are common examples of tendonitis.

Cartilage tears

The meniscus in your knee and the labrum in your shoulder are the cartilages most likely to tear.

Fractures and dislocations can also affect athletes and typically require urgent medical care.

How does physical therapy help with sports injuries?

Physical therapy is vital to recovery from sports injuries. Your physical therapist at Natural Health Sports Therapy prepares a treatment plan for you that aims to return you to your sport with minimal or no performance loss.

If you've had to undergo surgery for an injury, such as a fracture, rotator cuff repair, or ligament reconstruction, your physical therapist can help you recover and return to fitness more quickly.

Treatments you may undergo as part of your rehabilitation program include:

• Stretching
• Strengthening
• Reconditioning activities
• Massage therapy
• Therapeutic modalities
• ESWT Therapy
• Hot and cold packs
• Laser therapy
• Myofascial release
  

Your therapist at Natural Health Sports Therapy also tailors your treatment to ensure you regain your balance, coordination, strength, and skill.

Incurring a sports injury is frustrating, but with expert care from the specialist team at Natural Health Sports Therapy, you can look forward to a successful return to the sports field. Call the office to schedule a consultation or book online today.