If you’ve been injured playing sports or working out, you know how frustrating it can be to get sidelined. You just want to get back to doing what you love as soon as possible. This is where you start researching sports therapy.
Sports therapy is a specialized type of therapy that’s laser-focused on helping athletes and active people recover quickly, safely, and in a way that actually makes them stronger and more resilient.
In this brief article brought to you by the foot care professionals at Mid Penn Foot & Ankle Specialists, we give you the rundown on how sports therapy can help your body recover and become stronger and more resilient.
Think of sports therapy as the go-to approach for anyone who spends a lot of time on the field, court, or in the gym. It’s a lot like physical therapy in that it’s about improving movement and reducing pain, but it goes beyond just “getting better.” Sports therapy also focuses on getting you back to peak performance and even helping prevent injuries from happening in the first place.
We are committed to providing personalized, compassionate care for everyone who walks through our doors. If you’re ready to schedule an appointment with one of our doctors, give us a call or visit one of our locations today.
BOOK AN APPOINTMENTSports therapists understand the ins and outs of different sports, and they customize treatment plans that match the specific movements, demands, and challenges of your sport or activity. For example, they’ll focus on exercises that support the knees, hips, and ankles if you’re a runner; if you’re a weightlifter, they might work more on your shoulders, back, and core stability.
Injuries happen, but sports therapy can help you bounce back faster and stronger to bring you to your full potential. By focusing on specific recovery exercises tailored to the injured area, sports therapy helps reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and restore movement.
Sports therapy isn’t just about recovering; it’s also about building up the muscles that take the brunt of the action in your sport. Therapists identify weak points and areas that need strengthening. They often focus on stabilizer muscles (the small muscles that support larger movements) so you’re better equipped to handle the repetitive and intense motions of sports.
While muscle is central, flexibility is key to peak athletic performance. During sport therapy, you’ll be guided through stretching and mobility exercises that help loosen tight muscles and increase the range of motion in your joints so you’re able to move more freely and comfortably.
You can’t move willy nilly though. Sports therapy includes balance training that fine-tunes your body's sense of stability and helps prevent falls, missteps, and unexpected movements that could lead to injury.
Recovery is a given, but the true goal of sports therapy is injury prevention by building strength in the right areas, improving flexibility, and training proper form. Therapists can also help identify and address movement patterns or habits that might increase your risk of injury.
If your injury is affecting your foot, ankles, or lower legs, then it’s probably time to consult with a licensed podiatrist in Dillsburg. These doctors specialize in diagnosing and treating issues in the lower extremities.
Residents in the area can call Mid Penn Foot & Ankle Specialists to schedule an appointment or consultation with a licensed foot doctor in Emigsville.
While sports therapists can help you restore full-body functionality, a foot specialist will laser focus on the feet and ankles to provide more dedicated treatment solutions.
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