Physical Therapy for Sports Rehabilitation
Sports medicine treats professional athletes and amateurs alike. This branch of medicine provides numerous areas of treatment, including physical therapy for sports rehabilitation. Therapists treat everything from sprained ankles to broken bones. Without this specialized healthcare, those in sports would not continue excelling at their game.
Referral
Patients usually receive referrals to a sports rehabilitation facility or clinic. At times, parents bring their kids in to see a family doctor from sports-related incidents. People who become injured in professional or recreational sports may also need a referral. Patients contact a facility to make an appointment after receiving their referral.
Types of Patients
Therapists treat youths, college-level and adult patients. They welcome all types of patients in need of rehabilitation services. Specialists design therapy around the patient's age and injury. These services include:
- Aquatic rehabilitation uses pools or other water-based therapy to strengthen and train muscles after injury. This is good for all ages.
- Coordination training helps patients balance and muscle control for all patients.
- Therapeutic massage relieves tension and stress in muscle tissue mainly in adult patients.
- Strength training for weakened muscles and joints for older youths and adults.
- Recovery therapy for those with recent surgeries or procedures for all patients.
Types of Sports Injuries
Rehabilitation services address all types of injuries. The injuries treated in sports medicine are:
- Pulled muscle injuries including hamstring and calf.
- Back and spinal cord including sciatica and herniated disks.
- Bone and joint including shoulder, knee and ankle.
Qualifications
In order to provide therapeutic treatment, therapists must be licensed in their profession. Certified athletic trainers and physical therapy assistants also perform a number of rehabilitation duties. Together they strive to help patients get back to their favorite sports.