The Role Physical Therapy Plays in Preventing Surgery for Sports-Related Injuries
The Role Physical Therapy Plays in Preventing Surgery for Sports-Related Injuries

The Role Physical Therapy Plays in Preventing Surgery for Sports-Related Injuries

If you’re an athlete or enjoy playing sports, injuries are, unfortunately, a common occurrence. Fortunately, our Movement Specialists Physical Therapy physical therapists can help you recover after an injury and avoid the need for surgery in many cases.

Our team can help guide you through the preventive steps you can take to minimize your risk of sports injuries. If you sustain an injury, we’ll identify all the factors related to your injury and address them one by one.

Through our specialized programs, we can help you recover and improve your physical capabilities. We’ll take a holistic approach that fortifies your overall health and improves the skills necessary to maximize your athletic performance. 

If you’re an athlete looking to recover after an injury, prevent surgery, and get an edge on the field, court, or weight room, we can help. Our therapist-led programs are designed to help athletes withstand the physical demands of sports more effectively, minimizing the incidence of an injury and need for surgery.  

If you are trying to avoid surgery and wonder if physical therapy can prevent or delay it, the simple answer is yes! 

Most orthopedic-type surgeries are not urgent or emergencies. Although traumatic situations can be emergencies, most times, there is a significant period of time between diagnosis and surgery. 

Far too often, people mistake their symptoms for signs to rest or avoid the activities causing them pain. Even more frequent is the number of people who ignore aches and pains, thinking they will go away on their own, only to discover those early warning signs were the body’s signals to get help. Unfortunately, rest, avoidance, and trying to ignore or push through pain only lead to a bigger, often more complex, problem.

At Movement Specialists Physical Therapy, our physical therapists will weed through your symptoms and identify the root cause of your particular situation. We will give you the tools to prevent, delay, or prepare yourself for surgery. 

We’ll guide you through a gradual progression to make sure you are ready to return without any limitations or impairments standing in your way. This cautious approach ensures a safer and more effective recovery process. 

Rather than a “one-size-fits-all approach,” we believe every patient is unique and deserves a program tailored to their specific situation and goals. You are not merely treated but are guided towards a pathway of enhanced performance and overall well-being!

Rehabilitation should start immediately following most injuries to ensure the fastest recovery possible. One of our physical therapists with sports rehab experience will thoroughly evaluate the athlete to determine the injury’s severity and identify any other weaknesses or limitations that may affect the athlete’s recovery, stability, or strength. 

Next, your therapist will create a targeted, individualized plan of care for you to promote accelerated recovery and future injury prevention. Our goal is to minimize the risk of needing surgery, so you get back to training and competing in the sport you love. 

For example, your physical therapist will start with pain management and restoring mobility to the injured area. Next, we will focus on progressing your strength and dynamic stability exercises to restore function and prevent injuries. We will also incorporate balance and coordination exercises to stimulate the nervous system and help ensure you can run, jump, and cut to change direction, land in the correct position, and avoid future injuries.

Physical therapy at Movement Specialists Physical Therapy will provide the foundation for successful training while reducing future injuries and avoiding surgery!

We Can Help You Keep Them

Setting New Year’s resolutions is a time-honored tradition this time of year, but how many of us will still stick to those resolutions come June–or even February? Firm statistics on the success of New Year’s resolutions are hard to come by, but one study found that 45% of people surveyed felt their resolutions were unsuccessful one year out.

Don’t despair. There are ways to ensure your resolutions are successful, especially if they’re health- and fitness-related, as the vast majority are. In fact, one of the most popular New Year’s resolutions is to exercise more – and that’s one habit Movement Specialists Physical Therapy can definitely help you develop!

Physical therapists are movement experts who understand the importance of regular exercise – not just on your appearance, but on your overall health. And if you’re going to make just one resolution, exercising more is a great one! Regular exercise has a radiating effect that impacts your mental health, sleep quality, joint pain levels, mobility, and so much more.

One of the biggest challenges in starting a new exercise program is having no idea what to do. Joining a gym is most people’s first step, but it’s also an intimidating maze of unfamiliar equipment and wall-to-wall mirrors. Our therapists will help you develop an exercise program that suits your needs, interests, and ability levels – eliminating that initial hurdle.

Another trick to keep you moving is to track your progress. While many people default to monitoring their weight or appearance, our therapists can provide other measures to give you a complete picture of your overall health and wellness. Range of motion, balance, and strength: all paint a comprehensive portrait of your overall progress.

  • 1 apple cut into small pieces
  • 1 cup almond milk
  • 2 tablespoons chia seeds
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • pinch nutmeg and salt

Blend all ingredients until smooth; add ice if desired.

Yes, this actually tastes like pie! So drink this instead and save yourself a ton of calories. The chia seeds have plenty of fiber and protein to keep you full until lunch.

Begin on all fours, with wrists directly under the shoulder and knees directly under the hips. Engage your abdominals and slowly lift one knee out to the side, keeping your knee in line with the hip. Hold as instructed, then bring your knee back down to the floor. Repeat 3 sets, 10 reps each.

Not everyone knows you can go directly to your physical therapist if you are dealing with pain or an injury. It doesn’t matter if you’re dealing with an old or new problem. In all 50 states, you can schedule a visit with one of our therapists to get help sooner than later.

Direct Access is all about having the freedom to make your own decisions without being bound by outdated rules. It allows you to be in charge of your healthcare so you can focus on your recovery instead of waiting for another appointment to get you the help you need today!  

Direct Access also helps you save money, schedule when you want, and speeds up your recovery so you can get relief and get back to doing what you love. If you have questions about Direct Access or would like to schedule an appointment with a physical therapist, contact Movement Specialists Physical Therapy now!