Sports Injury Treatment
From high school athletes to weekend warriors, sports injuries can affect people of all ages and activity levels. At Healing Rehab Physical Therapy SC in Bloomingdale, Illinois, our expert team offers holistic sports injury treatment and prevention.
Who Gets Sports Injuries?
Anyone can get a sports injury, but you may be at higher risk if you:
- Play contact sports like football or hockey
- Don't warm up and cool down properly
- Begin a new sport or exercise program after a period of inactivity
Common Types of Sports Injuries
Sports injuries usually happen in one of two ways: suddenly, like during a fall or direct contact, or gradually, from overuse and repetitive motions. We evaluate and treat a wide range of sports injuries.
Sprains and Strains
Sprains and strains happen when you overstretch or tear ligaments or muscles and tendons. These injuries have similar symptoms, including:
- Joint pain
- Swelling
- Limited flexibility
- Difficulty using the injured body part
Common examples include ankle sprains and hamstring strains.
Knee Injuries
Overstretching or tearing any of the tissues in your knee can result in a debilitating sports injury. Common knee injuries include:
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries
- Meniscus tears
- Patellofemoral pain syndrome (runner's knee)
Rotator Cuff Injuries
The rotator cuff is a group of muscles in your shoulder that help lift and rotate your arm. Most rotator cuff tears result from overuse occurring over time, but you can also injure your rotator cuff in a bad fall or collision.
Achilles Tendon Injuries
Pain and swelling at the back of your ankle above your heel likely results from an Achilles tendon injury. Achilles tendonitis and tendon tears are two sports injuries that cause ankle pain and difficulty running and jumping.
How Physical Therapy Helps
Physical therapy is often the first line of treatment for mild to moderate sports injuries. If your injury requires surgery, physical therapy is an essential part of your post-surgical rehabilitation plan.
We perform a comprehensive evaluation and design a customized program aimed at getting you back to your normal activities as quickly and safely as possible.
Treatment Options
Depending on your needs, your physical therapy and rehabilitation plan may include:
- Targeted stretching and strengthening exercises
- Hot and cold packs
- Dry needling
- Laser therapy
- Anodyne® therapy
- Massage therapy
- Ultrasound therapy
- Electrotherapy
- Home care programs
Our team also recommends steps to take to prevent sports injuries in the future.
For holistic care of sports injuries, contact us today to schedule an appointment.