5 common sports injuries physical therapy can help with

Sports injuries can happen to anyone. Approximately 8.6 million sports injuries occur each year. Even minor injuries, like a small sprain, can affect your daily life. Depending on the location and severity of your sports injury, it can be more challenging to do common activities like walking, climbing the stairs or reaching for your morning cup of coffee. 

Fortunately, physical therapy may help reduce pain, improve your range of motion and make it easier to do your daily activities. At KC Rehab, one of our physical therapists can work with you to personalize a treatment plan to address your sports injury. We can also guide you through exercises to ease pain and inflammation, helping you move more easily and return to your favorite sport.

In this blog post, we’ll go over common sports injury physical therapy can help with, so you can find out if this treatment option may be right for you.

5 common sports injuries physical therapy can help with

A sports injury can affect any part of the body, but some types of injuries are more common than others. Whether you’re experiencing discomfort in your arm, knee, or somewhere else, your physical therapist can identify exercises designed to address your specific injury. Over time, physical therapy treatments may help reduce inflammation and pain while increasing range of motion, so you can move and feel better again.

Here are five common sports injuries physical therapy can help with:

1. Sprained ankles

A sprained ankle occurs when the ligaments in the ankle are overstretched or torn. Jumping, running or sudden changes in direction can cause a sprained ankle. Common symptoms include pain, swelling, bruising and difficulty walking. Physical therapy may treat a sprained ankle with exercises that can build strength, increase range of motion and improve balance. Strengthening the ankle muscles may also help prevent future injuries. Your physical therapist may also use manual therapy, dry needling or taping to reduce pain and swelling.

2. Knee injuries

A knee injury is damage to the joint that connects the thigh and shin, which could happen while playing any sport. Tears, sprains, patellar tendinitis, fractures and dislocation are common knee injuries. Symptoms include pain, swelling, bruising, stiffness, instability or popping sounds when moving the knee. Physical therapy may help improve strength and flexibility to restore movement and prevent reinjury. Gait training may also be used to help correct your walking pattern, reducing strain on your knee. During this treatment, your physical therapist can show you how to shift pressure away from your injury, making it easier to walk. Depending on your condition, joint mobilization, ice and heat, or electrical stimulation may be used to ease pain.

3. Shoulder injuries

This type of injury occurs when there is damage to the soft tissue or bones in the shoulder, either from a trauma or repetitive strain. Sports that involve repetitive overhead motions like swimming, tennis and baseball often lead to a shoulder injury as well as contact sports. Sprains, strains, dislocations, rotator cuff injuries and tendinitis are common shoulder injuries. Symptoms include pain, limited range of motion and muscle weakness. Physical therapy may help with exercises designed to strengthen and mobilize the shoulder. These exercises can reduce pain, enhance range of motion and lower the risk of future injuries. Additionally, manual therapy or ice and heat therapy can be used to manage discomfort.

4. Hamstring injuries

A hamstring injury results from the straining or overstretching of the hamstring muscles, a group of muscles located at the back of the thighs. These injuries are categorized into three grades: Grade 1 (mild strain), Grade 2 (partial tear) and Grade 3 (complete tear). Common symptoms include sudden, sharp pain at the back of the thigh, popping, or a tearing sensation. Depending on the severity of your hamstring injury, you may also experience muscle weakness and an inability to put weight on the affected leg. Physical therapy can help many hamstring injuries. Even when surgery is needed in severe cases, physical therapy can reduce pain, rebuild strength and help you move more easily. Your physical therapist can create a safe and effective treatment plan, keeping the severity of your hamstring injury in mind. Your plan may include gentle stretching exercises, manual therapy, and ice and heat.

5. Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)

Tennis elbow is inflammation of a tendon on the outside of the elbow. Despite its name, you don’t need to be a tennis player to get it. This condition is caused by repetitive motions like gripping, twisting or lifting. Common symptoms include pain, tenderness, weakness and stiffness. Pain from this condition usually gets worse when extending the wrist backward, gripping an object or twisting the forearm. Physical therapy may help alleviate pain from tennis elbow with a customized exercise program. A physical therapist can show you movements that can build strength in your arm, increase flexibility, and reduce pain and inflammation. Modalities like taping or bracing, ice and heat therapy, and manual therapy may also be used to support healing.

Wondering where you can find sports therapy near me? Reach out to KC Rehab

If pain from a sports injury is affecting your daily life, it may be time for expert support. No matter what type of injury you have, it isn’t too late. Our team can help you find ways to alleviate your pain. 

At KC Rehab, we have licensed physical therapists in the Kansas City, Missouri, area who can work one-on-one with you, tailoring a treatment plan designed to relieve the pain from your sports injury and help you move more easily again. Depending on your sports injury, we may recommend exercises, manual therapy or other techniques to help you move and feel better.

Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.