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What Is Sports Rehabilitation?

Sandra Koehler
Sandra Koehler

Sports rehabilitation is a multi-disciplinary approach to treat injuries sustained through sports participation so the athlete can regain normal pain-free mobility. The team may consist of highly trained professionals which can include physical therapists, athletic trainers, chiropractors and massage therapists. The primary goal is to return to pre-injury activities, whether the athlete is a professional, amateur or casual player.

The most common injuries treated by the sports rehabilitation team is sprains and strains. A sprain is an injury to the ligaments caused by overstretching or tearing. A strain, on the other hand, is an injury or tear to the muscle itself. Other conditions that can be treated through a sports rehabilitation program are fractures, arthritis issues, joint replacements and generalized pain issues.

Sports rehabilitation might include chiropractic treatment.
Sports rehabilitation might include chiropractic treatment.

Rehabilitation typically begins with a pain management treatment program, usually given by a licensed physical therapist. Some modalities utilized for pain relief include ice or heat application, ultrasound and electrical stimulation. Ultrasound is an effective tool to increase circulation to the affected or injured area which assists in speeding up the healing process. It can also reduce the edema or swelling causing pain. Electrical stimulation, commonly known as TENS, or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, utilizes electric waves that penetrate into the muscle and aid in the relief of pain.

Sports rehabilitation might involve the use of aides, such as crutches.
Sports rehabilitation might involve the use of aides, such as crutches.

A big component of sports rehabilitation involves a stretching and exercise routine. Stretching assists the muscles shortened by injury or pain to regain its normal length to optimize pain-free motion. Exercise routines encompass things like strength, endurance, flexibility and balance to improve performance. The final progression of the exercise routine is the utilization of functional exercises to help return the athlete to his former performance level. Functional exercises are often sport-specific.

Athletes may undergo rehabilitation following an injury.
Athletes may undergo rehabilitation following an injury.

Athletic trainers often can supply immediate intervention of an injury. They can also be an integral part of the healing process and the prevention of further injury. A massage therapist can supply the manual techniques to assist in the recovery of movement as well as the pain relief required for optimal participation in the sport.

Today many rehabilitation programs utilize chiropractors. A chiropractor is a healthcare professional trained in the manipulation of the spine and manual soft tissue techniques to aid in the recovery of pre-injury performance. Many chiropractors are also trained in exercise and stretching techniques.

Counseling sessions can help an injured person deal with the emotional stress caused by their trauma.
Counseling sessions can help an injured person deal with the emotional stress caused by their trauma.

Sports rehabilitation begins with the treatment of the acute injury. It then follows the athlete through every step of recovery. From pain relief to optimizing muscle length to returning to pre-injury performance to injury prevention, rehabilitation is comprehensive rehab program that focuses on every facet of pain-free, effective, sports-specific motion.

Discussion Comments

gravois

I played one year in the NFL before I got a very bad ankle injury. I was projected to be out for months and many thought that my career was over. The team sent me off to a sports rehabilitation center.

I was there every day for three months working with a trainer. After a while it became clear that I would probably never return to the league. But there was an unexpected plus. I began a realtionship with my trainer and now, three years later, we are married. She is the love of my life and I don't regret the injury at all because it helped me to find her.

truman12

Sports rehabilitation jobs are one of the fastest growing areas of the physical therapy industry. Sports at all levels are bigger than ever and now many colleges and even high schools employ sports rehabilitation experts.

Specialized sports rehabilitation courses are available at many colleges and universities these days. It is possible to focus your education entirely on sports medicine. Anyone hoping to break into this industry should get as much focused education as they can.

ZsaZsa56

I was a pitcher in college and I threw my arm out in my junior year. I had to have Tommy John surgery which required an entire year of rehabilitation after the procedure. I met with a physical therapist three times a week and over the course of a long year we got my arm back in to shape.

It was a slow and frustrating process but I slowly started to see results. I was able to return to the team at the end of my senior year and I pitched a few solid games. That ended up being the end of my baseball career but it was still nice to get back in the game.

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    • Sports rehabilitation might include chiropractic treatment.
      By: lunamarina
      Sports rehabilitation might include chiropractic treatment.
    • Sports rehabilitation might involve the use of aides, such as crutches.
      By: iceteastock
      Sports rehabilitation might involve the use of aides, such as crutches.
    • Athletes may undergo rehabilitation following an injury.
      By: guerrieroale
      Athletes may undergo rehabilitation following an injury.
    • Counseling sessions can help an injured person deal with the emotional stress caused by their trauma.
      By: alexsokolov
      Counseling sessions can help an injured person deal with the emotional stress caused by their trauma.
    • A big component of sports rehabilitation involves a stretching and exercise routine.
      By: goodluz
      A big component of sports rehabilitation involves a stretching and exercise routine.
    • Ultrasound treatment can help increase circulation to an injured part of the body, which can speed up recovery time.
      By: grki
      Ultrasound treatment can help increase circulation to an injured part of the body, which can speed up recovery time.
    • Massage therapists are often part of sports rehabilitation teams.
      By: Hemeroskopion
      Massage therapists are often part of sports rehabilitation teams.
    • Some sports rehabilitation programs rely on chiropractic care to address back and neck pain.
      By: Lisa F. Young
      Some sports rehabilitation programs rely on chiropractic care to address back and neck pain.
    • Chiropractors are trained in the manipulation of the spine.
      By: WavebreakmediaMicro
      Chiropractors are trained in the manipulation of the spine.