Blog

5 Ways Physical Therapy Improves Sports Performance

It is important for passionate athletes to keep their bodies in shape for optimal performance. But what happens if you suffer an injury? A muscle strain or sprain, bone fracture, or dislocated disc can take you out of the game for an extended period. But with sports physical therapy from Moreau Physical Therapy in Gonzales and other Louisiana locations, you can get back in the game in no time! Physical therapy helps athletes recover following an injury, but the benefits don’t stop there. Here are five ways that athletes can benefit from physical therapy before and after an injury.

1. Improves Balance & Coordination

Balance involves even distribution of weight in the body. If your balance is off, it can impact your ability to walk, run, and even stay balanced while standing. Many factors can affect your balance, ranging from nerve damage and muscle injury to vision or neurological problems. If you are having issues with balance that are keeping you from participating in your sport, it’s time to visit a professional. With the help of sports and vestibular rehabilitation, you can regain your balance and coordination while also addressing the root cause of your imbalance.

2. Prevents Future Injury

Sports physical therapy incorporates warmups, training for proper form, stretches, strength training, and more to help you keep your muscles flexible and ready for the game. But these techniques don’t just help heal strained or injured tissues. But, these techniques don't just heal sports injuries. They work to condition your muscles and put the right standards in place to help prevent future injury.

A 2014 study from the US Department of Health & Human Resources estimated that 2.9 million annual injuries occurred in a sports facility, athletic field, or playground. By working with a sports physical therapist, athletes can decrease their risk of becoming part of this statistic. And, they can ward off a new or repeated injury that could pull them away from their sport throughout the season.

3. Alleviates Pain

Muscle strain from running, throwing, swimming, and weightlifting can all contribute to soreness. Resting your muscles and taking warm Epsom salt soaks can help to alleviate this discomfort. But if this soreness becomes too severe, this can knock athletes off their feet. With dedicated sports therapy in Gonzales, athletes can learn how to prevent pain during the game and how to recover optimally after it’s over. Our therapists help to optimize your experience for the most effective health outcomes with exercises and stretches customized to each player’s needs.

4. Increases Strength, Power, & Endurance

Repetitive motion or exercise without proper recovery can take a toll on your muscles. And tired, sore, or weak muscles are unlikely to deliver the caliber of athletic performance you want. Sports physical therapy can help you build back power and stamina! Each of our exercises targets and engages weak muscles to reduce fatigue. With steady strengthening, athletes can increase power and endurance. This benefits those looking to perform better and last longer on the field, court, or track. And with focused therapy, athletes don’t just learn how to improve their technique—they discover the right tools for improvement without strain, pain, or injury.

5. Speeds Up Healing

Aside from the pain of a sports injury, one of the worst factors of recovery can be the time spent away from the game. For passionate athletes, spending long hours focusing on healing can feel like a lifetime away from their sport. But with the help of sports rehabilitation from our specialists in Gonzales and other clinic locations, you can cut down your recovery time. Our physical therapists help to address your injury, its cause, and what you may be doing to exacerbate your pain. Together, we help you determine the right steps to take for quick and healthy healing while instilling healthy practices to prevent future injury. 

Schedule Sports Physical Therapy in Gonzales

Is an injury keeping you from the sport you love, or could a professional evaluation help you perform better? It’s time to begin sports rehabilitation in Gonzales. Or, choose from one of our 20 convenient physical therapy clinic locations around Louisiana. Give us a call at 855-483-6673 or send us a message to schedule an appointment with one of our experts. We look forward to helping athletes recover and get back to playing the sports they love.