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How a Sports Therapist Can Help and Choosing the Right One

 

Updated September 4, 2020

How Can a Sports Therapist Help You?

Northern Colorado athletes and adventure seekers alike can find support for the physical demands they face with a Greeley sports therapist.

how a sports therapist can help you

According to information from The Society of Sports Therapists, sports therapy incorporates “physiological and pathological processes to prepare the participant for training, competition and, where applicable, work.” In other words, sports therapy is helpful to prevent injuries, to aid in healing from injuries, and to support the body for life’s day-to-day demands.

Choose the Right Sports Therapist for Injuries

Many people search for a qualified sports therapist after they have sustained injuries. “Lower limb strain injuries are a common complaint that {are} present to chiropractic and sports injury clinics,” the Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association explains. If you are looking for a sports therapist, it is likely that you have a specific injury.

Sports therapists are trained to address your individual needs and injuries. A good sports therapist should evaluate your injury carefully and gain a clear understanding of the event that happened. The therapist will explain the treatment they suggest for the best possible results.

Treatments vary widely depending on the type of injury that occurred. Your sports therapist may suggest heat therapy, stretches, tailored exercises, electrotherapy, massage, joint manipulation, or other treatments. You should always feel free to ask questions, understand your treatment plan, and revisit the treatment plan throughout the healing process.

Sometimes, the injury may not feel like one dramatic moment as much as years of strenuous use on a group of muscles or strain from a particular sport. Be sure to communicate your experience so that your sports therapist will be able to most effectively help you.

Sports Therapist for Peak Performance

There is no reason to wait until you have an injury to see a sports therapist. In fact, sports therapy can be effective preventative care to keep you from getting injured and to be your best at your sport.

Because sports therapists understand the body’s muscular and skeletal intricacies, they can work with you to strengthen muscles in a way that does not cause excessive stress. Sports therapists incorporates their knowledge of specific sports with their knowledge of the human body to understand what parts of the body will need the most support. Their skill sets allow sports therapists to work with athletes or active individuals to strengthen the body in a way that prevents injury.

Sports Therapy & Chiropractic Care

Especially if you have an injury, chiropractic care may play an effective and critical role of helping you recover.

Chiropractic adjustments often reduce pain and support healing. The Better Health Channel describes how, “manipulation or adjustment of the affected joint and tissues restores mobility, thereby alleviating pain and muscle tightness, allowing tissues to heal.” You can learn more about chiropractic treatments and benefits by reading their full article here.

Ultimately, sports therapists and medical practitioners exist to help you. Your body is a masterpiece, seamlessly weaving a myriad of systems together as you exercise or rest. You should feel comfortable with your sports therapist and supported by them in your fitness goals.

sports therapist

5 Things to Consider When Choosing the Right Sports Therapist

If you’re checking out the market for an excellent Greeley sports therapist, you should always hold high standards in your search. They’re in charge of fine-tuning and healing your body to help you stay active and to reach your top athletic form, after all. Sports therapy providers should be able to help you reach your peak physical condition so you can shine on the field or in your active lifestyle. Whether you have an injury or simply need someone to help you perform your best, here are a few things to look for when looking for your next sports therapist.

When Looking for Your Next Sports Therapist

Simply put, sports therapy is all about preparation. Athletes who need to perform well on the field or court need specialized treatment to get their bodies ready for high competition. Sports therapy is for professional and amateur athletes: serious ballers and those just starting to become more active in their lifestyle.

The first factor to decide, then, is your objective with sports therapy. A sports therapy specialist should be willing to listen to your needs and work with you to achieve your personal goals. Sports trainers are usually gung-ho about their craft (if you meet a therapist not excited about their process and how they help people get stronger and faster, run) and they want to show you all the things they can do to help you perform at your athletic best. The danger here is when therapists get too excited about their craft and want to ply you with all kinds of exercises and treatments you don’t need. Know what your goals are before you visit a therapist so you can make your intentions clear. A skilled therapist will tailor their methods to help you reach your goals.

choosing a sports therapist 80634A Few Factors to Consider

After you’ve found a sports conditioning and treatment expert who will listen to your needs and build a custom training and rehab program just for you, look for these crucial factors:

  • Psychological factors are taken into account: The physical toll serious athletes accept is tremendous, but psychological tolls can be nearly as heavy. For new athletes or amateurs simply trying to ‘get back out there,’ the psychological benefits of having training help can be huge. Look for a therapist willing to encourage you and give you the instruction and talk needed to develop your mind and body.
  • Realistic timelines: Many sports therapy patients are trying to recover from an injury or get in shape for a particular competition. All therapists will have a proposed timeline for you when you start. It pays to cross-reference timelines with research and other opinions to make sure your recovery timeline is realistic. Unrealistic timelines for recovery or conditioning can lead to rushed therapy, which will do more harm than good.
  • Varying treatments and techniques: The first treatment or training technique your trainer has you do won’t always be the most effective. Make sure your therapist knows multiple ways to achieve your goals.
  • Experience with your specific issue: The reasons for visiting a sports therapist vary greatly. If you have a specific issue, make sure your therapist has experience in that area.
  • Comfort: This is probably the most important factor you should be looking for in your search. Make sure your therapist makes you feel comfortable. Listen to your intuition when you first meet them. If they make you nervous, your body won’t relax well enough to receive treatment.

Conclusion

For a trusted Greeley sports therapy expert, visit Weld Family Clinic to have your questions answered or call us at 970-356-5255.

 We are committed to educating and inspiring individuals and families to cultivate health and healing throughout their lives.

Dr. Erik and Dr. Patricia

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