Physical Therapy to Treat Injuries
Physical therapy can help people of all ages regain motion or improve their function after suffering any of a variety of injuries and illnesses. The main aim of physical therapy is to get a person back to the point where they can perform normal, everyday activities without difficulty or pain.
If you have an injury, your physical therapist (PT) can design a customized program and work with you to regain your strength, flexibility, and range of motion after your injury. The therapist may suggest and demonstrate a variety of treatments, including aquatic therapy and acupuncture, as well as specific therapeutic exercises and stretches. The PT will also devise a home exercise program to aid your recovery.
Your physical therapist can work with you to find activities and lifestyle changes in order to improve your overall health and to help prevent further injuries. If you suffer from a sports injury, your physical therapist can design an appropriate exercise program to help you get back to your sport as quickly and safely as possible while also helping you to avoid re-injuring that area of your body.
How Can Physical Therapy Treat My Sports Injuries?
Your physical therapist will use a variety of treatments and techniques to aid in your recovery, including the following:
- Exercising will help you improve muscle function and strength and increase your range of motion. Your physical therapist may also work on strengthening your core muscles (abdominal, back, and pelvic muscles), as this improves balance and stability and helps to reduce further injuries.
- Stretching can help increase or maintain your range of motion and flexibility, especially after an injury. Stretching can also help you recover from surgery, where scar tissue has formed and has caused the tissue to contract and tighten.
- Ice or heat helps to warm up or cool down the muscles. Your PT may apply heat therapy to help reduce stiffness and ice therapy to help reduce pain. These therapies can also stimulate blood flow and reduce swelling.
How PTs Treat Other Injuries
Injuries that can also benefit from physical therapy include muscle strains, joint sprains, and repetitive-motion injury. A physical therapist will show you how to do the proper exercises and stretches that you should continue repeating at home in order to heal. Be patient – many of these injuries can take many months to heal completely.
Age-related joint damage, such as in arthritis, can also be helped by physical therapy. Our therapists work with our doctors to ensure you are gaining the most from your therapy, and to determine whether you may possibly need more invasive treatments to alleviate your pain.
Physical Therapy in Colorado Springs
Physical therapy can provide many benefits to patients with injuries, including reducing or eliminating the need for surgery, improving mobility, reducing or eliminating pain, and improving balance and strength. At the Colorado Center of Orthopaedic Excellence, we have a team of specialists providing comprehensive orthopedic care, physical therapy, and sports medicine in a compassionate manner.
To schedule an appointment, call us today at (719) 623-1050. You can also request an appointment online. We can help provide the relief you need in order to get back to doing the things you love.
