Injuries can happen due to accidents in sports, your workplace, or even just in your everyday life. Various factors contribute to injuries, and unfortunately, they’re not always avoidable. However, undergoing physical therapy can help lessen your risk of sustaining an injury.
Here are the contributions of physical therapy to injury prevention:
Builds Your Strength, Balance, And Coordination
Before you receive a physical therapy plan, your licensed therapist will first evaluate your current physical status. They may review your medical history and ask about your everyday routine and lifestyle. They will also ask you to perform assessment exercises to let them know where you’re at in terms of physicality. In addition, they will consider your athletic capabilities, target milestones and goals, and history of injury.
In general, every physical therapy plan involves increasing your strength, balance, endurance, and coordination. By improving these four physical abilities, you increase your control over your body and movements. In addition, strong muscles don’t tire as quickly, prolonging your ability to perform well before you get tired.
Lack of balance and coordination also commonly cause injuries, because you’re more prone to falls. However, your physical therapist can suggest exercises to improve them. You’ll have a decreased risk of injury from muscle tiredness and falls caused by miscoordination, too.
Improves Your Range Of Motion
Your muscle groups have to work a lot harder to support your movements if you’re not flexible. Some activities will require you to exert more effort if you’re not used to performing certain motions and gestures. With physical therapy, you can improve your range of motion.
Depending on your starting point, your therapist will provide you with stretches and exercises that could develop your flexibility. They will guide you through workout routines to help you safely elevate the level of your range of motion. This will train your muscles to get used to more intense movements, allowing you to perform more actions safely and effectively.
Develops Your Form And Technique
Another common cause of injury, especially when playing sports and exercising, is improper form. When you work out without observing proper technique, you may be unknowingly straining your muscles in the process. Incorrect form and technique also prevent you from engaging the correct muscle groups. This means you force your joints and other body parts to move unnaturally.
Physical therapists can help you avoid injury by helping you learn how to perform movements and exercises correctly. That includes distributing your weight evenly and knowing which muscle groups to target. In addition, your therapist can help you develop proper form and technique to ensure that you get the most out of your workout regimen.
Boosts Your Athletic Performance
If you’re an athlete, your physical therapist can help you prevent injury by boosting your athletic performance. They can help you level up your game whether you play professionally or recreationally.
Different sports require varying kinds of athleticism, meaning you need to achieve a certain level of proficiency in specific physical abilities to perform well in them. If you’re not fit enough, chances are you’re pushing your muscles and body beyond their limit. This puts you at a high risk of muscle fatigue and injury. However, by setting goals and seeking the help of a physical therapist, you can prevent injuries by developing your athleticism.
Patient Education
Physical therapy doesn’t just focus on the physical aspect of injury prevention. Instead, it pays adequate attention to the education part of safety. Your physical therapist will talk to you about important aspects of injury prevention, like:
- Dynamic warmup exercises
- Static cooldown stretches
- Choosing the right equipment and gear
- How to increase the intensity of your workouts safely and gradually
- How to improve your exercises when they’re not working for you anymore
They will also inform you about critical reminders that apply to your personal experience. They will give you tips specific to your sports, physical level, and lifestyle to help prevent future injuries.
Physical Therapy In Rochester Hills, Bad Axe, And Royal Oak, MI
Physical therapy is a significant factor in preventing injuries. It can help you become stronger and more coordinated, and improve your balance and flexibility. Physical therapy can also aid you in developing proper form and technique, from your posture to your athletic performance. In addition, it comes with patient education, where your therapist shares tips to avoid injury in the future.
If you’re looking for a clinic that offers physical therapy and orthopedic sports medicine in Rochester Hills, Bad Axe, or Royal Oak, look no further than Ahlgren Spine Orthopaedic Surgery. Dr. Bradley Ahlgren and our team of highly-skilled providers and pain management experts can give you a comprehensive therapy plan suited to your needs. If you want to know more about our services, you may call us at (248) 215-8080. If you would like to schedule a consultation, you may use our secure online appointment request form.
We look forward to serving you!
