Sports Physical Therapy Specialist in Hinsdale, IL

Physical therapists are specialists in repairing and strengthening the different physical structures of the body. They use various techniques, specific to your unique condition, to help restore movement, reduce pain, and improve function after a sports injury. This may include getting you to perform certain exercises and stretches, performing massage, or utilizing other manual therapies. By setting you up with a structured, individualized rehabilitation plan, they can restore mobility and functionality to the body that ensures your specific needs and goals are met.
 
One of the most important components of physical therapy is making sure that the target area Is strengthened to prevent future injuries from occurring. Your physiotherapist will often have you perform exercises that target your flexibility, balance, and body awareness – all of which are vital in improving the strength and stability of the affected areas. By doing this, you can effectively reduce the risk of re-injury.
 
Physical therapists also work with athletes regarding pain management, which includes educating them on proper self-care techniques, body mechanics, and injury prevention. This also extends into the psychological component of pain management and injury recovery, with physiotherapists offering additional support in the form of coping strategies, stress management, and how to overcome the emotional and mental challenges that come with being injured. 

Physical therapists specialize in creating individual care plans that are based on your unique medical needs and goals. The most common conditions that they treat are:
 
● Acute conditions
● Ankle injuries
● Arm and shoulder pain
● Arthritis
● Automobile injuries
● Back pain
● Carpal tunnel syndrome
● Chronic conditions
● Degenerative joint disease
● Fibromyalgia
● Foot injuries
● Hand injuries
● Leg and knee pain
● Mobility issues
● Neck pain
● Orthopedic injuries
● Pelvic floor issues
● Post-surgical conditions
● Sports injuries
● Traumatic brain injuries
● Work Injuries
 
Physical therapists are educated and experienced in treating a multitude of different conditions using tools and therapies that are specific to the needs of their patients. They will perform a full examination during your initial consultation so that they can best assess and treat the area that is causing you discomfort.

While both sports therapy and physical therapy promote returning overall wellness, functionality, and mobility to patients, there are a few key differences to be aware of.
 
Sports therapists (also sometimes referred to as athletic therapists) focus almost exclusively on treating musculoskeletal disorders and conditions caused by some type of physical activity. They tend to focus more on injuries that have taken place in sporting environments, making them the ideal practitioners for athletes who need help healing, strengthening, or preventing sports-related injuries.
 
In contrast, physical therapists tend to have wider scope regarding the conditions they treat, tending to musculoskeletal, respiratory, neurological, and cardiovascular health issues. They typically treat a wide range of patients, including those with complex medical histories and who are dealing with multiple conditions.
 
To summarize, general physiotherapists attempt to rehabilitate patients so that they can feel comfortable in their day-to-day life, while sports therapists tend to focus on getting their patients back to the high level of athletic functionality and mobility that they require to be effective.  

Physical therapists can help athletes in a variety of ways that are beneficial to them over the short and long term. They do this by:

● Reducing pain
● Restoring mobility
● Restoring functionality in affected areas
● Decreasing the risk of future injury
● Decreasing the likelihood of an acute condition becoming chronic
● Increasing overall performance
● Rebuilding strength
● Providing the education and strategies to mentally and emotionally cope with injury
 
When an athlete gets injured, they often will experience pain, discomfort, and motor control issues that can impact their ability to move and function properly. A physical therapist assists athletes in restoring their neuromuscular control, strengthening weakened areas, and lessening the likelihood of re-injury.
 
If you’ve been injured and require sports physical therapy, contact our dedicated team of professionals at Progressive Physical Therapy. We would be happy to answer any questions that you have about our services or get you booked for an appointment as soon as you’re ready. Contact us today for more information about our physiotherapy services or book with us online if you’re ready to see a specialist. We are conveniently located at 15 Spinning Wheel Road Ste. 24 Hinsdale, IL 60521. We serve patients from La Grange IL, Westmont IL, Lombard IL, Downers Grove IL, Elmhurst IL, and surrounding areas.