How Physical Therapy Can Help Sports Injuries This Spring
At Maccio Physical Therapy, we are experienced in dealing with all spring sports season injuries and can give you the programs to prepare you for the season and prevent new injuries!
The winter seasons can be sedentary and lead to more aches, pains, and discomfort than one may think. Fortunately, the warm weather is a great time to get outdoors and play sports.
If you find yourself in pain from a throwing injury or a bad swing of the club or racquet this spring, or you’d like to discuss ways you can get in shape to prevent any injury, don’t hesitate to contact Maccio Physical Therapy. Whether you are a young athlete or have played sports for decades, our physical therapists know how to treat your injuries and get you back in the game.


Common Causes of Sports-Related Injuries
Injuries are a part of sports, but you can resolve them quickly and get back to doing what you love with a proactive approach to rehabilitation. Most athletes learn that taking care of issues when they are small leads to a faster recovery.
Many people think sprains and strains are the same, but they describe damage to different tissues. Tendons are tissues that connect muscles to bones, and ligaments are tissues that connect bones to the bone.
- Sprains occur when a ligament is stretched beyond its limits or torn.
- Strains occur when a tendon is stretched beyond its limits or torn.
Sprains are typically the result of a trauma, a deceleration (slowing down) movement, or a sudden change in direction. The most common symptoms include pain, inflammation, muscle spasm, and sometimes an inability to move the joints where the injury occurred.
Ankle sprains are often the result of a faulty step while running or stepping on uneven terrain. The injury occurs when the ankle rolls, twists, or turns awkwardly to the outer aspect of the ankle (i.e., lateral ankle sprain). This sudden stretch leads to partial or complete tearing of the ligaments supporting the ankle joint. The severity of the injury will determine the degree of pain, inflammation, and ability to move the joints where the injury occurred.
It is important to note that it is in your best interest to have a physical therapist make sure a sprain is fully healed before returning to your normal level of physical activity. Regardless of the type and nature of your sports injuries, our team can help!

What to Expect from Physical Therapy
The overall goal of physical therapy is healing and prevention. In addition to treating the injury, our physical therapists will help resolve any pain, restore motion and strengthen the affected area to prevent additional injury.
An effective rehabilitation program depends on a thorough history to understand the exact nature of the injury and the athlete’s goals. We use the information gathered in the initial evaluation to identify the underlying condition and pathology of the symptoms.
The initial stages of physical therapy will focus on restoring any lost motion, reducing the swelling, and using all available treatments to alleviate any pain you may experience.
Your physical therapist will incorporate manual techniques and modalities to reduce pain and inflammation before initiating active rehabilitation. Our programs focus on correcting dysfunction and/or improper technique and equipment.
Dysfunctional movement patterns can last for years, leading to re-injury and other injuries. Our therapists will design a comprehensive program that includes restoring range of motion, strengthening, neuromuscular control, proprioceptive responses, and sports-specific exercises. We will look for any changes in your gait pattern that may make it difficult for you to move around freely.
Our physical therapists will show you therapeutic exercises to address any underlying issue, such as a weakness that may be contributing to altered movement patterns, balance issues, and overall susceptibility to more injuries. We will perform a comprehensive assessment to ensure we provide the tools you need to enjoy the sport you love!
Exercise of the Month
Ankle Alphabets
(Ankles, Foot Mobility)
Start by sitting up straight in a chair. Raise one leg out in front of you. Slowly write the letters of the alphabet with your foot, only moving at your ankle joint. 3 Sets, 10 Reps. (Materials needed: chair)
It’s Your Choice!
Patient Choice
You have a choice to pick whatever physical therapy provider you wish. It is imperative to do your research in this area to be able to make this important choice.
Direct Access
Most insurance companies will allow you to see a physical therapist first before seeing your doctor.
Call us today if you are experiencing any pain: 518.620.8605
Is Physical Therapy Right for Your Injury?
Answer 3 quick questions to find out how we can help you get back in the game.
Get Back to Doing What You Love with Maccio Physical Therapy
Whether you’re recovering from an injury, managing chronic pain, or improving mobility, our expert team is here to guide you every step of the way. We use proven techniques and personalized care to help you reach your goals faster and keep you moving for the long term.
Don’t put off feeling your best. Schedule your appointment with Maccio Physical Therapy today and take the first step toward a healthier, pain-free future. For 39+ years we have helped thousands of patients get back to doing the things they love.
We will work with you at Maccio Physical Therapy to accommodate your needs by providing the most advanced rehabilitation strategies and injury prevention programming. For more information, contact us today!

Our Patients Get Great Results!
“I came to Maccio Physical Therapy after having my fourth knee surgery due to a traumatic knee injury that occurred while I was playing college lacrosse. Before coming to physical therapy, I was 3 weeks post op and could not lift my leg, flex my quad, or bend my leg on my own. I have worked with Joe for a little over a month now and have regained almost all strength and range of motion. I can now return to my daily activities pain-free!” – Shannen B.
“Before starting physical therapy with Joe, I had issues performing everyday tasks for work and school without discomfort. I also couldn’t properly participate in hobbies (such as weightlifting and rugby) without pain in my ankle and shoulder. The attention to detail and care that those at Maccio Physical Therapy have given me regarding my pain stemming from previous injuries has been phenomenal, and I can go about my day without pain now. I am also much happier in general without the discomfort I used to constantly feel in my shoulder and ankle bothering me. Thank you so much for improving my quality of life, and for all the kindness you have shown me!” – Elli T.
Greta, Wills, Fritz, & Roberta’s Corner


Sources
https://jfootankleres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13047-021-00480-w, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6602402/, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3103112/, https://www.jospt.org/doi/full/10.2519/jospt.2018.7426






