Are You Ready For
FALL SPORTS
September Newsletter
Are you wondering how to prepare yourself for the Fall sports season this year? Have you been struggling with an old injury that just doesn’t seem to be going away? Before you know it, the cooler season will come, and so will Fall sports!
Everyone involved in athletics knows that one thing is for sure: competition comes with a risk of injury. Fortunately, we know how to prepare athletes for the Fall sports season. At Maccio Physical Therapy, our physical therapists specialize in helping athletes recover from injuries and preparing them for their upcoming seasons.
Whether you compete in cross country running, football, or soccer, one of our skilled athletic trainers can help you resolve an injury and provide you with the tools you need to be at your peak physical condition for the start of the season!
How Physical Therapists Help Athletes Prepare For Fall Sports
Making sure your body is strong, stable, and prepped for the game is vital for maintaining high performance. Playing the sport you love, whether competitively or just for fun, is an important part of staying healthy and enjoying your life.
Conditioning is a significant part of staying healthy when you play sports. Conditioning programs can lower your risk of sustaining an injury during the game and improve your performance. Our programs focus on keeping your joints healthy and strong. We implement sports-specific strengthening and training methods to ensure your body can tolerate the demands of your sport while improving your ability to compete at a high level.
We utilize targeted exercises, lifting weights, and proactive recovery practices to prevent athletes from injuring themselves. We strive to help our athletes be prepared for the ups and downs of a sports season.
Injury Prevention with Physical Therapy
One significant aspect of physical therapy at Maccio Physical Therapy is that it can help you prevent an injury this Fall. Injuries are a part of any sports season and are typically placed into two categories: traumatic or overuse.
Traumatic injuries are caused by a specific incident, such as:
- Sprains (i.e., ankle or ACL)
- Strains Including pulled muscles
- Concussions (i.e., football collisions, soccer ball heading, falls, etc.)
In contrast, overuse injuries are caused by repetitive movements and/or poor technique performed over time. Some examples of overuse injuries include:
- Tendinitis (i.e., shin splints, jumper’s knee)
- Repetitive stress with poor technique (i.e., stress fractures, throwing injuries)
Sprains are extremely common in sports. Ligaments connect your bones. When a ligament is stretched beyond its limits, a sprain can occur. Once the ligament is stretched, it is looser and more susceptible to being sprained again in the future.
Strains, or pulled muscles, are similar to sprains but occur to muscles and tendons, not ligaments. Tendons connect your muscles to your bones. When a tendon is stretched beyond its limit, a strain can occur. Once the tendon is injured, it needs to be resolved fully, or it might lead to a chronic overuse condition.
Receiving physical therapy before you begin playing this Fall could make all the difference in how ready your body is to be out on the field or court. We will perform an injury screening to identify any underlying condition that can lead to future injuries. If/when we identify limitations and weaknesses, we will address them head-on to resolve them thoroughly.
As you progress through rehabilitation, our focus will shift to increase the intensity and complexity of your program. Our team will incorporate sports-specific training to prepare your body for the demands of a competitive sports season. We will work to ensure you are ready for the start of your season.
Request an Appointment Today
At Maccio Physical Therapy, we make it our top priority to encourage healing and injury prevention for our athletes. In addition to treating injuries, our physical therapists can help you improve your range of motion, flexibility, strength, and overall function to prevent additional harm from occurring and get you ready for your sport.
Are you an athlete prepping for Fall sports? Call us today to learn more about how physical therapy can get you geared up to have your best season yet!
Patient Success SPOTLIGHT
“I came to physical therapy due to injuries sustained playing roller derby. The injuries made playing the sport I love and cross-training outside of practice difficult, but with treatment, my knee has significantly improved. I’m able to run, lift, and play derby. I have the tools to keep my knee healthy and strong.”
-Katelyn P.
“When I started, I was unable to perform activities that I enjoy including ice skating, soccer, and running. I was having a bad pain in my lower abdomen and groin. At points, I couldn’t fall asleep at night due to pain. Now I am back on the ice, on the field, and in the gym. I am mostly pain free and have an at home routine to keep me going.”
-Nate B.
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.
Why Choose PT First?
“Positive MRI result should not be an indication for surgery unless the history and physical examination were found to be consistent with the MRI result.” (Robert F. LaPrade, MD — Steadman Research Institute)
“There is poor correlation between a patient’s clinical presentation and the reported MRI findings.” (Richard Herzog, MD, FACR — Hospital for Special Surgery)
It is extremely rare that we refer out for X-rays or MRIs with direct access patients, as the MDT mechanical examination is safe, effective, and rules out any serious concerns.
Q&A With Lindsay
Q: How do you tailor rehabilitation programs for athletes at Maccio Physical Therapy?
Answer: At Maccio Physical Therapy, we take a personalized approach to rehabilitation for athletes. We start with a comprehensive assessment to understand the specific needs and goals of each athlete. This includes evaluating their injury, physical condition, and sport-specific demands. Based on this assessment, we design a customized rehabilitation plan that focuses on functional exercises, strength training, and sport-specific drills. Our goal is to not only help athletes recover from their injuries but also to enhance their overall performance and prevent future injuries.
Q: How do you incorporate injury prevention strategies into your training programs for athletes?
Answer: Injury prevention is a core component of our training programs at Maccio Physical Therapy. We believe that preventing injuries is just as important as treating them. Our approach includes educating athletes on proper techniques and body mechanics, as well as incorporating exercises that enhance flexibility, strength, and stability. We also focus on sport-specific drills that mimic real-life movements, helping athletes build resilience against common injuries in their respective sports. Regular assessments and feedback ensure that our athletes are continually improving and reducing their risk of injury. This proactive approach helps athletes stay healthy, perform at their best, and prolong their athletic careers.
WHAT DOES A PHYSICAL THERAPY TREATMENT PLAN LOOK LIKE?
Everyone has different needs based on the conditions of their bodies. There is no cookie-cutter approach to health and wellness, as one treatment plan may not work the same for one person as it would for another.
Our physical therapists will work closely with you to evaluate your mobility, balance, range of motion, and severity of pain. Your physical goals will also be taken into account when creating your treatment plan, as well as any health risks that may be holding you back.
At your initial evaluation, you may be asked to perform basic movements, such as sitting down, standing up, walking, lifting, stretching, and other motions. Typically, you will have a posture assessment and strength assessment as well.
Once your physical therapist has a clear picture of what you need, he or she will begin constructing a treatment plan to help relieve your pain and achieve your goals.
Through in-office sessions and at-home exercises, patients strengthen their muscles and joints, improve their balance, build endurance, and experience pain relief, all without the unwanted harmful risks of drugs or surgery.
An active lifestyle is more than possible, even if you struggle with chronic pain. If you are looking to relieve pain and improve your health, strength, and physical activity, look no further — we are here to help.
Greta, Wills, & Fritz’s Corner
Free October Workshops
Let’s Get You Better ASAP!
Don’t let pain dictate your life. Take the first step towards reclaiming your mobility and well-being with our expert support. Start your journey to a healthier you today.
