subject: The Role Of Physiotherapists In Sports Therapy [print this page] The more involved one is in a sport, the more prone you are to certain pains. It is the physiotherapists who help sportsmen, recover from Muscle pulls, neck and back pain, frozen shoulder and other such sport induced injuries.
Sports like tennis, soccer, cricket, baseball, etc. involve strenuous activities and swift movements. Sometimes, these movements can cause a muscle to pull or spasm. And sometimes, during important matches, a player is hurt. A number of treatments can be employed by sportsmen to retain their health and physique -
1. Myofascial release
It is a traditional technique that a Physiotherapist employs by using his hands in a skillfully trained manner. Myofascial release is used to give pressure at places where the tissues have become tight or shortened. This helps to relax tightened tissues, improve blood flow in the affected area and break apart scar tissue.
2. Individual Exercise Programs.
When an athlete is hurt, sometimes he needs to exercise, to strengthen himself. A Physiotherapist examines the injured athlete and then makes him exercise. This program encompasses a customized and personal exercising regime which will help strengthen the core stability. An assessment will then be determined to evaluate the postural deficits and muscle imbalances.
3. Manual Therapy
Athletes hurt themselves very often and their injuries usually result in muscle pain and spasms. Manual therapy is used when the joints of the limbs and spine are hurting. This therapy helps proper movement and eases pain.
4. Taping
Seldom, an injury can stunt the movement of certain body parts; this is also known as called proprioception. At such times, the Taping technique is used. It can aid the hurt area by increasing its proprioceptive input, which will then guide it to proper movement.
1. Acupuncture
Unlike painkillers and other drugs, the effect of Acupuncture is long-lasting. It involves the insertion of needles at specific points, which prevent pain and cure it. What these needles do is, release endorphins. They are pain relieving hormones that relax your body, reduce irritation and rejuvenate the body, physically and emotionally. Acupuncture can cure frozen shoulder, neuralgia, tennis elbow, neck and back pain, sciatica, arthritis, tendonitis and even headaches.
There are few more techniques which therapists use to treat wounds. However, prevention is better than cure and athletes should try and avoid hurting themselves. In fact, if you"re injured once, the doctor will educate you about all the details and how to prevent it next time. Also, that when you are hurt, your tissues heal fast if you avoid playing.
The scope of therapists is high in demand- Especially in cities like Montreal, Ontario and Vancouver. A Physiotherapist is an integral part of any sport activities and athletes would be incomplete without them.
