Return to Sport
Philip Boozer, MS, ATC, C-PS
Owner and Founder of Return2Play
A Message From Philip Boozer, MS, ATC, C-PS Owner and Founder of Return2Play
It can be tempting to disregard a sports injury and play through the discomfort, but it is crucial to get medical attention.
Or, it can be very easy to become despondent and feel “stuck,” wondering if you’ll ever be able to play sports or be as active as you once were…
If you are experiencing this, you are not alone; this is a common occurrence. In fact, we see patients in our physiotherapy clinic at Inspire regardless of the season.
We find it absurd when doctors and other medical professionals advise injured patients to simply “rest.” We feel that this is actually raising your risk for future injuries and causing greater injury. This is because resting induces muscular loss and deterioration! Why do so many people suffering from sports-related ailments wonder:
“Why Am I Still Suffering From an Injury That Prevents Me From Engaging in Physical Activity And Playing My Favorite Sport?”
Many individuals mistakenly believe that a few days of rest will heal their sports injury and allow them to resume their normal training program. However, when individuals attempt to resume exercise, they frequently experience increased pain. When the individual is resting, they often experience little to no pain; nevertheless, as soon as they resume exercise, the pain returns and does not appear to lessen regardless of how long they take pauses.
Does That Describe You?
In our clinic, we frequently see patients who go to the doctor and are told to rest and “try these pain relievers” to “see how it works.” Then, four weeks later, because the injury hasn’t improved, they return to the same doctor and are given MORE rest and ANOTHER prescription for even stronger pills.
Rest isn’t always the best medicine when it comes to sports injuries. So, if you’ve ever been frustrated after speaking with multiple people and receiving contradictory information, know that you’re not alone. Because they can have similar symptoms, it’s easy to confuse a back injury with a hip problem.
Sports injuries are frequently misdiagnosed because the pain is coming from somewhere other than the area that needs to be fixed. Resting for an extended period of time can cause other parts of the body to become weak and vulnerable to injury.
Unfortunately, the uncertainty surrounding “resting” often leads to even more procrastination and avoidance of decisions that could aid in the healing of an injury and return to regular exercise. Worse, many people simply accept that they are no longer act as if it is normal or unavoidable.
Is That How You’re Feeling as Well?
If You’re Currently Frustrated and Living With a Sports Injury, Here Are Seven Additional Reasons Why It May Be Lasting Longer Than It Should:
1. You expected it to go away on its own, but it didn’t.
2. You went to the doctor, who advised you to rest, wear a brace, and take pain relievers – but the pills did nothing to help, and as soon as they wore off, you were back in agony.
3. You just accepted it because a family member or friend told you that everyone gets more prone to sports injuries as they get older.
4. You had previously sought assistance from other Healthcare Professionals or a Physio, but nothing they said or did seem to help.
5. You’ve tried heating pads, ice, and sports supports, but they’ve done nothing to alleviate your pain or allow you to return to exercise with ease.
6. You thought resting would be a good idea because you were in a lot of pain, but it still irritates you on a daily basis.
7. You decided to get a few “sports massages” in the hopes that they would relieve your pain, but all they did was make you feel a little ‘painful’ or relaxing,’ and did nothing to help your injury in the long run.
If you’ve been involved in any of these mishaps, we’d like to invite you to schedule a call with one of our physical therapists to learn what we can do to help you. You’re already one step closer to finding the solution because you’ve tried any or all of these things!
So, here are four things you can do:
1. First and foremost, you must decide whether or not to seek assistance – Many people put off dealing with their problems for so long, believing that the pain will eventually “go away with time.” They’re still dealing with it six months later, and nothing has changed. Alternatively, it could get worse and they’ll stop participating in sports or activities entirely.
2. Do the RIGHT exercises next – The physical therapist will explain the exercises in detail and demonstrate how to do them correctly. One of the best things you can do to speed up your recovery and avoid injuries is to perform the appropriate series of advanced exercises – the right exercises provided by a PT help relieve pain while quickly allowing you to move freely again.
3. Avoid “too much rest” While rest is necessary for recovery, too much rest will not help you recover faster. Many people believe that total inactivity is required for recovery. Rest prevents blood circulation, which is required for an injury to heal. Your body requires appropriate rehabilitation and strengthening exercises, as well as hands-on therapy, to get you back into action and healthy as soon as possible.
4.Physical Therapy that is “hands-on” Sports injury patients has been shown to benefit from therapeutic massage. In reality, we help people heal from sports injuries all year long at Ready2Play. If your condition prevents you from participating in sports or being active, if it interferes with your job or limits your freedom by limiting the amount of time you can spend with family and friends, Physical Therapy may be able to help you return to normal life as soon as possible.
If you’d like to learn more about how the Physical Therapy team at Ready2Play clinic can help you get back to being active as soon as possible and safely, we invite you to begin with a completely free, no-obligation, risk-free appointment at one of our clinics.
Note: We offer this free Total Body Diagnostic session to people who are nervous or skeptical about Physical Therapy, unsure of its benefits, or if it is right for them. If this describes you, please begin with a Free Total Body Diagnostic session so that we can work with you to determine what is wrong and what can be done – with no financial risk.
So, What's the Next Question?
"How Can Choosing Ready2Play Physical Therapy Help You Get Rid Of Your Sports Injury Forever?"
- We can quickly relieve pain and stiffness - often in just a few sessions.
- We can help you figure out what's wrong and get to the bottom of your injury once and for all - often within 20 minutes.
- Pain can deplete your energy and prevent you from participating in your favorite sport or activity - we can help you enjoy living with more energy each day and return to doing what you love safely.
- We will ensure that your problem is properly "corrected" and "healed," and we will provide you with the ideal set of exercises to hasten your recovery.
- We can assist you in ending your reliance on painkillers, which are obviously detrimental to your long-term health.
- We can help you avoid risky surgery as well as painful injections.
- We can help you avoid going to the doctor's office and being told to "rest."
- We can assist you in regaining the quality time with family and friends that your injury has taken away from you.
- We can assist you in finally being able to walk and move freely without fear of the pain worsening and stopping you in your tracks.
Ready2Play’s expert physical therapists can help you manage or eliminate sports injuries so you can return to your favorite recreational activities.
If you want to know how much it costs and what availability we have, please click the button below and fill out the short form:
What Other People Just Like You Are Saying About Return2Play in Modesto
