What is a Sports Physiotherapist?

Athletes push their bodies hard. When it is something they do competitively they have to. But sometimes pushing the body hard can lead to accidents and injuries and when that happens they need a professional Perth physio to help recover and heal. That means planning a program for rehabilitation, treatment sessions with them, homework to do, education and counselling if it is needed. Special techniques they use might use hydraulic, electrical, mechanical, thermal or manual manipulation and exercise.

An outline of what sports physiotherapy looks like

Physiotherapy is not just for people with sporting injuries. It might be used as part of your recovery from a chronic illness, it might help with injuries to do with the lungs, joints, muscles, heart and so on. They can help patients with mental or neurological concerns. Their treatment includes tissue manipulation, encouraging good blood circulation, light, water, heat therapy and so on depending on their patient's needs.

You would see a Perth shoulder physio to help heal and then strengthen a shoulder injury for example. Often plans designed for each patient are specific and special to them. Some people require long-term support and serious treatment, some require something lighter. A physiotherapist is a medical professional expert. A sports physiotherapist specializes in treating patients with specific injuries due to sport or exercise.

What a physiotherapist does

A Perth physio will first assess their patient's physical condition by carrying out testing. Once they are able to reach a diagnosis they then design a physical treatment plan depending on the severity of the problem. Along with exercise programs including group exercising and water exercising, there will be things like joint manipulation and massages to reduce stiffness and swelling and improve the range of mobility you have in the muscles and joints of the area affected. As well as treating injuries they will also help you better understand how to avoid injuries and prevent any more damage from happening. Over time and treatment, they will restore partial or full functionality to the injured area, depending on how severe the injury is.

Common injuries a physio might look at

Any sport or activity can lead to injury as accidents happen. Even just running along the road might lead to a knee injury if you fall. But the sports that have the most injuries are the ones that are called impact sports. This means you will often see athletes that play lacrosse, rugby, soccer, boxing and so on more than other types of sports. An athlete can over train and push their body too hard in any sports, from swimming to even just walking. Common injuries are microfractures, shin splints, sprains and strains, damaged muscles, pulled tendons, torn ligaments and fractures.

Summary

With a Perth shoulder physio you can heal that shoulder a lot quicker and with better results than if you do not see a physio at all. With the right techniques, they can help athletes even when they are badly injured. The really serious injuries might not retain their former strength and motion, but most people see some improvement. With more minor injuries that healing can be fully complete.