The vast majority of people believe the primary use of physical therapy is for back pain or rehabilitation of an injury such as fracture leg or whiplash. While physical therapy is beneficial in all those situations, it's equally advantageous for individuals who want to improve their athletic performance.

Athletes don't have to seek the services of a personal trainer or strength coach if they want to run faster or jump higher. Physical therapists are experts in how the musculoskeletal system works and how to maximize the potential of any individual whether they're a high school athlete, participating at the collegiate level, or competing in professional events.

Physical therapy is so effective that world-class Olympians regularly receive care from a physical therapist to keep their bodies in top condition and improve agility, stamina, and endurance. Different sports and activities all require specific muscle sets. The same muscles used for performing a high jump aren't the same that an individual utilizes for rowing and each need a different approach.

The time to begin a physical therapy training program is before an individual will call upon their body to perform. For those who regularly compete, physical therapy is a valuable tool for maintaining performance and fitness levels during the off season.

Training for a Lifetime

A physical therapist can identify a wide variety of functional problems that include muscle weakness or gait dysfunction. Training and conditioning provided by a physical therapist is beneficial throughout an individual's lifetime. A physical therapist can help with:

• Increased strength, speed and agility
• Improved stamina and endurance
• Reduced risk of injury
• Reduced risk of overtraining
• Gait and postural assessments
• Sport-specific enhancement

As part of a physical therapy athletic program, individuals will receive information about nutrition and dietary supplements that address any deficits in diet and offer the essential elements needed for successfully honing the body.

Physical therapy aids in multiple sports endeavors. It helps in basketball with improved vertical extension. Football players will find they have better explosive speed and strength for blocking and tackling. Baseball players can increase arm strength and batting speed. Techniques are equally applicable for amateur athletes who participate in activities such as biking and running.

Be the Best Version of You

Your physical therapist has a number of assessments that he/she can perform to determine your strengths, areas of weakness, and any functional problems that may be interfering with your ability to compete at peak performance. Exercise and strengthening programs will be tailored to your individual needs, any specific sport in which you may be competing, your level of fitness and any pre-existing conditions.

Your physical therapist is also your best line of defense against overtraining. In the quest to become the "best," you may be tempted to put in more training time than you should. That path can actually lead to a loss in overall performance and increases the risk of injury. Your physical therapist will guide you in stretching and warm-up exercises and the proper amount to train without injuring yourself.

Manual manipulation and adjustments to the neck and spine help your body move smoothly and relieves pressure on the neurological system that surrounds the spine. Cupping, acupuncture and dry needling may be employed to reduce muscle tension and increase circulation.

Therapeutic massage stimulates the immune system, increases circulation and helps detoxify the body. It loosens and relaxes muscles making them less susceptible to an injury. Hydrotherapy utilizes the power of water as a type of resistance training. It's an effective treatment for building strength, balance and stamina.

It doesn't matter whether you're a world-class athlete or you want to play a little one-on-one basketball in the backyard. Physical therapy significantly reduces the risk of injury and enables you to be the best version of yourself you can be.

With the coming of spring, the urge to get outside and "do something" to alleviate cabin fever will be strong. After a winter of relative inactivity or virtual hibernation, it's a good idea for the body to get a tune up to prepare it for the stresses of emerging gardening, biking and baseball season.

Even people who regularly participate in winter sports and recreational activities would do well to see a physical therapist before attempting strenuous landscaping or sports-related activities. People don't use the same muscle sets for snowmobiling or skiing that they will utilize to fertilize the begonias, Rollerblade or go hiking. Being mentally ready to do something isn't the same as being physically fit enough to accomplish it.

The majority of individuals overestimate their fitness level. Simply going to the gym and working out over the winter won't prepare a person for spring. To avoid repetitive motion injuries or damage to the neck and spine, the body must first be aligned properly and have the strength to perform when it's called upon to do so.

Back and neck pain, and injuries resulting from repetitive motions required in golf, baseball and even swimming can result in sore, strained or sprained muscles and tendons. Injuries to hamstring muscles, the heel, knees, back and shoulders are also common and can require substantial time to heal.

Start Out Slowly
Most people throw themselves into spring activities wholeheartedly without regard for stretching or warming up first. Failure to prepare the body sufficiently before jogging or even cleaning the garage is the best way to incur an injury. The same rules for adults apply equally to youngsters participating in organized sports.

A physical therapist will help:

• Improve balance and coordination
• Increase endurance
• Build strength
• Aid in preventing falls and injuries
• Improve flexibility
• Improve performance

Those who visit the gym regularly may be able to lift an impressive amount of weight, but that ability won't help with a rotator cuff injury. Even muscles that are conditioned need to be slowly acclimated to the increased workloads of spring. Wind resistance, tough terrain and inclement weather can all combine to create a challenging situation that won't ever be experienced in an indoor gym or other facility.

Spring Into Physical Therapy

Your physical therapist will ensure your neck and spine are correctly aligned that will aid in reducing the risk of injury and relieve any pressure on the neurological system that can impair performance. A program of exercises will be developed that addresses your strengths and any areas of weakness. You'll learn how to stretch and warm up properly before putting specific muscle groups into action.

People tend to eat less healthy fare in the winter. Your physical therapist can help with your nutritional needs and recommend dietary supplements that help meet any deficits to provide you with specific nutrients for your selected activities. If you've had an injury in the past that has lingering effects, braces and other supportive aids are available to reduce the potential for another injury.

The therapies available through your physical therapist are effective for improving performance and building strength, balance and coordination to reduce the risk of falls. Your therapist can provide suggestions for protective gear and proper footwear that offers the traction and support needed for specific activities. Orthotics can be prescribed to address any imbalances for comfort and to relieve pain.

Lifting, bend, twisting and turning can easily strain the muscles and tendons. The quick stops and starts of basketball and the pounding the body takes while jogging can be mitigated with physical therapy. Your physical therapist can show you new ways to move to perform tasks that will be easier on your body and reduce the risk of an injury.

Before spring actually arrives is the time to get your body tuned up and ready for the upcoming season. Spring is a time of invigorating possibilities and your body will be rejuvenated and ready for whatever the season brings after a visit to your physical therapist.