Injury Prevention

Regular PT visits can help prevent sports injuries and improve athletic performance, says physical therapist Patricia Ladis.

Because one of their most important jobs is to identify and correct muscular and other imbalances, a physical therapist is really an efficiency expert, says Patricia Ladis.

The Grafton Technique, says William H. Caddoo, D.C., uses specialized instruments in the treatment of muscle tears, such as a hamstring tear. The non-surgical treatment manipulates the muscle to break up scar tissue, which triggers an inflammatory response that not only aids in healing but helps prevent re-injury.

Working collaboratively, a team of physical therapists, strength and conditioning coaches, head coaches, and athletic trainers designed an ACL injury prevention program that has reduced the incidence of non-contact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries among female athletes at the University of Pennsylvania, says the school's head athletic trainer, Eric Laudano, M.H.S., ATC.

March is National Athletic Trainers Month.  Although the number of athletic trainers at U.S. high schools is increasing, the latest statistics suggest that less than half have an AT on staff.  Here's a video that shows just how important they are in keeping our kids safe.

While all athletes over age 7 playing competitive sports can reduce the risk of injury through regular screening by a physical therapist, seeing a PT is particularly important for athletes after a growth spurt, says physical therapist Patricia Ladis.

Taking a holistic approach to sports injury prevention, including regular screening by a physical therapist to identify muscle imbalances and/or biomechanical flaws, and prescribe corrective exercises, is critically important to the success of elite athletes, says physical therapist Patricia Ladis.

Physical therapist Patricia Ladis says that parents need to pay attention to the pain their child is experiencing early before it becomes chronic,  and says chronic pain can only be treated by getting all muscle structures working in balance.