Rugby is a demanding high-intensity sport with a high risk of injury, combining the running and endurance of soccer with the contact and tackling of American football. Common injuries include concussions, jersey finger, muscle strains of the hamstrings or quadriceps, ACL or MCL tears, ankle sprains, shin splints, and shoulder joint injuries. Physical therapists can help rugby players prevent and manage sports-related injuries through a targeted exercise strength and conditioning program.

A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury that occurs when a sudden force causes the brain to crash into the skull, typically from a direct hit to the head or from a whiplash-type motion that can cause cognitive, sensory, and physical symptoms. Concussions are particularly high in the sport of football, resulting from helmet-to-helmet contact or whiplash-type motion from tackling. Physical therapists play a critical role in concussion management, utilizing an evidence-based, personalized, and gradual therapeutic exercise program to help athletes recover safely without exacerbating concussive symptoms.

Lacrosse is a high-energy, full-body sport that combines quick sprints, agility, and coordination of the upper and lower extremities. Lacrosse injuries are more common in the lower extremities, particularly ankle sprains, ACL tears, shin splints, or hamstring or quadriceps muscle strains. Physical therapy can help lacrosse players not only address and recover from injuries during the lacrosse season, but also help prevent injury through a customized strength and conditioning program.

A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury that can result in disrupted neurological function and cause a wide range of physical, cognitive, and behavioral symptoms. The sport of soccer poses a significant risk for concussions and head injuries. During soccer, the head is at risk of contact with the ground, with soccer goalposts, with the ball, and with other players’ heads, elbows, knees, or feet. Physical therapists can effectively manage concussion injuries through evidence-based treatment and a careful, personalized rehabilitation program.

Boxing is a high-impact sport requiring full-body movement, coordination, agility, endurance, and power, combining upper-body power punching with lower-body footwork. Due to the high intensity of the sport, upper body injuries are common, including concussions, wrist and elbow strains, boxer’s fracture, or shoulder rotator cuff or labrum tears. Physical therapists can help boxers prevent injury through a customized strength and conditioning program and recover from and return to the boxing ring safely after injury.

Snowboarding is an intense winter sport requiring excellent balance, coordination, and agility while descending packed snow-covered slopes at high speed. Due to the high speeds and momentum gained when snowboarding, injuries due to falling are common and most often involve injury to the upper body, such as wrist fractures, separated shoulders, ligament and tendon tears in the shoulder, and concussions. A physical therapist can help a snowboarder not only recover from injury and safely return to the slopes but also prepare for the snowboarding season through a targeted strength and conditioning program.

January is National Winter Sports Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Month. Winter sports are played with high velocity and impact potential on the hard surfaces of snow and ice, which can lead to injury. Winter sports account for over 23,500 concussions in the United States each year. It is essential to take proper precautions to protect winter sports athletes and prevent concussions. Should a concussion occur, proper medical care is critical; physical therapists play an important role in winter sports-related concussion management and treatment.

Soccer is an incredibly popular sport with over 13 million Americans playing soccer, three million of whom are youth soccer players. Due to the intensity of soccer’s kicking, sprinting, fast changes in direction, and contact and the increase in year-round competition, both traumatic and overuse injuries can occur. Most soccer injuries occur in the lower extremities, particularly to the ankle, knee, and hamstrings. Physical therapists can help soccer players recover from injury safely through a comprehensive rehabilitation program.

Check out our 10 tips to prevent injury during cheerleading. Cheerleading involves intense gymnastics tumbling, partner stunts, lifts, and tosses. The physical demands of cheerleading contribute to injuries to the ankle, wrist, shoulder, knee, back, neck, and head. Physical therapists can help cheerleaders not only safely heal from an injury sustained during cheerleading, but also help prevent injury through a targeted conditioning and strengthening program.

Football is a high-contact sport with one of the highest sport injury rates. Common football injuries include concussions, ACL tears, ankle sprains, turf toe, shoulder dislocation, rotator cuff tears, and hamstring strains. Physical therapy provides effective treatment for football-related injuries, helping the athlete to safely recover and return to sport when fully healed. Physical therapists help athletes regain strength, function, and range of motion through a targeted therapeutic exercise and strengthening program while managing pain and minimizing the risk of future injury.

March is Brain Injury Awareness Month. One of the most common brain injuries is a concussion, a mild traumatic brain injury that can lead to physical, cognitive, and behavioral symptoms. Effective, timely, and well-monitored treatment after a concussion is critical for a full recovery and safe return to sport. Physical therapists are qualified to manage concussions through evidence-based treatment protocols and a personalized rehabilitation program that includes vestibular rehabilitation, manual therapy, balance training, and a graded, progressive exercise program.  

Check out our November 2020 newsletter that covers our recent clinic renovations and ribbon-cutting event, patient spotlight on back surgery recovery, concussion infographic, and lymphedema treatment after breast cancer.

A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury that can cause physical, cognitive, and behavioral symptoms. It can happen during sports, due to a fall, or a car or work accident. Physical therapists use evidence-based treatment and a rehabilitation treatment plan customized to the specific needs of the patient to help them recuperate safely and return to activity. Receiving timely, well-monitored treatment for a concussion is critical to achieving full recovery.

The start of fall brings with it the excitement of a new sports season. Training for the fall season begins in the summer so that athletes are prepared and ready for a successful season. However, due to contact or overuse, sports injuries can occur. Physical therapy can help student-athletes regain strength, function, and range of motion safely following sports injuries.

In the United States each year, there are over six million car accidents with two million people injured. It is essential to receive proper medical attention soon after a car accident, even if your injuries and pain appear to be mild. By undergoing medical evaluation by your physician and starting physical therapy treatment shortly after the accident, you can address pain, injury, and function issues. Car accident injuries are serious incidents that can have a long-lasting effect on your health. Start rehabilitative treatment shortly after a car accident to help you reduce pain and manage injury safely and effectively.

A concussion is a mild brain injury that requires a thorough and skilled treatment plan for optimal recovery. Concussions can occur during sports and other recreational activities or from car accidents, falls, or work accidents. Physical therapists can effectively manage concussion injuries through evidence-based treatment and a careful, personalized rehabilitation plan.