Preventing Injuries with Physical Therapy
Prevention is the best medicine, especially for student-athletes balancing school, sports, and recovery time. A well-designed physical therapy program at Lifestyle Physical Therapy can be a game-changer in avoiding injury altogether.
Common High School Sports Injuries
Sprained ankles, ACL tears, and shoulder strains top the list. Many of these result from poor movement mechanics, muscle weakness, or lack of flexibility—all areas PTs can address.
How Physical Therapists Identify Risks
A physical therapist begins with a movement screen—evaluating how an athlete runs, jumps, and lands. Subtle issues like knee valgus (knees caving inward) or poor core control can indicate a higher risk for future injury.
Prehabilitation: Training for Longevity
PTs design “prehab” programs focusing on strength, flexibility, and stability. Examples:
- Core and hip strengthening for runners
- Shoulder stability for pitchers
- Balance training for basketball players
These exercises help correct imbalances before they lead to bigger problems.
The Education Component
PTs also teach athletes how to warm up properly, use correct form, and recognize early warning signs of overuse. Education empowers young athletes to take control of their own safety.
With the right preventive care, injuries become less frequent and recovery times shorter. In our next blog, we’ll explore how physical therapy aids recovery when injuries do happen.