Physical therapy can be an effective tool for volleyball players at all levels. Whether you’re looking for the best exercises for volleyball or general ways to prevent volleyball injuries, a physical therapist can help. Here are some things to keep in mind when it comes to physical therapy for volleyball players.
Knee Injuries
Knee injuries are fairly common among volleyball players. This includes patellar tendinitis and ACL sprains. Jumping, falling on your knees, and accidentally running into other players can make knee injuries prevalent amongst volleyball players. During physical therapy, your knee injury will benefit tremendously from specific stretches and exercises that work to strengthen the knee. Combined with rest and ice, this might be enough to help you fully recover.
Back Injuries
Back strains and other injuries can happen while playing volleyball due to the repetitive hyperextension of the lower back. While it is possible to fracture vertebrae, this type of injury is somewhat less common than hand, ankle, and knee injuries. Teenagers are at an increased risk for structs fractures of the spinal column known as spondylolysis because the bones have not fully matured. Anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, and rest are used to help treat the condition.
Common Volleyball Shoulder Injuries
A majority of volleyball shoulder injuries come from overuse and can include shoulder impingement syndrome and rotator cuff tendinitis. Good volleyball injury prevention strategies include developing adequate strength through exercise to properly spike and block, as well as limiting repetitive movements as much as possible. Scheduling consecutive rest days between practices and games can help.
How To Prevent Volleyball Injuries
One of the most common volleyball injuries is an ankle sprain, which can be compounded by a fracture. Some sprains may only require rest, whereas complex sprains could require other interventions. Preventing ankle sprains from volleyball playing requires a few steps. First, it is important to make sure that you do what is necessary to strengthen your ankle and utilize proper form during games. Some positions in volleyball are more prone to ankle injuries than others, including blockers and front row attackers. Playing in one of these other positions could minimize your risk of an ankle sprain. Second, ankle sprains are extremely common acute injuries for volleyball players. Limiting the amount of time spent immobilized after the injury and scheduling prompt daily physical therapy can help to reduce the time spent away from the game.
How To Prevent Finger Injuries In Volleyball
During blocking and setting, volleyball players are at an increased risk for finger trauma. This can include dislocated fingers, sprains, and tendon tears. If volleyball players feel significant pain after a hand injury, it could be a sign that a more significant injury has occurred. X-rays and physical examinations are often conducted to rule out serious fractures.
Ready to Bounce Back From Your Volleyball Injury?
Raritan Physical Therapy is here to help you recover from your volleyball injury. Gladly serving Raritan and the surrounding New Jersey areas seven days a week, our skilled professionals are goal-oriented and will help alleviate your pain and get you back into the game! Contact us by calling (732) 622-4400 to set up a consultation.