There is a wide variety of possible injuries during any sporting event. If you are on a sports team, then you are aware of the risks that you take during every game. Even if you are covered in armor and padding, you can still be seriously injured. Hockey is a prime example of this as hockey players wear some of the best padding available and are still injured regularly. Fortunately, physical therapy can help with these injuries. Here is what you need to know about youth physical therapy for hockey players.
Types of Injuries
Hockey can be stressful and dangerous because of how it is played. Injuries during hockey games and fall into two categories: self-inflicted and contact injuries. Self-inflicted injuries are more common during training sessions. As players try to learn new skills, they often push themselves too far. While little bruises and muscle sprains are common, continued overtraining can result in Overtraining Syndrome. It occurs when you push your body beyond its limits repeatedly while training without giving it time to recover properly before continuing. This can result in continued muscle strain and damage that can take a long time to heal. In some cases, it can lead to permanent damage.
Contact injuries are more common during games when a player comes into contact with other players. Collisions are often the cause of more serious injuries like bruises and concussions. Hockey players are also prone to minor sprains from twisted ankles or sprained wrists. While not too serious, these types of injuries can take a serious toll on your body if not properly cared for.
How Physical Therapy Works
When you have one of these injuries, the first thing to do is seek immediate medical attention to assess the severity of it and get emergency treatment if necessary. Then, you can use physical therapy to help your body heal and retrain your muscles to be just as good as they were before. Physical therapy for hockey players is much like the physical therapy used for other sports. You begin with low intensity exercises to stretch muscles and tissues, as well as to start training your muscles to function again. These moves include stretching and basic body weight moves with light resistance. As you heal and improve, you can add more weight or try more complex exercises under the guidance of a trained professional.
The Key to Success
The key to successfully using physical therapy to treat hockey injuries is to work with a trained physical therapist. When applied correctly, physical therapy can lead to faster healing and better overall performance as you recover. However, improper physical therapy techniques can lead to worse performance, poor healing, and permanent damage in some cases. It is important to have a certified and trained physical therapist work with you to make sure that you are doing the right exercises and you are doing them properly. That way, you can get the most benefit out of your physical therapy efforts.
Physical therapy can help you get back to the sport that you love as long as you are using it properly. Since hockey injuries are common, it may be a good idea to have a physical therapist that you can trust on-hand to help you when you need them. That way, you can easily get the physical therapy that you need to recover from a serious hockey injury.
Ready to Get Started?
If you are ready to start your physical therapy journey with a team you can trust, contact Raritan Physical Therapy at (732) 662-4400 to schedule your appointment.