Sports injuries are an inevitable part of leading an athletic lifestyle. Some injuries happen suddenly, while others occur over time. It’s important to have a sports medicine clinic in your corner, so you don’t end up sidelined for longer than necessary. Choosing a clinic that offers multiple services can help you get well-rounded treatment and be more convenient. Here are the services to look for in a sports therapy provider.
Physiotherapy and Rehab
One of the cornerstones of sports injury treatment is rehabilitation and rehabilitative treatments. These include stretches, exercises, and treatments to break up excess scar tissue and adhesions. Some clinics also offer state-of-the-art therapies like cryotherapy.
The goal of these therapies is to reduce pain and inflammation, build strength in the injured area and restore range of motion. Most sports injuries will require some form of rehabilitation. Your provider will use diagnostic tools like an exam, x-ray, and MRI to determine what course of treatment is right for you. At-home exercises and stretches are usually prescribed along with in-office sessions.
If you’ve had surgery to repair an injury, you may require post-surgical rehabilitation. A good sports therapy clinic will provide specialized care for post-operative healing.
Completing a course of rehabilitation can result in a healthier heal with less scar tissue. This means you’ll retain a better range of movement and be less likely to deal with chronic pain. Rehabilitation focuses on strategic strengthening of the injured area so that it doesn’t become reinjured. Working the injured area in rehabilitation can help you retain functionality and be aware of what your body tells you so you don’t overwork it when you get back to the game.
Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic adjustment is useful both on its own and in combination with rehabilitation to treat common sports injuries. It’s especially helpful for injuries affecting the back or neck. A fall during a game can cause subluxations, small misalignments of the vertebrae that pull on soft tissues and cause pain. Subluxations can also affect the nerves near your spinal cord, causing numbness, tingling, and impaired coordination. A spinal adjustment corrects subluxations so your body can heal and your nervous system can function optimally.
In addition to treating injuries, chiropractic care can also lessen the likelihood of sports injuries. Many professional sports teams retain a chiropractor because studies have shown that athletes who receive regular chiropractic treatment have a better range of motion and get injured less frequently. Chiropractic care can also help athletes recover faster from hard workouts.
A clinic that provides both chiropractic and rehabilitation services is equipped to treat more types of injuries. They can also set you up for regular chiropractic appointments to keep you in good condition and prevent injuries.
Spinal Decompression Therapy
Many sports take a toll on the spine, and some athletes, especially weight lifters, skiers, and equestrians struggle with disc injuries. When you have a problem affecting a spinal disc, such as a herniated or compressed disc, spinal decompression therapy can help. This state-of-the-art therapy uses computerized traction to create negative pressures within the spine. This rehydrates the discs, sucks in bulging discs and leaking fluid, and takes the pressure off nerves. Most patients notice an improvement after their first few sessions.
Up to 86% of people suffering from chronic low back pain experience relief after completing a spinal decompression therapy regimen. It is often recommended to patients who haven’t experienced relief with other treatments, but it can also be used to prevent chronic pain at the first sign of an injury.
Spinal Decompression can be used alongside other treatments to help the body heal faster.
Injections
Injections can be helpful for many kinds of sports injuries, including acute, post-surgical, repetitive use, joint pain, and soft tissue pain. There are several types of injections that are currently in use to treat these conditions. Your provider will determine the type of injection you need after an exam.
Cortisone Shots: Cortisone injections contain a type of steroid similar to the one your body produces naturally in response to injury and inflammation. It is most effective for pain primarily caused by inflammation and for injuries that are inflamed beyond normal expectations. Keeping inflammation lower can help injuries heal better and reduce discomfort during the healing process.
PRP Injections: Platelet-rich plasma injections are made using the plasma and platelets from the patient’s own blood. When they are injected into the injured area, they boost the healing process and help the body repair tissues faster. Side effects are practically non-existent, and most patients only need two or three initial injections to start feeling the effects.
Hyaluronic Acid Injections: Hyaluronic acid (HA) is used to relubricate the knee joint and reduce inflammation and pain. Hyaluronic acid is produced by your body to lubricate joints, plump up the skin and protect nerves within joints. Wear and tear and age decrease the function of our natural HA. Injecting it into the joint helps your body repair naturally. When used with PRP injections, HA is very effective for several knee pain causes, including arthritis.
Cortisone shots are typically a short-term solution that aids the body in its natural healing process. PRP and Hyaluronic acid promote long-term healing in situations where the body is struggling to complete the process on its own. Cortisone can have side effects and isn’t right for everyone, but most people can use it safely for a short amount of time. Hyaluronic Acid and PRP are very safe and effective even for people who haven’t experienced relief with other treatments.
A Treatment Plan for Your Unique Needs
Many sports injuries require more than one type of treatment. Going to a clinic that provides several options is your best bet for complete and fast healing. A good sports therapy clinic can also provide you with lifestyle advice and preventative care to keep injuries to a minimum.
Comprehensive Sports Therapy in Houston
At Vanguard Spine & Sport, we provide several types of treatment to serve the needs of athletes. Our providers can evaluate your injury, set up a treatment plan, and refer you to orthopedic care if needed. Come experience the convenience and effectiveness of having all your sports injury needs met under one roof.