Sports Physical Therapy FAQs

If you’ve sustained a sports-related injury, or you’re an athlete who suffers from chronic pain and inflammation, you may be wondering if sports physical therapy can help. The short answer is a resounding yes, but sports PT can do a whole lot more that.

To give you a better understanding of sports PT and its many benefits, our sports physical therapists have provided answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about sports physical therapy below. For additional questions, or to schedule a consultation with a sports physical therapist in Queensbury, Saratoga Springs, Malta or Delmar, please give us a call at 518-289-5242.

Sports PT is a specialized area of physical therapy designed to help athletes and physically active individuals recover from injuries, prevent future injuries, and improve athletic performance. It involves the evaluation of sports-related injuries, sport-specific rehabilitation treatments and exercises, and education and training on sport injury prevention. Sports PT can also help athletes achieve their performance goals by addressing areas like strength, flexibility, balance, coordination and other functional movement.

While regular physical therapy focuses on general movement and pain management, sports PT provides sport-specific rehabilitation, and includes specialized exercises and education designed to help athletes return to their sport safely, as well as prevent future sports injuries and improve athletic performance.

Our sports physical therapists in Queensbury and Saratoga treat a variety of sports-related injuries, including joint dislocations, tendinitis and bursitis, foot injuries and ankle sprains, meniscus tears and other knee injuries, rotator cuff and other shoulder injuries, tennis and golf elbow, and much more. We also provide rehabilitation following sports injury-related surgeries, such as ACL repair.

Sports PT can help reduce chronic pain and inflammation, which is common in athletes, and provide the education and training to help prevent sports-related injuries from occurring. It can also improve athletic performance by increasing range of motion, strength, flexibility, balance and other functional movement.

Our sports physical therapists in Queensbury and Saratoga create a customized treatment plan for each athlete based on their needs. Our sports PT treatment plans typically include a combination of manual therapy, such as massage, stretching, and joint mobilization, along with heat, ice, ultrasound and electrical stimulation, and sport-specific strengthening, stretching and conditioning exercises. We also provide instruction on taping or bracing, when applicable, and include education on proper form and injury prevention.

Sports PT is not meant to cause pain, but some temporary soreness can occur as you restore mobility and strength. The duration of treatment varies depending on the injury, the individual and their commitment to the treatment plan, but progress is often visible within a few weeks, and most athletes are able to regain function and return to prior activities safely within 1-2 months.

Anyone who is physically active or plays sports can benefit from seeing a sports physical therapist. Not only does sports PT help you heal, recover, and safely return to physical activity following a sports- related injury, but sports physical therapists can provide exercises and education to help prevent injuries and improve athletic performance.

In New York State, you can start physical therapy without a doctor’s referral. To schedule a consultation with our sports physical therapists in Queensbury, Saratoga Springs, Malta and Delmar, simply call Capital Area Physical Therapy & Wellness at 518-289-5242.

Make an Appointment with Our Physical Therapists in Queensbury, Malta, Saratoga & Delmar

To make an appointment at one of our five physical therapy offices, simple give us a call at 518-289-5242. Our team of physical therapists and staff look forward to helping you on the road to better health!