The Role Physical Therapy Plays in Preventing Surgery for Sports-Related Injuries
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The Role Physical Therapy Plays in Preventing Surgery for Sports-Related Injuries
May 2025 Newsletter
If you’re an athlete or enjoy playing sports, injuries are, unfortunately, a common occurrence. Fortunately, our therapists at Kaizen Physical Therapy can help you recover after an injury and avoid the need for surgery in many cases.
Our team can help guide you through the preventive steps you can take to minimize your risk of sports injuries. If you sustain an injury, we’ll identify all the factors related to your injury and address them one by one.
Through our specialized programs, we can help you recover and improve your physical capabilities. We’ll take a holistic approach that fortifies your overall health and improves the skills necessary to maximize your athletic performance.
If you’re an athlete looking to recover after an injury, prevent surgery, and get an edge on the field, court, or weight room, we can help. Our therapist-led programs are designed to help athletes withstand the physical demands of sports more effectively, minimizing the incidence of an injury and the need for surgery.
Tailored Plans After an Injury
If you are trying to avoid surgery and wonder if physical therapy can prevent or delay it, the simple answer is yes!
Most orthopedic-type surgeries are not urgent or emergencies. Although traumatic situations can be emergencies, most times, there is a significant period of time between diagnosis and surgery.
Far too often, people mistake their symptoms for signs to rest or avoid the activities causing them pain. Even more frequent is the number of people who ignore aches and pains, thinking they will go away on their own, only to discover those early warning signs were the body’s signals to get help. Unfortunately, rest, avoidance, and trying to ignore or push through pain only lead to a bigger, often more complex, problem.
At Kaizen Physical Therapy, our therapists will weed through your symptoms and identify the root cause of your particular situation. We will give you the tools to prevent, delay, or prepare yourself for surgery.
We’ll guide you through a gradual progression to make sure you are ready to return without any limitations or impairments standing in your way. This cautious approach ensures a safer and more effective recovery process.
Rather than a “one-size-fits-all approach,” we believe every patient is unique and deserves a program tailored to their specific situation and goals. You are not merely treated but are guided towards a pathway of enhanced performance and overall well-being!
What to Expect at Your Physical Therapy Sessions
Rehabilitation should start immediately following most injuries to ensure the fastest recovery possible. One of our physical therapists with sports rehab experience will thoroughly evaluate the athlete to determine the injury’s severity and identify any other weaknesses or limitations that may affect the athlete’s recovery, stability, or strength.
Next, your therapist will create a targeted, individualized plan of care for you to promote accelerated recovery and future injury prevention. Our goal is to minimize the risk of needing surgery, so you get back to training and competing in the sport you love.
For example, your physical therapist will start with pain management and restoring mobility to the injured area. Next, we will focus on progressing your strength and dynamic stability exercises to restore function and prevent injuries. We will also incorporate balance and coordination exercises to stimulate the nervous system and help ensure you can run, jump, and cut to change direction, land in the correct position, and avoid future injuries.
Physical therapy at Kaizen Physical Therapy will provide the foundation for successful training while reducing future injuries and avoiding surgery!
Considering Physical Therapy? Get Started Today!
Navigating the road to recovery and returning to the sports activities you love can be tricky. Fortunately, our seasoned physical therapists are here to guide you every step of the way. With years of experience working with athletes, we’ve been instrumental in rehabilitating individuals post-injury, helping them avoid surgery and ensuring a smooth transition back to the sports they love.
Whether you’re on the brink of surgery or hoping to prevent it, our therapists will create a program specifically tailored to your unique needs. Reach out to our clinic to learn more!
Physical Therapy Success Stories
“I would definitely recommend Kaizen! Everyone from the front desk staff to the therapists are warm, welcoming and you can tell they really care about their patients. I worked with Natalie for months on an ankle injury and can’t speak highly enough of her. She was very professional, knowledgeable, and empathetic. She helped create a personalized exercise program for me to work on at home, listening to me every step of the way. And I am happy to say I’m pain free which I couldn’t have done without her!”
— Laura M.
We would love to hear your PT success story.
Click below and share your review, which may inspire someone to get the help they need.
Five Tips to Stay Safe on the Pickleball Court
As the weather warms up, it’s time for one of our favorite social sports: pickleball!
This outdoor racquet sport is fun, fast, and easy to learn, but its quick movement and repetitive swinging motions can increase your risk of overuse injuries. Here are five tips to keep yourself safe all season long.
1. Strengthen Key Muscles
A strong body ensures you can handle the demands of the game. Focus on:
- Core exercises to improve balance and stability
- Lower body strengthening to help you move across the court without falling
- Shoulder and wrist exercises to support repeated swings
2. Improve Mobility
A restricted range of motion can limit your movements and set you up for injuries. Try:
- Shoulder stretches to accommodate repetitive overhead motions
- Wrist stretches to reduce strain from gripping the paddle
3. Use Proper Technique
Pickleball is a beginner-friendly sport, but improper form can still cause overuse injuries. Spend some time perfecting:
- A stable stance to avoid sudden, awkward movements
- Controlled swings to reduce stress on your joints
4. Warm Up Before You Play
Jumping into a game with cold muscles makes you more prone to strain. Take 10 minutes to warm up beforehand with:
- A brisk walk around the courts
- Dynamic stretches like arm circles, leg swings, or lunges
5. Don’t Ignore Your Equipment
Pickleball is designed to be easy to pick up and play, but you still want to use the right equipment. Make sure to find:
- Well-fitting shoes that support your ankles and prevent slipping
- A paddle that matches your grip strength and playing style to reduce wrist strain
Remember, playing pickleball should be fun, not painful. If you notice any persistent pain during or after your matches, schedule an appointment at Kaizen Physical Therapy. We’ll help you figure out what’s going on — and what you can do about it!
Feel Better by Eating Better!
Sheet-Pan Chipotle-Lime Shrimp Bake
Looking for a flavorful, no-fuss dinner packed with zesty spice and wholesome ingredients? This Sheet-Pan Chipotle-Lime Shrimp Bake is the perfect weeknight meal! Roasted baby red potatoes create a hearty base, while asparagus, Broccolini, and succulent shrimp are infused with a smoky chipotle-lime butter for a deliciously bold kick.
Ingredients
- 1-1/2 pounds baby red potatoes, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 3/4 teaspoon sea salt, divided
- 3 medium limes
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon ground chipotle pepper
- 1/2 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed
- 1/2 pound Broccolini or broccoli, cut into small florets
- 1 pound uncooked shrimp (16-20 per pound), peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro
Preheat oven to 400°. Place potatoes in a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan; drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon sea salt; stir to combine. Bake for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, squeeze 1/3 cup juice from limes, reserving fruit. Combine the lime juice, melted butter, chipotle and remaining 1/2 teaspoon sea salt.
Remove pan from the oven; stir potatoes. Arrange asparagus, Broccolini, shrimp and reserved limes on top of potatoes. Pour lime juice mixture over vegetables and shrimp.
Bake until shrimp turn pink and vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes longer. Sprinkle with minced fresh cilantro.
www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/sheet-pan-chipotle-lime-shrimp-bake/
Exercise of the Month
Knee Controlled Articular Rotations
Start by sitting on the ground with one leg straight and your other leg raised slightly resting on your forearm. Your heel should not be touching the floor. Turn your foot out as far as possible at your ankle and then extend your knee as much as possible. Turn your foot inward as far as possible and bend your knee as much as possible.
Meet the Kaizen Physical Therapy Team
Let’s Get You Better ASAP!
Don’t let pain dictate your life. Take the first step towards reclaiming your mobility and well-being with our expert support. Start your journey to a healthier you today.