3 Types Of Therapies To Treat Sports Injuries

April 18, 2019 By

3 types of therapies used to treat sport injuriesSports injuries happen all the time. But instead of shrugging them off, or trying to play through the pain, it’s important to treat them so that your body can perform at 100%. Repetitive strains won’t help you in the future. If you suffer from a sports injury, your physician will perform a thorough exam and then work with you to create a comprehensive treatment plan. Here are three common types of therapies that are used to treat sports injuries.

Massage therapy

Massage therapy gets right in and works to stimulate the muscles. Blood flow is incredibly important and massage therapy, especially deep tissue massage, works to bring the muscle back to top performance. All of your body is connected and if a specific muscle is under strain then the rest of the body will overcompensate for it. This can actually lead to more injuries.

Massage therapy for sports injuries is different than the type of massage you will receive at a spa. While a spa will be a bit lighter and works to relax you, massage therapy for sports injuries is a form of physical treatment. It will get a little bit deeper and a course of treatments will most often be prescribed.

Laser Therapy

Laser therapy is a great, innovative treatment option. It requires no cutting and is virtually painless. Infrared light is used to target the affected muscles. This light is then able to stimulate blood flow to the area. Laser therapy has really come into its own in the last few years and is becoming an increasingly used form of therapy.

Laser therapy may seem invasive, but it is quite the opposite. It is painless and effective and definitely a worthy option. This technology works to stimulate the mitochondria in cells and in turn heal them. Laser therapy works on a molecular level and it can be hard to see what is really happening. But even after just a few sessions, you will start to see an improvement.

Physiotherapy

As for physiotherapy, this form of treatment can really help sports injuries. Often, rehabilitation from sports injuries requires a series of exercises. Your physiotherapist will help you with these exercises during a treatment session, but then you will have to perform them on your own to really re-build your muscles.

Other parts of physiotherapy can include massage and hot and cold treatments. Instead of invasive surgeries that have very long recovery times, physiotherapy can create improvements and have you quickly back on your feet. The number of sessions needed will be entirely based on your sports injury. Often sessions will start out weekly and then will become less frequent as your body starts to heal itself.

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What Conditions Can Laser Therapy Treat?

March 18, 2019 By

what conditions can laser therapy treatOne of the greatest modern medical advances has been in the field of laser therapy. While so many injuries happen below the surface of your skin, it can be hard to actively treat them without surgery. And with surgery comes a whole host of issues, including long recovery time and possible infection. Thankfully, laser therapy is non-invasive, completely topical, and most importantly effective. Here are a few common conditions that laser therapy can treat. If you suffer from one of them, be sure to contact a professional for advice on the matter.

Soft tissue injuries

The soft tissues in your body include muscles, ligaments, and tendons. It is very common to have a soft tissue injury, especially if you play a sport. Rolled ankles, sprained wrists, bruises, happen quite frequently. However, just because they are common does not mean that you can’t actively treat them.

Thankfully, a few treatments of laser therapy will greatly help in healing soft tissue injuries. The laser light that is used increases the amount of oxygen and glucose to the offended tissues. Both are needed for healing to happen. There’s no need to suffer in silence from a soft tissue injury anymore.

Headaches and migraines

If you find yourself frequently reaching for the acetaminophen, or are triggered by a migraine by a random bright light, it’s time to look for an alternative to suffering. Often, restrictive blood vessels cause headaches. Essentially, not enough oxygen-rich blood is getting to where it needs to be. Laser therapy increases blood flow and allows oxygen to move more freely.

Laser therapy can also help promote the release of the hormone serotonin. The more serotonin you have in your body, the happier you will naturally feel. Increased serotonin can negate anxiety and stress, relieving you of headache symptoms.

Acute and chronic pain

One other benefit of laser therapy is that it can increase the release of endogenous opioids. These are the body’s natural way of lessening pain. The less pain that you have, the much better your life will be. There is now an increasing awareness of the detriment of painkillers. As a result, more patients and doctors are looking to alternative methods of pain relief. If you suffer from either acute or chronic pain, laser therapy can help to block the pain symptoms so that you can attempt rehab exercises to heal your body.

Ask for a consultation

The most important aspect to remember about laser therapy is that it works. If you suffer from one of the conditions on this list, or from another illness, be sure to as your medical care provider about laser therapy. Chances are, it may be what you need.

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5 Leg Stretches You Don’t Want To Miss

February 18, 2019 By

5 leg stretches you don't want to missWhether you’re an athlete or just someone who wants to stay limber, stretching is a great way to keep your body moving. It’s also key as a preventative measure, should an accident occur. The more flexible your body is, the more it is able to withstand the day to day impacts that are thrown its way. If you’re not sure what the best leg stretches are to do, we can help.

Hamstring Stretch

The muscles above your knee, at the back of your leg, are your hamstrings. These are the powerhouse of your body. Without strong, flexible hamstrings, it can be hard to walk or carry items. To perform a hamstring stretch, begin by placing your knees on the floor. Then, stretch one leg out in front and place it between your hands. Your arms should be shoulder-length apart. Hold the stretch for 30 seconds and then switch sides.

Hip Opener Stretch

Our hips get used a lot, but they are often overlooked when it comes to stretching. But, for better balance and core strength, it’s important to open up the hips. Start in a lunge position where one leg is at a right angle and the other leg is stretched out. Then, lift your leg up so only your toes are touching the floor. Gently twist your body so that it is open in the opposite direction. Keep one hand on the ground and lift the other hand towards the ceiling Hold for 30 seconds and make sure your core is engaged.

Butterfly Stretch

This is one of the best leg stretches because it engages your leg muscles, core, and back, all at the same time. Start by sitting on the ground and bring your feet together. Gently lean forward so that your chest comes down to touch your feet, or as close as you can. Your back should be straight, and you should be able to feel your ab muscles tighten. Take a breath and shake out your legs before completing the stretch for a second time.

Forward Fold

Place your legs shoulder-width apart and stand up straight. Then, bend over at the waist and lower your head to the ground. Your shoulders and neck should be relaxed but continue to bend over as far as possible. Pause and hang for 30 seconds, allowing gravity to work with you. Slowly bend your knees and gently return to a standing position. At the end, you should feel not only stretched out, but also a bit more energized thanks to the increase in blood flow.

Reclining Position

Taking its name from a yoga pose, this is a great leg stretch that helps to loosen hip joints. Lie on your back on the floor. Bend your knees and place your feet flat on the ground. Then, take one leg, still bent, and bring it over to rest on the other knee. Hold on to this leg and gently pull your leg into your chest until you can feel the muscles tighten. Hold for 30 seconds and repeat with the other leg.

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