Sprains and strains are common sports injuries that can impact an athlete’s performance and daily activities. At Breakthru Physical Therapy in Clementon, NJ, we offer specialized rehabilitation programs designed to address these injuries, ensuring a complete recovery and reducing the risk of future issues. Our goal is to help athletes regain their strength, flexibility, and confidence, allowing them to return to their sport with minimal disruption.
What Are Sprains and Strains?
Sprains and strains affect different structures within the body but often result in similar symptoms.
- Sprains: Occur when ligaments, the tough, fibrous tissues connecting bones at a joint, are overstretched or torn beyond their normal range of motion. They are often caused by a sudden twist, awkward fall, or direct impact and are common in the ankle, knee, and wrist—joints that are frequently subjected to sudden and forceful movements during sports.
- Strains: Involve the overstretching or tearing of muscles or tendons, which are the tissues that connect muscles to bones. Strains usually result from overuse, improper technique, or excessive force applied during physical activities and commonly affect the lower back, hamstrings, and quadriceps—muscles heavily engaged in sports involving running, jumping, or lifting.
Both sprains and strains disrupt normal movement and function, often leading to pain, swelling, and decreased mobility. Without proper treatment and rehabilitation, these injuries can result in prolonged discomfort and an increased risk of re-injury.
Specialized Rehabilitation for Sprains and Strains
Breakthru Physical Therapy utilizes tailored and evidence-based strategies for treating sprains and strains. Here’s how we support patients through recovery:
- Comprehensive Evaluation: The process starts with an in-depth assessment to accurately gauge the extent of the injury and identify the athlete’s specific requirements. This allows our experienced therapists to create a treatment plan that directly addresses the injury and fosters effective healing.
- Pain Management: Manual therapy, cold therapy, and techniques like electrical stimulation help alleviate discomfort, and reduce inflammation.
- Restoring Mobility and Flexibility: This phase focuses on restoring the injured area’s mobility and flexibility. Targeted stretching and range-of-motion exercises are introduced to ensure proper healing and prevent stiffness.
- Rebuilding Strength and Stability: Strengthening exercises focusing on the affected muscles and ligaments are designed to enhance stability and reduce the likelihood of future injuries, aligning with the demands of the athlete’s sport.
- Education and Injury Prevention: We educate athletes on proper techniques, warm-up practices, and at-home exercises, helping them avoid re-injury.
5 At-Home Exercises
In addition to in-clinic rehabilitation, incorporating these simple exercises into your routine can help strengthen muscles and improve joint stability, reducing the risk of sprains and strains:
- Ankle Circles: Rotate each ankle in large circles, 10-15 times in each direction.
- Single-Leg Balance: Stand on one leg for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Close your eyes to increase the difficulty.
- Hamstring Stretches: Sit with one leg extended, reach toward your toes, and hold for 20-30 seconds.
- Calf Raises: Rise onto your toes, hold briefly, and slowly lower. Perform 15-20 reps.
- Hip Bridges: Lie on your back, lift your hips by pressing through your heels, hold, and lower. Repeat for 12-15 times.
Start Recovering Now!
At Breakthru Physical Therapy, our specialized sports rehabilitation programs are designed to address sport-related sprains and strains, promote complete recovery, and minimize the risk of future issues. With comprehensive in-clinic treatments and practical at-home exercises, we empower athletes in Clementon, NJ, to return to their training confidently. Don’t let a sprain or strain keep you sidelined—call us at 856.767.9191 or schedule an appointment to start recovering now!
