

Athletic therapy is a health care service that specializes in prevention and treatment of musculoskeletal problems of athletes, sports personalities and people who undertake physically demanding work. The athletic therapist offers effective solutions that can help the athlete or sports person recover faster from a physical injury. During a sprint or a hockey game, if a player is injured and unable to get up, the person who runs out to provide assistance and give treatment is often the team's athletic therapist.
Contact sports like football and hockey are injury prone and people playing these sports or undertaking tough physical jobs are at risk of sprains or fractures. In addition to sprains and fractures their bodies are susceptible to general wear and tear and bruising. It is the job of the athletic therapist to evaluate the extent of these bruising, sprains or injuries and suggest a course of treatment with the goal of a quick and full recovery. Apart from administering various therapies, they also help the sports persons with preventative measures to reduce the risk of injury by providing services like taping, bracing, bandaging etc.
A random study was conducted at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, NY that posterior calf stretching is believed to improve active ankle dorsiflexion range of motion after acute ankle-inversion sprain. With 11 men and 11 women (age range 11-54 y) with acute inversion sprain a standardized athletic therapy program was used. The results were considerable, range of motion increased significantly from baseline to week 2 and from week 2 to week 4. Normal range of motion was restored within 4 wk after acute inversion sprain.
Athletic therapists evaluate the extent of athletic injuries and find out the course of treatment that can ensure a speedy recovery. They have injury rehabilitation programs in place that can treat individual athlete’s needs. There have been many injured professionals and sports people who have been able to get back to their favorite sporting activity thanks to the timely help and rehabilitation from athletic therapists.
If you are participating in a sporting activity or engaging in work that demands physical activity, there is always a need for athletic therapy. Athletic therapists help athletes retain and improve their athletic capabilities with contemporary treatment programs. By using the right equipment, supportive strapping or bracing, and warm-up, people with active lifestyles can stay on top of their game. Athletic Therapists also advise athletes and coaches on the prevention of sports injuries and how they can maintain over-all fitness levels.
Is athletic therapy only for athletes? Though the term ‘athletic’ is used for this therapy, it includes players in contact sports like hockey, football and is also extended to embrace people from non-sporting background who are involved in jobs that are physically demanding.
Do athletic therapists also provide therapy during off-season? Yes, they do. Whether the athletes are preparing off season or recovering from injuries of the last season, athletic therapists are working around the clock to ensure that the player is close to or at their peak fitness levels.
What kind of treatments are administered in athletic therapy? Athletic therapists administer a variety of therapies and treatments to restore the physical health of people involved in sports and physical work. For example, in treating sports injuries, the therapies used may include hydrotherapy, hands-on treatment like massage, cryotherapy (therapeutic use of cold), electrotherapy, therapeutic exercise, flexibility training and conditioning. Individual treatment and precautionary measures like taping, bracing, or wrapping injury prone areas and bandaging are also use, depending on what is needed.

Though athletic therapists do their best to make sure that you are not exposed to injuries and help you to recover fast from injuries, they are not miracle workers.
If you are in sports or doing tough physical activities be sure to tell your therapist about any underlying health problem or past injury so they are aware of your condition and can provide the right treatment program.

Top 5 Reasons I Should Consider Athletic Therapy: