Physical Therapy Recovery for Gymnasts
Common gymnastics injuries and how our physical therapists can help
Gymnasts are incredible athletes that focus on both strength and grace. Their bodies require many different capabilities, such as flexibility, resilience, and endurance. While gymnastics is a popular sport, it tends to involve lots of physical injuries such as fractures and sprains.
If you’re a gymnast with a recent injury or dealing with symptoms from a previous injury, give us a call at Elder Athlete Physical Therapy today!
Common gymnastics injuries
Gymnasts use every part of their body when performing, and with such extreme tricks, it’s no wonder injuries are so common in the sport. Gymnastics injuries that are more severe and typical include:
- Spinal fractures and herniated discs
- Achilles tendon strains or tears
- Ankle sprains
- Shoulder instability
- Colles’ fracture
- Burners and stingers
- Wrist fractures
- Finger and hand injuries
- Cartilage damage
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears
- Knee and low back pain
Some of the most common sports injuries in gymnastics include:
Back injuries:
Gymnasts frequently struggle with back pain, muscle strains, and spondylolysis. Athletes who became involved in the sport while their bodies are developing may
Bruises and contusions:
Gymnasts may sustain a variety of bruises and contusions as a result of tumbling, twisting, and flipping on the floor or in the air.
Overtraining syndrome:
Athletes that exercise harder than their bodies can recover are at risk for experiencing overtraining syndrome.
Sprains and strains:
Muscle sprains and strains are among the most common sports injuries in gymnasts. These conditions are mostly caused by the twisting motion of a limb or an accidental fall.
How physical therapy can help gymnasts
Our physical therapists at Elder Athlete Physical Therapy provide a wide range of services to athletes. We will begin by evaluating your injury and performing a full analysis to determine all the elements that may have contributed to it. This will include a complete history to learn more about your training regimen, current condition, and general, overall health.
Using this information, we’ll create a complete program that caters to your unique needs and includes mobility exercises, strengthening exercises, and focused manual approaches.
Treatments and what to expect
During rehabilitation at Elder Athlete Physical Therapy, your sports therapist will assess the severity of your injury and spot any restrictions that can hinder your range of motion, stability, or strength. Next, your therapist will create a customized, individualized care plan for you to advance recovery and future injury prevention.
Your physical therapist will teach you specific exercises designed to help the injury and return to your athletic activities. Treatment plans focus on pain reduction, restoring mobility, and achieving your recovery goals. Our evidence-based healing strategies prioritize balance and coordination exercises as well as strengthening and dynamic stability exercises. Some common therapies that we apply include:
- Manual (hands-on) therapy: A form of physical therapy that uses hands-on physical manipulation or mobilization to assess, identify, and treat joint or soft tissue injuries or disorders.
- Strengthening exercises: Activities that aim to increase the power of particular muscles or muscle groupings
- Range of motion exercises (passive, active assisted and active): Exercises that help to increase and stabilize range of motion in areas that are limited.
- Modalities: Your PT may use ice, heat, electrical stimulation, and other equipment or tools to best assist you in treatment.
- Splint/bracing: Depending on the type of condition and severity of your diagnosis, your therapist may use a splint or brace in the affected area. This provides a correct amount of support and stability.
Request an appointment today
If you’re a practicing gymnast or athlete or any kind, our rehabilitation team at Elder Athlete Physical Therapy can help you succeed in treatment so you can return to athletics as quick as possible. We will teach you exactly how to maintain recovery at home, between practice, and at the clinic during sessions. In addition, our licensed physical therapists provide postoperative care for sports injuries.
To get started at Elder Athlete Physical Therapy book an appointment today!