Physical Therapy Can Help You Get Back to Sports This Spring
Are you looking forward to the beautiful weather this spring? With so many great activities to look forward to, it’s important to make sure your health is in tip-top shape for this season. At Amber Hill Therapy Centers, our physical therapists can help you get over an injury and get ready for spring-time fun!
A physical therapy program can increase your fitness level and help you make the most of your favorite activities. Physical therapists are movement experts who understand the body’s demands and how to prepare for activities like running, biking, and playing sports.
If you’re looking to get more physical activity this season or finally resolve that old injury and aching joints, call Amber Hill Therapy Centers today. We’d love to help you get in the best shape possible so you can participate in all of your favorite activities!
How Physical Therapy Can Help You Be Ready This Spring
Sports
Being able to practice the sport you love, whether competitively or just for fun, is essential. Sports provide a way for you to get physical activity while having fun. Your heart rate rises, your blood gets flowing, your muscles get the workout that they need.
Many sports injuries are caused by not training in the off-season or trying to do too much too soon. Improper training and conditioning can resurface old injuries and contribute to new injuries starting. Our physical therapists can help you implement effective strategies to prevent sports injuries this season.
A few common sports injuries that physical therapy can treat include:
- Ligament sprains
- Muscle strains
- Overuse injuries (i.e., tendonitis, joint pain)
- Cartilage tears
It doesn’t matter if you play golf, softball, lacrosse, swim, baseball, or another sport. Our physical therapists at Amber Hill Therapy Centers can help you get in shape and be prepared for the season. We can also guide you to recover from past injuries that may not have adequately healed.
Biking
Biking is a fun activity people enjoy as it warms up outside. Whether you are riding on the road or the trails, biking can prove to be difficult if you’re suffering from injuries that have not healed or chronic pain conditions that restrict your mobility.
If you haven’t been on a bicycle for several years, you can start out riding just a few times each week. The great thing about biking is that you can go as slow or as fast as you’re able. Riding a bicycle will not only keep you active, even 15 or 20 minutes twice a week is a good start.
A physical therapist can show you the best way to ride the type of bike you own. Our physical therapists can help to mobilize your joints, build up strength and improve your endurance so you can continue taking those long bike rides through the park, mountains, or city streets! Having the proper fit can ensure you spend time enjoying the ride instead of recovering from an injury.
Running
One of the best activities to get in shape or decompress from stress is running. Unfortunately, new and old runners alike will experience injuries that prevent them from putting in the miles. Too often, runners ignore their injuries or don’t resolve them entirely, only to worsen or develop a new problem.
While running may be your chosen spring activity, it certainly can be hard on the body, and without proper guidance, you may find yourself unable to run at all. That’s why participating in a regular physical therapy routine at Amber Hill Therapy Centers is such a good idea.
If you’re having difficulty running at the same levels of speed or distances that you’re used to, it’s a sign you should see a physical therapist ASAP for care. We’ll make sure your muscles are strong, and your plan for training is sound. We can help make sure your joint health is up to par before you hit the trails this season.
Are You Spring-Ready?
Take our quick quiz to find out how prepared your body is for spring activities!
Exercise of the Month
Lunges
(Legs, Glutes, Core)
Stand tall with your feet hip-width apart. Step one foot backward and lower your back knee toward the floor, keeping your front knee aligned over your ankle. Push through your front heel to return to the starting position. Alternate legs with each rep. 3 Sets, 10 Reps.
Request An Appointment Today!
Spring has sprung, and it’s time for you to get back in the saddle when it comes to your outdoor activities and hobbies. Whatever you enjoy doing to stay active, our physical therapists at Amber Hill Therapy Centers can make sure your body is fully equipped to handle it!
Call our clinic today to schedule a consultation, so you can get out there and enjoy all spring has to offer!
Healthy Recipe: Spring Herb Chicken & Quinoa Bowl
This light, protein-packed bowl is perfect for fueling your spring workouts and supporting muscle recovery. It comes together in under 30 minutes!
Ingredients (Serves 2)
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup baby spinach
- 1 lemon, juiced and zested
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste
Instructions
- Cook quinoa in chicken broth according to package directions. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
- Season chicken with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Cook in olive oil over medium heat for 6–7 minutes per side until cooked through. Slice thinly.
- In a large bowl, combine quinoa, spinach, cherry tomatoes, lemon juice, lemon zest, and parsley. Toss gently.
- Top with sliced chicken and serve immediately.
Don’t Let Pain Sideline You This Spring
Whether you’re gearing up for your first 5K or returning to the tennis court after a long winter, the team at Amber Hill Therapy Centers is here to help. Our physical therapists will design a personalized treatment plan to get you moving safely and confidently this season.
Sources
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8329326/
https://journals.lww.com/acsm-csmr/fulltext/2016/05000/prevention,_evaluation,_and_rehabilitation_of.18.aspx
