A sports physical therapist has the necessary education, knowledge and expertise to treat sports-related injuries and emphasize rehabilitation of athletes. The goal of a physical therapist is to get the athlete back to the level of physical ability that he possessed prior to the injury. To accomplish this goal, sports physical therapists employ a variety of techniques that have been proven to be effective with sports-related injuries.
A sports physical therapist initially evaluates the patient in order to understand the type of injury and how it has impacted the performance of the patient. In doing this, the physical therapist performs certain stretches and exercises in order to access the patient’s range of motion, pain level and current capacity to perform. Specialized tests allow the physical therapist to evaluate a patient’s balance, posture and coordination as well. Based on the results of a comprehensive evaluation, the sports physical therapist can create a feasible treatment plan.
Every injury is unique in that the circumstances of its existence vary from patient to patient. Additionally, the physical characteristics of each patient are distinguishable from each other as well. That said, every treatment program will be unique because it is tailored specifically to the individual patient and for the particular circumstances of their injury. Treatment plans include various types of treatment such as cold compress, warm compresses, traction, massage therapy, water exercise, floor exercises, stretches, yoga, endurance training, or other specialized treatment modalities. Sports physical therapists are observant and can detect when a patient is ready to transition into more advanced levels of treatment in order to rebuild their athletic abilities within a reasonable and healthy timeframe.
Each state sets their own licensing requirements which establish what physical therapists must comply with in order to become licensed in that state and gain authority to treat patients within that state. Typically, physical therapists need a bachelor’s degree as well as a master’s degree from an accredited physical therapy program. Physical therapy programs are located across the United States. Some are offered at private colleges and others are offered at public state universities. Regardless of where one obtains their physical therapy education, students gain an immense understanding of the human body, how independent parts of the body interact with each other and various treatment modalities that are successful on certain types of injuries and patients.
Physical therapists are employed with professional sports teams, hospitals, clinics, private athletes, and a vast array of other private entities. Average salaries vary depending on the type of employer that one is employed with, but the 2009 average salary was said to be roughly around $70,000. This career can be very gratifying because a sports physical therapist plays a vital role in rehabilitating an athlete back to a high-performing level. When applying their knowledge and expertise, a sports physical therapist can impact the life of an athlete including their quality of life, lifetime earning capabilities and overall well-being. If one is searching for a career that incorporates healthcare and exercise, sports physical therapy may be the ideal career to explore.
