How Can Physical Therapy Williamsville NY Help You?

As the Track and Field season gets underway it is important to make sure your body is injury-free. Avoiding running and throwing injuries is essential. Keeping your body healthy and in shape is detrimental to having a successful season. If you are experiencing any pain before the season, you may benefit from Physical Therapy Williamsville, NY with Advance Physical Therapy. 

The Most Common Track and Field Injuries

Runners Knee: Track and Field Injuries can be split up into two categories: Running and Throwing. The most common injury with runners is Runner’s Knee. This refers to the pain in the kneecap. About 57% of runners experience Runner’s Knee. 

Achilles Tendonitis: The next most common injury is Achilles Tendonitis. This is caused by stress and tight calf muscles. The tendon will tighten up causing lower leg and heel pain. Only 20% of runners experience this injury.

Hamstring Injuries: Hamstrings are the most important muscle for runners. The hamstring which is located behind the thigh, allows your leg to propel you forward. If the hamstring injury goes untreated, you will be more susceptible to a hamstring tear. 

Plantar Fasciitis: Plantar Fasciitis is another common injury amongst runners. Plantar Fasciitis is caused by small tears to the muscles and ligaments in your heel. Symptoms include heel pain and foot pain when you first get out of bed. 

Shin Splints: Shin Splints are very common amongst runners. This sharp pain that runs down your shins is the result of tiny tears around your shinbone. This pain is caused by overuse and excess running activity. 

Other track injuries come from jumping and include ACL tears and stress fractures in the knee. 

Most Common Field Injuries:

As stated before, most field injuries come from throwing. Some events that deal with throwing include javelin, shot put, discus, and hammer. These throwing injuries include:

  • Shoulder/ Labrum Tear
  • UCL Tears
  • Stress Fractures
  • Rotator Cuff Tendonitis

Treating and Prevention

All injuries can be healed but some may take more time than others. When treating running and throwing injuries, the best treatment is physical therapy in Williamsville, NY. 

During physical therapy, you will go through various stretches and leg exercises to help loosen and strengthen the injured muscles. Some PT techniques include:

  • Foam rolling 
  • Massage therapy
  • E-Stim
  • Ice
  • Resistance bands
  • Weight lifting to stabilize and strengthen muscles

Another form of PT includes a Gait Analysis. This is the study of how humans move. Here, a specialist will analyze how you run and will fix incorrect running techniques that may be causing injury. This will optimize the way you run and perform. 

Advance Physical Therapy Williamsville, NY

If you need physical therapy Williamsville NY, you may benefit from visiting Advance PT. We will work with all athletes to help you return to the playing field as soon as possible. To schedule an appointment, please visit our website.