September Newsletter
How Physical Therapy Can Help You Get Ready for Fall Sports
Before you know it, the cooler season will come, and so will fall sports! Are you wondering how to prepare yourself for your favorite autumn activities? Or have you been struggling with an old injury that just doesn’t seem to be going away? Either way, Kintsugi Physical Therapy and Wellness can help.
Everyone involved in athletics knows that one thing is for sure: competition comes with a risk of injury. Fortunately, physical therapy can help athletes recover from injuries and prepare them for their upcoming seasons.
Whether you compete in cross-country running, football, or soccer, our team can help you resolve an injury and provide you with the tools you need to be at your peak physical condition for the start of the season.
How Physical Therapy Helps Athletes Prepare for Fall Sports
Playing the sport you love, whether competitively or just for fun, is an important part of staying healthy and enjoying your life. And making sure your body is strong, stable, and prepped for the game is vital for maintaining high performance.
Conditioning is a significant part of staying healthy when you play sports. Fortunately, we offer customized conditioning programs that can lower your risk of sustaining an injury during the game and improve your performance.
These programs focus on keeping you healthy and strong. They incorporate sports-specific strengthening and training methods to ensure your body can tolerate the demands of your sport while improving your ability to compete at a high level. Techniques like targeted exercises, lifting weights, and proactive recovery practices further help prevent athletes from injuring themselves.
In short, a physical therapy-focused conditioning program can prepare you for the ups and downs of the fall sports season.
Understanding Sports Injuries (And The Role Of Physical Therapy)
One significant aspect of physical therapy is that it can help you prevent an injury this fall. Injuries are a part of any sports season and are typically placed into two categories: acute or overuse.
Acute injuries are caused by a specific incident, such as:
- Sprains
- Fractures or dislocations
- Concussions
In contrast, overuse injuries are caused by repetitive movements or poor technique. Some examples of overuse injuries include:
- Tendinitis
- Tennis elbow
- Shin splints
- Jumper’s knee
- Stress fractures
More About Common Sports Injuries: Sprains and Strains
Sprains are extremely common in sports. Ligaments connect bones together and help support your joints. When a ligament is stretched beyond its limits, a sprain can occur. Once the ligament is stretched, it becomes looser and more susceptible to being sprained again in the future.
Strains are similar to sprains but occur in muscles and tendons, not ligaments. Tendons connect muscles to bones. Once a tendon or muscle is injured, it needs to be resolved fully, or it can lead to persistent pain and limitations in function.
Injury Prevention with Physical Therapy
Receiving physical therapy before you begin playing this fall could make all the difference in how ready your body is to be out on the field or court. The process begins with an injury screening to identify any underlying conditions that can lead to future injuries. Once we identify limitations, restrictions, and weaknesses, we’ll provide you with a personalized program to resolve them.
As you progress through rehabilitation, the intensity and complexity of your program will increase accordingly. We design your program to meet your specific needs, including incorporating sports-specific training to prepare your body for the demands of a competitive sports season.
Request an Appointment To Get Started
Encouraging healing and avoiding injury are top priorities at Kintsugi Physical Therapy and Wellness. In addition to directly treating injuries, we can help you improve your range of motion, strength, and overall function to prevent additional harm from occurring and get you ready for your sport.
Are you an athlete prepping for fall sports? Schedule an appointment today to learn more about how physical therapy can get you geared up to have your best season yet!
Sources: https://delfamdoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/current-trends-sports-injury-prevention.pdf, https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40279-019-01232-4
Why Kintsugi Physical Therapy and Wellness is the Key to Full Recovery After a Sports Injury
When recovering from a sports injury, time is of the essence, and seeing a physical therapist as soon as possible can be the pivotal factor that leads to a complete and successful rehabilitation. While many may consider these injuries a mere inconvenience, they can have long-lasting consequences if not treated properly from the start.
Here’s some of the common problems with waiting to see one of our physical therapists after a sports injury:
- Incomplete Healing: Ligaments and tissues may never regain their full strength and stability, leaving you vulnerable to further injuries. The longer you wait to address the issue, the more challenging it becomes to recover fully.
- Poor Rehabilitation: Inadequate or improper rehabilitation is a common pitfall that leads to recurrent injuries. Without proper rehabilitation, you risk weakening the supporting structures, setting the stage for another injury.
- Return to Activity Too Soon: One of the biggest mistakes an athlete can make is rushing back into physical activities or sports before a full recovery. It’s understandable to be eager to return to the game, but a premature return can lead to re-injury. Our physical therapists will guide you on when it’s safe to resume your activities, ensuring you don’t jeopardize your progress.
Your Road to Recovery Begins Now — Take Action Today!
When it comes to sports injuries, early intervention by one of our physical therapists is not just a wise choice — it’s a game-changer. Their expertise and guidance can make all the difference between a complete recovery and a cycle of recurrent injuries.
Don’t let an injury hold you back; call Kintsugi Physical Therapy and Wellness today. Your future self will thank you!
Savor a Pain-Free Football Season
As Friday night lights illuminate the field and the spirit of football echoes throughout the community, ensure that back pain doesn’t get in the way while rooting for your team in the stands. Experience the thrill of the season without the discomfort of back pain. Our treatments are designed for your unique needs, ensuring you’re game-day-ready every time.
Your game plan to tackle back pain involves the following:
- Effective treatments to alleviate pain and guard against future flare-ups.
- Customized strategies to boost your mobility and strength so you can cheer on your favorite teams without hesitation.
- Tips to enjoy those tailgate barbecues and halftime huddles without a second thought to your back.
Get ready to chant, cheer, and celebrate without restraint. Connect with Kintsugi Physical Therapy and Wellness today, and let’s ensure you’re in prime shape for every touchdown this season!
Patient Success Story
“I started coming here a couple of years ago for a frozen shoulder, and since then have regained pain-free mobility. It is a fantastic place for physical therapy and continued wellness via massage therapy & follow-on activities such as seasonal yoga and gentle aerobics with light weights. Bryce is awesome as a massage therapist and class instructor!”
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Ann Knapp
Ann graduated from the University of Puget Sound in 1994 after having attained both her undergraduate degree in Biology and her Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy. She has practiced locally in outpatient orthopedics for the past 26 years. Her passion is to keep patients active no matter their age or activity. Previously a competitive cyclist, she understands the pain and frustration of injury and enjoys working with athletes to help them maximize participation in their sport. She especially appreciates the geriatric population and problem-solving to allow this age group to remain independent and functioning safely in their living spaces. Finally, she has experience working with cancer patients and assisting with rehabilitation for cancer fatigue-related issues.
A true Northwest native, Ann was raised and still resides in Des Moines, WA. She appreciates and savors all that the area has to offer. When she is not working, she might be seen running, biking, skiing at Crystal Mountain, or paddling the Puget Sound. She and her husband homeschool their daughter and will admit they have met their ultimate challenge (and learned quite a bit along the way as well.)
Meet Our Team
Mexican Chicken Corn Soup
A creamy chicken corn soup flavored with Mexican spices and fresh jalapeños for a refreshing change from regular chowder. Easily made dairy free.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 jalapeño chili chopped, fresh or frozen
- 1 cup red bell pepper and/or mild green chili peppers, fresh or frozen
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt (to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons flour, cornstarch, or potato starch
- 3 cups chicken broth (or 4 cups if preferring all broth and no milk)
- 2 cups corn kernels, fresh or frozen
- 2 cups cooked chopped chicken, cubed
- 1 cup milk, half-and-half, or coconut milk
Optional Toppings
- 1 to 1½ cups cheese (jack, cheddar, cotija, or queso fresco)
- 2 to 3 tablespoons sliced pickled jalapeños
- 1 lime, sliced in wedges
Instructions
Step 1: Sauté the aromatics. Heat the oil over medium high heat in a soup pot. Add the onion, peppers, garlic, cumin, oregano, salt and pepper. Sauté until tender and lightly browned, about 3-5 minutes.
Step 2: Add the thickener. Sprinkle with flour, if using, and cook another couple of minutes.
Step 3: Simmer the soup. Stir in the chicken stock, corn, and cooked chicken. Heat to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes.
Step 4: Finish the broth. Stir in milk or coconut milk if you didn’t use all broth. If using a starch to thicken now, add 2 tablespoons corn or potato starch to a small bowl, add about 1 tablespoon of COLD water, stir until smooth, and then add to soup after adding milk. Stir a minute or two until thickened and taste for seasoning.
Step 5: Garnish and serve. Serve topped with optional shredded cheese, pickled jalapeños, and lime wedges to squeeze onto the soup bowls.
Exercise of the Month
STRETCH HAMSTRING SUPINE
(Hamstrings)
Start by lying on your back with both legs straight out. Loop a towel around your foot on the side you want to stretch. Keeping your leg as straight as possible, pull it up into the air using the ends of the towel. Hold when you feel a stretch in the back of your leg. Hold for 30 seconds. 3 Sets, 1 rep. (Materials needed: a towel)
