Typically, you would be referred to a physical therapist after you experience pain, or after an injury or surgery. Let’s explore some of the many examples of how physical therapy can be used before these occur, or before the development of other orthopedic conditions:
- By evaluating proper mechanics during ambulation, daily activities, work activities, or sports, a physical therapist can identify muscle weaknesses and imbalances or fatigue that can impact safe performance of activities.
- By learning correct mechanics of movement, your muscles, ligaments and tendons will be used correctly to ensure they are not overexerted during daily and leisure activities.
- A physical therapist can provide stretches and exercises that will help to counter the effects of activities such as lifting, throwing, climbing, and running. Muscles are rewarded by having an opposite muscle perform the opposite movements. By activating these muscles, you can prevent fatigue and injury.
Just like professional athletes are seen practicing and stretching prior to a game, athletes of all ages, size, and condition should also warm up and cool down after participation in activities. A skilled physical therapist can customize these exercises to match your specific needs and sports activities.
Occasionally, it’s just nice to have a professional complete a specific service prior to a 10K run, competitive mountain bike ride, playoff game of softball, etc. Look for a program where you can stop by and get stretched, Kinesio taped, or massaged as a way to stay healthy, strong, and avoid injuries.
GSC Therapy Services is local and offers not only skilled physical therapy services, but also the Alter G anti-gravity treadmill that was developed by NASA. This amazing piece of equipment can reduce body weight by 80 percent to make training, weight loss, and conditioning easy and pain free. All professional and collegiate sports training facilities have the Alter G available for their athletes.
In addition, GSC Therapy offers our Elite Program, which is a low-cost a-la-carte program that can be used as needed. Personal training through Spectrum Sports & Training gives athletes of all ages the edge they need to be competitive and avoid injury.
For your free consultation, or to learn more about GSC Therapy Services, GSC Elite or Spectrum Sports & Training, call us at (480) 855-8866, or check out our website: gsctherapy.com.