Movement is a Journey: Is Your Body Prepared?

Now that school is over and summer is fast upon us, many of us are getting fully back to our outdoor routines. Whether you are hitting the local trails, getting back on the golf course, or cheering from the sidelines of a soccer field, your movement journey is likely in full swing.

However, as we increase our activity levels, it is common to notice that our bodies are not responding quite like they did last year. Shaking off the winter rust often takes more than just a few weeks of light activity.

Don’t Let a Break Lead to an Injury

It is easy to expect our bodies to pick up exactly where we left off at the end of last season. But jumping right back into those activity levels after months off is often a recipe for an injury. Even if you feel great during your first few outings, the cumulative stress of repetitive motion, like running or sports, can quickly stir up aches and pains.

This is especially true as we age, because our ability to move undergoes natural changes over time. Without proper planning, a sudden increase in intensity can lead to avoidable injuries that might sideline you for the rest of the summer.

Physical Therapists: Your Movement Consultants

Most people think of physical therapy as something you do only after a surgery or a major accident. In reality, you should think of a physical therapist as a movement consultant.

Here is how a quick check-up can help you stay active this season:

• Injury Prevention: We are trained to identify movement patterns that cause pain before a major injury occurs.
• Customized Planning: We can create a plan to help you safely transition back to your favorite sports or leisure activities.
• Pain Management: If those morning jogs are already causing knee or back discomfort, we can help ease that pain and keep you moving.

Stay in the Game

The goal is to ensure your body is physically ready to take on the challenges of a busy, active summer. Do not wait for a small ache to become a season-ending injury.

Ready to move better? Check out our services or give our clinic a call today to schedule your movement screening!

References & Further Reading

1. Benefits of Physical Therapy. Choose PT. https://www.choosept.com/why-physical-therapy/benefits-of-physical-therapy
2. Dorfner M. How to avoid overuse injuries. https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org. Published 2016. https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/how-to-avoid-overuse-injuries/
3. Sports Injuries. John Hopkins Medicine. Published 2019. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/sports-injuries