Whether you are a weekend warrior, active in sports every day, or just a gym aficionado, injuries happen. When they do, it’s crucial to see a physical therapist in Casper, WY. Typical symptoms of injuries can include swelling, numbness, aches, and pain; you also might not be able to put weight on the area. It’s usually a good idea to seek treatment sooner rather than later so your injury doesn’t have long-lasting impact—particularly with student athletes.
Let’s take a look at some of the common sports injuries and whether physical therapy might be needed.

Torn ACL

The ACL is the ligament that connects the leg bone to the knee. This is a common injury that requires surgery in many instances. If possible, however, surgery can be avoided through physical therapy. If you do end up needing surgery, you will likely have physical therapy afterward to help you get your mobility back.
This injury commonly occurs when a person moves quickly in another direction or gets a blow to the side of the knee, causing the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) to tear. Pain and loss of range of motion follow.
Read ACL Injury Prevention Tips and Exercises: Stay Off the Sidelines! for the best exercises you can do to prevent yourself from injuring your ACL.

Rotator Cuff Injury

Shoulder injuries are not uncommon, particularly when continuous weight or stress causes the head of the shoulder joint to become loose. The rotator cuff is what holds the shoulder together and dictates how the shoulder moves.
If your shoulder is causing pain, you should see a doctor right away to determine how bad the injury. As with ACL repair, sometimes physical therapy is enough but surgery might be required for a full repair.

Pulled Muscle

This can happen from sports or gym activities—or even just working around the house. If a muscle gets pulled, it no longer feels flexible. It probably also hurts. This is a common injury when people don’t warm up enough before engaging in vigorous activity. Usually, rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE) can help this type of injury, along with anti-inflammatories. If it doesn’t get better, however, you should call your doctor.

Hip Flexor Strain

Once again, lack of proper stretching before engaging in activities can cause hip flexor strains. If you have a hip flexor injury, you might have pain, bruising or swelling in the area. Resting and icing the injury can help, as well as pain medication. But if the injury does not resolve itself with good home care, you might want to investigate physical therapy to help with healing and to prevent recurrence of the injury.
Don’t let sports injuries keep you out of the game for any longer than absolutely necessary. North Platte is your go-to local physical therapist in Casper, WY to provide the physical therapy that will get you feeling better. Our expert staff is respected throughout the Wyoming and Nebraska areas for providing superior and customized physical therapy services. We can handle any of your physical therapy needs—including your back pain. Fill out our contact form to get started and to find a location near you.