Avoiding Winter Sports Injuries

As an athlete, avoiding injuries can be one of your main priorities. With darker days and colder temperatures, injuries can be more difficult to avoid in the winter than in the other seasons. At Island Sports Physical Therapy, we understand an athlete’s need to stay in the competition. That is why we’d like to offer the below tips to help you avoid getting injured this winter sports season!  

  • Always Stay Hydrated: Making sure you stay hydrated is an important way to avoid injuries in general. Staying hydrated can help reduce the risk of suffering from muscle cramps and allows your body to properly regulate its temperature. The colder weather may have you feeling less thirsty than you normally would after a practice or a game. However, your body will still need you to replenish the fluids that were lost during this activity.
  • Keep Up With Your Conditioning: The colder temperature can make working out and conditioning less than ideal. You may have the urge to skip out on that extra training session, but this could be detrimental to your overall performance. Athletes always need to be in peak physical condition to excel at their given sport. Competing when you are out of shape skyrockets the risk of injury occurring.
  • Warm-Up/Cool-Down: Though overlooked by many athletes, taking the time to warm-up and cool-down can make all the difference between a successful game and early exit due to injury. Especially with colder temperatures, your muscles can be tighter and more rigid moments before your game or practice is set to begin. Jumping right into action can lead to serious injury. By warming up, you allow the blood flow and flexibility in your muscles to increase. Being loose will also help to increase your overall performance. A proper cool-down is just as important. Taking the time to cool-down allows your body to properly regulate its temperature, eliminating the risk of experiencing dizziness or fainting.
  • Dress Appropriately: Wintertime is the perfect opportunity to partake in outdoor sports such as skiing or snowboarding. While the slopes may already be calling your name, you need to make sure you’re ready to participate. Dressing appropriately is imperative to avoiding injury. You need to dress not only warm but dry as well. Getting wet in the cold temperatures of winter will rapidly drop your body temperature and put you at risk for hypothermia. 

The wintertime offers a plethora of sports and activities that can only be participated in during this time of year. There are also a host of injuries you can suffer from as well.  The team at Island Sports Physical Therapy never wants an athlete to be sidelined as a result of an injury. If you have sustained one even after following our tips, be sure to contact us today to receive top-notch physical therapy as a treatment!    

Before the colder weather rolls around, it is great to take advantage of those warm summer days. When the sun is shining, it is hard to resist getting outside as part of your day to day routine. Running is one of the best calorie-burning activities you can do. However, with extreme temperatures, there are some risks for staying in the blazing sun too long. While the weather should not deter you from getting some fresh air during your work out, it is important you are prepared for the rising temperatures!

Continue reading Safety Tips for Running in the Summer Heat

Can Summer Heat Increase Your Joint Pain?

With social distancing guidelines set to linger for at least the next few months, this summer is sure to be unlike any we have experienced before. However, for some, the joint pain experienced will remain the same. At Island Sports Physical Therapy, we understand the relationship between summer heat and joint pain, and our team is here to help you take the steps necessary to overcome it.

Heat And Humidity

Those dealing with conditions that cause chronic joint pain, such as arthritis, know about the issues summer can bring all too well. But why does the seasonal change lead to increased amounts of joint pain in some people? The answer lies within the heat and humidity of the summer. This combination can cause parts of your body to expand, leading to limited mobility and copious amounts of pain. The tissues that are most affected by this occurrence include:

  • Muscles.
  • Tendons.
  • Ligaments.

What Can Be Done? 

You may think that there is nothing you can do about your summer joint pain. However, our team is happy to say that this is not the case. To best combat this problem, our expert staff recommends the following:

  • Manage your weight throughout the year to relieve pressure on your weight-bearing joints.
  • Try to stay active so your joints don’t get too stiff, a common cause of pain.
  • Putting extra emphasis on hydration will help keep your joints lubricated.
  • Stay in air-conditioned areas whenever possible.

Treatment

If prevention methods offer no relief, there are still steps that can be taken to improve your summer joint pain. By utilizing the below methods, you can prevent your summer from being filled with joint problems:

  • Utilize the R.I.C.E (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) method on the affected joints to mitigate your pain.
  • Take over the counter pain medication or anti-inflammatories to help your symptoms subside.
  • Schedule an appointment with our team at Island Sports Physical Therapy so we can provide you with the care you need.

At Island Sports Physical Therapy, our team promises to always be there when you need us. If your summer joint pain continues to persist and becomes unbearable, be sure to contact us to get the care you need today!

National Physical Therapy Month

 

This October, Island Sports Physical Therapy urges you to celebrate National Physical Therapy Month! This month’s goal is to spread awareness about the many benefits of physical therapy and how it can help those suffering from chronic pain avoid taking medications or getting extensive surgeries. People who suffer from injuries or chronic pain often consider medications and surgery as the best options, but physical therapy can often be more effective in treating their pain. National Physical Therapy month is recognized as a way to inform more people about the many benefits of opting for physical therapy as opposed to other unnecessary treatment options. Additionally, this month celebrates the hard work that physical therapists do for those in pain all across the nation. 

In honor of National Physical Therapy Month, we want to highlight some of the benefits that can result from physical therapy. Many of these benefits can only be obtained through physical therapy, as opposed to other options. Among the many benefits of physical therapy are: 

  • Avoiding surgery: Although surgery is often unavoidable, physical therapy can, in some cases, help you avoid surgery. Physical therapy helps to eliminate pain, prevent further injury, assist in healing, and improve your overall physical health. Physical therapy can also heal injured tissues, preventing you from going under the knife. Even if you have surgery, physical therapy can help you recover and become active again.
  • Natural pain relief: Physical therapy is a natural alternative to pain relief, unlike many opioids or pain-relieving medications that can become addicting. People who experience pain also take anti-inflammatory medications or pain killers because it is believed to be the least intrusive approach. However, physical therapists can help you locate the source and cause of your pain. Physical therapists can show you several exercises that can help you mobilize your joints and muscles.
  • Preventing future injury: Physical therapists assess your weaknesses during each session. By doing this, physical therapists can create an exercise plan that’s tailored to your needs. As they analyze your weaknesses, a physical therapist can predict how likely you will be prone to injury and where the injury is likely to occur. 
  • Improved athletic performance: Physical therapy can improve your performance while playing sports. Aside from providing pain relief for athletes, physical therapy can increase your muscle strength and endurance. Physical therapy can also improve mobility, balance, flexibility, and circulation in the body. 

With all of the benefits associated with Physical Therapy, it is no surprise that there is an entire month dedicated to the craft. At Island Sports Physical Therapy, we will be celebrating physical therapy this month and beyond, and we hope that you will too!

Physical Therapy for Rowing

Contrary to what may be initially anticipated, rowing can be a highly intense sport and it certainly requires the use of various muscle groups. Are you sore from rowing and need to seek physical therapy to help strengthen your muscles?  Island Sports Physical Therapy in Huntington, NY can provide you with strengthening programs that adequately get your necessary muscle groups prepared for hitting the water. Please feel free to contact us if you would like to make an appointment for your injuries or sore muscles. For readers who are interested in the sport of rowing, please continue looking through this article.  

 

What is rowing?

Rowing is a strenuous sport that has participants race through a body of water with the help of a boat and an oar. The rower uses the oar to glide themselves across the water by consistently moving forward and backward with their arms. Rowers typically race one another to the finish line and can race for miles on end. Historically speaking, rowing had originated back in Egypt, Greece, and Rome as a mode of transportation. As time went on, it eventually became a sport in England during the 17th and 18th centuries. With the turn of the 19th century, rowing then became popularized across the globe, including in the U.S. Rowing is not known as a contact sport, but it can cause injuries to the rower if they don’t stretch or exercise properly.

 

Injuries

Despite the lack of physical contact, rowing can still cause injury to the body through ordinary wear and tear. The rower is maintaining proper positioning by sitting in the boat and using various muscle groups to help accomplish their goal of winning the race. With extensive hours of training, injuries are inevitable, especially if the rowers don’t take care of their body’s properly.  Some injuries that can occur from rowing may include the following:

  • Lower back pain.
  • Knee pain.
  • Extensor Tenosynovitis of the wrist (occurs mostly at the beginning of spring and causes major swelling and pain in the wrist).
  • Stress fractures in the ribs.

What’s a blessing and a curse about rowing is that it requires the use of many different muscle groups all at once. Muscles around your body are steadily being used as a result of the back and forth motion. Some of the muscle groups that are used while rowing includes the following:

  • Erector Spinae.
  • Rectus-Abdominis.
  • Triceps.
  • Rhomboids.
  • Deltoids.
  • Trapezius.
  • Pectoralis Major.
  • Wrist Extensors and Flexors.
  • Quadriceps.
  • Glutes.
  • Hamstrings.
  • Gastrocnemius.
  • Soleus.

Maintaining your key strength within these muscle groups is essential for making you an elite competitor in this sport. By getting physical therapy in Huntington, NY, you can rest assured that your body is at peak physical condition when it’s time to head back out onto the boat with your teammates. Physical therapists can also target the specific muscle groups that are required in rowing, promoting strength in your back, shoulders, and other areas.

Our specialists at Island Sports Physical Therapy in Huntington, NY can ensure that if you are in pain from rowing, they can assist you and get you ready for the next race.

Are you a multi-sport athlete? Due to the immediate jumps from season to season, you’re likely going to experience an injury every so often. Thankfully, a key component of physical therapy is that it’s able to provide athletes with increased levels of injury prevention. In addition, other unique benefits of undergoing physical therapy in Huntington, NY can also be accommodated. At Island Sports Physical Therapy, we offer several services for various different athletes who require assistance getting back on the field or court, including Sports Medicine Long Island. Contact us today to make an appointment to improve your health and strengthen your body, preparing you for the grueling stretch run.  

 

Benefits of Sports Medicine Long Island

If you’re an athlete that is always playing in long games and or constantly moving, it is important to make sure that everything in your musculoskeletal system is working properly. When it comes to sports, injuries are an unfortunate inevitability. Making sure you take care of your body and muscles through maintenance is crucial for any athlete. Fortunately, there are many benefits of visiting a physical therapist that is personally trained in sports medicine. Some of these benefits can include the following:

  • Pain reduction and the ability to protect the body from discomfort.
  • Promoting endurance through the use of building muscle.
  • Alternative to surgery (depending on the injury).
  • Enhanced mobility and movements skills (essential for any athlete).

With the help of physical therapy, patients can be provided with a concise plan of attack for their specific injury. Physical therapists specialize in many different techniques, allowing them to target areas of the body that have been experiencing discomfort. Athletes who endure symptoms related to chronic pain may find relief with the help of a physical therapist. Naturally, attempting to participate in any sport-related activity can be made an arduous task if you’re consistently feeling uncomfortable and in pain.

 

Services

For physical therapy in Huntington, NY, ISPT offers a multitude of services for patients of all sports and most age groups. Sports medicine has become an essential aspect of our practice, allowing us to make sure that each patient’s health is the top priority. Some of the services that are offered at Island Sports Therapy include:

  • Orthopedics.
  • Spinal Rehabilitation.
  • Sports Specific Therapy.
  • Geriatric Rehabilitation.
  • Children’s Injuries.
  • Fitness Programming.
  • Sports Medicine Long Island

Our practice prides itself on our ability to help athletes maintain a strong foundation and enhance their ability to prevent injuries. Sports injuries are quite common for the average athlete. With the help of our therapy program, we can factor in what sport you play and what areas of the body undergo the most stress as a result of the muscle groups that are used. In other words, we can develop an entirely customized routine for whatever athletes walk through our doors.

 

Sports Injuries Treated With Sports Medicine Long Island

The unfortunate truth is that the competitor within ourselves can force us to play through, and experience, an injury. While playing sports, or even engaging in any physical activity, you need to make sure that you are aware of what you are doing to your body. External factors such as the environment in which you’re playing also need to be taken into consideration. For a list of some of the most common sports injuries, please consider the following:

  • Sprained Ankle.
  • Strained Hamstring.
  • Pulled Groin.
  • Shin Splints.
  • Knee Injuries.

A common theme with these lower-body injuries is that they can be experienced after engaging in sharp turns or a sudden change of motion. Think of a running back in football making an awkward cut to avoid a defender. For some athletes, this can feel as though it’s an unnatural movement. With the help of sports medicine, we can provide you with stretching techniques that allow your knees and other joints to be more flexible, thus promoting injury prevention.

Sports Medicine Long Island

If you are experiencing any of these injuries, it is important to make sure you receive quality physical therapy in Huntington, NY here at Island Sports Physical Therapy. Getting back into the game, pain-free is our primary goal as a practice.

running in the sun

Physical Therapy in Nesconset

running in the sun

Preparing yourself to embark on a run may seem like a precarious task, but this exercise holds many benefits. Before you decide to stay in and watch T.V., consider all of the prosperities that running can offer you instead. When plotting a routine, remember to formulate a plan that will allow you to be consistent. Without strict discipline, you’re more likely to brush your regular running habits off to the side in favor of more relaxing activity. Despite what you may have been lead to believe, running is not a quick solution for weight loss. Researchers say going for a longer; the slower run is more beneficial than just doing an abrupt 10-minute mile. At Island Sports Physical Therapy in Nesconset, we can help you create a running schedule that will jump-start your weight loss journey. Continue reading for recommended tips and suggestions.

Continue reading How Frequently Should You Be Going For Runs?

muscle

Building Upper Body Muscle

Physical Therapy in Huntington Station, NY

Often, patients are fixated on the possibility of building strong and lean muscle mass in the upper body. Naturally, this could be due to the desire to develop strength, prepare for an athletic competition, or improve balance and agility to help prevent injury. Physical therapy can play a critical role in the promotion of muscle mass. At Island Sports Physical Therapy, offering physical therapy in Huntington Station, NY, our therapists are here to help you reach your individual fitness goals and muscular potential. There are several initiatives you can take to build muscle mass in an effective and maximizing manner.  

Continue reading Building Upper Body Muscle

Running in Snow

Running in Snow

Spring Sports

With winter upon us, several athletes may be looking to take a bit of a step back as they prepare for the upcoming spring sports season. Unfortunately, the cold weather limits an athletes’ ability to get outside and engage in outdoor activities, thus preventing them from staying in top-tier shape. While relaxation certainly has its own benefits, abstaining from training and preparation all together is proven to be more detrimental than beneficial. However, due to the frigid temperatures, training options may be limited. Fortunately, our physical therapy in East Northport specializes in sports specific therapy and can assist athletes in injury prevention along with recommended training regimens. As an added bonus, Island Sports PT’s indoor facilities will be sure to keep you warm as well.

Continue reading Preparing For Spring Sports, Can PT Help?

Elderly Walking

Elderly Walking

Geriatric Therapy – Overview

Discomforts that originate from growing older can be rather burdensome for geriatric patients. As we age, complications such as osteoporosis and arthritis tend to develop more frequently. These degenerative diseases progressively worsen through the duration of time. If you’re a geriatric patient and you’re looking to heal degenerative complications with non-drug treatment, contact Island Sports Physical Therapy in Nesconset for further assistance. Our team specializes in geriatric rehabilitation, providing continued benefits for a wide range of patients.

Continue reading Why Consider Geriatric Therapy?