6 Signs You Need a Physical Therapist

An athlete’s worst fear; you’re in the middle of training when you feel a nagging pain that just won’t quit. With a little rest and relaxation, you could be back to working out in no time. But what if your injury is a little bit more complex? Maybe it’s time to consider the benefits of physical therapy to treat your injury…

Sports Therapy at the Central Orthopedic Group

Physical Therapy is a specialized form of rehabilitation that focuses on the treatment, prevention, and management of disorders that are associated with mobility and physical function. Here at the Central Orthopedic Group, our highly trained physical therapists help athletes who are suffering from sports-related injuries regain their full potential. Our sports therapy doctors, such as Dr. Jordan Kerker, are experienced in both acute and chronic injury management and can diagnose and prevent conditions using advanced techniques designed to restore flexibility, strength, endurance, balance, and coordination.

Sports therapy is not just about treating injuries after they happen—it’s about taking a proactive approach to your overall health and athletic performance. Our team combines individualized rehabilitation programs, hands-on therapy, and modern techniques such as manual therapy, electrical stimulation, and therapeutic exercises to ensure that you recover quickly and safely.

For athletes of all levels—from weekend warriors to professional competitors—our goal is to provide comprehensive care that addresses not only your injury but also its underlying causes. By understanding your body mechanics, movement patterns, and lifestyle, we create a holistic approach that reduces the risk of re-injury and supports long-term health.

6 Signs You Need a PT for Your Sports Injury

1 – Lingering Dull Pain

If you have taken several days of rest following an injury and your pain continues, it might be time to visit a PT. Lingering pain can be an early warning sign of chronic conditions, including tendonitis, bursitis, or microtears in muscles and ligaments. Physical therapists can identify the root cause of your pain using assessments, functional tests, and imaging results, and then design a program to target your specific needs. Treating dull pain early prevents minor injuries from evolving into major ones that may require surgery or prolonged downtime.

2 – Sharp Pain

Sharp, acute pain during workouts or daily activities can indicate a more serious injury, such as a muscle tear, ligament sprain, or even a stress fracture. Immediate attention from a physical therapist can reduce further damage and accelerate recovery. PT interventions for acute injuries often include guided exercises, joint mobilization, and modalities like ultrasound or cryotherapy to manage pain and inflammation. Catching these injuries early is essential to avoid complications and ensure safe return to sport.

3 – Medications Don’t Help

Many athletes rely on over-the-counter pain medications to manage soreness or minor injuries. However, if these drugs fail to provide relief, it is a clear signal that your injury needs professional evaluation. Physical therapists focus on addressing the source of pain rather than just masking symptoms. Through targeted exercises, manual therapy, and movement retraining, PTs can reduce pain naturally while improving function, without the long-term risks of medication overuse.

4 – Visible Changes

Swelling, redness, bruising, or changes in joint alignment are signs that something is wrong. Ignoring these symptoms can exacerbate injuries and prolong recovery. Physical therapists are trained to evaluate these changes and develop a comprehensive plan to manage inflammation, restore mobility, and prevent long-term damage. Early intervention ensures that you can maintain peak performance while protecting your joints, tendons, and muscles from further stress.

5 – Repetitive Use Conditions

Repetitive stress injuries, such as tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, or carpal tunnel syndrome, develop gradually from repeated motion or overuse. These conditions can severely limit range of motion and athletic performance. Physical therapists work to identify the specific movements that trigger pain and design exercises to strengthen supporting muscles and correct improper mechanics. In addition, PTs often recommend ergonomic modifications, stretching routines, and preventative strategies to minimize the likelihood of recurrence.

6 – Traumatic Event

Some injuries, like ACL tears, fractures, or shoulder dislocations, are straightforward to identify but require structured rehabilitation. Following a traumatic event, the body needs guided recovery to restore strength, coordination, and confidence. Physical Therapy not only helps prepare the body for surgery but also supports post-surgical recovery. A structured PT program improves joint stability, reduces healing time, and increases the chance of returning to pre-injury performance levels safely.

Beyond addressing specific injuries, sports therapy at the Central Orthopedic Group emphasizes long-term injury prevention. Our therapists provide education on proper training techniques, stretching routines, and conditioning programs to ensure that athletes maintain peak performance while minimizing injury risk.

Benefits of Sports Therapy

Sports therapy offers numerous advantages for athletes and active individuals. Some key benefits include:

• Faster Recovery: PT programs focus on targeted exercises that restore strength and flexibility efficiently, allowing you to return to your sport sooner.
• Improved Performance: By correcting imbalances and enhancing body mechanics, PT helps athletes achieve better speed, power, and endurance.
• Pain Reduction: Using techniques like manual therapy, modalities, and corrective exercises, PT helps manage both acute and chronic pain.
• Injury Prevention: Strengthening weak areas, improving flexibility, and teaching proper movement patterns reduces the risk of future injuries.
• Personalized Care: Each athlete receives a tailored plan based on their injury, sport, and goals, ensuring maximum results and safety.

Common Sports Injuries Treated at Central Orthopedic Group

Our team of orthopedic specialists and physical therapists are equipped to treat a wide range of sports injuries, including:

• Sprains and strains of muscles, tendons, and ligaments
• ACL, MCL, and other knee injuries
• Shoulder dislocations, rotator cuff tears, and impingements
• Shin splints and stress fractures
• Tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, and wrist injuries
• Hip and groin injuries
• Concussions and postural imbalances affecting performance

By addressing both the injury and its underlying causes, our sports therapy team ensures that athletes not only heal but also strengthen the body to prevent recurrence. Whether it’s through hands-on manual therapy, corrective exercises, or advanced modalities, each treatment plan is comprehensive and individualized.

How PT Supports Post-Surgical Recovery

For athletes who require surgical intervention, physical therapy is a crucial component of recovery. PT helps in:

• Reducing swelling and pain following surgery
• Restoring mobility and range of motion
• Regaining strength in affected muscles and joints
• Rebuilding coordination, balance, and proprioception
• Gradually returning to sport-specific movements

Post-surgical PT programs are carefully structured and progress at a pace appropriate for each athlete’s condition. Our goal is to ensure that you regain confidence in your abilities and return to your sport safely.

Education and Injury Prevention

At the Central Orthopedic Group, we believe that education is as important as treatment. Athletes receive guidance on:

• Proper warm-up and cool-down routines
• Strengthening exercises to protect vulnerable joints
• Posture and technique improvements to reduce stress on muscles and ligaments
• Sports-specific conditioning programs tailored to your activity

By combining education with hands-on therapy, we empower athletes to take an active role in their recovery and long-term physical health.

Whether you’re recovering from a minor sprain or a major injury, physical therapy at the Central Orthopedic Group provides the expertise, support, and guidance you need to return to your sport stronger and more resilient than ever.