Going to the physiotherapist has become a common practice among people, especially among amateur and professional athletes. In the latter, the demands and level of training can reach the limits, so it is convenient to access physiotherapy treatments to prevent possible injuries or to recover from them in the shortest possible time.

On this occasion, we are going to discuss sports physiotherapy and the most cutting-edge treatments currently being carried out. But before starting, it is essential to clarify that there is no real difference between the physiotherapy that a professional athlete receives and that carried out by amateurs.

It’s worth noting that the best physical therapy treatments are now more accessible than ever. The key is to find a skilled physiotherapist who stays updated, engages in continuous learning, and employs therapies backed by scientific and clinical evidence. Injury Assistance Network is a reliable resource in this regard, with professionals in ​​sports and physical therapy ready to assist you.

Are There Differences Between the Injuries Suffered by a Professional Athlete and an Amateur Athlete?

First of all, you must remember that the main reason an injury appears is an excess load on a tissue (muscle, tendon, ligament, etc.) that is not able to withstand said tension. This can happen in an acute or chronic form when it is of lesser intensity but persistent over time.

Now, in addition to the excess load, training techniques, biomechanics, poor physical preparation, lack of rest, and diet, among others, can influence. These factors tend to aggravate the main reason for the injury.

So, if we take this into account, there is no difference between the injury of a professional athlete and that of an amateur athlete. The disparity between the two lies in the need for the professional to be active and in condition to compete. In fact, this will be the most challenging and decisive part of recovery. Success is found in achieving a balance between training and rest.

In the last 20 years, the best physical therapy treatments have evolved and developed treatments that allow faster recovery from injuries, with a smaller number of sessions and with an excellent guarantee. Knowledge of injuries is more significant, as well as the mechanisms that cause them. Last but not least, physiotherapists are not only able to provide massages; they also have ultrasound equipment at their disposal as an assessment and treatment tool, as well as infrared and TENS (electrotherapy), which represents a massive leap in the quality and safety of the treatments they perform.

What Advanced Treatments Are Available in Physiotherapy Today?

Physiotherapy treatments have changed and evolved over time and adapted to new technologies. Although manual therapies are still practised, they are no longer the only option. Right now, many rehabilitation rooms have new machinery that optimizes the work of the physiotherapist. Let’s see.

Applied ultrasound in physiotherapy

Applied ultrasound in physiotherapy is not actually a treatment. Rather, it is a tool used by the physiotherapist to complement physical assessment and tests. Specifically, it allows the patient’s injury and its evolution to be observed in real-time.

In this way, more precise information is obtained about the type of injury, where it is located, recovery times, whether or not that athlete can play, and the most appropriate treatment.

If ultrasound is now the domain of the professional, needles (acupuncture type) have become the complement to his hands. They allow access to any injured area, and the needle itself can be used as a treatment or as an electrode to apply some form of electrotherapy in specific areas.

The combination of two of the best physical therapy methods, ultrasound, and needles, helps to obtain relevant results in a few sessions. The second must always be combined with the first to ensure safe, precise work with the most significant guarantees for the patient.

Percutaneous Intertissued Electrolysis (EPI)

Percutaneous intertissued electrolysis (EPI) was created in Spain 20 years ago by physiotherapist José Manuel Sánchez. This technique has revolutionised physiotherapy, as it shortens recovery times and the symptoms of athletes who suffer tendon injuries.

These injuries usually occur due to degenerative changes in the collagen fibres, given that the regeneration process in the tendon fails. EPI allows the symptoms in the injured area to be reduced, the pH to be modified, and the inflammatory process to be favoured in the focus of the injury and, with it, recovery.

This treatment is also used for muscle, ligament, bursa, and ganglia injuries. It consists of placing a needle guided by ultrasound right in the area of ​​injury. The needle applies a direct or galvanic current to achieve the aforementioned effects.

Dry puncture

Dry puncture is one of the best physical therapy techniques with several years of history. For this reason, it is often the best known among patients, especially for its good results. Drs developed this technique. Travell and Simons was introduced in Spain by physiotherapist Orlando Mayoral more than 30 years ago.

For those who are not familiar with it, it consists of using an acupuncture-type needle in the area of ​​the muscle where trigger points are located (what we could call “contractures”). Its application allows the tension of these muscle fibers to be reduced, mobility to be recovered, and the pain of active trigger points to be eliminated.

What should be remembered about physiotherapy treatments?

The techniques discussed are some of those that currently offer the best results in physiotherapy. Even so, there are many other valid options. The choice between one treatment or another depends mainly on the type of injury and the criteria of the professional. There is no perfect technique that works for all patients.

Of course, it is worth highlighting two tools that continue to be essential in physiotherapy: manual therapy and therapeutic exercise. Manual therapy stimulates the circulatory system, helping bring blood to the tissues and promoting recovery. It also mobilizes injured structures and makes the joints that need it more flexible.

To Conclude, 

The most important thing is that the physiotherapist makes sound reasoning and assessments of the situation in order to decide on and apply the most convenient combination of techniques according to the case. For these cases, you have the Injury Assistance Network, which provides you with the best physical therapists to treat your condition. Contact us to schedule an appointment today.