Elite Sports Physical Therapy in Waco has had the privilege of working with local athletes at all levels to develop a physical therapy plan for their recovery after a sports injury. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, about 30 million children and teens in the US participate in some form of organized sports, and more than 3.5 million injuries occur each year. Furthermore, almost one-third of all injuries incurred in childhood are sports-related injuries. These injuries can result in lost participation time and can really have an impact on a child or teen. Fortunately, with the proper medical attention and a recovery plan, most children who experience a sports-related injury will return to play.
We recently interviewed Conner Morgan, a sophomore at Midway High School in Waco, Texas, and member of the Panther Swim Team as well as Sigma Swimmers Club Team. Conner was recovering from an elbow injury this year and with high goals for his swim season, and making a full return to competitive swimming was very important to him.
Elite Sports physical therapist, Kyndall Brownsworth, PT, DPT, described her experience working with athletes, particularly Conner.
“An injured athlete can experience the highest of highs and the lowest of lows and as a PT I get a chance to be there for both. Competitive athletes not only need tissue regeneration and restored function, but they also need precision and refinement to their skill at the highest level. It’s a God given blessing to get to treat competitive athletes as their commitment to rehabilitation is incomparable, and Conner was an excellent example of this.”
We asked Conner the following questions about his experience at Elite Sports Physical Therapy.
Q: What’s something during PT that gave you hope about your recovery process and returning to swimming?
A: The exercises were developed just for me and my desire to return to swimming as soon as possible. I did not feel like I was “wasting” time by doing exercises that did not maximize the recovery for my elbow exclusively.
Q:What’s your overall impression of your experience at Elite PT?
A: The experience was wonderful. The therapist was very informative, gave feedback while working with me and explained why the specific exercise we were doing would help my recovery.
Q: How did the one on one care you received impact your recovery?
A: The one-on-one was great! They worked with my doctor (which was out of town) and was able to develop exercises specifically for my recovery.
Q: Any feedback you would like to give Elite PT?
A: Everyone I worked with at the facility was such a big help. I was able to understand the reasoning behind the exercises being used and easy-to-follow instructions on continuing them at home. I was also very impressed with the staff, especially the receptionist. She was kind, worked with our schedule, and always called if an opening came up.
We thank Conner and his family for their time and wish him all the best as he continue his high school swimming career!
Common Swimming Injuries
Swimming is a great way to stay in shape, but it’s important to be aware of the risks involved. Swimmers can suffer from a variety of injuries, some of which can be quite serious.
The most common swimming injuries are:
– Swimmer’s shoulder
– Swimmer’s knee
– Swimmer’s elbow
– Swimmer’s hip
Swimmers can prevent these injuries by following a few simple tips:
– Always warm up before swimming.
– Don’t overuse your muscles.
– Use proper stroke techniques.
– Stretch regularly.
– Take breaks every hour.
Even with the best precautions and preparation, you cannot always prevent injury. If you do experience an injury while swimming, it may result in a trip to the doctor. It’s likely once a physician determines the underlying cause of pain or injury, they will refer you to physical therapy. A physical therapist can help in determining the underlying cause of pain and develop a plan for recovery. Book an appointment with Elite Sports Physical Therapy in Waco, Texas today so you can get back to playing the sport you love.