Importance of Physical Therapy in Rugby and Other Sports

Because sports cause a lot of wear and tear on the body, physical therapy is an essential aspect of training.  Though athletes may only consider consulting a physical therapist when an injury occurs, one of the most important benefits of physical therapy is injury prevention.  Physical therapy is essential in a high contact and fast-paced sport such as rugby, where athletes may face a broad range of injuries each time they step onto the field.

Denver Back Pain Specialists’ Co-Founder, Dr. Amy Valenta is the Head Physiotherapist for the USA National Rugby Team and Medical Coordinator for the Glendale Rugby Club.  She has the privilege of providing medical support to these athletes while they represent the United States, playing against other countries all over the world.   In fact, Dr. Valenta will be accompanying our US team to the World Cup in Ireland this August! She started playing rugby when she was 18 years old, and has worked with rugby programs of all ages and skill level. Sport-specialized physical therapy is one of the key components of Denver Back Pain Specialists’ practice.

Sport-specialized treatment, which is not offered by all physical therapy practices, aims to decrease acute pain associated with both injury and surgery, as well as manage minor aches and pains limiting an athletes’ ability to compete at a high level.  Using a variety of techniques such as manual physical therapy, therapeutic exercise, neuro re-education, modalities, and intramuscular therapy, physical therapists work with patients to determine the best treatment plan suited for his/her specific goals and needs.  Another key component of specialized sports therapy is a tailor-made sport-specific exercise and treatment plan.  Working one-on-one, a physical therapist will determine the best exercises and therapy techniques for an athlete’s sport and create an individualized treatment plan.

For more information on sport-specialized therapy or any other types of physical therapy, or to schedule an appointment with one of our physical therapists, call us today at (303)327-5511. Remember, in Colorado, referrals are always welcome, but not always required to see a physical therapist.  Let the experts in sports rehabilitation get you off the sidelines and into the game. Call us today.