Preparing Your Body for the Postseason

If you have suffered a sports-related injury this postseason, and are searching for physical therapy near Bethpage, contact Farmingdale Physical Therapy East today for more information.

The post-season for fall sports is quickly approaching, which means it is time to switch up your training routine. Your body might be feeling the effects of the season already, but the playoffs are a crucial time for an athlete to focus on new training techniques that can improve strength and mobility. At this point in the season, teams are tapering their training routines, focusing less on hard conditioning and more on recovery and injury prevention. Athletes must take extra time to focus on remaining for the rest of their season. Since athletes have already been training and competing for months, this can begin to cause wear and tear on their bodies. Changes in the weather can also take a physical toll on the body, causing muscle soreness and pain.

Avoiding Postseason Injuries

Talk to a specialist at Farmingdale Physical Therapy East or book an appointment for physical therapy near Bethpage if you are suffering from sports-related injuries. Our physical therapists can help you prevent sports-related injuries like muscle tears and strains that occur due to weather changes. By using a combination of exercise techniques and stretches, we can help athletes target and strengthen muscles that are injured.

Luckily, there are several ways you can prevent injury as well as spread awareness. Here are a few tips to help you prepare your body for the postseason:

Don’t Forget to Stretch

Stretching is always important no matter what the time of year is during your sports season. Our bodies need to warm up or else we can experience muscle soreness and pain. To stretch properly during a cold day, start with a light workout like jogging and then work your way up to some intense stretches. These stretches loosen up muscles gradually and keep blood flowing throughout the body.

Stay Hydrated

Just as heat can negatively impact athletes, so can cold weather. A common mistake some athletes make during post-season is forgetting to stay hydrated. Water regulates your body temperature so you can adjust to the heat or the cold. Staying hydrated can also prevent sports-related injuries because water lubricates the joints, gives you energy, and prevents muscle cramps. Consider drinking room-temperature/warm fluids instead of cold ones so you can maintain warm body temperature.

Stack on Layers

Aside from the fact that it’s cold outside, wearing layers during an outdoor physical activity is vital because sweat can reduce your body temperature and force your heart to work harder. When you exercise, the heart pumps blood faster to maintain proper body temperature and blood flow. Wearing layers can prevent your heart from working too hard and can also absorb sweat off your body.

Stay in Shape

Many people think they should take a physical break from training once the season is over, but maintaining a fitness plan throughout the year can help you recover from a long season, while also preparing you for the next one. If you stop training altogether, you can set yourself up for failure and injury risk when you resume your sports activity. A physical therapist can help with strength training, which improves endurance, bone health, muscles, and joints.

Physical Therapy near Bethpage

At Farmingdale Physical Therapy East, our physical therapists can help you stay on track towards a successful and pain-free sports season. We can create a fitness plan throughout the year so you can avoid a sports injury. If you or someone you know is suffering from a sports injury, call us today or set up an appointment for physical therapy near Bethpage.

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