Why Physical Therapy May Be For You

So many people ask me -- "When do I know it is time to get something looked at?" or "This has been hurting for a while, what do you think I should do?". Here's the best answer I can give - IT DEPENDS. 

It depends of how long it has been going on, how long it has been bothering you, how painful it is, how much it is affecting your life, and how sick you are of dealing with it every day. I like to think I have a high pain tolerance and acceptance of my body hurting.

We are swimmers for goodness sake! We know we have to train hard to get results, and sometimes (let's be real, often times), soreness comes with that. But pain, the bad kind that leaves a pit in your stomach, is not something you should have to deal with. 

My goal, with starting Breakout Physical Therapy and Wellness, is to work with athletes and their parents, to educate on, prevent, and improve injury throughout the course of their competitive years and beyond. Not sure if it truly is luck, but I have been through many different injury recovery processes (minor to significant) throughout the years, and know how much of a physical and mental toll they can take in training and life itself. 

Shoulder pain is not normal. Back pain is not normal. Knee pain is not normal. And they shouldn't just be chalked up to a "growing and changing body". 

These are all things that can be address with specific strengthening exercises and mobility improvements. It doesn't have to be something that takes hours each day, and can fit into your schedule and need. 

Physical therapy shouldn't be a last resort, but rather, another tool in the tool box for training and improving yourself. Working on healing and strengthening from injury is a good thing, but prevention is ultimately the best thing to do. Consider working with a Physical Therapist who understands swimming and the demands it puts on the body (likely better than most other people) to create a "prehab" program before injury happens. 

-- Coach Sam, PT, DPT