Sports Physical Therapy — The Jackson Clinics
Understanding Sports Physical Therapy
If you’re an athlete or active individual recovering from an injury—or trying to avoid one—sports physical therapy could be your most important resource. But what exactly is it, and how is it different from general physical therapy?
This guide breaks down what sports physical therapy is, what sports physical therapists do, and how this specialized care supports athletes in returning to peak performance safely and efficiently.
Let’s Discuss:
- What is orthopedic physical therapy?
- What is orthopedic physical therapy used for?
- Who can benefit from orthopedic physical therapy?
- Who provides orthopedic physical therapy?
- What do orthopedic physical therapists do?
- What happens during an orthopedic physical therapy session?
First, what is sports physical therapy?
Sports physical therapy is a specialized branch of physical therapy focused on the evaluation, treatment, and prevention of injuries related to athletic activity. It helps athletes of all levels—from weekend warriors to professionals—recover from sports injuries, improve physical performance, and reduce the risk of re-injury.
While traditional physical therapy focuses on restoring basic function (like walking or lifting), sports therapy is tailored to meet the specific physical demands of sport and competition. Whether it’s sprinting, jumping, throwing, or cutting, sports physical therapy is designed to restore high-level function required by athletes.
Benefits of Physical Therapy for Athletes
Whether you’re in-season or in recovery, physical therapy for athletes provides long-term benefits that extend beyond healing:
- Accelerated recovery from injuries
- Improved sport-specific strength and mobility
- Increased resilience to prevent re-injury
- Optimized performance and body mechanics
- Safe return-to-play planning
- Support for both surgical and non-surgical conditions
At The Jackson Clinics, our physical therapists integrate your sport’s unique demands into your care plan—whether that means pivoting on a basketball court or swinging a golf club.
What Makes Sports Therapy Different?
So, what is the difference between orthopedic physical therapy and sports therapy?
| Orthopedic Physical Therapy | Sports Physical Therapy |
| Restores general function after injury or illness | Focuses on athletic injuries and restoring peak performance |
| Designed for all ages and activity levels | Designed for athletes and highly active individuals |
| Emphasizes pain relief and mobility | Emphasizes power, speed, endurance, and return to sport |
In short, sports physical therapy bridges the gap between injury and optimal performance.
What is the difference between sports medicine and physical therapy?
| Sports Medicine | Sports Physical Therapy |
| Encompasses diagnosis, imaging, and surgery | Focuses on rehabilitation and movement recovery |
| Involves physicians (MDs, DOs) and surgeons | Led by physical therapists |
| First point of contact after injury | Integral to long-term recovery and return to sport |
Sports medicine physical therapy is part of the larger field of sports medicine, which includes physicians, orthopedic surgeons, athletic trainers, and rehabilitation specialists. Sports medicine PT focuses on non-surgical recovery through exercise, manual techniques, and progressive loading.
– Common Conditions Treated by Sports Physical Therapy
Sports physical therapy is used to treat a wide variety of injuries and conditions common in active individuals, including:
- ACL and meniscus injuries
- Shoulder instability or rotator cuff tears
- Sprains and strains (ankle, hamstring, groin)
- Tendonitis (Achilles, patellar, rotator cuff)
- Stress fractures
- Shin splints
- Post-surgical recovery (ACL reconstruction, labral repair, etc.)
- Concussion-related balance and coordination issues
Rehabilitation is designed to return athletes to sport stronger, faster, and more prepared than before.
– Who Benefits from Sports Physical Therapy?
Sports therapy isn’t just for elite athletes. If you lead an active lifestyle, you’re a great candidate.
Our patients include:
- Student athletes
- CrossFit and recreational athletes
- Runners, swimmers, and cyclists
- Dancers and gymnasts
- Golfers, tennis players, and martial artists
- Post-surgical patients ready to return to sport
- Anyone with pain, instability, or mobility limitations from activity
Whether you’re coming off an injury or want to prevent one, sports physical therapy helps you move better and perform your best.
What is a Sports Physical Therapist?
A sports physical therapist is a licensed healthcare professional who specializes in working with athletes and physically active individuals. These specialists are trained in both sports therapy and rehabilitation, blending hands-on care with advanced performance programming.
Their responsibilities often include:
- Injury evaluation and diagnosis specific to sport-related movements
- Rehabilitation of injuries like ACL tears, sprains, or muscle strains
- Manual therapy to address soft tissue and joint dysfunction
- Therapeutic exercise for strength, mobility, and endurance
- Sport-specific movement re-education
- Return-to-play planning after injury or surgery
- Injury prevention programs based on functional movement analysis
Whether you’re recovering from a shoulder injury in baseball or a knee injury in soccer, a sports physical therapist builds a plan around the specific demands of your sport.
Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation: A Functional Approach
Our sports therapy and rehabilitation programs begin with a detailed evaluation that includes:
- Injury history and functional limitations
- Biomechanical and movement screening
- Sport-specific goals and challenges
- Return-to-play timeline
From there, we develop a step-by-step plan that may include:
- Manual therapy to restore joint and soft tissue mobility
- Strength and conditioning programs tailored to your sport
- Neuromuscular training to enhance coordination and control
- Balance, proprioception, and agility drills
- Progressive return-to-play milestones
Each program is individualized, evidence-based, and performance-focused.
Why Choose The Jackson Clinics Physical Therapy?
At The Jackson Clinics, we combine expert-level care with a passion for movement and performance.
Our sports physical therapy team brings:
- Certified sports physical therapists
- Experience treating a wide range of athletes
- Sport-specific rehab and strength training
- State-of-the-art rehab and recovery tools
- Flexible scheduling to accommodate training and school
Our mission is simple: help you return to sport faster, safer, and stronger than ever.
Take the First Step Toward Recovery and Performance
If you’re an athlete dealing with injury, pain, or performance plateaus, sports physical therapy could be the key to your comeback.
