4 ways to provide better physical therapy for athletes

Every athlete needs support. It can come from their teammates, their coach, or their family and friends. Athletes will perform at their best when they feel supported both on and off the field; it is so important as a physical therapy provider that you do your best to support the overall wellness of your athlete patients. It is your job to assist your athletic patients to rebuild strength and movement after an injury. You help them to manage pain and prevent avoidable injuries in the future. To do this effectively, it is essential that you develop a great relationship with your patients. The most exceptional physical therapy care comes from providers who are truly invested in their patients' success. This is especially important for patients who are athletes.

How can I provide exceptional physical therapy for my athletic patients?

Your athlete patients can perform at their best when they know that you have their backs. But sometimes it can be difficult to gain the confidence of new patients. Here are a few of the ways that you can achieve this goal and provide your athletic patients with exceptional physical therapy:

1. Encourage patient engagement ” Patients who feel involved in their care experience better outcomes. Patient engagement can come in many forms. This can include educating your patient on the best ways to improve their condition in between visits. Carefully explaining physical therapy methods and terms is another way to improve engagement.

2. Provide a virtual option ” Scheduled practice, coaching and other necessary activities eat up a lot of an athlete's time. Because of this, your athletic patients might not have time to travel to the clinic. More and more physical therapy providers are offering virtual physical therapy sessions. Virtual physical therapy allows patients to reap the benefits of your care from the convenience of their own home.

3. Provide preventive care ” The best way to keep your athletic patients on the field is to prevent injuries before they occur. It's important to encourage your patients to continue physical therapy even during the offseason; strengthening exercises, balance training and orthopedic care are all examples of physical therapy that can help prevent sports-related injuries.

4. Invest in time-saving systems ” The less time you spend rummaging through paperwork, the more time you can spend with your patients. Investing in time-saving systems, such as electronic health record systems, help your practice to save time on administrative tasks.

Can Alliance PTP help me improve my ability to care for my athletic patients?

At Alliance Physical Therapy Partners, we believe that partnership means creating something that is greater than the sum of its parts. Our goal is to provide physical therapy practices with the tools, resources and expertise to bring them from good to great. As a partner in care, you will maintain the autonomy and integrity of your practice, all while reaping the benefits of a nationwide support system. Contact our team today for more information about how we can help your practice or to find out how you can join our partnership in care.