Injuries are part of the game for athletes – whether you’re a weekend warrior or a seasoned competitor. Injuries can shake your confidence, disrupt your routine, and sideline you from the sport you love. But with the right recovery plan, you don’t just get back. You get better.
That’s where physical therapy comes in.
At Ivy Rehab, we help athletes heal from injury, rebuild strength, and return to sport with more power, more confidence, and fewer setbacks. Whether you’re dealing with a sudden sprain or chronic overuse injury, we’ve got your recovery covered.
Don’t let pain keep you on the bench—schedule your appointment today.
Understanding Common Sports Injuries
From quick-impact injuries to long-term wear and tear, athletes face a wide range of setbacks. Many of these can be prevented – or at least managed better – with expert support.
Some of the most common sports injuries include:
- ACL Tears: A common knee injury in soccer, football, and basketball.
- Rotator Cuff Injuries: Often seen in pitchers, swimmers, and tennis players.
- Ankle Sprains: A risk in almost every running or jumping sport.
- Tennis Elbow: An overuse injury caused by repetitive arm motion.
- Stress Fractures: Tiny cracks in bones caused by repeated impact, especially in runners.
These injuries can limit your performance, but they don’t have to define it. With physical therapy, you can recover safely and return even stronger.
The Power of Physical Therapy in Sports Recovery
Physical therapy does more than treat the injury – it helps prevent the next one. At Ivy Rehab, our expert clinicians create personalized programs to reduce pain, restore movement, and rebuild strength.
Here’s how we help athletes bounce back:
Pain Relief
We use evidence-based tools like manual therapy, ultrasound, and electrical stimulation to reduce swelling and discomfort so you can move comfortably as you heal.
Mobility & Flexibility
Targeted stretching and mobility drills help restore joint function and muscle flexibility. These are key for regaining full range of motion and avoiding compensations that can lead to future injuries.
Strength and Stability
Sport-specific strength training rebuilds muscle and improves joint control, helping athletes prevent reinjury while enhancing performance.
Personalized Rehab Plans
No two athletes – or injuries – are the same. We tailor your recovery based on your sport, goals, and timeline, updating your plan as you progress.
Movement Retraining
Correcting faulty movement patterns is critical. Our therapists use tools like gait analysis and video feedback to improve form and reduce stress on vulnerable areas.
Return-to-Play Readiness
We don’t just say “you’re good to go.” We measure your readiness using strength tests, endurance benchmarks, and sport-specific drills so you return safely and confidently.
For more insight into how physical therapy supports recovery after a sports injury, check out the AAOS’s top five tips for getting through a sports injury.
Ivy Rehab’s Sports Injury Recovery Game Plan
At Ivy Rehab, our approach is built around you. Whether you’re recovering from surgery or trying to avoid it altogether, we combine advanced technology, expert care, and proven methods to help you get back in the game.
Sports Injury Screenings
Prevent injury before it starts. Our customized sports injury screenings identify muscle imbalances, movement issues, and joint instability – especially useful for athletes in training or competition season.
Direct Access = Faster Start
No referral needed. Ivy offers Direct Access, which means you can start physical therapy right away after an injury – cutting down wait times and speeding up recovery.
Learn more about Direct Access for physical therapy from the American Physical Therapy Association.
Advanced Equipment
Our clinics feature innovative tools that enhance recovery, including:
- Blood flow restriction (BFR) training
- Electrical stimulation
- Cryotherapy and thermotherapy
- Soft tissue mobilization and myofascial release tools
Sport-Specific Rehab
We design programs that match the demands of your sport – from sprint starts to swing mechanics. Your recovery should prepare you to perform, not just function.
Real Story: From Setback to Success
Meet Yared Velázquez, an MMA and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athlete from Charlottesville, VA. He came to Ivy Rehab after a high school wrestling injury, and with targeted therapy, he turned a losing season into a 33-9 record.
Years later, facing a partial MCL tear before a national tournament, Yared returned to Ivy. He committed to twice-daily therapy and a rigorous plan – and weeks later, he won six matches and earned a #4 world ranking.
Read his full story in our From Setbacks to Success article.
Preventing Injuries Before They Happen
Recovery is only part of the plan. We help athletes stay ahead of injuries and perform their best through prehab, education, and total-body conditioning.
Prehabilitation
Prehab focuses on identifying weak links before they become problems. It’s ideal before the season starts, after a long break, or when increasing training intensity. It can also be especially valuable before surgery – helping athletes build strength and mobility in advance to improve recovery and shorten downtime afterward.
In fact, studies show that athletes who complete a prehabilitation program before ACL surgery experience faster recovery times and better post-op function compared to those who don’t.
Athlete Education
Our therapists teach smart training habits, including:
- Stretching and mobility routines
- Nutrition, hydration, and recovery strategies
- Sleep and self-monitoring techniques
Knowing when to rest and when to push is a skill every athlete needs.
Performance Optimization
Need to improve speed, power, or agility? We’ve got you. Ivy therapists incorporate performance training into recovery plans to help athletes return at peak performance – not just back to baseline.
Supporting the Mental Side of Recovery
Being sidelined is tough – not just physically, but mentally. That’s why Ivy emphasizes whole-athlete care.
Goal Setting
We help you create realistic short- and long-term milestones to stay motivated and track progress.
Recovery Built Around You
Athletes come in all shapes, ages, and skill levels – and so do our treatment plans.
- High School Athletes: We support teen athletes with sport-specific rehab, injury recovery, and performance training to help them stay competitive and return to play safely.
- Adult & Masters Athletes: As we age, recovery can look different. We help adult athletes maintain performance while addressing changes in joint health and flexibility.
- Competitive & Elite Athletes: Ivy Rehab offers high-level performance assessments and rehab plans that match the intensity of your sport.
Stay in the Game, for Life
Injuries happen. But they don’t have to stop you.
With expert care, cutting-edge technology, and a recovery plan built around your goals, Ivy Rehab helps you heal stronger, perform better, and come back with confidence.
Ready to reclaim your strength and return to sport with confidence? Find an Ivy Rehab location near you and start your recovery journey today.
