A few weeks ago, all eyes were on the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for gymnastics. It was quite entertaining, wiSimone Biles garnering a good bit of the attention. She’s making history, and along with her teammates, is headed to Paris for the Olympic Games later this year. It’s her third time going for the gold at this level.
Like many other sports, gymnastics can take a physical toll on the body. Physical therapy treatment plays a key role in helping with soreness and healing, especially when it comes to some of the most common injuries.
Achilles Tendon
When you think of the Achilles tendon, you probably think of that area just behind your ankle, right? It’s actually much bigger than you might think. The Achilles tendon runs from the calf all the way down to the heel. So, you can imagine how heavily a gymnast would be affected when this body area is injured, and it’s not at all uncommon.
According to NBC News, “A 2021 study published in the journal Sports Health found that the risk of Achilles injuries in collegiate women’s gymnastics was 10 times higher than in any other college sport. The intense training schedules of elite gymnasts involve repetitive motions, which predispose them to overuse injuries.”
The lesser but still painful of the injuries is Achilles tendonitis. It can be treated by a series of stretches, along with strength training and resistance exercises. On the more serious side, a ruptured Achilles tendon needs a different protocol, which will be determined based on whether or not surgery occurs. The timeline and healing time will be different, but the overall goal is also strength training to gain full range of motion and return to normal activities as soon as possible.
Back Injuries
The back of a gymnastic goes through a lot of wear and tear, and the muscles and bones that make up the spine are where the injuries tend to occur.
One of the more common issues is called Spondyloisthesis, which, according to gymnasticsmedicine.org is “a bilateral Spondylolysis which causes a slipping of the vertebral body.” Symptoms of this condition include “low back pain with extension (arching) which has typically been ongoing for a few weeks or months. Sometimes twisting and impact may also cause low back pain.” Treatment for this condition is typically rest, and strengthening the muscles in the affected area of the back.
Sprains
Think about the areas that can be sprained. For gymnasts, the risk is multiplied many times because of how they land, flip, push, and strain to get to that next level. Sprains can happen in many areas of the body, but for the gymnast, sprains happen most often in the wrists.
The treatment? You guessed it. Rest. It can be mentally challenging to step off the mat and let the healing process come full circle, but rest is crucial to healing from a sprain, whether it’s mild or severe. From there, it’s the RICE protocol for most: It starts with Rest, then it’s Ice, Compression, and Elevate. Depending on the pain level, Ibuprofen can be used as well, to keep the pain and inflammation at bay.
Physical Therapy for Gymnastics in Irving, Texas
Do you or someone you know need physical therapy in or around the Irving area for gymnastics? We can help! Call today to make your first appointment at (214) 225-0291.
