Sports Physio at Asian Martial Arts Games by D.A.R.E. (Dr. Ambuja Bhardwaj Rehabilitation Expert) Physio Ludhiana

Dr. Ambuja Bhardwaj is currently working as assistant professor in RIMT University, Mandi Gobindgarh, Punjab and has 4 years of teaching experience. She has done her Masters in Sports Physiotherapy (MPT Sports) from Baba Farid University, Faridkot. She is a Certified Taping Therapist (CTT), Certified Dry Needling Therapist (CDNT), Blood Flow Occlusion Therapist (BFOT). She has 12 research publications and conducted three workshops

A physiotherapist is a medical professional who is knowledgeable about your body’s biomechanics. If there are any deficiencies in the physical movement of your body, they can identify the root cause and work on treating it.

Specific areas get weakened after injury or need strengthening post-surgery. By working with your physical therapist, you can target these areas and relieve stress without causing pain.

A professionally Qualified Sports Physiotherapist has a Masters Degree in Sports Physiotherapy. It involves doing a 4.6 years course in BPT ( Bachelor in Physiotherapy) and then 2 years Masters Degree (MPT) in Sports Physiotherapy.

The essential role of the sports physiotherapist is to provide treatment and rehabilitation of sports injuries and also to provide support for performance through injury prevention, maintenance and recovery interventions. Furthermore, they promote an active lifestyle to aid individuals in improving and maintaining their quality of life. Sports and Exercise Physiotherapists also play a huge role in helping athletes of all ages and all levels of ability to enhance their performance levels. 

The New Zealand Sports Physiotherapy organisation defines a sports physiotherapist as:

"A recognized professional who demonstrates advanced competencies in the promotion of safe physical activity participation, provision of advice, and adaptation of rehabilitation and training interventions, for the purposes of preventing injury, restoring optimal function, and contributing to the enhancement of sports performance, in athletes of all ages and abilities, while ensuring a high standard of professional and ethical practice." 

Sports and exercise physiotherapists contribute to the enhancement of the athlete's performance from their native years at school level, through evaluation of the athlete's physical and performance-related profile by analysing their musculoskeletal system and advise or intervene to optimise continuous performance in a specific sport throughout the career span of an athlete.

Athletes have a clear, but sometimes limited, understanding of the role of the sports physiotherapist. They see the role of the sports physiotherapist as mainly injury-focused. In interviews with athletes on the role of the sports physiotherapist, the following four themes emerged: 

• Injury treatment 

• Injury prevention 

• Rehabilitation 

• Performance enhancement 

Athletes acknowledged the role of the sports physiotherapist in preventing and managing injuries, but also placed emphasis on sports physiotherapists helping them to train for increased duration and intensity without becoming injured. 

The International Federation of Sports Physical Therapy (IFSPT) states that "sports physiotherapy is a growing specialisation in cultures that strive to promote an active lifestyle and athletic excellence". 

A budding sports enthsiast needs proper guidance and environmment to The Sports Physiotherapy for All (SPA) describes "effective professional behaviour and the integration of specific knowledge, skills and attitudes for the context of practice as a sports physiotherapist." 

• Mode: contractor/part-time/full-time 

• Level: elite/sub-elite/Olympic/professional/amateur/schools 

• Numbers: individual athletes/teams/squads 

• Environment: indoor/outdoor/extreme sports 

• Location: centralised vs multiple sites vs remote (satellite) 

An average of Rs 500-2,500 per session, these special therapy sessions are aimed at preventing injury and improving athletic performance, movement, body maintenance and wellness. 

 Top 6 Most Common Physiotherapy Treatments You Should Know

• Range of Motion (ROM) Exercises - For post surgery or broken bones treatment, physiotherapists often prescribe a range of motion exercises to promote movement, encourage joint mobility and facilitate circulation
• Soft Tissue Mobilization - Also referred to as therapeutic massage, soft tissue mobilization can help relax a patient’s muscles and reduce swelling in certain areas, making this treatment excellent for relieving pain associated with athletic injuries.
• Electrotherapy - It causes the muscles to shorten, which in turn helps prevent atrophy—best used in patients with paralysis or severely reduced range of motion. 
• Cryotherapy and Heat Therapy - Sore, stiff muscles are a common complaint of both people with desk jobs and professional athletes.
• Kinesio Taping - a flexible tape is a great way to stabilize the joints and muscles while the patient undergoes treatment.  
• Therapeutic Ultrasound - Used for patients suffering from arthritis, tendonitis and muscle strain.

Here are the most common medical conditions treated by physical therapists:  

1. Lymphedema Excess fluids gather in the lymphatic system, which then moves around in the bloodstream, causing swelling. Physical therapists use Complete decongestive therapy (CDT) to reduce swelling and prevent future fluid buildup.  
2. Sports Injuries Specific types of sports injuries like stress fractures can be treated with appropriate recovery programs or prevention exercises for a safe and quick recovery.  
3. Muscular Dystrophy Muscles and skeleton degenerate and get progressively weakened owing to age or various disorders. This can be treated with mobility exercises and using supporting frames.  
4. Back and Neck Pain Acute pain that comes on suddenly or chronic back and neck pain that lasts for months or years restrict normal functioning. Physical therapy eases pain and improves mobility.  
5. Limited Range of Motion (ROM) Too much stress due to the overuse of some parts of your body causes swelling or you feel tenderness in those areas. Rage of motion gets impeded, which can be revived with therapy. Likewise, physical therapy will achieve better extension or flexion.  
6. Osteoporosis Thin and brittle, sponge-like bones have lots of holes inside them, causing them to break. Similarly, disabling fractures can be prevented with timely therapy.  
7. Vertigo Dizziness or lightheadedness is a general and frequent complaint of many people, leading to dangerous falls. Since physical therapy improves balance, vertigo can be treated.  
8. Headaches Migraine and tension-type headaches can lead to severe head or neck injury. A proper plan of care can be implemented to increase neck mobility and strengthen the upper back muscles.  
9. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Sitting at a computer all day leads to repetitive stress injuries. However, wrist injuries and pain can be subdued by changing your posture and performing stretches and exercises.  
10. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome This complex disorder causes debilitating tiredness that cannot be improved with rest. Physical therapists, together with doctors, formulate a treatment plan with endurance training tasks.  
11. Respiratory Issues Chronic bronchitis, as well as other respiratory disorders, can be treated with pulmonary rehabilitation plans by strengthening the lungs with diaphragmatic breathing tasks.  
12. Burns Severe burns and splinting can be treated with physical therapy in collaboration with a medical team to prevent unwanted scar tissue. For example, scar tissue massage will help regenerate healthy soft tissues such as muscles and tendons.  
13. Joint Replacement In a similar manner, post-operative care for surgical removal and replacement of hip or knee joint with an artificial joint (prosthesis) will certainly provide adequate knee relief from pain.  
14. Ankle sprain Twisting your ankle causes the ligaments that support it to get stretched and torn, leading to swollen and painful ankle. Moreover, ankle sprains can heal faster and you regain strength with good home exercises suggested by therapists.  
15. Parkinson’s Disease This neurological and progressive movement disorder causes chronic motor limitations and tremors. Similarly, it can be treated with physical therapy and resistance strength exercises.  
16. Foot Fracture A simple fall can lead to broken bones, closed, open, or compound fractures, as a result, your movement and independence will be affected. Depending on the severity of your pain and the fracture location, treatment will be prescribed.  
17. Huntington’s Disease Both voluntary and involuntary movements get affected by Huntington’s disease. Spasms, slurred speech, and unsteady gait are some of the common symptoms, which can be treated with physical therapy.  
18. Knee Ligament Injury Bands of tissue on either side of the knee, known as ligaments, can be damaged with injuries occurring in contact sports or if hit strongly.  
19. Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Pelvic floor disorders, sexual problems, especially in women, can be treated by correcting the posture and lifting and carrying weights properly.  
20. Cancer Cancer treatment may leave patients in severe pain and disability, which affects their quality of life. Managing the consequences of the type of cancer can be made possible when physical therapists identify and treat impairments.  

From sports injuries to Parkinson’s disease, from vertigo to cancer, physical therapy can become crucial in the treatment of several medical conditions. Contact XO Physical Therapy, your trusted physiotherapists and start living life to the fullest!

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