What Sports Therapy Is and How It Helps You Recover and Perform Better
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Whether you’re a competitive athlete, a weekend runner, a gym-goer, or someone simply trying to stay active, movement matters. When pain, injury, or weakness gets in the way, sports therapy can help restore strength, improve mobility, and build long-term resilience.
At Ortho Central Physical Therapy, our sports physical therapists specialize in helping individuals of all activity levels return to what they love — and perform even better than before.
Jessica Kuwitzky, PT, DPT, SCS, a board-certified Sports Clinical Specialist, explains what sports therapy involves and how the Ortho Central Athletic Academy supports recovery, injury prevention, and performance optimization.
What Is Sports Therapy?
If you’re searching for what is sports therapy, it helps to first understand how it builds on traditional physical therapy.
“General physical therapy restores basic movement patterns — like sitting, standing, or climbing stairs,” explains Jessica. “Sports therapy takes that and adds another layer of performance.”
In other words, sports therapy focuses on helping individuals return to — or start — higher-level movement:
- Playing a sport
- Weightlifting or gym routines
- Hiking, running, or long-distance walking
- Active recreation and fitness
Sports Therapy Helps With:
- Sprains, strains, or joint injuries
- ACL injuries and post-surgical recovery
- Rotator cuff or shoulder pain
- Knee and hip instability
- Tendon pain and overuse injuries
- Return-to-sport and return-to-gym training
Who Can Benefit — Even If You’re Not an Athlete
Sports therapy is not just for high-school or college athletes.
“We define an athlete as anyone trying to move beyond day-to-day life,” says Jessica. “If your goal is to walk three miles a day or get stronger at the gym — you’re an athlete.”
Sports therapy is ideal for:
- People becoming active again after time off
- Adults wanting to exercise safely and confidently
- Individuals who are new to fitness and unsure where to start
- Anyone recovering from injury or surgery
- People with recurring pain or movement limitations
What Techniques Are Used in Sports Therapy?
Sports therapy looks and feels more active than traditional rehab.
Common Treatment Approaches:
- Functional strength training (similar to gym-based exercises)
- Targeted mobility and flexibility training
- Balance, coordination, and landing mechanics practice
- Movement retraining and technique correction
- Shared goal-setting to match your sport or activity
“We’re the kings and queens of modification,” Jessica says. “We break movement down into digestible steps that feel good — then build you back stronger.”
Ortho Central uses advanced motion and force analysis equipment at the Young Family Athletic Center (YFAC) to measure how your body moves — so progress is tracked, not guessed.
How Sports Therapy Helps Prevent Future Injuries
The goal isn’t just recovery — it’s resilience.
“We want to make you better, faster, stronger, and more resilient than at the time of injury,” Jessica explains.
Sports therapy strengthens the muscles and movement patterns that protect joints, lowering the risk of reinjury or chronic pain.
When Should Someone Start Sports Therapy?
There’s no wrong time to see a sports therapist.
Consider a visit if:
- You’ve recently been injured
- You’re dealing with recurring soreness or pain
- You’re returning to your sport after time off
- You’re nervous about re-injuring yourself
- You want to get stronger or move with more confidence
Sports therapy is available for:
- Injury prevention
- Rehabilitation
- Performance enhancement
The Ortho Central Athletic Academy
The Ortho Central Athletic Academy is a unique, small-group rehabilitation and performance program designed for athletes returning from major injuries — especially ACL injuries.
“Rehab can feel lonely. Many athletes thrive in team environments,” says Jessica. “The Athletic Academy brings them back into a supportive team-style setting.”
The Academy Provides:
- Group training twice a week
- Athletes at different phases supporting each other
- Guidance from sports PTs and athletic performance specialists
- Measurable data tracking to show readiness for return to play
Athletes in the Academy often see faster, more confident return-to-sport outcomes than traditional one-on-one rehab alone.
How to Join the Athletic Academy
- Call Ortho Central Physical Therapy to schedule a return-to-sport readiness evaluation.
- You’ll complete performance testing to determine your starting level.
- If appropriate, you’ll be cleared to enter the Academy’s training group.
Get Back to What You Love — Stronger Than Before
Sports therapy at Ortho Central helps you move better, recover faster, and perform with confidence. Whether you’re returning to your sport, starting a fitness journey, or rebuilding after injury, we’re here to support you.
