Summer is the season of sunshine, recreation, and outdoor sports. From pick-up basketball games and beach volleyball to long bike rides and weekend tennis matches, people across all ages take full advantage of the warmer weather to stay active. But with increased activity comes an increased risk of injury.

At Midlothian Medical and Sports Center, we see a noticeable rise in sports injuries every summer. Whether you're a competitive athlete or a weekend warrior, it's important to recognize the most common summer sports injuries—and more importantly, how physical therapy can play a crucial role in your recovery and prevention strategy.

In this blog, we'll break down the top 5 sports injuries to look out for this summer, offer tips for avoiding them, and explain how physical therapy can help you bounce back stronger.

1. Ankle Sprains

Why It Happens: Quick turns, uneven surfaces, or jumping activities (like basketball or trail running) can twist the ankle awkwardly, overstretching or tearing ligaments.

Symptoms:

• Swelling
• Bruising
• Pain when bearing weight
• Limited range of motion

How Physical Therapy Helps:

• Reduces swelling and pain through manual techniques
• Strengthens stabilizing muscles around the ankle
• Improves balance and coordination to prevent future sprains
• Restores normal walking and activity patterns

Pro Tip: Always wear proper footwear, especially when hiking or playing sports on unpredictable surfaces.

2. Knee Injuries (Including ACL Strains)

Why It Happens: Summer sports like soccer, flag football, or even water skiing often involve sudden stops, pivots, or impacts that can injure the knee—especially the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament).

Symptoms:

• A popping sound or sensation
• Knee instability or giving out
• Swelling and pain
• Difficulty bending or straightening the knee

How Physical Therapy Helps:

• Restores knee strength and stability
• Helps rebuild muscle support through guided exercises
• Improves range of motion and reduces stiffness
• Avoids overcompensation injuries in the other leg

Pro Tip: Build strength in your hamstrings and quads before starting high-impact summer sports.

3. Shoulder Injuries (Rotator Cuff Strain or Tendonitis)

Why It Happens: Swimming, tennis, baseball, and other overhead sports can place repetitive stress on the shoulder. This leads to inflammation or tearing of the rotator cuff muscles and tendons.

Symptoms:

• Pain when raising the arm
• Weakness in the shoulder
• Clicking or popping sounds
• Limited range of motion

How Physical Therapy Helps:

• Reduces inflammation with soft tissue mobilization
• Strengthens supporting shoulder muscles
• Teaches proper movement mechanics to avoid reinjury
• Enhances flexibility and pain-free mobility

Pro Tip: Always warm up and stretch your shoulders before engaging in overhead sports.

4. Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)

Why It Happens: Not just for tennis players—anyone using repetitive wrist or arm movements (golfers, gardeners, and DIYers included) can develop this overuse injury.

Symptoms:

• Burning pain on the outside of the elbow
• Weak grip strength
• Pain when lifting, gripping, or twisting

How Physical Therapy Helps:

• Targets the source of overuse and reduces inflammation
• Strengthens forearm muscles and tendons
• Guides you through stretching and strengthening exercises
• Provides ergonomic tips for sport or work

Pro Tip: Use proper technique and take frequent breaks during repetitive tasks.

5. Hamstring Strains

Why It Happens: Sprinting, jumping, or sudden acceleration (common in track, soccer, or pickup football) can overstretch or tear the hamstring muscles.

Symptoms:

• Sudden sharp pain in the back of the thigh
• Bruising or swelling
• Difficulty walking or straightening the leg

How Physical Therapy Helps:

• Accelerates healing through guided stretches and exercises
• Prevents scar tissue build-up
• Restores flexibility and range of motion
• Improves posture and movement to prevent recurrence

Pro Tip: Avoid jumping straight into intense workouts—gradually increase your training load.

Why Physical Therapy Is Essential for Sports Injury Recovery

Physical therapy is not just about rehabilitation—it’s about getting you back to doing what you love, safely and confidently. Unlike rest alone, physical therapy focuses on restoring function, preventing re-injury, and addressing underlying issues that led to the injury in the first place.

At Midlothian Medical and Sports Center, our experienced physical therapists tailor treatment plans to your unique goals, whether that’s returning to a competitive league or simply jogging pain-free at the park.

Our therapy services help with:

• Pain management without dependency on medication
• Faster, more complete recovery
• Preventing chronic issues
• Building strength and flexibility
• Education on movement patterns and injury prevention

FAQs: Summer Sports Injuries and Physical Therapy

Q: How soon should I start physical therapy after an injury?
A: As soon as possible. Early intervention helps reduce pain, restore movement, and prevent complications.

Q: Can physical therapy replace surgery?
A: In some cases, yes. PT can improve function and reduce pain enough to avoid surgery altogether, especially with strains, sprains, and tendonitis.

Q: What if I’m not an athlete—can I still benefit?
A: Absolutely. Physical therapy is for anyone experiencing pain or limited mobility from activity, injury, or overuse.

Q: How many sessions will I need?
A: It depends on your injury and goals, but our therapists will create a personalized plan and keep you informed every step of the way.

Don’t Let a Summer Injury Sideline You

Injuries can be frustrating—but they don’t have to ruin your summer. With the right care and a team of dedicated physical therapists, you can heal faster, move better, and get back to enjoying every sunny moment.

At Midlothian Medical and Sports Center, we combine advanced techniques, personalized attention, and a deep understanding of sports biomechanics to help our patients recover better and stronger than before.

Call us today to schedule your consultation or book online to start your recovery journey.

• Expert physical therapists specializing in sports injuries
• Customized treatment plans tailored to your lifestyle
• Convenient location and flexible scheduling

When it comes to rehabilitation and injury prevention, two terms often come up: physiotherapy and sports therapy. While they may seem similar on the surface, there are distinct differences between the two. Understanding these differences can help you make an informed decision about which type of therapy is best suited for your needs.

What is Physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy, also known as physical therapy, focuses on restoring movement and function when someone is affected by injury, illness, or disability. It uses a variety of techniques to help patients regain their physical abilities and improve their quality of life.

Key Areas of Focus in Physiotherapy

1. Musculoskeletal Issues: This includes problems related to muscles, bones, joints, ligaments, and tendons.
2. Neurological Conditions: Conditions such as stroke, multiple sclerosis (MS), and Parkinson’s disease.
3. Cardiorespiratory Problems: Issues related to heart and lung function.
4. Pediatric Care: Specialized care for children with developmental delays or congenital conditions.
5. Geriatric Care: Focused on elderly patients dealing with age-related issues.

Techniques Used in Physiotherapy

• Manual Therapy: Hands-on techniques to mobilize joints and soft tissues.
• Exercise Prescription: Tailored exercise programs to improve strength, flexibility, and endurance.
• Electrotherapy: Use of electrical energy for pain relief and muscle stimulation.
• Hydrotherapy: Water-based exercises that reduce stress on joints.

What is Sports Therapy?

Sports therapy specifically targets athletes or individuals engaged in regular physical activity. The primary goal is to prevent injuries, rehabilitate existing injuries, and enhance athletic performance.

Key Areas of Focus in Sports Therapy

1. Injury Prevention: Techniques aimed at reducing the risk of sports-related injuries.
2. Rehabilitation: Focused recovery plans tailored to an athlete’s specific needs.
3. Performance Enhancement: Strategies designed to improve athletic performance through conditioning programs.
4. Acute Injury Management: Immediate care for sports injuries like sprains or fractures.

Techniques Used in Sports Therapy

• Sports Massage: Deep tissue massage aimed at relieving muscle tension and improving circulation.
• Strength Training: Programs designed to increase muscle strength specific to an athlete’s sport.
• Biomechanical Analysis: Assessment of movement patterns to identify inefficiencies or potential injury risks.
• Taping and Bracing: Use of supportive devices to stabilize injured areas during activity.

Differences Between Physiotherapy and Sports Therapy

While both physiotherapy and sports therapy aim at improving physical health through rehabilitation techniques, they differ significantly in their focus areas and methodologies.

Target Audience

• Physiotherapy: Caters to a broad range of patients including those recovering from surgery, dealing with chronic illnesses like arthritis or diabetes, or experiencing age-related issues.
• Sports Therapy: Primarily focuses on athletes or physically active individuals who need specialized care for sports-related injuries or performance enhancement.

Scope of Practice

• Physiotherapy: Covers a wide array of health issues beyond just musculoskeletal problems including neurological conditions like stroke recovery or respiratory issues like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
• Sports Therapy: Concentrates mainly on musculoskeletal issues related specifically to sports activities such as sprains, strains, fractures, dislocations etc., along with preventive measures tailored for athletes.

Treatment Approaches

• Physiotherapy: Utilizes a diverse range of treatments including manual therapy techniques like joint mobilizations/manipulations; electrotherapy modalities such as ultrasound/laser treatments; hydrotherapy sessions involving water-based exercises; along with comprehensive exercise prescriptions aimed at overall functional improvement across different body systems (musculoskeletal/neurological/cardiorespiratory).
• Sports Therapy: Employs more specialized interventions geared towards optimizing athletic performance & preventing/recovering from sport-specific injuries – this includes advanced strength & conditioning programs; biomechanical assessments using motion analysis software/tools; targeted soft tissue mobilizations/massage therapies designed specifically around sporting demands/requirements etc., along with acute injury management protocols involving taping/bracing techniques/supportive devices etc., ensuring safe return-to-play timelines post-injury recovery phases too!

In summary:

1. If you're dealing with general health concerns affecting mobility/functionality across various bodily systems (musculoskeletal/neurological/cardiorespiratory), then seeking out professional help from qualified physiotherapists would be most appropriate!
2. However if you're an athlete facing sport-specific challenges/injuries, requiring specialized attention towards enhancing your overall sporting capabilities/performance levels while minimizing risks associated therein – opting instead towards engaging services offered by certified sports therapists might prove beneficial instead!

Understanding these distinctions will enable better decision-making processes regarding which therapeutic approach suits best based upon individual circumstances/goals, thereby ensuring optimal outcomes achieved effectively!