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Pay My Bill Helping Children Return to Sports After an Injury
Youth sports of today is dramatically different than it was 40 years ago. The majority (69.1%) of the youth can be found participating in individual and group sports. There are fewer adolescents in middle and high school who participate in multiple sports. More athletes are specializing in a particular sport earlier, which increases the risk of an overuse injury.
Over five million children under the age of 18 are treated for sports injuries each year. The vast majority of these are overuse injuries. The repetitive movements and lack of appropriate recovery time in many sports, cause stress and eventually damage to the bone, muscle, ligaments or tendons.
It is critical that parents help their athletes safely participate in sports by taking proactive measures to avoid injuries and appropriately treat them if they occur. At Step & Spine Physical Therapy, we offer Youth Sports Injury Prevention as well as Youth Sports Rehabilitation.
Youth Sports Injury Prevention
There are steps you can take now to help your young athletes to prevent sports-related injuries in the future. The first, and while not always possible, is to play multiple sports throughout the year. Playing a different sport each season allows the joints and muscles to rest from the stress of playing one sport year-round. The goal is to exercise the entire body. Proper warm-ups and training can help strengthen the body and prevent injury.
Physical therapists are experts at identifying areas of weakness and instability and can address them with your athlete before they become a larger concern. They are an invaluable resource for providing a personal warm-up and training regimen that your athlete can complete at home.
Lastly, it is imperative that athletes learn the difference between pain and discomfort.
Some examples of acceptable discomfort include:
- muscle soreness
- burning feeling during training
- heavy legs due to fatigue
Some examples of unacceptable pain include:
- sharp pain
- radiating pain
- shooting pain
- swelling
- pain that worsens with continued use
If your athlete is experiencing unacceptable pain, it is time to schedule an evaluation. Step & Spine Physical Therapy accepts all area insurance plans and has a cash pay program.
Youth Sports Rehabilitation
Sports injuries can occur due to trauma or overuse. Overuse injuries occur when repetitive stress is placed on a particular body part. Since our young athletes’ bodies are still developing, they are highly susceptible to overuse injuries. Physical therapy can help your athlete safely play and return to their favorite sports each season.
The physical therapists at Step & Spine Physical Therapy enjoy treating athletes of all ages. Our physical therapists have expertise in orthopedic-related injuries that are common in a variety of sports. While we treat all sports-related injuries, many of our Central Oregon athletes come to us for:
- Shoulder instability
- Shoulder impingement
- Rotator cuff repair
- Runner’s knee
- Plantar fasciitis
- Hip dysplasia/weakness
- Tennis elbow
- ACL reconstruction
- Sprains/strains
- Patellar pain syndrome
Find out why Central Oregon parents choose Step & Spine Physical Therapy for their athletes Sports Injury Rehabilitation. Call today to schedule an evaluation. All area insurances are accepted.
*Services are not available at all locations. Call or click the location page near you for that center’s services.
What to Expect
Every patient has a unique health history, diagnosis and personal goals. When you come for your first appointment, we will create a personalized treatment plan for you.
We work with most major insurance providers and do our best to help keep the paperwork pain-free. If you’d like to confirm your insurance coverage, please let us know and we can verify when you schedule. If your insurance provider requires a co-pay, we will ask for this payment at each visit. We accept payments by cash, check or credit card.
When to Arrive
On average, a patient’s first visit lasts about an hour. We typically ask patients to arrive 15 minutes early to sign-in, complete paperwork and/or change clothes.
What to Bring
On your first visit, you’ll need to bring your physician referral or prescription (if needed), your insurance card, your primary registration forms, your ID or driver’s license and your co-payment (as applicable). If desired, you may bring a change of clothing.
How it Works
During your first visit, your physical therapist will do an initial evaluation and discuss your plan of care. The therapist uses this information to set goals for your continued treatment. Physical therapy goals may include improved movement, strength, endurance and flexibility, as well as decreased pain. Your subsequent visits will focus on treatment that is based on your diagnosis and individualized goals.
