Sports Performance and Concussion

Anchor Physical Therapy Spine & Sports Medicine in Broomfield, Colorado provides Sports Performance and Sports Injury Prevention programs to athletes to maximize their athletic potential, reduce their risk of injury, and return them to top level of play safely and as quickly as possible. Our Sports Performance and Sports Injury Prevention programs are led by a Physical Therapist with expertise in sports mechanics, performance development, injury prevention, and rehabilitation.

Sports Medicine

For the injured athlete, sports medicine can help the recovery process. Physical therapy focuses on strengthening and flexibility and advances to functional drills and sport-specific movement patterns. We help athletes return to play as quickly and safely as possible.

Sports Performance

For non-injured athletes, sports performance may help optimize strength, agility, and performance, as well as help prevent injury. Physical therapy focuses on improving cardiovascular, joint, and muscle performance. We teach safe weight training and recommend the appropriate amount of cardiovascular training. As athletes progress, programs are updated to be challenging, but at the same time appropriate and safe. We can help athletes gain the edge in the game.

Sports Injury Prevention

Estimates show that there are between 500,000 and 750,000 new sports injuries each year in the United States. The majority of sports injuries occur in young healthy individuals in non-contact sports. Changes in acceleration, deceleration, or direction, as well as over-use cause the majority of injuries.

Comprehensive sports injury prevention programs not only reduce the risk of injury, but also increase sports performance through body awareness.

Our Sports Injury Prevention Programs in Broomfield (Denver) focus on:

• Strength, power, speed development
• Improving muscle imbalances
• Proper body mechanics
• Drills to help dynamic recovery of balance & control (neuromuscular control)
• Improving awareness of body in space (proprioception)

Concussion Evaluation & Treatment

While concussions are more common in some sports, they can and do occur in every sport. It is estimated that between 1,500 and 2,500 youth athletes visit Colorado emergency rooms for sports-related concussions each year.

It is important to seek medical attention immediately after a suspected concussion. 

Symptoms that may worsen 24-48 hours after a significant blow to or jolt of the head – and may indicate a concussion occurred – include nausea, dizziness, blurry vision, slurred speech, excessive sleepiness, and seizures.

Imaging tests such as CT scans or MRIs can help identify injury or changes in the brain indicative of a concussion. A neurological exam and cognitive testing may be performed to assess a patient's balance, strength, coordination, as well as the ability to concentrate or recall information.

Treatment of concussions may include rehabilitation to improve physical or mental functioning, activity modification, and certain types pain medication.

Time is critical. If you suspect a concussion, contact the specialists at Anchor Physical Therapy Spine & Sports Medicine who can evaluate the presence or severity of injury and help manage a patient's treatment options.

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Post-ACL Reconstruction Return to Play

The Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) is one of the most commonly injured ligaments in the knee. Ligaments are strong non-elastic fibers that connect our bones together. The ACL crosses inside of the knee, connecting our thighbone to our leg. It provides stability to the knee joint.

ACL tears most commonly occur in very active people or athletes. The ACL can tear when people abruptly slow down from running, land from a jump, or change directions rapidly. These types of actions are frequently performed during sports such as football, basketball, skiing, and soccer. Athletes are especially at risk for ACL tears, although they may occur in active workers and the general population as well.

The ACL can tear completely or partially, and is unable to repair itself. When the ACL is injured, it is common for other surrounding knee structures to be damaged as well. Some cases of ACL tears can be treated with non-surgical methods. However, there are several surgical options that successfully restore knee strength and stability.

Athletes who want to return to sports following a knee injury can regain full range of point with no joint swelling by undergoing ACL reconstruction. It can provide an athlete with a mechanically stable knee and can lessen the risk of subsequent injury by reducing anteroposterior joint motion. In fact, studies confirm that up to 88 percent of patients are able to return to sport within the first year.

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Neck Evaluation and Craniosacral Therapy

In the case of neck pain, a medical evaluation is necessary to identify the cause of the pain and determine the appropriate treatment, starting with a diagnostic questionnaire. Usually, neck pain is treated with non-surgical methods. One of the methods used to alleviate chronic head and neck pain due to sports injury is Craniosacral Therapy (CST). It’s a gentle, hands-on approach that releases tension and improves whole-body health and performance.

A CST practitioner uses his or her hands to evaluate the craniosacral system for ease of motion and the rhythm of cerebrospinal fluid throbbing around the brain and spinal cord. This soft-touch technique helps release restrictions in tissues influencing the craniosacral system and enhances your body’s ability to self-correct.

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