Sports physical therapy is a specialized practice that focuses on prevention, evaluation, treatment, rehabilitation, and performance improvement of the physically active individual. 

The therapist performs a highly skilled evaluation of the active or chronic injury.  This includes the assessment of surgical and non-surgical neuromusculoskeletal injuries.  Included in this is a functional assessment of the individual post-injury to determine a safe return to activity.

Treatment is a team approach that is in coordination with the physician. This may also include an athletic trainer at a school or professional level. The physical therapist designs and implements a program for the management of the disorder for patients of all ages and abilities, including those with physical disabilities as well as elite athletes.

All of McLaren – Bay Region’s outpatient physical therapy sites have therapists who are experienced in treating athletes of all different ages and levels.  Riverview Physical Therapy, which is located on the first floor of the Dow Bay Area Family YMCA, utilizes the ‘Y’s facilities and equipment as well as incorporating more physical therapy-specific training inside of the clinic.  This clinic is run by a physical therapist that has experience as a practicing athletic trainer, working with high school and collegiate teams in a variety of sports.

Types of injuries treated include, but are not limited to:

• Rotator cuff repairs
• Post-arthroscopic procedures (i.e. knee, shoulder, ankle)
• Post-back & neck surgical procedures
• Ligamentous repairs/injuries (i.e. ACL repair, labral repair)
• Muscle strains & overuse injuries (tendinitis, bursitis)
• Fractures
• Neck and back injuries
• Joint instability

Treatment may include, when applicable:

• Strengthening and flexibility exercises
• Stability exercises
• Coordination and agility exercises
• Balance activities
• Manual therapy (i.e. joint mobilizations and manipulations, passive muscle stretching, functional massage)
• Postural activities
• Modalities (i.e. heat, ice, electrical stimulation, ultrasound)
• Lumbar/cervical traction
• Instruction in a home exercise program