Sports Doctor Austin, TX

Who are sports doctors?

If you are currently active, it is important to find a good sports doctor in Austin, Texas to help you recover from any injuries. Sports doctors operate under the field of sports medicine, which is a branch of medicine that focuses on helping people to improve their performance, recover from injuries, and prevent future injuries from happening. There are many different professions that fall under the branch of sports medicine, including physical therapy. Physical therapists may obtain a board certification in Sport Physical Therapy, but there are other professions that may also operate under sports medicine, including, but not limited to:

• Athletic training 
• Strength and conditioning specialists 
• Orthopedic surgeons 
• Medical doctors

Common conditions seen by physical therapists

There are many conditions and injuries that are treated by physical therapists, including the following. This is not an exhaustive list, and you should always consult with your therapist before your evaluation to ensure that they are comfortable treating your injury. 

• Injuries of the shoulder including rotator cuff overuse/tear, impingement, and frozen shoulders. 
• Injuries of the knee including tearing/spraining of ligaments (ACL, MCL, PCL, LCL), torn meniscus, and fractures. 
• Injuries of the neck including herniated discs, pinched nerves, and neck sprains. 
• Injuries of the hip including labral tears, fractures, and overall hip instability.

If you believe that you have suffered an injury while being active, reach out to a sports doctor in Austin, Texas in order to get an accurate diagnosis. Physical therapy may be recommended in order to help you recover safely and get you back to playing the sports you love. 

Services included in physical therapy 

There are many different services and exercises that therapists will use throughout the recovery process. Not all physical therapy clinics are the same, as there may be services offered at one clinic but not another. Austin Physical Therapy offers many different resources, including, but not limited to:

• Dry needling – Certifications are required in order for Physical Therapists to perform dry needling. Thin needles are placed into the skin and treat various muscle trigger points that may limit function, decrease range of motion, cause pain, or lead to tenderness. 

• Blood flow restriction training (BFR) – This is a technique that occludes blood flow to different limbs through the use of cuffs that are pumped with air. By limiting blood flow, the muscles are able to get worked on without the need for excessive loads, so individuals doing BFR training are able to perform exercises at a lower intensity. Following a BFR session, there is an increased growth hormone response that promotes muscle hypertrophy. 

• Manual therapy- Manual therapy involves hands-on manipulation done by a therapist. There are various benefits, including an increase in range of motion, a decrease in pain, a lowering of swelling, and/or allowing for the patient to relax. 

Visit Austin Physical Therapy if you are seeking quality care from a sports doctor in Austin, Texas, make an appointment with one of our therapists today. Both of our therapists, Cullen Nigrini and Dr. Robert Killebrew, have rehabilitated and currently work with many elite athletes, including professional MMA fighters, NCAA, NFL, and NBA players. Schedule your evaluation today and start your recovery journey by calling 512-985-2200 or emailing [email protected].