“How critical is physical therapy for athletes?”
I am a marathon runner, and the other day I was told that it is important for me to receive physical therapy. Are warm ups and stretches enough? Do I really need physical therapy?
13 Answers
Physical therapy is highly beneficial for athletes like marathon runners. While warm-ups and stretches help, therapy provides specialized techniques to enhance performance, prevent injuries, and address imbalances or overuse. A physical therapist can tailor a program to improve endurance, recovery, and joint health, complementing your training and maximizing overall performance.
My general advice would be to consider a "well" visit with a PT to check for asymmetries or imbalances that might be present. They could also advise regarding appropriate stretches and warm-ups. It is essential to warm up prior to any physical exercise. Stretching is not considered a warm-up and is actually more effective once the muscles are already warm. Best of luck with your running!!!!
In short, it depends.
Can warm-ups and stretches be enough? Yes.
Are they likely helpful enough to upramp you to your regular training regimen? Maybe not.
Within our clinic, we work with a lot of runners who enter their return to running too early or without the appropriate progressions following an injury. Depending on what it is that you're dealing with, moving too quickly might inhibit your future training or elongate the process of returning to a higher level of performance.
I recommend completing an evaluation with a sports and performance therapist to understand better what you need. If you need more help, reach out virtually to set up a consult!
Can warm-ups and stretches be enough? Yes.
Are they likely helpful enough to upramp you to your regular training regimen? Maybe not.
Within our clinic, we work with a lot of runners who enter their return to running too early or without the appropriate progressions following an injury. Depending on what it is that you're dealing with, moving too quickly might inhibit your future training or elongate the process of returning to a higher level of performance.
I recommend completing an evaluation with a sports and performance therapist to understand better what you need. If you need more help, reach out virtually to set up a consult!
Two issues here as I see it: Injury prevention, and injury treatment. PTs have tools for both, but insurance only pays for one- treatment. We both know that prevention should be the focus. Seek out injury prevention PTs who will typically charge a cash rate and maybe you won't need PT for injury treatment!
what hurts?
If you don't have complaints (pain, weakness, limping, sprain, or any other issues), you can stick with warm up and stretching as you mentioned.
No you don't need physical therapy, you may go to the gym if you wish .
If you have a good stretching and strengthening routine then you don’t need skilled physical therapy unless you have experienced an injury associated with your recreational activities.
It depends. If you have the proper knowledge of exercises, you should be fine. However, you should consult a physical therapist in order to prevent any further injuries.
PT will help heal minor injuries caused due to running.
No and Yes. NO warm ups and stretching may not be enough and YES Physical Therapy would help you perform better.
Seeing a Physical Therapist is not only important when you are injured, but is also important in order to avoid injury and to improve athletic ability. Unless you are a disciplined cross-trainer, you are likely developing muscle imbalances due to training the same muscles repeatedly. At some point, you may develop over-use injuries. Warm ups and stretches are important and will generally get you through for a while. But it is a good idea to schedule wellness visits with your Physical Therapist periodically in order to avoid any injuries.
If you're struggling with a low level injury, it's always important to address the issue. As a marathon runner myself, it's very important that warm ups and stretching is important, but performed in a functional plane motions. If you need help, then I definitely recommend at least an evaluation.
